Question: Hi, Why does my ability to take deep breaths improved dramatically when taking 10 mg Loratadine every morning? What clue does this give me to further improve my breathing? (Important background information is below.)


I am a fit male who used to regularly run until two years ago I suddenly developed a chronic difficulty taking deep breaths over a three week period disabling me from exercise and frequently interrupting sleep and daily function. My difficulty breathing has remained unchanged since then and is not changed by the seasons, day, night, exercising, or resting. Between first symptoms two years ago and now, my pulmonologist has ordered several x-rays, pulmonary function tests, echo-cardiograms, and blood work while prescribing albuterol sulfate and many other kinds of steroid inhalers and oral medicines. All medicines I listed have been marginally effective at best. All tests indicated no significant problems and the pulmonology test showed extremely mild to no asthma. A month ago I took 10 mg of Loratadine for itchy eyes. The next day my breathing symptoms improved. After a week of taking this every morning, my breathing symptoms improved by an order of magnitude. My pulmonologist says the Loratadine is unrelated to the improvement. I continue to take Loratadine every morning as this medicine has made a clear and dramatic improvement. Stopping it results in clear digression the next day. I'm still not breathing well enough to regularly exercise however this medicine is a clue for how to get better. Since starting Loratadine I've reduced my inhaler medications from Ventolin 4 times a day and Breo once a day - to taking no inhalers at all (I don't need them). Why does Loratadine improve my breathing, and how can I further improve my breathing as it sounds like I have a non-traditional breathing problem.

Thanks for responding. My pulmonologist prescribed singulair 10 mg daily (generic for montair). I took this for three months and it did not make my breathing better. Why does the anti-allergy loratidine improve my breathing dramatically when singulair does not in the least? Also, what doctor should i see to continue investigating and treating my breathing. Please explain why you recommend seeing this specialty. The pulmonologist i'm seeing does not believe there is anything more she can do. Thanks.

Hi Dr. Dangwal, I try not to exaggerate my symptoms as I have found doctors have always been very professional with me. However, sometimes this risks downplaying my symptoms. My symptoms are not quite well controlled in the least. I frequency wake up at night light headed and have to spend hours focusing on taking shallow breaths because that is all I'm capable of. Frequently during the day after prolonged rest, I have difficulty carrying two-way conversations with others because I cannon catch my breath between sentences. When I say I can't exercise it means i can barely climb steps because I can only take very shallow upper thoracic breaths. I am a young healthy male with little to no signs of asthma on a pulmonary function test. There is obviously something non-traditional wrong and out of control with my breathing as I do not respond to any asthma inhalers I've been prescribed, which has been nearly all of them available. I'd like to know how to continue investigating ways to improve breathing. Can you make any recommendations? Also, I've included a list of things I've tried such as breathing and stretching exercises in 'Medications Tried' list.

Thanks


One more thing. If it helps, I can post past pulmonary function test results, x-rays,
echocardiograms, and blood tests.

Thanks

Hi Dr. Dangwal, thanks for your reply.

I have tried the advair diskus for months also and it had no effect. I've had an HRCT chest scan, echo-cardiogram, and the lung diffusion study was part of my pulmonary function tests. I lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid dust by my hypoallergenic lifestyle adjustments, don't smoke and am not around it, and I do deep breathing exercises. Several of these things I've already mentioned I do so I don't know why they are being suggested.

Can you please refer me to another medical specialty to further my investigation or can you please pass my case to another doctor? I apologize if it sounds like I'm being difficult. I really appreciate your insight. I'm forced to be persistent due to the severity of my symptoms. I'm trying to communicate the urgency behind my request.

Thanks.