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Suggest Treatment For Breathlessness, Pain In Lungs, Nausea, Fatigue And Nasal Congestion
Question: I am 13 weeks pregnant and have been on non doctor ordered bedrest for two months. The bedrest started with 2 weeks of a cold/flu then pregnancy symptoms of nausea and fatigue kept me in bed. I have had a cough ever since
My symptoms are my lungs hurt when breathing which has gotten worse the past couple of days and now they hurt more when lying down. I have pain in the middle of my upper back between my shoulder blades. I have a dry cough that has also gotten worse the past couple of days. I am experiencing shortness of breath that gets worse when I go out as the day progresses.
I went to a walk-in clinic who told me to go to the hospital emergency as the Doctor wanted me checked for a blood clot. The doctor said he did not think I had a blood clot but wanted to error on the side if caution just in case.
At the hospital my heart rate was good and my blood pressure was also good. They listened to my chest with a stethoscope and said that my lungs sounded clear. They did an ultrasound on my legs looking for blood clots and found none. They wanted to do a chest X-ray but I refused because I am pregnant. The hospital gave me some oxygen, an IV, and prescribed me antibiotics incase I have pneumonia which I have been taking for 3 days now. They also prescribed me an inhaler which I tried but it made my lungs hurt. Lastly, they prescribed me nasal spray for nasal congestion.
Any insight as to what may be going on with me is very appreciated. Thank you very much!
My symptoms are my lungs hurt when breathing which has gotten worse the past couple of days and now they hurt more when lying down. I have pain in the middle of my upper back between my shoulder blades. I have a dry cough that has also gotten worse the past couple of days. I am experiencing shortness of breath that gets worse when I go out as the day progresses.
I went to a walk-in clinic who told me to go to the hospital emergency as the Doctor wanted me checked for a blood clot. The doctor said he did not think I had a blood clot but wanted to error on the side if caution just in case.
At the hospital my heart rate was good and my blood pressure was also good. They listened to my chest with a stethoscope and said that my lungs sounded clear. They did an ultrasound on my legs looking for blood clots and found none. They wanted to do a chest X-ray but I refused because I am pregnant. The hospital gave me some oxygen, an IV, and prescribed me antibiotics incase I have pneumonia which I have been taking for 3 days now. They also prescribed me an inhaler which I tried but it made my lungs hurt. Lastly, they prescribed me nasal spray for nasal congestion.
Any insight as to what may be going on with me is very appreciated. Thank you very much!
Brief Answer:
Three commonest 3 possibilities discussed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
Pregnancy increases one's chance for a blood clot in the veins of the lower parts of the body which can migrate to the lungs and that is the reason why the doctors had done a scan of the leg veins. Along with this a blood test for D dimer would be helpful in excluding a clot embolism into the lungs.
Pneumonia is usually associated with fever and sputum which may be rusty in color. Your pain may increase with a deep breath if it is due to pneumonia or pleurisy. A blood WBC count would help in determining whether you have a significant bacterial infection like pneumonia.
Another cause for cough and breathlessness is asthma. If your symptoms do not settle with the course of antibiotics you have already started, it may be worth doing a spirometry.
Do let me know if you have the results of these tests.
Best wishes,
Three commonest 3 possibilities discussed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
Pregnancy increases one's chance for a blood clot in the veins of the lower parts of the body which can migrate to the lungs and that is the reason why the doctors had done a scan of the leg veins. Along with this a blood test for D dimer would be helpful in excluding a clot embolism into the lungs.
Pneumonia is usually associated with fever and sputum which may be rusty in color. Your pain may increase with a deep breath if it is due to pneumonia or pleurisy. A blood WBC count would help in determining whether you have a significant bacterial infection like pneumonia.
Another cause for cough and breathlessness is asthma. If your symptoms do not settle with the course of antibiotics you have already started, it may be worth doing a spirometry.
Do let me know if you have the results of these tests.
Best wishes,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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