Lung noises

[Orangesandlemons77]

Being investigated at the GPs for mild breathlessness, have "bibasal creps" at the base of lungs.

All tests seem ok x ray, blood tests, spirometry (apart from raised inflammation based on breathing test) but the GP seems concerned the sounds are still present. Wants to send me for a thin section CT of the lung if still there in a week or so after discussing with respiratory consultant.

I feel ok, just a bit breathless eg after walking about 50m. They are so busy and have not discussed it further with the GP but looking online says can mean something serious in the lung.

Anyone had similar? I'm guessing cancer would have shown up in the x ray, but a bit worried.

You’ve said that blood tests were ok, but I’d be looking at your irons to see if they are close to the bottom of normal.
My ferritin was at the bottom of normal yet I had palpitations and was breathless when going up the stairs.

I've had those checked too, I had slightly low ferritin but it is better now after taking iron supplements so don't think it's that

It's the sounds she seems worried about. I'm going back later in the week and if they are still there going for a CT scan.

I’d be more worried about a pulmonary embolism which typically won’t show up on X-ray.
Pleurisy is something else (I’m prone to this) that doesn’t show up in X-ray.

It’s your lungs. Your breathing is compromised. I’d actually go to A&E. I’m not trying to frighten you but things like tumours show up on an x Ray. They may not be able to distinguish between tumour and something else that can appear similar and therefore, further testing would be done. But they’d have seen something. Pulmonary embolisms are quiet on X-ray. I watched my mum suffer one, and after a period of symptoms, its grand entrance was swift and scary. I’d rule this out by attending A&E.

They have checked for an embolism with a d dimer test? Yes she was a bit worried about that.

Hi - you don’t need A and E! Can’t imagine why anyone wants to alarm you like that. I had Covid last October followed by a lung infection. 10 months on I still have ongoing breathlessness after walking upstairs or yes, about 50 yards. You , like me, have basal crepitus (bibasal means both lungs). all that means is that there is mucus or fluid in your lungs making a crackling noise through a stethoscope, a bit like a crinkled crisp packet, It’s not harmful in itself. I had a full CT to check for cancer etc etc but that was just a precaution. My alveoli are a bit inflamed still, causing the crepitus / crackles. They also make your lungs far less efficient, hence the breathlessness. I have inhalers and am having physio to help open up the ‘crackly’ parts of my lungs. Don’t panic x

Thanks, yes this is what they are talking about. Going to check if it is still there by the end of the week. It sounds similar. I also had covid, right at the start of it all when there were no vaccines and feels a bit like that burning feeling but lesser, wonder if it something lingering since then. I'll speak to the GP later in the week when they listen to it again and find out the next steps, if it is still there.

Let me know how you get on? I’m 10 months post-Covid and frustrated at the breathlessness that can build into panic quite easily x

Goodness I am sorry. My intention wasn’t to scare you. I sincerely apologise. It’s just that I was exposed to a massive wildfire (the air was terrible for ages afterwards) about 20 years ago. My infant son, my mum, and I developed pneumonia every year for about 5 years. Our lungs have been a bit fucked ever since.

I’m sorry that I hadn’t taken your history of COVID into consideration. I guess I was just thinking about how scary breathlessness is and I’d hate to think that you’re waiting ages for appointments to come up while experiencing breathlessness. I recommended A&E for that reason, mainly.

May you recover fully and breathe well again. I’m terribly sorry if I frightened you. 💐

My phone capitalised Covid (Sorry! It looks so… well… loud and COVID). 🤪

It's Ok don't worry!

I will do. Have you been checked out for it, by the GP?

Yes, I am under the care of GP, respiratory consultant and also see a respiratory physiotherapist. They have bunched my breathlessness and other symptoms under ‘long covid’. Unlikely to get worse but still quite limiting.

I've to go back and see the GP tomorrow, to see if they can still hear the sounds.

Went back to GP and noises still there, I have health insurance so we are going to use that to see a consultant and get it checked out further

Says it could just be the alveoli making a noise which sometimes happens but they want to rule out small blood clots in the lungs and would refer me for the CT scan but going to go via the consultant first for their opinion.

I wonder about covid. We had it (I think) right at the start of the pandemic, before there were enough tests and no vaccines.

Had burning in the chest which was quite bad, wonder if something could be lingering from then, scarring or something.

The other thing I have had come back as raised is a FeNo test for inflammation given as part of spirometry, I have been given a peak flow metre to do a chart with. Apparently this can indicate asthma.