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What Causes Persistent Breathing Problem, Heart Palpitations And Sore Ribs?
Question: for the last 2 1/2 years I have been having problems with my breathing. I have been to the doctors numerous of times, which they have put it down to anxiety and acid reflux baring in mind I have had no tests for this.
I had a cheat X Ray 2 years ago, which was normal and a ultra sound on my thirties which was normal I do not suffer from anxiety and the reflux tablets have not made any difference at all. I feel pressure where my diaphragm is and my throat feels like it's blocked sometimes I notice it in my voice at times. I used to enjoy going to the gym and was quite fit until this started happening when I exercise it is made worst, my chest goes very tight in my throat and I cannot breath in past a certain point my inhaler does not make any difference I also experience pulpitations when running also and feel it in my neck. My sternum clicks at times and my ribs feel slightly sore sometimes and also between my shoulder blades
When I got pregnant my symptoms died down slightly and didn't notice it as much, but as soon as I have birth and stood up I felt a lot of pressure and found it hard to breath walking becuase hard as my breathing felt so heavy, sitting down the symptoms went away. I didn't mention it to anyone as I thought it may have been becuase the baby was pushing everything up, since giving birth 12 weeks ago the symptoms a lot worst and I can hardly walk anywhere without feeling a blocked feeling. My heart was a bit ticky after giving birth I felt it was beating all over the place even in labour the nurse said that was a bit ticky but then it went back to normal.
Could it be stomach related ? Heart related ? I just want the doctor to send me
For tests but they don't seem to listen it's not getting any better.
I had a cheat X Ray 2 years ago, which was normal and a ultra sound on my thirties which was normal I do not suffer from anxiety and the reflux tablets have not made any difference at all. I feel pressure where my diaphragm is and my throat feels like it's blocked sometimes I notice it in my voice at times. I used to enjoy going to the gym and was quite fit until this started happening when I exercise it is made worst, my chest goes very tight in my throat and I cannot breath in past a certain point my inhaler does not make any difference I also experience pulpitations when running also and feel it in my neck. My sternum clicks at times and my ribs feel slightly sore sometimes and also between my shoulder blades
When I got pregnant my symptoms died down slightly and didn't notice it as much, but as soon as I have birth and stood up I felt a lot of pressure and found it hard to breath walking becuase hard as my breathing felt so heavy, sitting down the symptoms went away. I didn't mention it to anyone as I thought it may have been becuase the baby was pushing everything up, since giving birth 12 weeks ago the symptoms a lot worst and I can hardly walk anywhere without feeling a blocked feeling. My heart was a bit ticky after giving birth I felt it was beating all over the place even in labour the nurse said that was a bit ticky but then it went back to normal.
Could it be stomach related ? Heart related ? I just want the doctor to send me
For tests but they don't seem to listen it's not getting any better.
Brief Answer:
Please insist on finding a cause or get a second opinion
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
Would you please clarify a few things for me?
- during the breathing difficulty, have you experienced any chest pain, sweating, giddiness.?
- how long does each episode last and how frequent is it?
- what relieves and triggers it?
-does anybody in your family have any history of heart disease, hernias, breathing problems?
-do you have any other medical conditions or take any medications?
-do you breastfeed? How is your milk supply?
-since these symptoms started, how has your bladder and bowel movements been?
-how fast is your heart rate and breathing rate (Calculated for a minute each)? You can calculate heart rate by feeling for the pulse at your wrist at the thumb side, 2cms below the wrist crease.
Respiratory rate - watch your chest rise and fall. Count every rise for a minute.
Based on your symptoms, I would like to rule out heart-lung related problems and Hiatal hernia.
I recommend :
- a physician/cardiologist /pulmonologist team consult
-a repeat chest x-ray
-an ultrasound abdomen
-an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram.
-a barium swallow test and a CT scan of the chest and upper abdomen (if indicated)
-blood tests (complete blood count, liver and kidney & liver function tests, lipid profile, TSH )
Based on the above results and clinical findings, we could arrive at a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
Any breathing difficulty must be immediately checked out. Symptoms usually worsen in pregnancy, so that part doesn't fit.
However, I urge you to seek help to catch any problem early.
Heart rhythm disturbances, heart muscle defects vascular disease need to ruled out
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you and your family good health
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Please insist on finding a cause or get a second opinion
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
Would you please clarify a few things for me?
- during the breathing difficulty, have you experienced any chest pain, sweating, giddiness.?
- how long does each episode last and how frequent is it?
- what relieves and triggers it?
-does anybody in your family have any history of heart disease, hernias, breathing problems?
-do you have any other medical conditions or take any medications?
-do you breastfeed? How is your milk supply?
-since these symptoms started, how has your bladder and bowel movements been?
-how fast is your heart rate and breathing rate (Calculated for a minute each)? You can calculate heart rate by feeling for the pulse at your wrist at the thumb side, 2cms below the wrist crease.
Respiratory rate - watch your chest rise and fall. Count every rise for a minute.
Based on your symptoms, I would like to rule out heart-lung related problems and Hiatal hernia.
I recommend :
- a physician/cardiologist /pulmonologist team consult
-a repeat chest x-ray
-an ultrasound abdomen
-an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram.
