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[JRK4282]

Hi I'm a 23 year old male, 6'3 235 ex-college football player who runs and lifts weights about 5 times a week and has been in good shape my whole life, but the last 3 1/2 months I have been experiencing on and off shortness of breath and other long list of other symptoms that have me very worried. For about a month leading up to when the breathing issues started I was having on and off chest pains that seemed to worsen the more I ate and the more I drank (It was my last month of college so needless to say I drank alot and had an unhealthy diet). As soon as I left school, I began to get back onto a steady workout routine and the chest pains became less frequent. Then out of nowhere one night when I was lying in bed I began having breathing problems (It was the night following an evening of heavy drinking) where it felt like I couldn't get enough air into my lungs.
I have to note that I had experienced this feeling at night on two seperate occasions almost a year ago when I was taking steroids (not proud to admit), but the problem only lasted for one night and I woke up and felt fine. While on steroids I had also experienced the same chest pains for about a month, but as soon as I stop using them, they went away.
Since the breathing issues began over 3 months ago they have occurred every night (some nights are so bad it takes hours to fall asleep) and have been occurring at random times during the day with no real pattern. I'll get them in the morning on an empty stomach when I wake up, I'll get them after a large meal, I'll get them sitting in a chair, or walking, and sometimes I'll go most of the day (if I'm lucky the whole day) without any problems at all. On top of the breathing issues, I have continued to experience chest pains periodically, also with no pattern, that can be dull, feel like pressure on my chest, or sometimes quick, sharp pains. The pains rarely are intensified when I take a deep breath and somedays I won't have them at all. The other symptoms I've been experiencing include on and off fatigue, lightheadness when standing up,impotence (this is my second biggest concern because I can barely get an erection most of the time, however, I am still capable of having sex, but it is very difficult and not nearly as enjoyable since I'm just worried about keeping an erection the whole time) on and off headaches (have been more frequent lately), chest spasms just to the left of my sternum directly under my ribcage, spasms in my neck, overheating issues, irregular heartbeats, and heart palps.
With regards to the irregular heartbeats and palps: I have been checking my pulse many times on a daily basis lately. Sometimes my pulse will be really slow and then speed up for a few beats (when I say speed up, it goes from about a 50-55 bpm pace to about 70) and then slow again, and other times I will even feel abnormal pauses. It just feels that sometimes my pulse is very sporadic. I've also noticed that sometimes my pulse seems very faint while other times it feels somewhat normal.Since my issues, began I have been very consistent with going to the gym and lifting weights for about 1 1/2 hours and running a mile at about a 7 minute pace 4 or 5 times a week. At first, the gym seemed to be the only place where I never felt any symptoms; however, recently it has been harder for me to workout with the same intensity, as during some workouts I feel faint and out of breath. On a few occasions after I finish a lifting set I've felt my heart pounding very hard and very slow (less than 60 bpm) in my chest. It's almost as if my heart is compensating for the extra oxygen needed by just pumping harder and continuing to pump at the slow rate it would when I'm resting. One time while feeling this slow pounding heartbeat I felt my heart skip for a solid two seconds and I immediately felt flush and almost passed out. This slow pounding heartbeat has happened to me at home too, as sometimes if I go from a resting position to getting up and walking somewhere, I'll feel slow heartbeat and will get very faint.
After college, I unfortunately was uninsured for a month, but went to my primary physician to just get some basic tests. They just did a chest x-ray, EKG, urine test, and simple blood test and everything came back negative. In mid July when I became insured I went to the ER to see what was wrong. Had 4 or 5 EKG's done while in the hospital, ECHO, multiple blood tests (18 total I believe) and a chest x-ray. The only thing that came back was a small in flammation in my upper right lung (where I was experiencing no pain or anything) and I was diagnosted with a walking pnuemonia (pneumonia). I asked the doc how that could be the cause of my problems when all my chest pain was centered around my heart and he gave me no real explanation. Needless to say it wasn't pnuemonia (pneumonia) because I took the antibotics perscribed and it did nothing to me. I then got a referral to a cardiologist this past month. So far I have had an EKG, ECHO, stress test, and wore a holter monitor and everything came back negative. So it appears nothing is structurally wrong with my heart, and from the stress test the doc figured I didn't have any artery blockage, but I did tell him that the day I wore the holter monitor I really wasn't experiencing any symptoms for the most part. He has ordered me an 30 day event monitor to wear as he seems to think it is an arrhythmia of some sort which is what I think as well. My only question is, could an arrhythmia be the cause of all these symptoms? It is important to note that although nothing postive came back on any tests, both the hospital doc and my cardiologist noted that I had a really low HR ( between 41-48 bpm in the hospital and lately in the low 50's when I check my pulse) but they chalk it up to being younger and athletic. I just don't know if I believe it should be quite that slow. I've also totally cut out drinking alcohol and caffeine, as my symptoms often worsen after they are consumed (I've noticed after alcohol my body feels overheated for a few days and I don't know why), and sometimes after big or unhealthy meals I fell like the symptoms are worse.
I know what I'm dealing with is not anxiety or panic, as I'm usually pretty low stress and now that I'm accustomed to my new job I really have little to no stress or anxiety about it. This problem though has been dibilitating, as I haven't felt like myself for months and haven't even been able to go out with friends or do anything a person my age should. Sometimes I feel ok, but then there are times I feel my heart may give out on me or I may just keel over and die. It's been a struggle getting through work at times as well, as I feel tired all the time and can't breath properly. My cardiologist says i'm not going to just drop over dead, but I can't help but worry about it the way I feel and knowing that I did punish my body pretty good in college. Although my doc thinks its an arrhythmia, there has been no conclusive diagnosis, and I have had no treatment or suggestions to lessen my symptoms. My life has literally been miserable lately, as I'm not really living or enjoying life, but rather just taking one day at a time and trying to get through the day with as little agony as possible. I really don't know what I should do next, especially if my heart monitor records nothing. I am open to any suggestions you may have or any idea what could be causing these symptoms (maybe it's not even heart related or could it possibly be a blood clot or CAD?). Please help me out if you have any ideas what could be wrong. Sorry for such a long post, but I had wanted to include as much info so hopefully I can get some help. Thanks for your help!

