Shortness of breath,pain left of sternum radiating into the back, dry cough what can this be?

I had a chest x-ray the doctor said I have a large airway diease and I needed a pulmonary function test stat, I have shortness of breath, pain left of sternum radiating into the back, a dry cough, I had a pulmonary function test the tech said I had decreased intake and output, I don't know what it is and my doctor is on vacation

I am a nurse and from what you are describing you may possibly have a serious pulmonary condition. I really don't think that this is the forum that you should be on for advise. I would like to see you go to another physician since your personal physician is on vacation. You had some good responses like COPD(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), but it could be a number of other things. The one comment that you made that concerns me most of all is that you had a positive chest x-ray. You really would be best served by consulting with a pulmonologist. A general practitioner may not treat you for the appropriate thing. I am also concerned that you could have lung cancer, as bad as that is to hear, it usually does not present itself until there is pain involved. Please see a medical professional soon. Good luck.

check with another physician.. go to ER immediately... tell them your condition... they will re-evaluate you... and might give your diagnosis...

It could be several things, or more than 1. Emphysema (COPD), asthma, or one of several other lung diseases. You will have to get a diagnosis from your doctor, but you should ask for a referral to a pulmonologist (lung doctor)

I'm not sure exactly, but you may have some kind of advanced bronchitus (sorry for the spelling) or pulmonary fibrosis, but that's an extreme guess. I hope you feel better. Try getting a second opiniion if you can so you can get some immediate medical attention.

Go to the ER. Now.

Seeing as though your doctor is on vacation, I would go to another doctor. He has to have a doctor that is covering for him. You should not have to wait to have your questions answered until he comes back. I would suggest a pulmonologist (one that specializes in the lungs). Also when/if you go and see him, bring the results of your chest x-ray, and your pulm. function tests. That way you will be able to get answers that day. Hang in there.

Please see the webpages for more details on Lung function tests (Spirometry).
Lung disease is a rare complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Herein is a series of seven IBD patients who developed new, persistent and unexplained symptoms of respiratory disease, particularly chronic productive cough. Using a CT scan of the chest, a diagnosis of bronchiectasis was made in five patients, while the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis was made in two patients. Factors, other than IBD, that could account for pulmonary disease in these patients were absent. Several important clinical patterns for IBD- associated large airway disease were uncovered and are reviewed in light of earlier case reports in the medical literature. A discussion regarding the possible pathogenesis of IBD-associated airway disease follows.