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Suggest Treatment For Fatigue And Jerks While Taking Deep Breaths

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Posted on Wed, 9 Sep 2015
Question: I am 76 yr old very active women who has 5 bouts of sob and fatigue in the last 10 years. My
lungs and heart has been checked out and they are normal. The bouts last about 4 -5 months and
resolve themselves with no treatment or diagnosis. Asthma inhalers have NO effect. I also experience
an occasional deep involuntary respiration which comes as a XXXXXXX to me. I also experience
sometimes taking a deep breath an intermittent jerking occurs as when someone is sobbing and
tries to catch their breath.. Could this be a phrenic nerve problem? I have never had surgeries or a heart problem.. Thank you for your consideration..

doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Possibility of stress and anxiety related breathlessness is more.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM>
I can understand your concern.
Since your heart and lung related tests are normal,no need to worry for major cardiac and pulmonary diseases.
Phrenic nerve related disease is also unlikely in your case because it is seen commonly with surgery,trauma,malignancy etc.
By your history and description,possibility of Tress and anxiety related symptoms is more.
So please let me know
1.Are you having stressful life?
2. Have you ever undergone PFT ( Pulmonary Function Test)?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions,so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (51 minutes later)
I have had PFT test several years ago and it was negative. Also had negative
echocardiogram with Doppler and 3 stress tests -all negative.. My life is
somewhat stressful but at the times of really bad stress like family deaths
or diseases I did not experience my symptoms. This summer has been uneventful
as to stress and anxiety but I am having symptoms of SOB, fatigue, a feeling of heaviness in my legs on exercise, Sob on any exertion, walking, talking, and
light housework.. Could neck trauma be a factor? I sit in my recliner and have
to lean my neck forward to do crossword puzzles. Occasionally I fall asleep and
awake with my head forward on my chest or to the side on a shoulder. Could this injure the nerves?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No,these will not cause phrenic nerve injury.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
No,these can not cause phrenic nerve damage.
Please le me know
1. Do you smoke at present or did you smoke in past?
2. Do you have any kind of allergies?
Please reply me answers of above asked question,so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (12 hours later)
I have not smoked for 45 years. I was a social smoker for about 10 years, maybe
a pack a month.. I have a hyper-reactive airway and asthma inhalers do not help.
I am very sensitive to perfume, smoke, any scented products, smoke and
air bourn scented products.. When exposed I have an immediate systemic
reaction: lose my voice, headache, nausea, muscle weakness and feel faint. I have been skin tested for allergies and nothing showed positive. As a 5 year
old child I was given "radium" treatments via the nose to try and correct a deafness in my left year.( it did not work)..Airway scopes show no damage and it appears normal..I have been in good health, eat well and exercise 6 hours a week.. This 3 month SOB episode has kept me from all of my activities.. Thank you for your help.. XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
possibility of allergy is more in your case.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Although your allergy tests were normal, I still feels , you are having allergy.
You are also having airway hyper reactivity. This is also marker of allergic disease.
Please let me know
1. Have you ever took combination of antihistamine and anti allergic drugs?
2. Which asthma inhaler you have tried?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15005 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Fatigue And Jerks While Taking Deep Breaths

Brief Answer: Possibility of stress and anxiety related breathlessness is more. Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question on HCM> I can understand your concern. Since your heart and lung related tests are normal,no need to worry for major cardiac and pulmonary diseases. Phrenic nerve related disease is also unlikely in your case because it is seen commonly with surgery,trauma,malignancy etc. By your history and description,possibility of Tress and anxiety related symptoms is more. So please let me know 1.Are you having stressful life? 2. Have you ever undergone PFT ( Pulmonary Function Test)? Please reply me answers of above asked questions,so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.