What could this be?

[tonyttll]

I'm 28 years old and about 60 lbs overweight. I've been atleasta 40 lb's overweight for 15 years. I abused alcohol for 5 years alot. I am now sober 2 months. I smoked for 2 years on and off. For about 1 month i've been getting winded from a half an hour exercise. I've noticed the past week i've been experiencing shortness of breath from getting up to quickly,singing,whistling, just doing small things. I also get really light headed with the shortness of breath it seems that my breathing becomes really shallow. I do have an anxiety disorder and have had it for along time. But never experienced this type shortness of breath and lightheaded ness. Also with the other symptoms  i feel weak and tired.
My father has type 2 diabetes plus had tia and had cortoid artery cleared. My grandfather has vascular dementia and had a mild heart attack and a stent placed. I'm concerned and depressed because this affecting my life in alot of ways. Does anyone know what this sounds like? I plan to see a internist in few days.

[skydnsr]

I've had low D levels myself, so I've done some internet searching about what the usual treatment is, and if I remember correctly, 50,000 IU's is the standard initial dose.  I know it sounds like a lot, but your body needs a lot.  I don't think you will know if your low D is the reason for your symptoms until your levels are back up and you have kept them within the normal range for a while.  If your symptoms go away or even if they just get a lot better with treatment, then you probably have found the explanation.  Again if I remember correctly, anything between 30 and 100 for your blood test result is considered a normal Vit D level.  You might want your levels to be up close to 100 for a good long while, just to make up for lost time.  Alcohol abuse typically goes hand in hand with poor nutrition, so take good care of yourself and eat right, and I bet your body will do a lot of healing.  There could even be some other nutritional deficiencies that might need to be corrected, so eat very healthy and consider taking a good one-a-day type multivitamin for a while.  (If you do take any vitamins on your own, be sure you tell your doctor what you are taking.)  The body's powers of self-healing are amazing.  It does take time to get well, so try to be patient.  Just put good things into your body and discontinue putting poison into your body, LOL.  If you're in a support group for the alcohol, which I hope you are, you can probably hear some first-person stories from group members who have been sober for a long time about how they got healthy.

[tonyttll]

thanks for your advice. My stress test came out normal, currently wearing a 2 week wireless holter monitor. I am starting to have tingling in arms and legs, and some weakness. Plus feeling unbalanced, i'm going to try to see a neurologist. i've had these symptoms before, and i think there caused by the alcohol. Still sober, and nicotine free. My doc wanted me to take 50,000 ius of vitamin d, because my level is at 17. It just seems like a high dose. I wonder if my low vit d levels are causing these symptoms. Anyways Thanks again!

[skydnsr]

At age 28, your chances of recovering to normal health are excellent, assuming you do the following:  (1) stay sober, (2) stay off of nicotine, (3) lose the extra 60 pounds, and (4) get appropriate medical care for any other health issues that you may have.  I hope your visit with the internist went well.

[tonyttll]

Hey thank you, its been tough. But hopefully this time I'll be done indefinitely.

[tonyttll]

Thanks for your response. Since my post, i've seen a internist/cardiologist, at first he thought this is due to my weight and low vitamin d levels. But my symptoms are persisting and different ones are showing up. So he wants to give me a stress test. I'm worried of heart disease, or a dysautonomia problem. I assuming your a MD by your username, but if this is a heart problem how likely is it to recover to normal health? I know this is a very general question, its just i'm getting depressed by my symptoms and just want to get better. I guess i'm needing some hope.

[ireneo]

Just wanted to add congrats on the 2 months of sobriety. It's a tough battle to fight but so worth it.

[CCFHeartMD17]

It is very difficult to reach a definite diagnosis via the Internet. Based on the personal and family history you have described here, the shortness of breath you have been experiencing may potentially be caused by many conditions, including heart and/or lung disease. Being overweight and having an anxiety disorder may also be contributing to how you are feeling.

Your decision to review your symptoms with an internist is an excellent one. It will be important to sit down with your physician to go over your symptoms , medical background, family history,your current medications and to have a clinical examination. The tests necessary to get to the bottom of your shortness of breath can be better chosen following this review.