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Got Bronchospasms??

mvaughn1018
  • By mvaughn1018
  • Posted November 3, 2009 at 6:55 pm · 10 replies
  • In Symptoms
  • Shared with the public
1 Recommendation

I have been experiencing pains in my right and left side-(lung/rib area), radiating around to my back. After a trip to the ER today for this along with chest tightness, I was told that I was having bronchospasms-(inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles within the lungs) which has apparently created costochondritis...(inflammation of my chest cartilage). Inflammation...hmmm, I have been diagnosed and am being treated for pulmonary sarcoidosis...which I sang like a little bird along with my poor husband over and over to the ER staff. I was curious if anyone else is having similar issues or had a similar experience.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Surgery Symbicort Albuterol Addison's disease Prednisone Costochondritis Cortisol Stress Dehydration Dizziness Confusion Seizures Sweating Fever Weakness Pain Heart attack

10 replies

PurpleSnowflake

I forgot to mention in my other post that flank pain which is pain in your ribs is also a sign of adrenal insufficiency caused by to low of a prednione dose. They told me the whole costochondritis thing as well. The truth is many doctors don't know much about adrenal crisis or insufficiency. I learned the hard way almost died from it. 8 days in the hospital in March. The info below is for patients taking steroids and for Addison's patients they can not make there own cortisol. Ours is caused by prednisone use.

Here is some info!!!
Acute adrenal crisis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when there is not enough cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands.
Reference from A.D.A.M.
Back to TopAlternative Names
Adrenal crisis; Addisonian crisis; Acute adrenal insufficiency

Back to TopCauses
The two adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. They consist of the outer portion, called the cortex, and the inner portion, called the medulla. The cortex produces three types of hormones, all of which are called corticosteroids.

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid -- a corticosteroid that:

Helps regulate blood sugar (glucose)
Holds back the immune response
Is released as part of the body's response to stress
Cortisol production is regulated by a small gland just below the brain called the pituitary gland. Cortisol is essential for life.

Adrenal crisis occurs when:

The adrenal gland is damaged (Addison's disease, primary adrenal insufficiency)
The pituitary gland is injured (secondary adrenal insufficiency)
Adrenal insufficiency is not properly treated
Risk factors for adrenal crisis include:

Dehydration
Infection and other physical stress
Injury to the adrenal or pituitary gland
Stopping treatment with steroids such as prednisone or hydrocortisone too early
Surgery
Trauma

Symptoms
Abdominal pain
Confusion or coma
Darkening of the skin
Dehydration
Dizziness or light-headedness
Fatigue
Flank pain
Headache
High fever
Joint pain
Loss of appetite
Loss of consciousness
Low blood pressure
Nausea
Profound weakness
Rapid heart rate
Rapid respiratory rate (see tachypnea)
Shaking chills
Skin rash or lesions
Slow, sluggish movement
Unintentional weight loss
Unusual and excessive sweating on face or palms
Vomiting

Back to TopExams and Tests
ACTH (cortrosyn) stimulation test
Cortisol level
Fasting blood sugar
Serum potassium
Serum sodium

Back to TopTreatment
In adrenal crisis, patients need an immediate injection of hydrocortisone through a vein (intravenous) or muscle (intramuscular). You may receive intravenous fluids if you have low blood pressure.

You will need to go to the hospital for treatment and monitoring. If infection caused the crisis, you may need antibiotic therapy.

Back to TopOutlook (Prognosis)
Shock may occur if treatment is not provided early, and it can be life-threatening.

Back to TopPossible Complications
Coma
Seizures
Shock

When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have Addison's disease and are unable to keep your medications down because of vomiting.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you develop symptoms of acute adrenal crisis.

Prevention
If you have Addison's disease, you should learn to recognize signs of potential stress that may cause an acute adrenal crisis. Most people with Addison's disease are taught to give themselves an emergency injection of hydrocortisone or increase their dose of oral prednisone in times of stress.

It is important to always carry a medical identification card that states the type of medication and the proper dose you need in case of an emergency.

Never miss your medications.

