 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Asthma / April 2006One sided wheezing
Hi, I'd appreciate any insight on a condition that has plagued me off and on since 2004. I have a wheeze (if dry a squeak) in my left lung mid and upper bronchus area. It happens mainly on inspiration when my lungs are dry but when I have a viral infection (as I do now) and subsequent congestion it's very loud with fluid causing wheezing in and out. I also get pain on my left side often front and back which seems like it's right around this area. My right side is usually crystal clear and only occasionally when the left side is loud as above do I hear even the slightest wheeze. I have a pulmonologist that I'm seeing who seems baffled about it. It doesn't help that it's intermittant and sometimes not there at all as has been the case when I see him. Other times myself and other doctors (my GP and allergist) hear the wheeze loud and clear. My allergist said it sounds like rhonci and isn't really a wheeze. The pulmonologist has done: a ct scan (twice) over 2 years and there are no changes in a small granuloma on the left side that he swears is way too small and far from the bronchus to cause any probs. He has also done a cxr recently which showed no pneumonia. He sent me for a ct scan sinuses as well and this was normal. (he thought maybe drainage from sinuses). He has done a meth choline challenge test as well and ruled out traditional asthma. He has also ruled out bronchiectasis based on the ct scans. Also I get tb tested yearly for my job and it's always been negative. My thoughts are adult reactive airway but wouldn't this be bilateral? I also thought maybe there was a foreign body obstruction but wouldn't that be seen on the two ct scans I've had? Could there be a stricture or something in the lining of the bronchus that they couldn't see? Also can you get broncitis on just one side? Any new ideas or thoughts would be much appreciated. I know it's complex but I'm so tired of this rattle and vibration down there. Thanks in advance, Crzzy1 > My thoughts are adult reactive airway but wouldn't this be bilateral? Usually. > I > also thought maybe there was a foreign body obstruction but wouldn't > that be seen on the two ct scans I've had? Probably but not always. If it was something that didn't show up on X-ray it might not. I would think that by now even if it was not radio-opaque that there woul dbe enough of a local tissue reaction thaty that would show up. > Could there be a stricture > or something in the lining of the bronchus that they couldn't see? I guess. Has the pulm discussed doing a bronchoscopy? If it is affecting two lobes of the lung (middle and upper) it would have to be comming from a large airway that he would be able to see with the 'scope. > Also > can you get broncitis on just one side? Not usually.  Signature00doc Thanks, I appreciate your insightful thoughts. This is the best feedback I've received yet on my problem. As far as the foreign body possibility, I have had chest xrays and they haven't noticed anything but they were looking for pneumonia and probably not focusing in on this problem. I called my Dr. back the other day and he decided to go ahead with a bronchoscopy. He said something about the left bronchus area being one area that doesn't get as good a look on ct scans as the other. (I don't understand this but that's what he said). This problem seems to be intermittant too. One hour of the day I will feel fine and I'm breathing fine; the next there will be that horrible wheeze and chest ache. This has delayed diagnosis because while other Dr.'s have heard it (my GP and allergist), the pulmonologist always seems to see me when it's clear. Anyway, the nice Dr. is going to do a bronch (this Thurs.) afterall because he believes me and my husband about the symptoms. My husband has been living this with me and I often have him listen to my lungs either with a stethescope or from afar and he always confirms it. Finally, I have been tested for Lupus and other arthritic conditions and all are negative. However, someone on another thread suggested that this could be a nerve related thing on the left side. I did have numbness and tingling in my fingers on that side for an isolated month on and off in Dec. I thought it was related to coughing. Thanks again for your comments and I will keep you posted on the result of the bronch. crzzy1 Will they be testing for chlamydia pneumoniae and mycoplasma after doing the bronchoscopy? I think it's possible for bacteria to settle in some tissue of the lung on one side, but not on the other. I always had a lot of problems with my left lung. If it's one of those bacteria causing the problem, you'll have to be treated properly in order to eradicate the bacteria, or the problem won't go away. See Dr. Hahn's protocol on the bottom left side of the home page at www.asthmastory.com to get details on proper treatment. Hello, Thanks for your comments. I was wondering as well if this could be some type of localized infection. I had not pressed it because there was no evidence of pneumonia on the chest xray I recently had and I've not had a fever. Did you find this to be the case with your left lung and did any research or doctors tell you that it could be one sided? Also, have you tried the treatment? I read Dr. Hahn's