[itdood]

Run a mile at a 7 minute pace?  Ate 235?  dude, you're in good shape.  

When checking your pulse, the slow down and speed up is completely normal.  It's termed "sinus arrhythmia" but is completely normal.  google that up and read more.  "naturally occurring variation in heart rate that occurs during a breathing cycle"

notice that as you inhale and exhale you'll feel it.  It's actually beneficial.  slows down on the exhale, speeds up on the inhale.  something to do with it making the whole process of moving oxygen rich blood more efficient.

Now in this instance, you should take note that something called an "arrhythmia" is completely normal.

See what happens on the 30 day event and move from there.

The only other thing I can think of is a hormonal imbalance after coming off the steroids.

[itdood]

p.s., on the breathing difficulties, is it shortness of breath or do you feel restricted?

[JRK4282]

Thanks for your response itdood. I think your right that those fluctuations were probably not abnormal and most likely due to my pattern of breathing. The best way I can describe my breathing difficulties is that when I begin to have problems it feels as though I can't take a satisfiying breath no matter how deep I breath in or how fast I breath. Hopefully that clarifies it a little. Thanks for your help!

[itdood]

So when this happens, have you tried to do some exercise and see where your pulse goes?

If you try this and your heart rate and endurance sit around where they should be, things are fine.

I'm honestly thinking you might be just too aware and bit phobic of your breathing.  I know that may sound weird but it might be the case.  The good news is that it's relatively easy to get past.

Another thing you can try is to get a hold of a blood oxygen meter, these are relatively cheap.  They go on your finger.  When you get this episode check your blood ox level.  If it's up around 98 or 99, then you are looking at a psychosomatic cause to your breathing issue.

Another idea is asthma.  Have you had that checked too?

[Bryan1844]

Attached is a post I posted yesterday....Our stories are very similar............Thanks for taking the time for reading my post. Im a pretty active 28yr old male, I go to the gym 4-5 times a week doing weights and 20min of cardio. Ive had every heart test done (ekg, echocardiogram, event monitor, stress test) and everything came back normal except for pvc's. I get nervous when I get them and they make my anxiety level rise. Im at the gym working out, standing up lifting weights then when I lay down on the bench I feel like my heart is beating hard like it should then my heart beats slow for like 2-3 beats then back to normal and I can feel it....Its hard to explain unless you experienced it. Also I notice if im talking and then I stop I get a blood rush to my head and feel my heart again beating slow for a few beats then back to normal. I have anxiety but to my knowledge anxiety makes your heart beat faster....correct? But I feel if Im anxious it beats slower till I breath fast then it goes back to normal. Anyone else experience this type of symptom. I would love to up my cardio but am scared to....I do 20 min or so...I walk for like 3 min then run for 2 and so on cause im scared to keep running. Thanks for any input

[cvttechguy]

I am sorry you r having all of these issues....I was wondering if you have had a cardiac cath done??? Just to make sure your have no blockages??? If all of this is clear you may want to think of gastric issues could cause some of this..I know when cardiac is cleared the stomach is the next thought to check out??? Am I sure no, but please have this checked??? I wish you the best of luck!!!