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Lung Question?

C

CowTown

New member
Hello,

I asked to see my xrays this week since I haven't seen them for about 12 years. A pulmonary fellow just explained to me that they show my lungs are "filled with air" and b/c of that they are "larger than normal". He also pointed out that this is no change from my xrays one year ago. He said you would see that they are larger but "normal for cf progression". I've never heard of this....do our lungs fill up with air as they become worse? Why and what is that all about?

He also said something about my lungs looking collapsed but he wasn't clear so I asked, "Are they collapsed?" (I've never had a collapsed lung before) He said, "No, but they're almost collapsed" or something........sorry to be so vague but this was all I got out of him. He started sounding bad for bringing this up or was trying to take back what he said. It was weird, but I just didn't feel like I understood what in the world he was getting at. My doctor hasn't mentioned any of this ever to me. Should I be concerned, or did this fellow just sound out of it, or what?

I really like my doct, but I'm wondering if it's standard for docts not to bring everything to your attention. Maybe there's stuff doctors hide from us especially if it's progressive things that we can't fix. Is that true? I would like to know when major changes start happening.

Any thoughts?
Thx
 
C

CowTown

New member
Hello,

I asked to see my xrays this week since I haven't seen them for about 12 years. A pulmonary fellow just explained to me that they show my lungs are "filled with air" and b/c of that they are "larger than normal". He also pointed out that this is no change from my xrays one year ago. He said you would see that they are larger but "normal for cf progression". I've never heard of this....do our lungs fill up with air as they become worse? Why and what is that all about?

He also said something about my lungs looking collapsed but he wasn't clear so I asked, "Are they collapsed?" (I've never had a collapsed lung before) He said, "No, but they're almost collapsed" or something........sorry to be so vague but this was all I got out of him. He started sounding bad for bringing this up or was trying to take back what he said. It was weird, but I just didn't feel like I understood what in the world he was getting at. My doctor hasn't mentioned any of this ever to me. Should I be concerned, or did this fellow just sound out of it, or what?

I really like my doct, but I'm wondering if it's standard for docts not to bring everything to your attention. Maybe there's stuff doctors hide from us especially if it's progressive things that we can't fix. Is that true? I would like to know when major changes start happening.

Any thoughts?
Thx
 
C

CowTown

New member
Hello,

I asked to see my xrays this week since I haven't seen them for about 12 years. A pulmonary fellow just explained to me that they show my lungs are "filled with air" and b/c of that they are "larger than normal". He also pointed out that this is no change from my xrays one year ago. He said you would see that they are larger but "normal for cf progression". I've never heard of this....do our lungs fill up with air as they become worse? Why and what is that all about?

He also said something about my lungs looking collapsed but he wasn't clear so I asked, "Are they collapsed?" (I've never had a collapsed lung before) He said, "No, but they're almost collapsed" or something........sorry to be so vague but this was all I got out of him. He started sounding bad for bringing this up or was trying to take back what he said. It was weird, but I just didn't feel like I understood what in the world he was getting at. My doctor hasn't mentioned any of this ever to me. Should I be concerned, or did this fellow just sound out of it, or what?

I really like my doct, but I'm wondering if it's standard for docts not to bring everything to your attention. Maybe there's stuff doctors hide from us especially if it's progressive things that we can't fix. Is that true? I would like to know when major changes start happening.

Any thoughts?
Thx
 
C

CowTown

New member
Hello,

I asked to see my xrays this week since I haven't seen them for about 12 years. A pulmonary fellow just explained to me that they show my lungs are "filled with air" and b/c of that they are "larger than normal". He also pointed out that this is no change from my xrays one year ago. He said you would see that they are larger but "normal for cf progression". I've never heard of this....do our lungs fill up with air as they become worse? Why and what is that all about?

He also said something about my lungs looking collapsed but he wasn't clear so I asked, "Are they collapsed?" (I've never had a collapsed lung before) He said, "No, but they're almost collapsed" or something........sorry to be so vague but this was all I got out of him. He started sounding bad for bringing this up or was trying to take back what he said. It was weird, but I just didn't feel like I understood what in the world he was getting at. My doctor hasn't mentioned any of this ever to me. Should I be concerned, or did this fellow just sound out of it, or what?

I really like my doct, but I'm wondering if it's standard for docts not to bring everything to your attention. Maybe there's stuff doctors hide from us especially if it's progressive things that we can't fix. Is that true? I would like to know when major changes start happening.

Any thoughts?
Thx
 
C

CowTown

New member
Hello,

I asked to see my xrays this week since I haven't seen them for about 12 years. A pulmonary fellow just explained to me that they show my lungs are "filled with air" and b/c of that they are "larger than normal". He also pointed out that this is no change from my xrays one year ago. He said you would see that they are larger but "normal for cf progression". I've never heard of this....do our lungs fill up with air as they become worse? Why and what is that all about?

He also said something about my lungs looking collapsed but he wasn't clear so I asked, "Are they collapsed?" (I've never had a collapsed lung before) He said, "No, but they're almost collapsed" or something........sorry to be so vague but this was all I got out of him. He started sounding bad for bringing this up or was trying to take back what he said. It was weird, but I just didn't feel like I understood what in the world he was getting at. My doctor hasn't mentioned any of this ever to me. Should I be concerned, or did this fellow just sound out of it, or what?

