Need Advice From Members With Breathing Problems.

[Gebe]

Hello Friends,
I'm 76 years old and have had some breathing problems the past several years. Last year it became even worse and I ended up in the hospital.

It was discovered I had blood clots in my lower legs that had risen up into my right lung and had formed an abscess that was eating away my right lung.

I had an emergency operation to cut out the abscess and they removed approximately 1/3 of the lung. I was in recovery for 9 months.

God bless the V.A., (I'm a Viet Nam Marine Corps veteran), as they helped immensely along the way with needed essentials especially medications.

I've come a long ways as for months even after the operation I could hardly move within gasping for air. With much recovery work, I finally got where I could at least function as in walking short distances and such.

I am taking medications that the V.A. prescribed for this but I still have breathing problems and some days worse than others.

One of my wife's sisters suggested I try PREDNISONE as it helped her with her breathing problems. The problem is the V.A. wouldn't prescribe any for me as they said it's an addictive substance.

My wife found an outside source for them and ordered some. I started taking 10 MG at first for a couple weeks and it seemed to help some. I then raised it to 20 MG for a few weeks and it helped even more. Well now I've been taking 30 MG for the past few months and it helps even more.

I will not go beyond 30 MG as it has been a great boost most days. It's hit or miss though as some days it gives me great energy and really helps with breathing. Other days, not so much.

Finally my question is, is there any medication that might help with the breathing along with the Prednisone? I have my Albuterol inhalers that I use when the breathing gets bad but they only give short temporary relief which is fine.

I apologize for the long diatribe but any help and suggestions you fine folks could provide would be much appreciated. God bless and thank you!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

When I take Prednisone for about 1 week, I get to where I want to fight everyone that comes into view! Aside from that 0ne side effect, it is a great med. Let the docs do their job or maybe find a second opinion.

Ivan

 

[gjgalligan]

Many people suffer a huge gain in weight. I saw it first hand in my wife. It was a long hard battle to loss the weight, as in years. It also happened to Jerry Lewis although it seem like he lost if fairly quick.
Given your age & health I would suspect you could blow up like a balloon.
I don't know how you could get it without a script from a doctor. 10mg,20mg, now 30 mg of self medication looks like a danger signal.

 

[ladder13]

Please consult with a pulmonologist.

 

[Maddog 521]

Prednisone doesn't heal anything the way I understand it. It gets rid of inflammation in your body. Ladder 13 has very good advice, consult a pulmonololgist.

 

[rustythread]

Please consult with yourt doc before continuing with prednisone. In addition to the possible steroid rage mentioned above, be aware that prednisone diminishes or halts your body's natural defenses. A tiny infection can turn into a killer without your body telling you that anything is wrong--no redness, swelling, fever, etc until it is too late. I spent a week packed in ice with IV antibiotics running full tilt after a dermatologist prescribed prednisone to counter a rash and a later small cut got infected. In countering the rash, prednisone suppressed my defenses against infection and thereby suppressed all the swelling, redness, fever, etc which would have alerted me to the infection. I damn' near died.

PLEASE talk to your doc before self-prescribing anything.

 

[glenwolde]

Prednisone is not generally considered addictive, so I suspect there was another reason they would not prescribe it. Maybe a good reason. I'm betting it was not a doctor that told you that?

That's not something that should be taken without a prescription, if that is indeed the case here. It may be helping with your breathing but you may have some other condition where it is contraindicated. Some of the complications they list may make you wish for the breathing problems back. That's some pretty powerful stuff.

 

[SMSgt]

Ironically, I had the exact same issue in June after being hit with a cough and gasping for air. Unprovoked blood clot in the leg had gone to both lungs. Never seen an ER go to work so fast. Because there was no warning of the leg clot and no apparent reason for it, I'm on blood thinners for life. I did make a quick recovery though, except for the unknown cause of the clotting.
I would never self-prescribe medications. Like mentioned, see a pulmonologist. Even if you have to go outside the VA--I certainly do--get the right treatment. It sounds as if you're treating the symptoms, not the cause.

