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shortness of breath

Posted , 6 users are following.

amand52717
amand52717

I am a 28 year old female. I have low hormone levels. Last test read my hormone levels were 23 normal for my age is between300-400. Prior to the blood test I had been feeling very tired, I have lost about 15 lbs now I'm about 102 lbs and can't gain any weight. Now for the past week I have been experiencing shortness of breath. I am able to breath just don't feel like I'm getting a satisfying breath. I got a chest x Ray, check for blood clots and more blood work..of of which was normal for bronchitis.. clots..or any heart or lung related issues.. I know Griswold can be a normal symptom but for how long? My dodoctohas put Me on medium dose of Zoloft, lamictal 25mgs 3x daily in hopes I could gain weight and the hormone levels would correct themselves.. he said that although I eat it's not the proper nutrients my body needs and he is considering me in a way malnutritined even tho I do eat quite a bit and gave never had any type of eating disorders. I feel miserable.. I am constantly having shortness of breath and get little relief from deep breathing exercises.. I also believe that anxiety has a part in it to. Has anyone experienced this? How did you find help? How do I convince my doctor that I am not living.. at this point it's just survival.. I have two young children and I'm a single mother.. I can't go on like this.. I have had great success speaking with the anxiety forums about the anxiety part of this..now I need answers for the possible medical aspects..thank you!

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • richard40025
    richard40025 amand52717

    Posted

    Hi Amanda,

    Have always been an anxious person all my life without realising. That's just the way I was!

    Only become a problem when combined woth chronic pain,

    Pain > Anxiety > Tension > More Pain > More Anxiety and so on

    Vicious Triangle leading severe chronic pain and to almost complete physical immobility.

    Why do I mention this?

    Because anxiety can seemingly cause very real physical symptons (perhaps like the breathing problems described) in spite of relaxation techniques and medication can help.

    After being put on various anti-depressants with dire results, was eventually prescribed Mirtazapine 15mg.

    Worked a treat!  Although not totally out of pain cannow lead a normal life.

    Perhaps the physical interplay with anxiety was mentioned in your other discussions?   From other family members understand breathing problems can occur?

    So perhaps discuss Mirtazapine with your doctor?

    Also self Cognitve Behavioural Therapy can assist to a degree.

    Note Mirtazapine is an atypical anti-depressant.

    See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirtazapine

    • amand52717
      amand52717 richard40025

      Posted

      thank you for your response. I have been on so many different medications to try to manage my bipolar and anxiety none of which seem to really even me out completely honestly there have been times that this side effects of some of the antidepressants and antipsychotics have been so extreme that I have given up on them and quit taking them maybe before they had a chance to do any good. for the most part all of my symptoms have been manageable to an extent I do get overwhelmed rather easily but now that I have been experiencing the shortness of breath it is proving to me that I really am not in control of my disease. I have actually been on Remeron it has been quite a few years since I have tried it and I don't remember the reason why I didn't stay on it. for the last 4 days I have been back on my Lamictal 25 milligrams 3 times a dayand buspar as needed. some of the more stronger medications I am not capable of being on because I have two young kids and I am their primary caregiver as I am a single mother. that is my biggest problem with everything is that I feel it X it is just all too much to deal with laundry cooking dishes making sure the kids are taken care of and happy and healthy working full-time plus a second job for extra cash dealing with my ex-husband is a nightmare in itself and my support system is not exactly healthy. when I start thinking of all of the things that I have to do for the day such as keeping the house clean making sure the laundry is kept up getting dinner on the table all after work it becomes too much to handle sorry to keep blabbing on and on I know that it's going to take the right combination of Medicine and the counselor thank you
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 amand52717

      Posted

      Hello, I wondered whether you had ever been diagnosed with asthma? Or whether the shortness of breath is to do with side effects of the drugs you're on, though it can also be caused by anxiety. It is worth getting these things investigated. Have you ever been given aripripraxole for the bipolar? Side effects can be bad for the first two weeks - nausea and severe muscle/joint pains are the worst, but these wear off. I've also heard good reports for mirtazapine. However, I do think you should go back and talk to your doctor. Writing down a list of your symptoms and concerns and giving it to your doctor often helps.