I really like my doct, but I'm wondering if it's standard for docts not to bring everything to your attention. Maybe there's stuff doctors hide from us especially if it's progressive things that we can't fix. Is that true? I would like to know when major changes start happening.

Any thoughts?
Thx
 
A

AnD

New member
I have heard of this- the air gets trapped behind scar tissue and blockages/plugs and doesn't get out, so that part of our lungs stays expanded. For example, I used to wear a 33 or 34 bra band, and now I wear a 36, even though my weight is lower. I don't know about the rest of it, but I would ask your doctor to have your films on hand next time you see him, and to explain it to you.

I'm sorry that he freaked out out a bit- the least he could have done was explain it fully to you.
 
A

AnD

New member
I have heard of this- the air gets trapped behind scar tissue and blockages/plugs and doesn't get out, so that part of our lungs stays expanded. For example, I used to wear a 33 or 34 bra band, and now I wear a 36, even though my weight is lower. I don't know about the rest of it, but I would ask your doctor to have your films on hand next time you see him, and to explain it to you.

I'm sorry that he freaked out out a bit- the least he could have done was explain it fully to you.
 
A

AnD

New member
I have heard of this- the air gets trapped behind scar tissue and blockages/plugs and doesn't get out, so that part of our lungs stays expanded. For example, I used to wear a 33 or 34 bra band, and now I wear a 36, even though my weight is lower. I don't know about the rest of it, but I would ask your doctor to have your films on hand next time you see him, and to explain it to you.

I'm sorry that he freaked out out a bit- the least he could have done was explain it fully to you.
 
A

AnD

New member
I have heard of this- the air gets trapped behind scar tissue and blockages/plugs and doesn't get out, so that part of our lungs stays expanded. For example, I used to wear a 33 or 34 bra band, and now I wear a 36, even though my weight is lower. I don't know about the rest of it, but I would ask your doctor to have your films on hand next time you see him, and to explain it to you.

I'm sorry that he freaked out out a bit- the least he could have done was explain it fully to you.
 
A

AnD

New member
I have heard of this- the air gets trapped behind scar tissue and blockages/plugs and doesn't get out, so that part of our lungs stays expanded. For example, I used to wear a 33 or 34 bra band, and now I wear a 36, even though my weight is lower. I don't know about the rest of it, but I would ask your doctor to have your films on hand next time you see him, and to explain it to you.

I'm sorry that he freaked out out a bit- the least he could have done was explain it fully to you.
 
C

CowTown

New member
Thanks AnD for your explanation. That makes sense. So it is a "normal" progression symptom?

The combination of lungs filled with air and appearing larger then normal, combined with "almost collapsed" seem contradictory. I guess I need to find out more about those two situations happening together.
 
C

CowTown

New member
Thanks AnD for your explanation. That makes sense. So it is a "normal" progression symptom?

The combination of lungs filled with air and appearing larger then normal, combined with "almost collapsed" seem contradictory. I guess I need to find out more about those two situations happening together.
 
C

CowTown

New member
Thanks AnD for your explanation. That makes sense. So it is a "normal" progression symptom?

The combination of lungs filled with air and appearing larger then normal, combined with "almost collapsed" seem contradictory. I guess I need to find out more about those two situations happening together.
 
C

CowTown

New member
Thanks AnD for your explanation. That makes sense. So it is a "normal" progression symptom?

The combination of lungs filled with air and appearing larger then normal, combined with "almost collapsed" seem contradictory. I guess I need to find out more about those two situations happening together.
 
C

CowTown

New member
Thanks AnD for your explanation. That makes sense. So it is a "normal" progression symptom?

The combination of lungs filled with air and appearing larger then normal, combined with "almost collapsed" seem contradictory. I guess I need to find out more about those two situations happening together.
 
L

lightNlife

New member
It sounds like maybe part of what he's describing is the way that the ribcage spreads and becomes more barrel-like in appearance as the disease progresses. Perhaps what led him to ask about collapse was if he saw "blebs" on your x-ray. Also, don't forget:


The lungs and chest wall are connected within the chest cavity in such a way that there is tension between the two. Without the lungs, the ribcage would naturally expand. Without the connective tissue between the lungs and chest wall, the lungs would naturally contract or deflate like a balloon. When both are strong enough and healthy enough, the two forces balance each other.


Another thing I remembered is that as the disease progresses, it becomes more difficult for our lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. The lungs eventually become filled with CO2 because we can't breathe it out. That's why our lung function tests measure FEV1 (the EXPIRATORY=outgoing) air. At some point when the disease is severe, you can take in air, but you can't get it out. Eventually your lungs fill with CO2 and that puts a strain on your heart...lots of scary stuff that I don't know the complete logistics about just now.

As far as doctors not telling us everything, I'm not sure how I feel about that. I think mine does a good job of keeping me in the loop on the stuff that pertains to me. I have to remember though that even though the doc has the written files on me, I'm still the one who knows me best. He may not remember whether he told me about a past x-ray. I always go to my appointments armed with a list of questions.
 
