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What Causes Tiredness, Difficulty Breathing And Dull Headache With Normal CT Scan Of Heart?

Posted on Sat, 30 May 2015

Question: I keep having a random faint feeling that comes over me and it sometimes takes my breathe away because I get scared. Ive also been very tired lately. This has been going on for about two weeks and the only thing that somewhat makes me feel better is laying in bed. Ive also had a dull headache. My blood preasure is normal Im not on any medications. I had a CT scan of my heart and it came back normal. I have been drinking plenty of water and eating a lot. I also have been taking a multivitamin... Nothing seems to work. Its starting to worry me it has been going on all day and it is relentless. What is going on?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Likely to be a Panic attack

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

I read your question including your previous question on the forum. If the blood pressure and investigations including CT, EKG, blood counts are normal then most likely these symptoms could be related to a panic attack which is an anxiety disorder involving neurotransmitters imbalance in the brain. SSRIs including fluoxetine, paroxetine are the drug of choice in such a case. They can be started at a low dose at night and adjusted to therapeutic levels thereafter based on tolerance and patient compliance. Beta blockers like propranolol and anxiolytics such as benzodiazepines can be given as per need in a stressful situation or when there is expected anxiety in a situation that could be overwhelming.

Please consult your doctor before taking any medication

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (3 hours later)

I do not feel anxious... I have not had a blood work done yet. If its anxiety why is it happening all day everyday for the past 2 weeks? Im not even anxious? Its even happeneing when im just relaxing laying in bed not thinking or worrying about anything. Howcould that be anxiety?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Let me try to elaborate

Referring back to your first question, the following description fits a panic disorder especially in the absence of any identifiable cause.

Random faint feeling that comes over.
Takes my breathe away because I get scared.

Somatoform disorder can also be a possibility involving physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by any underlying physical/organic cause. If the blood work hasn't been done then CBC, ESR, thyroid function tests should be done in consult with your doctor.

Having said that a description alone wont suffice. A XXXXXXX mental state exam should be done to ascertain any underlying anxiety or dysthymia or the conditions described above. Please consult a psychiatrist in this regard.

Wishing you best of health

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (21 hours later)

Ive had a pretty bad headache thats been constant the past week. It makes me have a faint/ shock like feeling in my head... The best way for me to describe it is a faint feeling... When I take 4-5 ibprofen my headache gets better and that feeling subsides ... And why are doctors so quick to always diagnose everything as anxiety without doing the testing... I know my body and i know when something isnt right

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need more information

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

The headache is a new symptom that you have described. Kindly answer the following to guide you better.

Is the headache unilateral or bilateral
Is it associated with visual symptoms before the onset
Is this headache of new onset or do these headache occur frequently
What medications are you currently taking besides the ibuprofen

Thanks

Dr. M.S XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)

Its bilateral and more located top back part of head. It has been occuring everyday since two weeks ago. When it started I had a really bad headache and since then its been more of dull achy moderate pain. No visions changes. No other medications.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

I would advise an x ray of the para nasal sinuses. If the CT indicates sinusitis then a two week antibiotic course with amoxicillin plus clavulanate or a quinolone can be advised. If sinusitis is ruled out then treatment for migraine headaches should be considered. SUMATRIPTAN AND NAPROXEN SODIUM for acute attacks in both cluster and migraine headaches are useful after consulting your doctor. To prevent recurrent attacks of migraine calcium channel blockers such as verapamil or a beta blocker like propranolol can be advised. If the headaches worsen or persist and nausea/vomiting symptoms also accompany or if you develop any focal neurologic deficits then an MRI of the brain could be advised to look for the possibility of any growth or lesion. Please consult your doctor to discuss these options.

Thanks

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Dr. M.S. Khalil

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D