should I really worry about shortness of breath?

[jelise]

I have had  a cough since about October and have been short of breath for a couple of months.  It’s not a big deal, but my internal specialist (general doctor I guess) freaked out about it recently when I went in with a sinus infection (which is gone after a round of antibiotics).  She has listened to my lungs on at least three different occasions and agreed it was just allergies, but now she is really worried about the shortness of breath and thinks it is something else.  I disagree.  

I argued that:
a) though I am not anemic, my hemoglobin has dropped a few points in the last few months
b) I am 100 lbs overweight
c) I am exhausted and have been laying down almost every chance I get for the last 7 months
d) I smoke  
e) my nerves are really bad

Last month she swore I had emphysema or asthma and wrote me a script for an inhaler which I never filled.  I did go do the pulmonary function test she ordered since it wasn’t invasive or anything, and it came out fine - despite my smoking for 25 years and working in bars for 15 of them.

She now wants me to get a CT scan on my lungs because she thinks I may have blood clots in them.  She ordered it today and I’m supposed to go get it tomorrow.  I really don’t think there is anything wrong besides what I have mentioned above.  Wouldn't the pulmonary test have shown something or wouldn't I be dead or in pain by now?  I wasn’t complaining of being short of breath, it just came up when she asked all those questions they always ask.  The breathlessness comes and goes.

I really don’t want to be radiated.  Would you just cancel the test?  That’s what I want to do - or at least get a second opinion.  

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks all,
Jelise

[epiphiny]

That's excellent news!

[jelise]

Went and got the CT scan today (or 442 chest x-rays) and it was all clear - no clots or fluid.  

Thanks to all for the encouragement, because I really wanted to skip the radiation and taking more time off of work.  I was also feeling quite contrary (probably because mother nature hit me today).  

I made it without wrecking, even though my brakes were failing me on my way to work today.  I also got the car to the mechanic afterwards, but the news wasn't as good there ha-ha - I need a new master cylinder.

I've had a rough time the last few weeks :P

One of the things that made me feel better about the test today is that they are going to be able to see part of my liver in the results.  (I must have asked the poor techs 100 questions before doing the tests :)  I had a bad ultrasound about 8 years ago and they ordered a CAT scan of my liver then - I never made it back to get the results.  Maybe these results will ease my mind a bit about my liver too!

Thanks again everyone for being the voice of reason,
Jelise

[lmclayton]

I am about to get shot 30 and since I have been on treatment I have been short of breath and cough all day but night time is worse. I wheeze and have excess mucus constantly. I was treated for an upper respiatory infection earlier then got broncitis. Nothing seems to help. I also have seasonal allergies. Mucinex helps just make sure you drink plenty of water because it dries you out so bad it adds to the shortness of breath. I would go ahead and get the CT anyway what can it hurt.


lmclayton

[newleaf09]

Go, if insurance will pay, go.  You won't be exposed to radiation many times in your life.  I think you have anemia and riba cough, but I know nothing but my own experience and opinion.  Certainly wouldn't want to belittle the experience of your internist who has your best interests always at heart.  It's just money.  Go.

[jusjames]

what is your HGB level?
what did you start at?
if you are 100lbs overweight then that could cause slight breathlessnes, with the fags

[copyman]

ok since you say you are treating HCV then the shortness of breath is most likely from anemia caused by the tx drugs. even if your HGB is still normal dropping a few points can still cause you anemia symptoms like shortness of breath, etc.
treatment drugs can cause all sort of things including lung problems. do yourself a favor and do the CT scan. Don't be foolish by saying your doctor is taking advantage of insurance company! That is silly, how do you think he would benefit from this? quite the opposite, seems your doc is looking out for you.

[cjsam]

I would get the test...I always tend to err on the side of caution especially when it comes to something like the lungs, the amount of radiation you will experience is minimal at best, and sometimes it takes several tests to find out what (or if there in fact is) something wrong

[jelise]

Yes, sorry - week 34 of tx.

I also read that the main cause of blood clots in your lungs is when they travel from your legs.  This doc did an ultrasound on my legs to check for clots about six months ago because my legs were tender (but not even swollen).  No blockage.

Okay.  I won't rule out the test, but I want a second opinion first.  I'm starting to think this doc is just taking advantage of my insurance.

Thanks again all :)

[copyman]

Hi, do you have Hepatitis C ? I know you are worried about radiation but you have to find out what is going on. many of us worry about what tests will find but usually they turn out fine. sometimes the anxiety of not knowing can cause you to feel bad. keep the appointment and find out what is going on.

How will you feel if you let this go only to find out later on that if you would have done something earlier it would have saved your life!

best of luck

[jelise]

Oh - and she did a chest x-ray and a the whole heart test thing (where you run on the treadmill and all - don't recall the name) about 9 months ago.  All was fine.

[jelise]

"a patient could get as much radiation from one CT scan as 74 mammograms or 442 chest X-rays"  (from USA Today article)

This, coupled with the fact that this doc has done a lot of needless tests in the past year, really gives me pause...

I'm not so out of breath that I can't walk a couple of miles - I just get breathless at weird times.  I really think it is nerves and allergies more than anything :(

Crud.  I hate tough decisions.

[epiphiny]

When I was treating I had terrible shortness of breath AND a most dreadful sounding cough and these are well known side effects of Riba in particular.  However, I also would get the tests done in order to rule out any other complications or conditions.

Epi.

[jdwithhcv]

I would get the test.  It is not necessarily true that you would be dead or in pain if something was wrong.  You have a lot of risk factors for heart and/or lung problems.  Most medical problems are easier to manage if detected early.  Don't wait til you have pain.  Your body is trying to tell you something.  Get the CT scan so you can rule out anything serious.

jd