Today could have been better... It started out with not being able to get the X-ray or radiology report in time for my pulmonary doc to see me...

After complaining repeatedly to the hospital attached to the Urgent Care, that I NEEDED IT TODAY, they finally got it for me but too late for the doc today.

In the envelope, was a preliminary report which states findings:

RML (I take it this is right middle lobe) atelectasis
vs.
pneumonia...

I know the middle lobe of the lung can cause great problems. I would bet on the atelectasis, but hope for a form of pneumonia that responds to something. Can't say the Levaquin is doing a lot of good...

Cathie

Why would you have atelectasis? You still need a CT scan and specialist I think.

My pneumonia was in the upper right lobe, with NO coughing. I was weak, losing weight, and had difficulty breathing. I also had moderately high temperature (about 101-102) for about three hours every afternoon and low temperature the rest of the time. The lung sounded almost clear by stethoscope. How misleading. A chest X-ray showed a dense area, and the CT scan looked like I was growing a space alien. It was pretty inaccessible by thin tube or bronchial biopsy, so they never got a sample of the lesion, but did pick up 1 (only) adenocarcinoma cell. With a negative PET scan, it wasn't worth the risk of open chest surgery to biopsy the lesion. At least yours is in a more accessible place.

With peripheral neuropathy, you face a different future than you imagined. With the possibility of lung cancer, your future hits you in the face like a brick wall. I started planning for the worse.

My cats were great, just hanging out with me day after day, week after week, quietly affectionate without being demanding. I'll be grateful and devoted to them for the duration of their or my life. It's so worth it living with companion animals.

Good luck, and please continue to keep us informed. I'll be thinking about you until this is resolved.

Thing is that by the time THEY find out what you KNOW [I'm believeing here] You might just end up in the hospital!
Golly GOSHES!!!!! I hate going/being there with all those really contagious sick people! ?
In the meantime, I understand the need and uses for LARGE QUANTITIES of Kleenex! Where do you want me to send it?

During it all, just be sure to put lots of Vaselene on your nose --but w/a q-tip so you don't spread or share! With yourself or anything else! Hang in there! Hugs - j

Thanks all. I am seeing the Pulmonary Doc today. This was the soonest I could get in. I will address the Sarcoid, MrsD.

I don't know if it is atelectasis or not, but I sure don't feel like I did when I had full blown pneumonia. I am not running a temp, but have some crackling in the lungs. Even before, when the doctor thought I was developing early pneumonia several times, I felt horrible. This doesn't seem to be like that. I have an extremely productive cough. The X-Ray loooked white and the doctor did mention mention some plugging... My lungs are not the best.

Since I have taken 2 Levaquin, my right eye hurts, there are some sort of black things in my eye and some flashing lights. I will not take another one, until someone can figure out what is going on here.

Thank you all for you support.

Cathie

Hi Cathie:

"atelectasis"

I learned a new word today. I have to look this one up. I have no idea what this is.

I just wanted to stop by and send you warm thoughts and hope everything comes out okay.

Take care,
Melody

I spent most of the morning in the Opthalmologist's office; the rest in the Pulmonary Doc's. Here are the findings: Detached vitreous (eye)... Atelectasis of the lungs... MrsD: He did not think it was Sarcoidosis.

What next???

By the way, the eye doc did not feel this was associated with Levaquin. I don't know about that... Sure are a lot of people complaining about side effects...

Cathie

Cathie,
I have searched for the word ateleclasis. I can't find much on it. Did the pulmonary doc explain what it actually is? And what is he going to do about it?

Billye

Cathie
This advice is from the Healthscout site. It sounds good advice to me.


Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Atelectasis

Is there a collapse of lung tissue?

Have you found airway obstruction?

What is the probable cause?

Is there any problem outside of the lungs that may be a contributing factor?

What are the treatment options?


Take care and good luck
Tony

I think you may have mispelled this, Billye. It is Atelectasis.

Lungs are like upside down trees. The trachea (trunk) travels down the front of the neck, becoming primary bronchus, which branches out left and right into secondary bronchi, and in turn branches into smaller bronchi, terminating in tiny alveoli. This is where gas exchange takes place in the lungs. (Oxygen goes in here & CO2 goes out.) Fluid from pneumonia or other causes can fill these alveoli, causing mucus plugging and collapsing the little alveoli containing the mucus within. Infection can become a real problem.

I am not sure of the cause, other than he mentioned inflammation, I would guess chronic bronchitis. The treatment? Why am I not surprised? More steroids... Because the inhaler and nebulizer cannot reach the involved areas as they are closed off. He seemed pretty upbeat about it clearing up and did not feel it was Sarcoidosis. He has always been a very good pulmonary doc, so am hopeful he can clear this up for me.

I should have asked my husband to go, since I did not ask nearly enough questions and he is good at remembering what is said. I was really bummed out today though. The eye thing is scaring me... Driving into oncoming headlights tonight produced the flashing lights in the right eye. The doctor said if it gets worse to call immediately, as this can affect the retina...

I was hoping that MrsD might come along and comment on the antibiotic issue being related to this. Meanwhile, thanks to the rest of you who posted.
Cathie

may be the culprit:

http://www.fluoroquinolones.org/PART%20XI.htm

Levaquin penetrates the eye vitreous...it is used for trauma with infection to the eye.

Two days however, seems like a short time, unless you had this drug recently (within the year) before.