 

[snake803]

Ironically, I had the exact same issue in June after being hit with a cough and gasping for air. Unprovoked blood clot in the leg had gone to both lungs. Never seen an ER go to work so fast. Because there was no warning of the leg clot and no apparent reason for it, I'm on blood thinners for life. I did make a quick recovery though, except for the unknown cause of the clotting.
I would never self-prescribe medications. Like mentioned, see a pulmonologist. Even if you have to go outside the VA--I certainly do--get the right treatment. It sounds as if you're treating the symptoms, not the cause.

Same thing for me about two years ago...Blood thinners for life..A small cut or abrasion.. I bleed like a stuck pig... But no more clots::::

JIM......

 

[grover99]

Had a friend with COPD and he carried an Oxygen Concentrator with him all the time and also had an oxygen tank at home to help his breathing. Don't know if this will help you but it is something to look into.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Hello Friends,
I'm 76 years old and have had some breathing problems the past several years. Last year it became even worse and I ended up in the hospital.

It was discovered I had blood clots in my lower legs that had risen up into my right lung and had formed an abscess that was eating away my right lung.

I had an emergency operation to cut out the abscess and they removed approximately 1/3 of the lung. I was in recovery for 9 months.

God bless the V.A., (I'm a Viet Nam Marine Corps veteran), as they helped immensely along the way with needed essentials especially medications.

I've come a long ways as for months even after the operation I could hardly move within gasping for air. With much recovery work, I finally got where I could at least function as in walking short distances and such.

I am taking medications that the V.A. prescribed for this but I still have breathing problems and some days worse than others.

One of my wife's sisters suggested I try PREDNISONE as it helped her with her breathing problems. The problem is the V.A. wouldn't prescribe any for me as they said it's an addictive substance.

My wife found an outside source for them and ordered some. I started taking 10 MG at first for a couple weeks and it seemed to help some. I then raised it to 20 MG for a few weeks and it helped even more. Well now I've been taking 30 MG for the past few months and it helps even more.

I will not go beyond 30 MG as it has been a great boost most days. It's hit or miss though as some days it gives me great energy and really helps with breathing. Other days, not so much.

Finally my question is, is there any medication that might help with the breathing along with the Prednisone? I have my Albuterol inhalers that I use when the breathing gets bad but they only give short temporary relief which is fine.

I apologize for the long diatribe but any help and suggestions you fine folks could provide would be much appreciated. God bless and thank you!

I took prednizone for nasal polops for years.......Like any steroid it hurts more than it helps with long term use....Dr said don't take any more. .I finally had nasal surgery and don't take anything now.

 

[Grayfox]

First and foremost, consult a good Pulmonologist. You need a specialist to deal with this sort of thing.
I'm 70 years old. About 5 years ago I got real bad sick. Came very close to dying. Long story short, it left me with COPD. When I have the occasional flare up, Prednisone has been a life saver for me. I call my doctor and he will usually just call in a 10 day prescription and it clears me right up. However, I don't see it as a daily maintenance drug. Use it only as needed.
Rescue inhalers are fine for immediate relief. But also look into getting a nebulizer machine. The doctor can prescribe it and most insurance will cover it. Its simple to give yourself treatments as needed.
Again, let me stress, see a Pulmonologist. This is not something you can treat on your own.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Hello Friends,
I'm 76 years old and have had some breathing problems the past several years. Last year it became even worse and I ended up in the hospital.

It was discovered I had blood clots in my lower legs that had risen up into my right lung and had formed an abscess that was eating away my right lung.

I had an emergency operation to cut out the abscess and they removed approximately 1/3 of the lung. I was in recovery for 9 months.

God bless the V.A., (I'm a Viet Nam Marine Corps veteran), as they helped immensely along the way with needed essentials especially medications.

I've come a long ways as for months even after the operation I could hardly move within gasping for air. With much recovery work, I finally got where I could at least function as in walking short distances and such.

I am taking medications that the V.A. prescribed for this but I still have breathing problems and some days worse than others.