research and technique of eradicating the bacteria. I am going to ask the pulmonologist if he will test for both organisms during the bronch. Thanks again this has been really thought provoking. crzzy1 I was treated three years ago by Dr. Hahn and have been off asthma meds ever since. He did tell me it could settle on one side more than another, which was why I had the pain and problems I had prior to treatment. I even had problems sleeping on one side. I've had xrays done, but nobody ever said anything about pneumonia except for those times I had an active bout of pneumonia. If your pulmonologist says he doesn't see a need to test for c. pneumoniae or mycoplasma, I would tell him you'd like it done anyway, just to ease your mind. Leave no stone unturned here, as long as they're doing the bronch. Good luck. > Hello, > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > crzzy1 > Thanks, I appreciate your insightful thoughts. This is the best > feedback I've received yet on my problem. You're welcome. Another possibility occured to me. It could be a vascular malformation. Usually the left main stem bronchus lies in front of the left pulmonary artery and aorta. Sometimes it can be between them and then pinch off the bronchus intermittently when the cardiac activity changes. He might be able to see the compression during the bronchoscopy. If not, an MRI of the lungs with an MRA (magnetic resonsance angiogram) could look both for things that don;t show up on x-ray (and so not CT) and the relationship of the blood vessels. > As far as the foreign body possibility, I have had chest xrays and they > haven't noticed anything but they were looking for pneumonia and > probably not focusing in on this problem. They would only show up if they were completely blocking an airway and so trapping air (and then you often need to do special views to see them) or if they were a material that shows up on x-ray (plants, plastic, etc doesn't). Signature00doc It could be a vascular malformation. Usually the left main stem bronchus lies in front of the left pulmonary artery and aorta. Sometimes it can be between them and then pinch off the bronchus intermittently when the cardiac activity changes. I hadn't thought of this but it makes perfect sense. The problem is intermittant and does seem to get worse when I'm stressed and also when I drink highly caffienated drinks. Maybe the coffee is causing the heart to race and stimulating some type of compression? They would only show up if they were completely blocking an airway and so trapping air (and then you often need to do special views to see them) or if they were a material that shows up on x-ray (plants, plastic, etc doesn't). I've been trying to imagine what type of thing I could have inhaled and I always come back to one day while working in the yard, somehow I think may have inhaled a piece of mulch. I had an "asthma like attack" right after that. I really don't know for sure, so it's still a stab in the dark. Hopefully, the bronch can shed some light on all this. I really appreciate your comments and am taking them very seriously. Thanks, crzzy1 > I've been trying to imagine what type of thing I could have inhaled and > I always come back to one day while working in the yard, somehow I > think may have inhaled a piece of mulch. I had an "asthma like attack" > right after that. I really don't know for sure, so it's still a stab in > the dark. Plant matter would not show up on x-ray or CT. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstra ct&list_uids=14514789&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_DocSum http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstra ct&list_uids=9264164&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_DocSum http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstra ct&list_uids=9415838&query_hl=13&itool=pubmed_DocSum Signature00doc She could have inhaled mold spores though, yes? >> I've been trying to imagine what type of thing I could have >> inhaled and [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstra ct&list_uids=9415838&query_hl=13&itool=pubmed_DocSum > Hi, I'd appreciate any insight on a condition that has plagued me off > and on since 2004. I have a wheeze (if dry a squeak) in my left lung > mid and upper bronchus area. Hi, I was interested in your post because I also get a wheeze on just one side. But in my case it's caused by nighttime acid reflux (heartburn), which when it's bad wakes me up in the early hours. I've noticed when it's really bad it causes me to wheeze with lots of bubbling/wheezy noise, but only if I lie on one side. If I roll over and lie on the other side I still have the heartburn but the wheezing stops! If I roll back over, the wheezing starts again, very clearcut. All the bubbling/wheeze noise seems to come from my left lung, although it's rather hard to tell precisely. Doc told me the wheeze is probably caused by breathing in some of the stomach acid that's come up. It's been treated with omeprazole and I've changed my diet which just about stops the reflux. When it happens the wheeze lasts for a few days before it subsides. My doc said he has no idea of why the wheeze is only on one side. Don't know if this is any help but might give you another clue if you have any form of reflux disease or nighttime heartburn. Tony. > > Hi, I'd