IreneMarie

Good post, PS !!

dollh

I agree, Good post PS!! Dear mvaughn I hope you are feeling better. I ended in the emergency room after I had lowered my prednisone dose to much. My symptoms were many mentioned on purple snowflakes list with severe pain in my leg joints. I also have experienced chest pain that was thought to be my heart, but all heart tests were fine. My friends on this site has told me that many of them have had that same experience and it was a result of acute pain from their sarc in their lungs. Go figure, sarc is a confusing beast that many doctors do not understand. Take Care and God Bless, Dollh

gonenatural

I have been dx'd with chronic costochondritis caused by coughing. My pcp was too busy to see me so I saw some 4-6 specialist and they didn't know what it was. Ended up a nurse assistant told me dr orally my symptoms and I was dx'd. I have yet to find a med that doesn't make me very ill to get the inflammation down. So I only take a med for 5 days or so and deal with the rest of the pain. When I was dx'd, which took 3 months I wish I was dead. Every breath I took was so darn painful. I slept sitting up for months. I just got done with another 5 day stint of meds. I have read posts on another site where just bending over to pick a weed can bring this on for some people. Cleaning house is not good for me, not much is but doing nothing.
You posted a lot of good info but I don't understand it.

mvaughn1018

Gonenatural,
According to Norton's release papers:

Costochondritis-is an inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs attach to the sternum. It usually occurs in the upper rib area. Occurs more often in women than men. Causes include: muscle strain due to exercise or unusual activity, upper respiratory infection, or injury to chest muscles. Pain is felt with movement or deep breathing; usually eases with rest and quiet breathing. Recommended care: over the counter anti-inflammatory medication, heat and cold packs. For the first 48 hours, cold compresses for 20 minutes off 20 minutes. After 48 hours, use heat. Avoid activities and rest.

I had problems sleeping last night. Laying flat or on my sides was difficult. I cried alot and gave in drugged myself with perocet which I had left over from my biopsy in July.

The bronchospasms are listed as inflammation of the airways of the lungs. Symptoms include: excessive coughing, wheezing, chest tightness which leads to unexpected shortness of breath for a long time. Recommended treatment: bronchodilator medications. I already have a nebulizer with albuterol and a rx of symbicort. The problem is that I couldn't suck in the nebulizer treatment.

I'm still in pain and feel like I've been running and running or that someone is squeezing me in a big bear hug. I will be calling the pulmonary doctor's office again this morning to report in. And probably try to get an appointment with one of their doctors or my family doctor.

I hope that helps you with your next episode.

gonenatural

I can remember when I was at my worst and not thinking I gave a friend a hug and when he hugged me back tears of agonizing pain came to me and I hurried home, put on a heat pad and rested and cried, cried, cried. I was coughing excessively, chest very tight, pain in the back, sometimes radiates to the shoulders and shoulder blades.
It has never gone away and otc don't help anything I have going on. Right now it is bearable. I have learned to live with it like my daily migraines.
I will have to bookmark this for the future.
Good luck with the drs and your pain and thanks.
gn

mvaughn1018

Hi all! Well I got a call from the pulmonologist last night. He has set me up for another ct scan for tomorrow. My chest tightness/burning continues. I have been placed on an increased dosage of prednisone and ibruprofen. No additional hospital trips to report.

I guess time will tell. I guess the brightside, I'm still here.

HopeNicole

OMG I just had an episode of this about 45 min ago! I thought I might have had a heart attack or something. So I typed in chest tightness to see wat wud show and it lead me to this. I I dont know wat I wud do without this website. But I just seen my pulmologist a couple weeks ago and my xrays showed that my sarcoid is not active and he done a blood test for my ace levels and they r in normal range. So how can this be happening with my lungs? This is so confusing!

mvaughn1018

My pulmonologist had just decreased my prednisone about a week ago by 5 mg. I was doing better. Then I had this attack. My family doctor told me Wednesday afternoon that if I hadn't gotten into see her that I would probably have another episode within 12-24 hours and increased my prednisone. My chest still aches, but it seems to be doing somewhat better. I'm having to do my rescue inhaler or nebulizer a few times a day, plus my regular medication. I had an ct scan performed on Friday. The verdict is still out on what caused this episode. It reminded me of the first time I had an episode. My son stood beside me with the phone in his hand and tears in his eyes as he thought I was dying. I hope to get the results Monday or Tuesday and I'll post.

mvaughn1018

Purplesnowflake,

My prednisone dosage has been stablized to 20 mg daily. However, they are switching my inhaler which is a steroid. I got a sample last week, used it. The insurance company refused to pay for it. Got a new one and started it last night. I woke up this morning with a headache on top of my head. No, I didn't hit my head in the middle of the night. I have never had a headache on the top of my head. I have had a headache all day. My heart rate has been off since my emergency room visit. Any advice? My next appt is Wednesday, Nov 24 with the pulmonologist.

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Help and information from FSR

Sarcoidosis and the Body
Sarcoidosis is a "multiorgan" disease - meaning it almost always involves more than one organ. It's unpredictable and affects different people in different ways.

You can learn about the ways in which sarcoidosis affects the body in FSR's Sarcoidosis and the Body brochure.

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