What is the treatment for difficult breathing inspite of an history for sarcoidosis?
Patient: I have been having difficulty with breathing. I have had a CT scan which shows light and dark areas in my lungs. The pulmonary specialist that I started seeing put me on 30mg Prednisone for 6 weeks and now 20mg. along with oxygen use at 2L. None of this therapy has really corrected my problem. In fact, now, I need to use the oxygen most of the time. I will be seeing my doctor this week for follow up. Do you have any suggestions what diseases/problems could be causing this. I have had history of sarcoidosis which affected my electrical system of my heart (now have pacemaker for it). Looking for alternate treatments, tests etc. to be done? Doctor: Hello!Thank you for asking on HCM!I read your question carefully and understand your concern. Your past medical history is really concerning, and your symptoms seem to be related to sarcoidosis. But I recommend performing some other tests like : pulmonary function tests, a blood gas analysis, a resting ECG, to examine better your cardiac and pulmonary function. An ambulatory 24 hour ECG monitoring may be needed if suspicions of arrhythmia are raised. Steroids can be a therapeutic test for sarcoidosis (which is a disorder which improves by steroids). But in your case, the dose of steroids may need to be raised, in order to have the wished effects. The cardiac complications, improve too, when sarcoidosis starts responding to the therapy. You should discuss with your attending physician on the above possibilities. Hope to have been helpful!Best wishes, Dr. Iliri