appreciate any insight on a condition that has plagued me off > > and on since 2004. I have a wheeze (if dry a squeak) in my left lung [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Tony. Tony, Ask for a chest X-Ray. This is rule out (or in) nodules on one of your lungs. Of course, if you recently had a X-Ray--ignore this advice. I am not a doctor. I recently had a bad case of bronchitis. The first thing that my doctor done was to arrange for me to have a chest X-Ray to rule in or out lung cancer. Even people that have never smoked can get lung cancer. Your doctor is making a guess and he may be correct. However, in this case, you need more than just a guess. Jason SignatureNEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice. We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people. > Tony, > Ask for a chest X-Ray. This is rule out (or in) nodules on one of your lungs. I last had a chest xray about a year ago and that was completely clear. I'm a non-smoker. Haven't had any weight loss or other symptoms, other than the bad reflux. Is it still worth asking for another xray? In article <slrne3718u.1ua.tonybDELETE_THIS_SPAM_BLOCKER17v@fifi.myplace.org>, tonybDELETE_THIS_SPAM_BLOCKER17v@hotmail.com wrote: > > Tony, > > Ask for a chest X-Ray. This is rule out (or in) nodules on one of your lungs. > > I last had a chest xray about a year ago and that was completely clear. > I'm a non-smoker. Haven't had any weight loss or other symptoms, other > than the bad reflux. Is it still worth asking for another xray? Yes, get another X-Ray or a bronchoscopy. The best option would be to ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist. Most family practice (GP) doctors do not have the equipment needed to conduct the type of tests that are needed. For example, they now have a machine that is connected to a computer. The technician uses the machine to determine if you have asthma. Most GP doctors don't have such a machine. Jason SignatureNEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice. We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people. > Yes, get another X-Ray or a bronchoscopy. Thanks, I'll follow this up next time I go for an appointment with my doc. Tony > For example, they now have a machine that is connected to a > computer. The technician uses the machine to determine if you have asthma. > Most GP doctors don't have such a machine. Office spirometry is common in many offices. I suspect that you are right that most primary docs don't have them but many do. I also know that many pulmonologists don't have them because they prefer the fancier tests. Anyone can send you to a pulmonary lab to have the test done. Depending on what you are doing at the time it may or may not show that you have asthma. Signature00doc > > For example, they now have a machine that is connected to a > > computer. The technician uses the machine to determine if you have asthma. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > can send you to a pulmonary lab to have the test done. Depending on what you > are doing at the time it may or may not show that you have asthma. doc, Good points. We don't have such a pulmonary lab in my town which is the reason that local doctors refer patients to pulmonologists. About 5 pulmonologists work out of the same office and they have the expensive equipment in their office. Jason SignatureNEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice. We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people. Hi Tony, I have had reflux and am on nexium but it seems to have no correlation with the wheeze. I originally thought that it did. I've never had the traditional "heartburn" but kind of a "silent reflux". Since I've been on nexium and done all of the measures to prevent nighttime reflux and don't have the lump in my throat feeling anymore, I kind of think it may now be unrelated. I don't just sleep on one side, as a matter of fact though, since the problem I had tried to sleep on the other side without any difference. I guess for peace of mind, I would pursue it more and not just take the easier answer. I'd like to know for sure that there isn't any obstruction or physical reason for the wheezing. (especially since it's one-sided). I've had the chest xrays and cat scans too but apparently there are still things that can't be seen on them as the doctor above has described. I will let you know what I find out as I have a bronchoscopy scheduled for tommorrow. crzzy1 > I will let you know what I find out as I have a bronchoscopy scheduled > for tommorrow. I'll be very interested to hear how it goes and how (un)comfortable(?) having the bronchoscopy is. In my case the heartburn is severe, major burning sensation in upper chest area that lasts for hours, coupled with feeling "stuff" coming up my throat, (rarely I actually vomit - sorry for the gory details!) so the reflux diagnosis is pretty clear-cut. Usually I have a teaspoon of bicarb in water and/or gaviscon, but when it's a bad attack even that doesn't fix it and it's then that I get the wheeze on one side. It's only happened badly enough to cause the loud bubbly wheeze 3-4 times over the last year or so, so not very frequent. Main trigger is eating dairy (yoghurt or cheese) and/or spicy/oily food (like curry!) in afternoon or evening. If I avoid the