question about lung problem...

tlz769 · 02-12-2004, 02:20 AM

I'm not quite sure if this would be the right column, because I don't remember too many of us on here, with my problem. But, I just need some educated input, I guess.

Um, when I was 16 (5 years ago) I started having chest pain and a lot of trouble breathing, so much that I had to quit the swim and track teams. After this, I went to my family doc, complaining of these problems (three times, within one summer break) and he told me that I'm perfectly healthy and that I'm imagining everything. Because he did a chest x-ray and lung capacity test (which both appeared normal), I assumed that nothing was wrong and I was somehow just imagining everything (even though my symptons were there, everyday...I doubted myself and believed the doc...cuz he had evidence that I was ok,...right?)

Three years later, the pain and SOB were magnified, like tenfold, when I started on met. (don't ask me how, or why...I'm just thankful I got some type of sign, that something needed to be done!!!) The SOB and chest pain got really bad,...I'd get light-headed walking up one flight of steps, horrible muscle/body aches, dizziness; they all got really bad on met. I missed so many days of classes it wasn't funny. One day, it just got too bad, I HAD to come home (from college) and see my gyn. He was able to squeeze me into a cardiologist that same day (hmmm, got lucky there!!!). After seeing a second cardiologist and three weeks later, they ran a right heart catherization, over thanksgiving break, 2002.

The cardiologist said it revealed "mild" pulmonary hypertension and that it was more than likely caused by my hypertension, over time. So, he put me on tiazac (a calcium channel blocker, to control BP) and my BP is now much better (usually right around 110-120/80-90...which is much better than what it had been!!!). The cardiologist feels that given time, the symptons will alleviate themselves, with the BP controlled.

However, I'd say over the past week-week and a 1/2...my breathing has become much more labored. It's like every single breath I take is an extremely deep breath (like, at the doctors office, when they listen to your lungs, and you take a deep breath every time they move the stethoscope...that's the kind of breath I breathe...EVERY time that I breathe in). This has happened before, where I'll have to breathe really deep for an hour, or two...but it's been this way for over a week now and I'm beginning to get worried.

The chest pain hasn't worsened, that I can tell. I've had it so long now, that I don't even know it's there, unless I think about it. It's not like a real pain, but more a stiffness/pressure that is always there. It feels like a person gripping my heart, with both hands and twisting it in opposite directions (my brother and I used to use this torture method on each other, years ago and I think we used to call it an indian burn, or something...). So, the pain hasn't worsened, it's just the issue about my breathing.

I excercise almost everyday and usually go out dancing 2-3 times a week, and I'm never this breathless, even when dancing for 5-6 hours on end. I still have some weight to lose (I seem to have plateaud at 180 for the time being...but that's still down 35 lbs, from my all-time highest). I can't think of anything that I've been doing differently the past few weeks; no new meds, lifestyle habits or anything that would cause something like this.

All this said...any ideas? I haven't seen the cardiologist (who did the heart catherization) since 11/02 (when the cath was actually done)...but my GP has been writing my scripts for the BP med. I am debating making an appointment, to see my GP again (haven't seen him since this past summer) and see what he thinks, about running more tests, seeing a specialist, etc.

But, the big thing stopping me is...I'm afraid that maybe it IS all in my head. Like, I KNOW I'm the farthest thing from a hypochrondriac...I even hate to take aleve, for cramps or heachaches...but I don't want anybody to tell me it's all in my head again, because what if they're right?

I know the last time this happened, I kept saying "no, there is something wrong...", despite what my doc kept saying, about me imagining it. And then, it only took three years, and seeing numerous docs and starting a new med, to prove that I was right. I don't know how else to say it, but that maybe I've gotten myself so worked up over this, that it IS all just in my head,...

Is there anything I can take, to help with the breathing problem? I'm beginning to get worried, because it's never been so bad,...but then again, by worrying, I might be making it worse!!Any advice/thoughts/opinions/ideas as to what may be wrong with me???

Dreamy · 02-12-2004, 05:59 AM

tlz, I think you should go back to your doctor again.

If you are that worried and concerned about yourself, you should make an appointment. No need for you to be sitting worrying.

It could be something daft, like them needing to increase your meds, or change meds etc. Sometimes after a while our bodies get used to things and need another little kick to get it back to 'normal' again.

Is it possible that some of this could be a side effect from the medication you are on?

Either way, try to put your mind at rest by visiting your GP.

Best of luck to you

Pattyannruss · 02-12-2004, 01:33 PM

I aggree, you need to go back to the Dr.

I went through as well.
Turned out I was extra sensitive to the GlucXR.
It can cause anxiety and what you have mentioned are in fact rare side effects of GlucXR.

I spent hours researching this over the last two years.
It was actually about a year ago i took my finding to the doctor and she HAD to aggree with me.

I lowered my dose and have not had the serious attacks like your discribing since. I would like to mention too it gets worse during my period. If this sounds familar, ask to talk to the Dr about PMDD.
It is the real bad form of PMS and is directly linked to your hormones. So I would suggest the Dr give you another hormone work up to see where you stand. It may help to try an antidepressant for short term to get things under control.

I tried Sarfem(main med for PMDD) but I had an allergic reaction to it.(hives) But eventually I found XANAX. I don't have to take it daily like other ADepressants. I also have no side effects from it.
I can take it day or night without zonking me or wiring me out.

Hoemones do more damage to some than we really know about.
I will look for those side effects for you and try to post them when I find them.

Hang in there,
Patty

Pattyannruss · 02-12-2004, 01:54 PM

Information for Patients
Patients should be informed of the potential risks and benefits of GLUCOPHAGE or
GLUCOPHAGE XR and of alternative modes of therapy. They should also be informed about the
importance of adherence to dietary instructions, of a regular exercise program, and of regular testing
of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, renal function, and hematologic parameters.
The risks of lactic acidosis, its symptoms, and conditions that predispose to its development, as
noted in the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS sections, should be explained to patients. Patients
should be advised to discontinue GLUCOPHAGE or GLUCOPHAGE XR immediately and to
promptly notify their health practitioner if unexplained hyperventilation, myalgia, malaise, unusual
somnolence, or other nonspecific symptoms occur. Once a patient is stabilized on any dose level
of GLUCOPHAGE or GLUCOPHAGE XR, gastrointestinal symptoms, which are common during initiation
of metformin therapy, are unlikely to be drug related. Later occurrence of gastrointestinal
symptoms could be due to lactic acidosis or other serious disease.
Patients should be counselled against excessive alcohol intake, either acute or chronic, while
receiving GLUCOPHAGE or GLUCOPHAGE XR.
GLUCOPHAGE (metformin hydrochloride tablets) or GLUCOPHAGE XR (metformin hydrochloride
extended-release tablets) alone does not usually cause hypoglycemia, although it may occur when
GLUCOPHAGE or GLUCOPHAGE XR is used in conjunction with oral sulfonylureas and insulin.
When initiating combination therapy, the risks of hypoglycemia, its symptoms and treatment, and
conditions that predispose to its development should be explained to patients and responsible
family members.

Pattyannruss · 02-12-2004, 10:36 PM

Here are some links for definitions of the side effects.

hyperventilation, http://home.earthlink.net/~drbobshie...ilation.F.html
myalgia, http://www.drhull.com/EncyMaster/M/myalgia.html
malaise, http://health.discovery.com/diseases...pedia/960.html
unusuall somnolence http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003208.htm