Various symptoms. Trouble taking a deep breath. Often feels like I'm inhaling blood!

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Hi! I'm 24 and female. For the last month and a half I have been very unwell with various symptoms. It started as one thing and loads of other things added on! It's been very stressful as I've just got worse instead of better and it's taken over my life! I will explain it all with tests I have had done and tests I am waiting for too.

It started with pains in my left chest, left arm and left upper back. I had these pains on and off for a few days straight and they would last about half an hour or so. I started feelings ill too when they would come on! But not sure if this was from the anxiety of it. Anyway I saw a doctor and he sent me for a blood test and ecg as I also mentioned shortness of breath I would also experience.

Ecg was fine and blood test showed mild inflammation. When I saw my doctor again the pains had subsided but instead I was having a lot of abdomen pains and trouble (I have gallstones diagnosed 2 years ago) on physical examination everything seemed fine but he asked me to do a stool test as I mentioned constipation etc too.

Also he referred me to a cardiologist after my second review appointment and funnily my chest pains had started again but different. I would get daily pain in various areas of my chest (middle, upper above breast, under left breast, directly over breast and even on right times sometimes in same areas) also arm pains continued too. Cardiologist said he doesn't think it's anything heart related but wanted me to have an echocardiogram ASAP as he said I may have pericarditis or this other condition. He also said he would refer me for a stress test. It's been almost 3 weeks I am still waiting to hear back! Chest pains settled again but I do get the random pains here and there still.

Anyway new symptoms would start each day and I'm sure some are anxiety related as the stress of being unwell has also caused me a lot of worry and anxiety so I'm not really sure what's what but I have had lightheadedness and feeling I can't breathe random dizziness etc. As I said I do believe some symptoms are the anxiety side of things but I'm certain it's not all anxiety as I have personally suffered with anxiety 5 years ago and it's nothing like this.

Another weird symptom that I keep getting which is very hard for me to explain I couldn't even explain it to the doctor but the only way I can put it is I will be just sitting there or eating or whatever and I get this horrible sensation in my head/throat kind of area and it's as if like say you get a hard bang on your head it gives you that odd feeling or like if your in water and water goes up your nose or your struggling in water those sort of odd sensations come and go and it's like a pressure drop or a cut in oxygen or something. It's very weird only lasts a few minutes and passes but I get left with after effects and also find similar things happen when I talk or take in a deep breath or breathe out with force. It's like that odd feeling and almost feels like I'm breathing blood in and out or something!!

I'm also really struggling with my breathing I thought this was anxiety but it's too intense and uncomfortable and is worse after I eat sometimes too and during. I feel like I need to get a deep breath but what happens is when I try and take that deep breath I can't do it it's as if it gets stuck and something is holding it back and it can take a few attempts by the time I have! I think again anxiety makes this worse but something is definitely causing it in the first place! And I also sometimes get that odd feeling I described during this too. My breathing has been awful for a whole week now and hasn't settled down at all one bit!

I've also had a lot of headaches and head pressure. Oh and I had a phase where my chest felt really tight and as if there was bricks sitting on my chest! Loads of aches and pains too in shoulders neck back etc! Even my bloody jaw.

My stomach issues are also continuing I get pains right over my gallbladder area but then the exact same pain on the left side too!! And pain in diff areas within my whole abdomen! I also get a lot of left sided pain and my ribs tend to feel sore. Also sometimes when I take deep breaths or yawn I will get sudden pains in my left side or back but this is only sometimes and not all the time.

I have had an asthma check as I was diagnosed as a child but it's always been controlled with no issues and I hardly have ever used inhalers. My asthma seems fine but when the nurse listened to my breathing she said when I breathe in it sounds normal but when I breathe out its quieter? She sent me for an X Ray which I should be getting results for tomorrow but I doubt anything will come from it. She also gave me a new inhaler to use daily to cover the asthma side of things so I know my breathing issues are not asthma related!

Stool test came back with inflammation calcoprectin level of 271. So I have been referred to a gastro specialist.

I have tried to include as much as I can but to be honest I have been experiencing too much to include every single symptom I've had more troubles but this is as much as I can think of as the main issues!

I'm sick of being so unwell I can't do anything because of how I feel as I never know when certain symptoms will appear and I generally just feel unwell and I haven't felt normal or myself in such a long time it's really bringing me down! Waiting for tests and appointments are just long but I have no other choice. I think I also have sinus issues as I already suffer with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction and allergies and use a nasal spray and anti histamines but I still have symptoms I feel are related to all that as well. E.g stuffy nose all the time, congested, sore throat mainly at night times, nose pressure, and all sorts oh and feelings like water has gone up my nose when I sniff in.

Anyway as you can all see there's just too much going on and I'm really lost as to what is causing all this and how I'm meant to find any relief! I suspect it's a few things and not just one condition as symptoms are too widespread. But if anyone has experienced anything similar or any of these it would be good to know what it is or what helps or what tests I can insist on having!!!

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi

    I am sorry to read about your health problems but I cannot help you. I suffer an IPF and under a specialist centre at Papworth Hospital - I have been diagnosed with an IPF (Pulmonary Fibrosis) and have no knowledge of the problems you suffer.

    I can only hope you get your problems sorted out soon.

    Kind regards

    Jazztrain

    • Posted

      Hi,

      Thank you. I hope so too! Sorry to hear that! I've not heard of ipf before! What are the symptoms?

      Xx

  • Posted

    Hi

    It starts with a persistent cough and the GP referred me to a chest physician at Ipswich Hospital where I had a CT scan. This revealed I had a sliding Hiatus Hernia and I was prescibed 'Lansprazole' 15mg that I take daily/ The consultant that I saw wanted me to have breathing tests done and the net result was that I had an IPF (Ideopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) which means the air sacs at the base of the lungs die and I could not get as much air into my lungs as I should.

    I was referred to a Thoracic Chest consultant at Papworth and as well as the 'Lansoprazole' take a drug called ' Pirfenidone' which can only be prescribed at a specialist centre like Papworth. My condition has improved immeasurably over 12 months but it came at a cost in that I had to drastically reduce my alcohol intake down from 148 units a week to just 13 units maximum AND had to lose two stone in weight.

    I can never be cured but the Pirfenidone drug prevents the IPF from getting any worse at least for now! In time my condition may get worse and I would have to be on oxygen which can be supplied to me at home; I try and keep positive and set myself goals - I also keep my mind occupied and never dwell on my condition.

    I doubt whether this will help you but it does pay to have a positive attitude and I never suffer from stress as I don;t allow myself to think about......what if!

    I am planning to live another 17 years till I am 89 and you can't get much more positive than this!

    Kind regards

    Jazztrain  

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