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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Crackling In Lungs While Breathing, Pain In Back, Shoulder While Lying Down. Had Mass In Lungs Previously. Suggestions?

Hi, I'm a 32 year old female experiencing crackling in my left lung for around a month now. I went to my doctor just this past Thursday 6/13 and she listened to my lungs and said it sounded like it was coming from the upper part of the lung and ordered an x-ray. She reviewed the x-ray and didn't see anything that would indicate pneumonia. I also notice some pain in my back on my left side and left shoulder, but it seems to only happen if I am lying down or leaning on my back.

The crackling is there whether I am inhaling or exhaling. My doctor also prescribed me an Albuterol inhaler and said I should see a lung specialist if I'm not better in a week. I also had a mass in my left lung that was found in August of 2011 which, after a bronchoscopy, was found to be caused by a fungal infection. I was on itraconazole for around a year and had a few follow up CT scans to see if it made the mass reduce in size. The last time it was looked at, in November of 2012, the lung specialist said the mass was calcifying. It might not have anything to do with my current lung crackling, but I was fine for months and then this just started without me having a cold or cough. I also don't have itchy or watery eyes, so I'm doubting it could be from allergies. My doctor said it didn't SOUND like asthma, but could be a possibility.

Thanks for any help. :)
Fri, 21 Jun 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello dear,

The crackles in lung are produced when air in the respiratory passage passes through fluid, mucus, or pus.
Crackles are often associated with inflammation or infection of the small airways like bronchioles, and alveoli.
Asthma is caused due to broncho-constriction (obstruction of smaller airway passages)
Aggravation of pain on lying down or leaning indicate the presence of fluid & pain in shoulder is attributed to irritation of diaphragm, pain being referred to shoulder through Phrenic nerve.

So, kindly meet a Pulmonologist & discuss regarding further treatment plan.
As the initial X ray was not able to detect any pathology, may be you need to do a repeat X ray or a CT scan.

Wishing you a Good Health.
Please let me know if I need to clarify further.
Thanks & take care.
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General & Family Physician Dr. Veera Raghava Rao Buddha.'s  Response
Hi, You are having crackling sounds from chest, while inhaling and exhaling, it is called crepitations , if they are smooth it may be bacterial infection, and if coarse more possibility for tuberculosis.
You had fungal infection got cured and calcified in 2011.
I to my patient with such fiding prescribe cefixime200mg, BD, Anti histamine containing cough syrup 5ml BD, di ethyl carbamizipine 100mg BD, Thank you.
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Crackling In Lungs While Breathing, Pain In Back, Shoulder While Lying Down. Had Mass In Lungs Previously. Suggestions?

Hello dear, The crackles in lung are produced when air in the respiratory passage passes through fluid, mucus, or pus. Crackles are often associated with inflammation or infection of the small airways like bronchioles, and alveoli. Asthma is caused due to broncho-constriction (obstruction of smaller airway passages) Aggravation of pain on lying down or leaning indicate the presence of fluid & pain in shoulder is attributed to irritation of diaphragm, pain being referred to shoulder through Phrenic nerve. So, kindly meet a Pulmonologist & discuss regarding further treatment plan. As the initial X ray was not able to detect any pathology, may be you need to do a repeat X ray or a CT scan. Wishing you a Good Health. Please let me know if I need to clarify further. Thanks & take care.