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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Sarcoidosis or something else?
Answered by
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Sarcoidosis or something else?
by Bien, Nov 01, 2001 12:00AM
Since a year, my husband (28) has suffered from several symptoms that no doctor has been able to explain. His main complaint is a feeling of being short on breath. This typically happens after an emotional event, so I thought hyperventilation. But new complaints accumulated. He suffers from an oppressing and burning pain on the chest and when he breaths deeply, his back hurts too. He often complains about a numb feeling on the leftside of his face, neck and sometimes shoulder. He has a dry cough, and a burning, "acidish" taste in his stomach/throat. He has pain next near his left temple and left eye.
He has spontaneous bruises on his arms and legs, and lately suffered from rash on his chest, back, and under his right
armpit (disappeared). Last month, he had a spontaneous bleeding nose.
He lost 12 kilos in the last 12 months.
At night, he is often covered in sweat.
Ten months ago, he has been tested for TB and HIV (both negative), and on his lung X-ray, there were no significant abnormalities (only the left lung was a bit small, according to the specialist, no need for concern, he said). In March this year, his blood has been tested (extensively), and there appeared nothing wrong with his blood clutting.
I have taken my husband to two different general practitioners, who say there should be nothing wrong with him, eventhough they have no explanation for the bruises. Here in Holland, we need a doctor's referral to get access to a (insurance!) specialist.
I want to contact a private clinic, but what tests should I ask for? Could it be sarcoidosis?
He has spontaneous bruises on his arms and legs, and lately suffered from rash on his chest, back, and under his right
armpit (disappeared). Last month, he had a spontaneous bleeding nose.
He lost 12 kilos in the last 12 months.
At night, he is often covered in sweat.
Ten months ago, he has been tested for TB and HIV (both negative), and on his lung X-ray, there were no significant abnormalities (only the left lung was a bit small, according to the specialist, no need for concern, he said). In March this year, his blood has been tested (extensively), and there appeared nothing wrong with his blood clutting.
I have taken my husband to two different general practitioners, who say there should be nothing wrong with him, eventhough they have no explanation for the bruises. Here in Holland, we need a doctor's referral to get access to a (insurance!) specialist.
I want to contact a private clinic, but what tests should I ask for? Could it be sarcoidosis?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Nov 08, 2001 12:00AM
, Nov 08, 2001 12:00AM
It will take a thorough evaluation to determine if your husband’s symptoms are due to sarcoidosis or something else. Initially being seen by a lung specialist, also known as a pulmonologist, and possibly an infectious disease specialist could help determine the cause of your husband’s continuing symptoms.
Lung function testing, usually done as part of the pulmonary evaluation, could determine if his continuing symptoms are related to a problem in his lungs. Reflux testing could further determine if heartburn is the cause of at least some of his symptoms.
Lung function testing, usually done as part of the pulmonary evaluation, could determine if his continuing symptoms are related to a problem in his lungs. Reflux testing could further determine if heartburn is the cause of at least some of his symptoms.
my shortness of breath comes on at rest which now becomes constant. main concern is my chest tightness which becomes painful (i have to breathe HARD and use all my effort which still cannot take a full breath), like all my upper chest muscles got hardened and tight tight. i develope cough too (with blood seen). i got sweat, sudden fatigue, low-grade fever, dizzy. swallow problem too. feel that my central upper chest got a hard fixed lump inside which stretch hard cause pain.
did your husband got backache or any joint pain? has he been tested for ANA (anti nuclear antibody)? mine is positive so they are looking into some autoimmune disease. also may need to look into MS. doctors told me could be stress but i don't really believe because i feel worse and worse as time passes and i am scared that very soon one day i just cannot breathe.
let me know about your progress. my email ***@****
-Zoe
Forum Doctor, hopefully i can catch you here because it seems that you have missed out my question on 24/10/01 and i have been waiting anxiously for your reply. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Zoe
It has been six weeks since you've posted the story on your husbands condition. I hope you have managed to get at least a "doorverwijzing" by now.
Since the beginning of this year I too started coming up with symptoms of great variation, coming and going in many places.
A great deal of symptoms match the ones your husband is experiencing:left-sided facial problems including severe tootaches!, lowgrade fever, shortness of breath, tight feeling in the chest from front to back, sore throat,fatigue..........
In the beginning I didn't take so much notice(or didn't want to), but gradually things got worse and as I had severe pulmonary sarcoidosis before, finally I couldn't fool myself anymore. Especially after having the kind of joint -and musclepains I had several years ago. After checking out some internetsites on sarcoidosis it all came together.
I had a lot of trouble getting a "doorverwijzing", especially as I am still able to do sports every day, the comment I got was to take it easy with my sports. I am not looking forward to all the tests coming up, but it's for the best.
If you want to have some info about informative sites or just talk some more you can send me an e-mail.(***@****)
Hope your husband is feeling better and I must say you're a great support for him, good for you!!
Groetjes and keep smiling!
i have a problem of myself because I got this for almost two years and i don't know what happen to me. i always had a terrible headache everyday and i am out of breath, i feel like my chest is very, very tight and i can't take any medicine because i am allergic. i am really scared it's like i'm going to past out nobody can help me even my family doctor. i got my MRI done last year for my headache problem but it's getting worse right now. i need an advice what to do. i always got angry to everybody in the house because i can not think right if i had an attack all i'm going to do is to pray and cry. please help me if you know what happen to me. do i have a cancer or something. thank you and looking forward for an advice.
GOD BLESS