I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: Adam_W on November 16, 2011, 01:34:55 PM

Title: Pulmonary edema......or not
Post by: Adam_W on November 16, 2011, 01:34:55 PM
For the last few days, I have been having symptoms of pulmonary edema (coughing, "gurgling" noise in the throat when I breath, some shortness of breath). I figured that it was because I had a lot of fluid buildup. In the last few days, I've pulled off a lot of fluid on dialysis, and today I literally couldn't pull off any more. I'm definitely at my dry weight, but I'm still having the symptoms. They are worse when I'm laying down. Neither me or my nurse thinks it is caused by fluid, and I'll be having a chest X-ray tomorrow to rule out pulmonary edema. Has anyone had these symptoms that are not caused by fluid overload?
Title: Re: Pulmonary edema......or not
Post by: galvo on November 16, 2011, 03:43:59 PM
 "coughing, "gurgling" noise in the throat when I breath, some shortness of breath, worse when I'm laying down".

These symptoms describe my pulmonary edema exactly. But your X-ray should help sort things out. Good luck to you.
Title: Re: Pulmonary edema......or not
Post by: del on November 16, 2011, 05:27:41 PM
You can have fluid hidden in your lungs.  You can reach your goal weight but there will still be fluid left in your lungs. 
Title: Re: Pulmonary edema......or not
Post by: gothiclovemonkey on November 16, 2011, 09:28:47 PM
im experiencing the same thing, but my xrays were clear... the doctor doesnt have an answer for me.
Title: Re: Pulmonary edema......or not
Post by: billybags on November 17, 2011, 10:44:15 AM
Yes, we have just come back from the unit, husband is getting fluid in the lungs due to a very weak heart.He coughs and is breathless especially at night. Have you tried more pillows to keep you a bit more upright in bed?  He has had to have a lung tap, this is the third in about four months, very scarry. There is not much they can do because his heart is not working right. Hope you get it sorted.
Title: Re: Pulmonary edema......or not
Post by: del on November 17, 2011, 12:03:29 PM
Hubby had 25 lbs of fluid on when PD stopped working for him.  He had the gurgling sounds, shortness of breath, etc and nothing showed up on x rays but the fluid was there.
Title: Re: Pulmonary edema......or not
Post by: Adam_W on November 17, 2011, 08:52:05 PM
Well, the symptoms got bad enough for me to go to the ER, and it apparently has nothing to do with dialysis at all. I seem to have acute bronchitis. The doctor prescribed to medicine to help the coughing and the wheezing, but otherwise I just have to wait it out. It usually clears up in a week or two.