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Lung And Heart Damage, Chest Infections, Asthma Attacks, On Steroids Prednisolone, Homeopathy. Treatment ?
Question: Dear Doctor
In 1975, while working at the London Hilton, my heart and lungs were damaged by an IRA bomb. At first I had a series of chest infections; then developed asthma attacks and nowI often have breathing difficulties. I have been on/off steroids(prednisolone) since 1975. In January 2010 they began to attack my brain cells. My doctor thought I had onset alzheimers and sent me to an psychiatrist. I treated myself with Aloe Vera and Homoeopathy and by the time I saw the Psychiatrist, I was better. My chest specialist doesn't understand why the condition is worsening and has given me 100 prednisolone. I only took a short sharp course of 6-5-4-3-2-1 and stopped, since his higher doze of 6 daily for a week, followed by 4 daily for a week and then 2 for a week, frightened me as to what the effect would be, after what I went through in 2010! I realized that he had not read my file and did not remember what happened last year. So, I thought I might get a second opinion and see if you have any idea as to what is happening in the lungs or if there is any other remedy than steroids?
I will be grateful for anything you can tell me. I am 71, going on 37 and could have a fully active life....if only I could breathe better. It may be that with age the condition has worsened and nothing can be done. I can accept that. I also have M.E (CFS) with severe bone pains that move around and are non specific. This I have learned to live with.
Can you help at all?
In 1975, while working at the London Hilton, my heart and lungs were damaged by an IRA bomb. At first I had a series of chest infections; then developed asthma attacks and nowI often have breathing difficulties. I have been on/off steroids(prednisolone) since 1975. In January 2010 they began to attack my brain cells. My doctor thought I had onset alzheimers and sent me to an psychiatrist. I treated myself with Aloe Vera and Homoeopathy and by the time I saw the Psychiatrist, I was better. My chest specialist doesn't understand why the condition is worsening and has given me 100 prednisolone. I only took a short sharp course of 6-5-4-3-2-1 and stopped, since his higher doze of 6 daily for a week, followed by 4 daily for a week and then 2 for a week, frightened me as to what the effect would be, after what I went through in 2010! I realized that he had not read my file and did not remember what happened last year. So, I thought I might get a second opinion and see if you have any idea as to what is happening in the lungs or if there is any other remedy than steroids?
I will be grateful for anything you can tell me. I am 71, going on 37 and could have a fully active life....if only I could breathe better. It may be that with age the condition has worsened and nothing can be done. I can accept that. I also have M.E (CFS) with severe bone pains that move around and are non specific. This I have learned to live with.
Can you help at all?
Hi
Thanks for the query.
It is unfortunate that you were affected in that bombing. Am sorry to hear that.
As you have mentioned that you were on steroids and did suffer from attack on the brain cells.
Have you used inhalers for the Asthma.
Do you have wheezing, sputum/phlegm production. If yes, what colour is the sputum.
Do you smoke.
Could you specify what symptoms you were suffering from in 2010, was it decreased memory, any emotional and moody outbursts.
The brain problem you mentioned could be due to Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) called brain fog where there is cognitive dysfunction.
Usually steroids need to be tapered down and not stopped abruptly which can cause bad effect on the hormones in the body if stopped abruptly. In your case, proper tapering was attempted but sometimes not well enough and can cause symptoms.
Steroids have a lot of side effects like emotional disturbance, stomach ulcers, weak bones, increased chance of infections etc. In your case steroids are given because of possible interstitial lung disease. Asthma attacks can be terminated with Beta-agonist inhalers like Salbutamol as well.
You need to get a Computed Tomogram scan of thorax to rule out interstitial lung disease. Do follow chest physiotherapy for improving lung performance. Also get Blood gases analysed to look for possible hypoventilation.
CFS(Chronic fatigue syndrome) can also cause breathlessness, chest pain and possible heart problems as well so do get examined for heart disorders by your Doctor.
Avoid smoking. Eat healthy, high protein diet like cereals, pulses, chicken, lean meat, also fresh fruits and XXXXXXX leafy vegetables. Drink enough water. Get 6-8 hours of sleep. Exercise daily by brisk walking.
For chronic fatigue syndrome you will need Cognitive behavior therapy, anti-depressants as well. Do seek good Psychiatrist in this regard.
Steroids may/may not be required depending on the aetiology of this disease and if it is due to CFS, mainly anti-depressants are mainstay of therapy.
Kindly do reply to the above queries so that I will be in better position to help you.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Thanks for the query.
It is unfortunate that you were affected in that bombing. Am sorry to hear that.
As you have mentioned that you were on steroids and did suffer from attack on the brain cells.
Have you used inhalers for the Asthma.
Do you have wheezing, sputum/phlegm production. If yes, what colour is the sputum.
Do you smoke.
Could you specify what symptoms you were suffering from in 2010, was it decreased memory, any emotional and moody outbursts.
The brain problem you mentioned could be due to Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) called brain fog where there is cognitive dysfunction.
Usually steroids need to be tapered down and not stopped abruptly which can cause bad effect on the hormones in the body if stopped abruptly. In your case, proper tapering was attempted but sometimes not well enough and can cause symptoms.
Steroids have a lot of side effects like emotional disturbance, stomach ulcers, weak bones, increased chance of infections etc. In your case steroids are given because of possible interstitial lung disease. Asthma attacks can be terminated with Beta-agonist inhalers like Salbutamol as well.
You need to get a Computed Tomogram scan of thorax to rule out interstitial lung disease. Do follow chest physiotherapy for improving lung performance. Also get Blood gases analysed to look for possible hypoventilation.
CFS(Chronic fatigue syndrome) can also cause breathlessness, chest pain and possible heart problems as well so do get examined for heart disorders by your Doctor.
Avoid smoking. Eat healthy, high protein diet like cereals, pulses, chicken, lean meat, also fresh fruits and XXXXXXX leafy vegetables. Drink enough water. Get 6-8 hours of sleep. Exercise daily by brisk walking.
For chronic fatigue syndrome you will need Cognitive behavior therapy, anti-depressants as well. Do seek good Psychiatrist in this regard.
Steroids may/may not be required depending on the aetiology of this disease and if it is due to CFS, mainly anti-depressants are mainstay of therapy.
Kindly do reply to the above queries so that I will be in better position to help you.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Radhika
Answered by
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