L

lightNlife

New member
It sounds like maybe part of what he's describing is the way that the ribcage spreads and becomes more barrel-like in appearance as the disease progresses. Perhaps what led him to ask about collapse was if he saw "blebs" on your x-ray. Also, don't forget:


The lungs and chest wall are connected within the chest cavity in such a way that there is tension between the two. Without the lungs, the ribcage would naturally expand. Without the connective tissue between the lungs and chest wall, the lungs would naturally contract or deflate like a balloon. When both are strong enough and healthy enough, the two forces balance each other.


Another thing I remembered is that as the disease progresses, it becomes more difficult for our lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. The lungs eventually become filled with CO2 because we can't breathe it out. That's why our lung function tests measure FEV1 (the EXPIRATORY=outgoing) air. At some point when the disease is severe, you can take in air, but you can't get it out. Eventually your lungs fill with CO2 and that puts a strain on your heart...lots of scary stuff that I don't know the complete logistics about just now.

As far as doctors not telling us everything, I'm not sure how I feel about that. I think mine does a good job of keeping me in the loop on the stuff that pertains to me. I have to remember though that even though the doc has the written files on me, I'm still the one who knows me best. He may not remember whether he told me about a past x-ray. I always go to my appointments armed with a list of questions.
 
L

lightNlife

New member
It sounds like maybe part of what he's describing is the way that the ribcage spreads and becomes more barrel-like in appearance as the disease progresses. Perhaps what led him to ask about collapse was if he saw "blebs" on your x-ray. Also, don't forget:


The lungs and chest wall are connected within the chest cavity in such a way that there is tension between the two. Without the lungs, the ribcage would naturally expand. Without the connective tissue between the lungs and chest wall, the lungs would naturally contract or deflate like a balloon. When both are strong enough and healthy enough, the two forces balance each other.


Another thing I remembered is that as the disease progresses, it becomes more difficult for our lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. The lungs eventually become filled with CO2 because we can't breathe it out. That's why our lung function tests measure FEV1 (the EXPIRATORY=outgoing) air. At some point when the disease is severe, you can take in air, but you can't get it out. Eventually your lungs fill with CO2 and that puts a strain on your heart...lots of scary stuff that I don't know the complete logistics about just now.

As far as doctors not telling us everything, I'm not sure how I feel about that. I think mine does a good job of keeping me in the loop on the stuff that pertains to me. I have to remember though that even though the doc has the written files on me, I'm still the one who knows me best. He may not remember whether he told me about a past x-ray. I always go to my appointments armed with a list of questions.
 
L

lightNlife

New member
It sounds like maybe part of what he's describing is the way that the ribcage spreads and becomes more barrel-like in appearance as the disease progresses. Perhaps what led him to ask about collapse was if he saw "blebs" on your x-ray. Also, don't forget:


The lungs and chest wall are connected within the chest cavity in such a way that there is tension between the two. Without the lungs, the ribcage would naturally expand. Without the connective tissue between the lungs and chest wall, the lungs would naturally contract or deflate like a balloon. When both are strong enough and healthy enough, the two forces balance each other.


Another thing I remembered is that as the disease progresses, it becomes more difficult for our lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. The lungs eventually become filled with CO2 because we can't breathe it out. That's why our lung function tests measure FEV1 (the EXPIRATORY=outgoing) air. At some point when the disease is severe, you can take in air, but you can't get it out. Eventually your lungs fill with CO2 and that puts a strain on your heart...lots of scary stuff that I don't know the complete logistics about just now.

As far as doctors not telling us everything, I'm not sure how I feel about that. I think mine does a good job of keeping me in the loop on the stuff that pertains to me. I have to remember though that even though the doc has the written files on me, I'm still the one who knows me best. He may not remember whether he told me about a past x-ray. I always go to my appointments armed with a list of questions.
 
L

lightNlife

New member
It sounds like maybe part of what he's describing is the way that the ribcage spreads and becomes more barrel-like in appearance as the disease progresses. Perhaps what led him to ask about collapse was if he saw "blebs" on your x-ray. Also, don't forget:


The lungs and chest wall are connected within the chest cavity in such a way that there is tension between the two. Without the lungs, the ribcage would naturally expand. Without the connective tissue between the lungs and chest wall, the lungs would naturally contract or deflate like a balloon. When both are strong enough and healthy enough, the two forces balance each other.


Another thing I remembered is that as the disease progresses, it becomes more difficult for our lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. The lungs eventually become filled with CO2 because we can't breathe it out. That's why our lung function tests measure FEV1 (the EXPIRATORY=outgoing) air. At some point when the disease is severe, you can take in air, but you can't get it out. Eventually your lungs fill with CO2 and that puts a strain on your heart...lots of scary stuff that I don't know the complete logistics about just now.

As far as doctors not telling us everything, I'm not sure how I feel about that. I think mine does a good job of keeping me in the loop on the stuff that pertains to me. I have to remember though that even though the doc has the written files on me, I'm still the one who knows me best. He may not remember whether he told me about a past x-ray. I always go to my appointments armed with a list of questions.
 
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