Have they given you anything for the anxiety? Anxiety exacerbates breathing issues and a feeling of choking ... which is NOT going to help you. I was already on anxiety meds before the cancer, and my doc helped me find ones that could be safely crushed, or taken in liquid forms, through my tube. It will help. And I don't know if you ever had allergy issues ... everyone here in North Alabama does ... and that sure doesn't help the goo and breathing. Just some ideas that might help. Not that anyone wants to take even more meds, but this is what they are for ... to get us through the rough times.

Will be thinking of you. Hope you are feeling better soon!

Bama or Auburn? :-D

I had CT and have collapsed lower lung lobes. On antibiotics and have breathing exercises to do. TGIF no radiation until Monday. Got my tongue good today. I'm on O2 now and am told taking baby steps towards getting well. No chemo until well. I've been using mouthwash and brushing teeth with mint tooth paste. Thank you to ya'll who have suggested helps. I'm a Michigan State Fan.

It sounds like you are on the upswing, again. Great news. I'm curious if you have COPD or sleep apnea? Did your doctors say why they believe your lungs collapsed?

It may be called atelectasis. I have that in the left lung, and an elevated diaphragm. Atelectasis can be caused by a number of factors, including after surgery, prolonged bed rest, pneumonia...My doctors were given results of the x-rays, including HBOT, but wasn't mentioned until I was having surgery. I start seeing my doctors next week again, so will address this. I do feel a more limited lung expansion.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atelectasis

Interesting, Paul. Do you do any breathing exercises for that?

Part of the reason I am asking is because any fissures in the airway can cause the sac around the lungs to trap air and that caused collapsed lungs. Also, clogged lungs from excretions or COPD does the same thing and CPAP machines might make it much worse.

This is only recent Uptown. I saw it on the x-ray report for HBOT, and none of my doctors mentioned it a problem, so I paid it no mind until the pre-op oral surgeon doctor said what's being done about my lungs? Was busy with surgery, recovery since, and start seeing my doctors next week the first being my radiation oncologist, so hopefully I will get some answers, directions. I thought mine to be from surgery last year, pneumonia, and limited activity since.

Just protect those breathing muscles. That's probably the only reason I am still alive. I lived for almost a year using and ambu bag to expand the lungs and a few exercises all day long. Keep us posted, please, Paul.

I have O2 that has humidifier on it. Dr said they think I aspirate. I had pneumonia this spring. I am to have sonogram of liver tomorrow, they found a spot. I have not done drugs or drank just smoked. But know many people have fatty livers. I wasn't aware you can get a tumor in a short amount of time. I am having nausea frequently. I walked yesterday and today. I am hoping to be able to go home soon.
I missed chemo this week. Don't know what's happening this week yet.
My wife did have an idea of warming water and formula to my body temp by putting next to me. She did this because I would get nauseated after feedings. It didn't stop the nausea but helped.
I am spitting up phlegm that is very thick and has blood in it. I have used magic mouthwash and brushed teeth with mint toothpaste.
I also swallowed once today, a little water.
It's nice to have a break from radiation. Start back tomorrow.
They are checking blood sugar I asked why they said mine has been high. Blood pressure was low.
I do the breathing exercises every hour.