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Forum Name: Cardiology Symptoms

Question: Feeling of pressure on the left side of chest and...

MISKC91 - Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:06 am

Hi, I am a female almost 37 years old. I was very ill and diagnosed with Fibromylagia several years ago. I was hospitalized for 5 days and very dehydrated. I had about 70 different symptoms, from hair loss to feeling like I was on a boat all the time, to weight loss and increased sense of smell and to sound. The list of symptoms went on and on.. I have lifted weights and excersised since I was 16, 3 to 4 times a week. I don't smoke or drink. I am 5'8" and about 129. For months I got sicker and sicker and went from jogging at 6am to crawling on my hands and knees up the stair case to bed because my legs ached so bad and I was weak. I feel 98% better than I did 3 years ago but have had trouble breathing ever since I became ill with FM. While hospitalized I had a nuclear test on my lungs, and have had many ecocardiagrams which are fine. My Doctor in the hospital was an internal medicine Doctor and a Pulmonary Doctor. I was given a test wher I had to breathe into a machine and push a ball up in the air. The person giving the test accused me of not even trying. I was blowing as hard as I could. Then he gave me a whiff of a bronchidiolater? And my test significantly improved as I was able to blow much harder. The Doctor told me I didn't have Asthma but gave me a prescription for an inhaler. I didn't understand that. My brother had severe Asthma growing up and spent many night getting shots in the emergency room. My question is... I wonder if I could have Asthma? I feel a pressure on my chest sometimes in the middle but mostly under my left breast. I sometimes wake up Coughing in the middle of the night. When I breathe I can hear wheezing in my nose but not in my chest. I'll breathe great for a month to 6 weeks and then I will have difficulty breathing for 2 weeks at a time. The Doctor also did a cat scan and checked my sinus cavity..I think that is what it is called. Also, my legs feel extremely heavy when I climb stairs. Like they have weight tied around them. I know that many of the symptoms are the same for FM. Also, sometimes at night I get pain in my calves. And at the base of throat it feels full and like the air isn't getting thru. Thank you in advance for your response...blessings,

John Kenyon, CNA - Sat Jun 02, 2007 10:37 pm

Hello there - OK, let's see. You were having trouble breathing and responded well to what we'll assume was a puff or two of albuterol. You have a family history of Asthma and the doctor prescribed a bronchodilating inhaler for you, which seems to be working. I hate to be sarcastic about your doctor, who may have been splitting some semantic hairs, but it would seem you do have Asthma, at least according to everything you've written here. Of course there are other problems which can cause bronchoconstriction, but essentially that's Asthma, even if it is secondary to some other problem. It really sounds like that's one part of your collection of things, and the rest certainly fit in well with the diagnosis of FM. Asthma can sometimes be caused by not only postnasal sinus drainage but also nocturnal esophageal reflux, which often causes the patient to wake up at night with a hacking or tickling Cough, Shortness of breath, or high-airway wheezing. Again, it is still Asthma. It may be splitting hairs, but that's what it sounds like has been happening. Best of luck to you and please keep us updated.

MISKC91 - Sun Jun 03, 2007 1:01 am

Hi John, Thank you for your response. I do believe it is Asthma because it comes and goes, and I have terrible allergies also and live in the mountains with a lot of oak trees, etc.. The Doctor perscribed the inhaler but told me I didn't have Asthma so I actually never used it. But yes, it did improve significantly in the hospital. And I do get that tickly feeling in my throat at night and it wakes me up. It is a strange pressure. Thank you & Blessings,

John Kenyon, CNA - Sun Jun 03, 2007 1:59 am

Hi there - You're very welcome. Yep, it's oak tree pollen time for sure. Also, the tightness you described is a common complaint with Asthma as people wind up using accessory muscles they don't usually have to use much, which then get tight and sore feeling. I"d suggest using the inhaler whenever you feel like you're working too hard to breathe. It can really make a difference, even if you "don't have Asthma." I'll just scratch my head over that one. Be well and do stay in touch.

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