trigger foods I don't get the reflux or the wheeze. I have allergic asthma too, I always wondered how much of a link there might be to the reflux. Or even whether the reflux is a side-effect of prednisone or inhaled fluticasone, because I never used to suffer from reflux and could eat the above-mentioned foods with no ill-effects at all, but over the last couple of years I've developed this bad reaction, and that co-incides with standard asthma steroid therapy. Probably not related though (hope so!). Anyway, hope your bronchoscopy goes well, I'll be interested to hear result. Tony Hello, Wanted to update on the bronchoscopy I had this morning. Tony, it was not uncomfortable at all; I was put under a light anesthesia for it and was able to leave the hospital with only an hour recovery. I coughed for a couple hours but not really much more than my usual! The dr. did not do a biopsy but did do washings for the standard things: fungal, tb, and others. There was no area to biopsy as he said it looked grossly normal. The pictures to me look like there is irritation in some of them so I would guess there's some type of infection\inflammation. The vocal chord area looks like it has redness and irritation leading down to the chords so that helps give credit to Tony's theory of reflux. I tried hard to convince my dr. to do washings for chlamydia pneumoniae and mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria but he wouldn't budge on that saying they don't run bronchial wash tests for those. I gave him several professional articles on this but of course wasn't about to argue with someone about to shove a tube down my lungs! He said they do blood tests for this but from my reading which NorthShoreCEO recommended I know the blood tests aren't accurate for current infection. What I gained from this is the knowledge that there is no cancer, foriegn body, compression or strictures evident and no obvious gross infection. I also feel good that there is no damage to the bronchus from possible acid exposure if it is all because of reflux. I'm glad I had this done! I plan on continuing my nexium and reflux prevention eating habits for several months and see if this makes a difference. I will also follow up with him in 2 wks on results of the washings and press for a blood test for the above organisms if everything else is negative. I'm still confused about why this is so one-sided but I may never get a definitive answer on that. My only guess (and I'm not a dr.but am a nurse) is that the left side is more angular than the right which goes straight down. Could aspirate (reflux or secretions) get trapped on the left for that reason? Once there, would this area be likely to harbor some opportunistic infection? Anyway, I hope my experience thus far has helped others and I am grateful to those on this board who have given their input. When I get my results from the bronch washings I will post and also whether I go any further with blood work to rule out other infection. Crzzy1 It sounds like a bronchoscopy isn't as unpleasant a procedure as I thought it might be, so I may mention this to my Doc next time I see him in case he thinks it's worth doing, I expect they would do an xray anyhow before anything more invasive. In my case the link to reflux does seem to be fairly obvious, I only get this one-sided wheeze when I have the nighttime reflux, but as Jason said I guess it's worth checking, better safe than sorry. It's interesting that I always wheeze on the left side as well, although I know nothing about anatomy so perhaps it's of no significance. I usually sleep on my right side, I don't know if that's related in any way to which side develops the wheeze when I have the reflux. The oddest thing about my symptoms (to my mind anyway) is that once I have the wheeze, if I roll onto my right side it just stops, almost immediately. All the bubbling and wheezing noise stops, although I still have all the heartburn and acid coming up. If I roll back onto my left side, wheeze starts again straight away, and the whole thing is repeatable! This is only when I'm in the middle of an "attack" of reflux. Perhaps a bronchoscopy might shed some light on it. I guess the most important thing is to find out if there's anything more serious happening (fingers crossed!) For interest I found the best way to avoid reflux is to eliminate the triggers and eat lots of vegetables, perhaps the vegetables are alkaline (not sure really!) but they certainly seem to dampen it down, it's a bit boring but you get used to it. Needless to say it's the "treats" I like that cause the reflux, (I love fresh squeezed orange juice and cheese and natural yoghurt, and real tandoori curry), so yet another of life's little pleasures bites the dust! Broccoli and carrots aren't as much fun but then again they don't give me the reflux either. Anyway thanks for posting your experience, it's all interesting, it sounds like your wheeze isn't as obviously connected to reflux as mine is but it's interesting that there's some similarity in the symptoms. I've always understood that asthma is principally an allergic illness, but perhaps there's more to the effect of reflux than meets the eye, especially if it can happen without the person suffering being very aware of it. Tony |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.