-a barium swallow test and a CT scan of the chest and upper abdomen (if indicated)
-blood tests (complete blood count, liver and kidney & liver function tests, lipid profile, TSH )
Based on the above results and clinical findings, we could arrive at a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
Any breathing difficulty must be immediately checked out. Symptoms usually worsen in pregnancy, so that part doesn't fit.
However, I urge you to seek help to catch any problem early.
Heart rhythm disturbances, heart muscle defects vascular disease need to ruled out
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you and your family good health
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you for your detailed response.
My resting heart rate is 80.
I havent experianced chest pain, i have got dizzy a few times if i get up too fast.
Its really noticable when im exercising, but the feeling of the tightness is constance, eating does make it worst and drinking sometimes too. No one in my fanily have any of the listed things about that i am aware of.
I am taking no medication and i am not brestfeeding.
My bladder and bowel as far as i am aware is fine. I sometimes have pain l
My resting heart rate is 80.
I havent experianced chest pain, i have got dizzy a few times if i get up too fast.
Its really noticable when im exercising, but the feeling of the tightness is constance, eating does make it worst and drinking sometimes too. No one in my fanily have any of the listed things about that i am aware of.
I am taking no medication and i am not brestfeeding.
My bladder and bowel as far as i am aware is fine. I sometimes have pain l
Brief Answer:
Please consider my investigation recommendations
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up.
I am not sure whether you completed your reply. Please let me know if you have any further details to add.
I've gone through the clarifications. I would suggest that you go ahead and seek medical attention and consider my recommendations.
It seems that there is pressure on your esophagus (food pipe) or lungs that is causing your symptoms. A hernia or a mass on these parts can cause similar symptoms. It is necessary to get a full work up.
You mentioned that it worsens on eating or drinking- is there tightness in your chest or throat or stomach? Is it to one side?
-does your neck (where there's usually a small bulge - Adam's Apple in men) feel or look swollen?
-any difficulty with swallowing?
Please get back to me.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Please consider my investigation recommendations
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up.
I am not sure whether you completed your reply. Please let me know if you have any further details to add.
I've gone through the clarifications. I would suggest that you go ahead and seek medical attention and consider my recommendations.
It seems that there is pressure on your esophagus (food pipe) or lungs that is causing your symptoms. A hernia or a mass on these parts can cause similar symptoms. It is necessary to get a full work up.
You mentioned that it worsens on eating or drinking- is there tightness in your chest or throat or stomach? Is it to one side?
-does your neck (where there's usually a small bulge - Adam's Apple in men) feel or look swollen?
-any difficulty with swallowing?
Please get back to me.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
The tightness is more in my throat than my chest i find i get alot of trapped air also and its hard to burp and get it out if that makes sense. I do suffer fron lympomas and i have them along my ribs i am wondering if this is all conected maybe?
I feel the tightness mostly in my left neck, sometimes i can breath really welll but most the time i feel restricted. I havent a swollen next nor problems swollowing, sometimes i do feel like my food hasent gone down properly. There is tenderness in the middle of where my ribs end, around the dyapram area.
I wish doctors would be as helpful as yourself rather than let me go this long with these symptoms they seem to not want to investigate.
I am hoping its not too serious and its not to late to treat as it has been going on for 2 1/2 years now
On breathing out the symtoms are worst and it tightens more in my throat.
I feel the tightness mostly in my left neck, sometimes i can breath really welll but most the time i feel restricted. I havent a swollen next nor problems swollowing, sometimes i do feel like my food hasent gone down properly. There is tenderness in the middle of where my ribs end, around the dyapram area.
I wish doctors would be as helpful as yourself rather than let me go this long with these symptoms they seem to not want to investigate.
I am hoping its not too serious and its not to late to treat as it has been going on for 2 1/2 years now
On breathing out the symtoms are worst and it tightens more in my throat.
Brief Answer:
Lipomas or lymphomas?
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yesnit absolutely makes sense.
Did you mean to say you suffer from lipomas or lymphomas?
Both are different. For how long and what treatment have you had for it?
I suggest:
-avoiding caffeine, hot drinks and spicy food
-have smaller but frequent meals.
-avoid lying down for 2 hrs after a meal.
-avoid skipping meals.
Please try to find someone who will investigate further and find the cause of your troubles.
Hope I can be of more help. Please let me know.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Lipomas or lymphomas?
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yesnit absolutely makes sense.
Did you mean to say you suffer from lipomas or lymphomas?
Both are different. For how long and what treatment have you had for it?
I suggest:
-avoiding caffeine, hot drinks and spicy food
-have smaller but frequent meals.
-avoid lying down for 2 hrs after a meal.
-avoid skipping meals.
Please try to find someone who will investigate further and find the cause of your troubles.
Hope I can be of more help. Please let me know.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
I have a scan and they were non cancerous but have a few along my ribs. You have been very helpful and i can now take all this to the doctors and hopefully something can be done.
Brief Answer:
Ok
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
OK thanks for the follow up.
I hope you get the tests done. It could have grown or developed a new one. Either way, you have a problem that needs solving.
I'd be happy to help you with any further queries you may have and sincerely wish you well.
Kind regards to you and your family.
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Ok
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
OK thanks for the follow up.
I hope you get the tests done. It could have grown or developed a new one. Either way, you have a problem that needs solving.
I'd be happy to help you with any further queries you may have and sincerely wish you well.
Kind regards to you and your family.
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
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