One of my wife's sisters suggested I try PREDNISONE as it helped her with her breathing problems. The problem is the V.A. wouldn't prescribe any for me as they said it's an addictive substance.

My wife found an outside source for them and ordered some. I started taking 10 MG at first for a couple weeks and it seemed to help some. I then raised it to 20 MG for a few weeks and it helped even more. Well now I've been taking 30 MG for the past few months and it helps even more.

I will not go beyond 30 MG as it has been a great boost most days. It's hit or miss though as some days it gives me great energy and really helps with breathing. Other days, not so much.

Finally my question is, is there any medication that might help with the breathing along with the Prednisone? I have my Albuterol inhalers that I use when the breathing gets bad but they only give short temporary relief which is fine.

I apologize for the long diatribe but any help and suggestions you fine folks could provide would be much appreciated. God bless and thank you!

I took prednizone for nasal polops for years.......Like any steroid it hurts more than it helps with long term use....Dr said don't take any more. .I finally had nasal surgery and don't take anything now. I hope you find a different med to take.

 

[erikpolcrack]

One of my sons caught RSV as a toddler. He had difficulty breathing and was prescribed albuterol via a nebulizer. He had to sit for a while each day with the mask on while watching TV or being read to. It really helped him and he recovered completely in just a few months and is still fine 20 years later. Long story short, maybe taking albuterol regularly that way instead of just when you need it with an inhaler would help your chronic breathing difficulties. Ask your doctor about it.

 

[pawngal]

Gebe, have you ever read the side effects of continued use of Prednisone? The interactions with other medications, with foods? Do you want to add diabetic to your health problems? Does your VA doc know you are taking the prednisone?
Get yourself to a specialist, a pulmonologist.

Prednisone from where? How do you know that is what it is?
Don't stop taking it all at once but taper down.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

Need Advice From Members With Breathing Problems

My wife had bronchial pneumonia that required hospitalization. She also was on Prednisone, up to 40 mg. Albuterol was also prescribed and anti-biotics. The Prednisone caused her to bulk up so much that she looked like a chipmunk. Kroger profits had a huge boost.

I agree with the recommendation to find a pulmonologist, specifically one that has experience with your medical issues/problem. During her recovery my wife met several, but only one or two that had experience with her problem-BOOP (bronchial pneumonia).

There is an established "step down" dosage profile for Prednisone. Not all doctors know what that is.

Semper Fidelis,

Bill

 

[LVSteve]

Prednisone is ghastly stuff. You need to pack in the self medication and find another fix. An O2 concentrator is about as benign as you can get.

 

[hsguy]

Prednisone is not an innocuous medication and should only be used as prescribed and monitored by a physician. Please consult a medical professional who is competent deal with your problem! Prednisone and other corticosteroids: Balance the risks and benefits - Mayo Clinic

 

[jeffrefrig]

Geez, and I thought this little prostate cancer issue I am still being tested for was the end of the line for me, but the more I read & talk to other guys the less worried I am. Especially when I read posts like Gebe's. I really hope your doctors can fix you up. When I go to most doctors, they have a copy of their doctor degree and where they went to the different schools. I feel they should have to post their transcripts, too. Remember: some doctors got mostly As and a few Bs, while others got Cs & the occasional D. I feel the C doctors work for workman's comp companies. I suppose finding a good pulmonologist might be a good idea. I really do hope the best for you.
Sincerely, Jeff T.
Also, my dad was bounced around from a few VA hospitals and personal care homes. He liked staying at the VA for extended stays, and he was fortunate to be able to go to other doctors if the VA docs couldn't fix him up to his satisfaction. Finally his god took care of him for good.
Again, Gebe, good luck to you. (I'd sure like to find out how to get prescription meds without a script!)

 

[Denverd0n]

I'm just going to "ditto" what others said about not self-medicating. It can be very dangerous. My sister did that and, as a direct result, made her condition far, FAR worse. To the point where a cancer that had been in remission for several decades ended up killing her.


JUST DON'T DO IT!