Thank you for all your replies ----

Melon : I try to meditate. I have several guided meditations and calming meditation music, but everytime I listen, I coould not concentrate -my mind will fly elsewhere.

Zygopetalum : I am on Synthroid since 2007 after I had the total thyroidectomy. I had nodules which were found benign (thank God!). I discovered my TSH was high last November 2011 (a month after I had the PN symptoms). But, since December 2011 until April 2012, my TSH was low. My last test which was last week, my TSH was already normal. My doctor does not think that my PN is caused by my t hyroid problem. (Actually, I dont know what to believe now....) Yes, I had a thread about my anxiousness. I know that anxiety can cause shortness of breath, but you know when your body is in distress, you thread the path of fear - which I know is not good. I am trying to rule out the cause of my shortness of breath by process of elimination. I am not trying to diagnose myself, but I need to have some peace of mind between now and my appointment with the pulmo.

Its a relief to know that a reduced FEV1 will not affect breathing that much.

Doc : I hope this is not heart related. I had my EKG, treadmill stress test in 2011, my heart is normal, except for a Mitral Valve Prolapse, which the cardiologist assured me that its nothing to worry about.

I read that the nerve affecting the motor can cause the shortness of breath. however, my neurologist said that the strength of my muscle is okay. With this finding, is it possible that my shortness of breath can be a resuslt of a motor neuropathy?

Thank you all!

I saw a pulmonologist today. He gave me another PFT in his clinic. The breathing test showed some decreased airflow compared to the 2011 PFT. Although, the doctor said that the result is still within the normal level.(I guess I mentioned in my earlier post that my 2011 PFT had also a reduction from 2010 PFT.) So, it seems there is a trend in the decrease of airflow.

He also saw in my 2011 CT scan two small scars in my lower right lung which may have been caused by t.b. I had in 2000 (ileocecal T.B.). Just to make sure --- he requested a follow up CT scan.

He gave me some tests which may have some effects on the lungs:

1. IGA
2. SPE
3. ANA
4. Anti-DNA
5. RA
6. ANCA -P+C
7. Anti-GBM
8. Sjorgren's
9.Anti-JO Antibody

I already had some of these tests, but it will not hurt to take them again.

This is the thing I was trying to avoid - inhaler! He put me on Symbicort due to a mild asthma. He said the usual "script" on the inhalers - "just localized unlike oral steroid".

Just like most posters, I have been trying mightily to avoid anything to aggravate the nerves, especially now that I think my symptoms are progressing.

I guess I just have to bite the bullet this time.

I will appreciate though any special precautions/ideas.

Thank you.

what were your FEV1 numbers?

Hi echoes,
I am not sure which numbers to post - so, I will just write all the numbers opposite the FEV1. Here they are:

2008
Ref : 2.77
Pre : 2.56
Pre% : 93
Post : 2.63
Post% : 95
%Change: 3

2011
Ref : 2.63
Pre : 2.00
Pre% : 71
Post : 1.93
Post% : 68
%Change: -4

2012
Ref : 2.79
Pre : 1.66
Pre% : 59
Post : 1.76
Post% : 63
%Change : 6

I hope you could provide me with more enlightenment on these numbers.

Thank you in advance.

fev1 is forced expiratory volume or the amount of air you can forcibly exhale in one second. yours has been dropping over the last 4 years at a greater rate than would be expected due to age. fev1 numbers do go down normally as you get older but yours are above that. at 59% of expected fev1 you are now in the moderately obstructed category. Your 2011 numbers showed you to be mildly obstructed.Expected results are based on age, weight, height and believe or not ethnicity and yours are 59% of what would be expected for your age, weight, height and ethnicity in a normal person.
do you have your FVC numbers and fev1/fvc ratio?

my fev1 has gone down from 115% of expected in 2001( i was a runner) to 48% now just to give you one example of progression.

The FEV1/FVC are as follows:

2008:
Ref : 76
Pre : 87
Post : 96

2011:
Ref : 83
Pre : 77
Post : 75

2012:
Ref : 83
Pre : 73
Post : 72

I am now 51 years old, 5'6 at 113-114lbs (Asian).

Doctor has put me on symbicort.

May I ask, what is your lung problem?

Thank you so much echoes. I appreciate your inputs.

i dont know why your pulmonary doctor told you your results were normal. anything below 80% of predicted is below normal. Both your fev1 and fev/fvc ratio are significantly below 80%. 59% and 73% respectively. 59 % is moderately obstructed as i wrote before. shortness of breath is a common symptom with this number. an fev1/fvc ratio below 70% is a basis for a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. you are inching closer to that number, maybe he or she means that you arent there yet for a firm diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but you are definitely not normal and are obstructed.

i have chronic bronchitis and asthma (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease /reactive airway disease) since 2001. i also have numerous nodules on my lungs which i have to keep track of via cat scans to make sure they arent growing.
if you have insurance, i would ask for a prescription for a nebulizer for home for those times you are short of breath. it has saved me from many a scary and uncomfortable experience not to mention trips to the Emergency room.