Chronic SOB

[sob2003]

I have been experiencing SOB on a daily basis for over a year.  I have recently developed a cough with some production although clear.  My PP is treating me for anxiety and for the most part I get relief from 1mg Lorazepam every 4-6 hours.  For whatever reason, I don't usually have SOB upon waking but it comes on in an hour or two.  If I don't take the Lorazepam I become SOB and somewhat nauseous at the same time.  I also have chest pain in the night, difficulty sleeping and occasional leg pain.  I'm becoming concerned that it might be something more serious than anxiety or GERD which I was also treated for.  I have an appt. with my PP and will ask for a chest x-ray and a referral to a lung specialist.  What does this sound like to you please?
SOB2003

[Allisonc78]

I have been experiencing the same kind of symptoms. I was diagnosed with mild asthma after two weeks of extreme sob. I also have chest pain, leg pain although I think it is due to a medication I am taking, and a little sob still. Check the side effects of Lorazepam and see if this might be causing your chest pain. I am (to be on the safe side) seeing a rhumatologist to get my ANA levels checked to rule out an autoimmune disease. Maybe your doctor can do the same, because muscle pain and sob is a symptom. A chest X-ray will rule out many serious lung diseases, but a CT scan is a more detailed x-ray that can diagnose alot of mild disease undetected by an X-ray. Depending on your age, heart disease should be ruled out if you are older because this can cause your symptoms. A simple stress test and echocardiogram can rule that out. As for asthma or emphysema or other lung diseases, a pulmonary function test can diagnose it. I really hope you have insurance because these tests aren't cheap but worth it to put your mind at ease. Go with your instinct and clear out anything you are worried about. I have a feeling it is GERD or asthma related as these are common complaints of both conditions. If you have any pressure or tightness in your chest anytime it is most likely asthma.

[National Jewish Health]

The symptoms you describe could all be due to a sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome.  You should discuss this with your primary physician (PP) and ask if a formal sleep study is warranted.

However, another explanation for daily shortness of breath and cough, especially with your history of leg pain, would be chronic recurrent clots to your lungs also called pulmonary emboli.  It is very easy to screen for this condition with a lung scan or a CT of the lungs, programmed to focus on clots.  You should also raise this possibility with your doctor and have him/her carefully examine your legs.

[sob2003]

Yes, I have insurance and have had many tests done over the last 2-3 years and would be bankrupt without it.  I've had the PFT, various heart testing, etc.  My heart is fine as far as those tests showed.  I started taking the Lorazepam again last night and was able to sleep.  I had bad insomnia while trying to go off Lexapro and Lorazepam.  I've opted for the Loraz. due to fewer side effect.  While I have two brothers with juvenile asthma (they outgrew it), I really don't think it's asthma and inhalers are never any help - quite the opposite, they make me feel terrible.  I was diagnosed with GERD and should probably have another EDG scheduled due to my age.  Also, the symptoms of GERD had subsided and I decreased the amount of Prilosec I was taking from 2X/day to 1X/day.  I agree with you , it's feeling more and more like GERD which BTW can affect your breathing.  That's the confusing part, doctors will say it shouldn't affect breathing without a diagnosis of Eptsein Barr progression but I think even without those precancerous changes in the lining of the Esophagus, I am experiencing SOB because of it.  I could be wrong.  It could be a case of chronic anxiety.  I would just like to know after more than a full years of SOB every day.  It's exhausting.  Other than the fact that the Lorazepam could be masking symptoms, I personally recommend it for SOB in my case.
SOB2003