      Another thought, are you getting enough sleep? With everything you are doing if the amount of sleep you are getting is too little, it will make the anxiety worse. Try and prioritise, a pristine clean house isn't essential - it needs to be clean enough to not get ill. Can you get the children to help?

      A final thought some people with bipolar also have autism - high functioning autism, known as aspergers syndrome, can easily be missed. Aspergers can also be misdiagnosed as bipolar. Please note these are only ideas for you to explore and I'm not medically qualified. It sounds like, by necessity, you are doing too much, so try to see where you can reduce what you are doing. It may be that the stress of dealing with your ex is one thing too many and on top of everything else is just too much, hence the anxiety. Can you sit down with a friend or counsellor to help you identify what the priorities are and how to improve the situation?

  • shellyC19
    shellyC19 amand52717

    Posted

    Hello Amand:

    My name is Shelly and I am an RN in the USA.

    A few things to mention.  A Pulmonary Function Test is a very important test and shows Tidal Volume and each breath is measured and it can show lung  conditions, etc...It is a wonderful diagnostic tool. A GP can  refer you to a Pulmonary Doctor.

    Zoloft and Prozac can make  you lose weight as a side effect. You can ask or a consult with a nutritionist also for shakes to gain weight.

    Regards,

    Shelly

    • amand52717
      amand52717 shellyC19

      Posted

      Thank you shelly,

      I will definitely consider getting a referral for the test . I was give. Prednisone and a z pack a few days ago..today will be my third day on both meds also got a spriva respamat inhaler. The doctor also pumped up my lamictal to double dose.the the combination of these meds seems to have helped tremendously and haven't really had any episodes of breathlessness since.. I am sure the anxiety exacerbated the situation.. he said he thought I might have a slight bit of copd because I do smoke but have almost quit since these symptoms started.. I am 28 but I suppose copd could effect any age.. the hormone levels are still crazy low and doctor said that a low dose of estradiol might help but because of the risk didn't push for it. I don't really know the right path to take I know I don't want to feel this way but I don't want the risk either..

    • shellyC19
      shellyC19 amand52717

      Posted

      Hello Amand:

      Prednisone will decrease inflammation and help you breathe better. Keep your head at 45 degrees by using extra pillows when you sleep.  Sleeping flat can be harder for some to breathe well.  COPD is worrisome as it is a cause for empheysema.

      As to smoking, please try to quit it. My Mom smoked and can hardly breathe and must be on 3 inhalers a day and can hardly walk now.  I know it is hard to quit, but many good patches to help curb the urge are available.  Also some programs are out there with support groups.  Do what you can to stop or reduce it.  Lung damage is forever and you do not want that.  Small air sac's called Alveoli are not forgiving and once damaged by smoking they become incompetent and do not work again and sadly they do not grow back. 

      Estradiol and smoking are not a good mix.  If you use it,  small dose and you must be monitored.  Also some studies say it can lead to cancer.

      Any questions just ask,

      Shelly

       

    • amand52717
      amand52717 shellyC19

      Posted

      The smoking was the other reason the doctor was reluctant to prescribe the hormone treatment..I quit for over a year and want to so bad again but with all the anxiety and quick temper I have been hesitant..its like a revolving door..and I'm having a difficult time making positive choices even though I'm not happy about the outcome..it feels awful that I am not at a point to make better decisions..I don't know how to get out if this cycle.
    • shellyC19
      shellyC19 amand52717

      Posted

      Hello Amand:

      Do what you can to reduce it. Take it slow and cut down by one cigarette in 2 weeks ime,  then try to reduce it again.  The patches can help and some places offer them for free if you join their program.  Also the vapor cigarette has helped many. 

      Keep me posted on how you do, good or bad,

      Shelly

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