Chronic Shortness of Breath

[jshelbcoff]

Hello.  At 29 and in otherwise good health, I've been suffering with chronic, continuous shortness of breath for 14 months.  Other symptoms are Globus (constant) and pain and pressure in the neck and jaw, ears, and sinuses, much worse after eating.  My doctors say I DO have GERD, but they don't see how GERD can cause the continuous SOB symptoms.  I've had 2 pulmonary function tests which show normal except MIPS and MEPS (breathing muscle strength) at 25-30% of normal.  My Pulmonologist is baffled by this, as I do not appear to have any neurological condition and have seen a neurologist and had MRIs of neck and brain just to be sure.  Does anyone else have or heard of this?  I am ready to go for surgery for GERD, on the probability that this is the cause of the SOB, even if there's a chance for help, because right now I'm just existing from day to day, not living.  Any response at all would be appreciated.  Thank You.

[National Jewish]

Generally surgery is considered for gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) only when medications have not helped.  GERD is a most unlikely cause of shortness of breath.  When GERD is associated with aspiration it can lead to tightening of the airways in the lungs, also called bronchospasm.  This could result in shortness of breath.
You should be seen a pulmonologist to have your lung function and shortness of breath assessed.  This may include re-testing of your respiratory muscle strength and endurance as well as an exercise test.

[ashpie3]

Hi, I also have the same problem and I've had numerous test and nothing was found..I feel like i can never get a DEEP BREATH AND that leads to always trying to make myself yawn or make myself sigh so I can breath..it has been going on for awhile and is really starting to interfere with my life because I get very anxious..I also have sinus problems and a constant drip in my throat..I am also looking for any suggestions as to what could cause this..

[krista]

Hi,

  I'm a 22 year old female, and I've been getting pressure for a couple months as well.  I have had numerous ekg's, a stress test, and chest xray, all which were normal...and recently had an upper GI.  I get pressure in the upper centre of my chest, and I would like to know what its from.  My doctor and the one I see at the University where I go to school says its anxiety.  I also have left shoulder pain, and pressure, and left arm weakness sometimes.  I just want someone to diagnose me. :) Anxiety just doesn't seem right because I never thought of myself as anxious?  I've become 'crazy' wondering if this is my heart... could it just be problems with my stomach that causes these symptoms?  I would have posted this as a separate question, but the forum is full...I just saw pressure, and it sounded familiar.

[Concerned lady]

I urge you to telephone the LUNG LINE Monday morning, at 1-800-222-LUNG(5864), between 8am & 4:30pm (Mon-Fri). Speak to a LUNG LINE nurse about your situation, to get some good advice!!

The LUNG LINE is at Nat'l Jewish Hospital, in Denver, CO. This is the best respiratory hospital, and if you could go there, I think you would be diagnosed correctly and quickly, and get some good treatment!

Nat'l Jewish Hospital not only knows all about all types of respiratory problems, they are also experts at auto-immune conditions, etc. This is the best hospital I have ever seen (& experienced). Call them Monday!

I will also post some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS in case they can help, but first you really need to see some better EXPERT DOCS!

I'll also post some SINUS TIPS in case these might help too, but again, first see a better EXPERT DOC!

Good luck to you.

Sincerely, Concerned lady
***@****

[Concerned lady]

Some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (without acid blockers):

GER=Gastro-Esophageal Reflux. (Gastro=stomach. Esophagus=food tube.)

LPR= Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux. (Larynx=voice box, containing the 2 vocal cords. Pharynx=throat, above the larynx. The larynx is above the trachea/windpipe.)

Reflux=acidic or alkaline stomach material that backs up into the esophagus (food tube), causing any of these problems: VCD/Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Laryngospasm attacks, cough, voice problems, asthma, globus (feeling of lump in throat), constant need to clear throat, worsening of sinus condition, sore throat, pre-cancerous conditions of throat &/or esophagus, etc.

SOME GER/LPR CONTROL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: STOMACH AILMENTS AND DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES, by Michael T. Murray, N.D. See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com   and, also see GER/LPR info on page 5, and on LINKS page.

PLEASE READ THIS GREAT BOOK. It may possibly be bought on-line, from Michael T. Murray’s website.

Some of the following we learned from people &/or other books, &/or other good websites about voice, GER, etc.

(1) DGL (De-Glycyrrhizinated Licorice) is one of our main methods of controlling the GER/LPR. We use Enzymatic Therapy brand DGL, shortly before ALL meals (breakfast, lunch, supper). The DGL does NOT cause high blood pressure, and does NOT cause fluid retention/edema, because a bad (steroidal) part of whole/crude licorice has been removed, leaving the DGL. DGL is available at most health food stores, and at good pharmacies.
  
The DGL tablet(s) must be chewed, to mix with saliva, to be effective. If it is too dry, one could mash/crush it and mix with a little water, and then chew it up. Chew tablet(s) for about 10 seconds (at least), to thoroughly mix with saliva, shortly before (about 20 minutes before) EVERY meal, and if necessary, between meals (Read label directions).
  
The DGL seems to not only promote healing of throat, esophagus and stomach, but also seems to help prevent OUR reflux.(resulting in no more globus/lump in throat sensation, no more constant throat clearing, excess mucous, excess phlegm, no more NIGHT-TIME VCD/Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Laryngospams attacks, no more laryngitis, etc. for us)

We don’t mind the taste of the plain, fructose-free, DGL CHEWABLE tablets, but for those who hate the taste, try mixing the crushed tablet with a tiny bit of mashed organic banana, and then chew thoroughly, to mix with saliva. Avoid any DGL that contains mint. (Mint—in all forms, can cause gastric reflux episodes. AVOID MINT!!).

(2) We use Thayers brand of SLIPPERY ELM Throat Lozenges when we feel the need. (Soothing, coating, healing, nourishing). Slippery Elm (inner bark from a tree) also comes in teabag form, or in bulk, etc. as an herbal supplement.

(3) We drink the occasional small glass of CARROT JUICE (organic, fresh) which soothes, coats, heals the digestive tract, is nourishing, and stimulates the immune system, with beta-carotene, soothing and coating PECTIN (a type of fiber), and other good nutrients. (Carrot soup, cooked carrots are also good. Beta-carotene is heat resistant.) (Beta-carotene later is turned into Vitamin A inside us). Do not overdo. If your skin turns orange, cut back on the carrot juice. Avoid beta-carotene pills -- too potent.

(4) We tried elevating the head of the bed a few inches, by putting 6 inch to 8 inch BLOCKS, ON THE FLOOR, under the head end of the bed. This creates a slant (tilt), where the head is 6 to 8 inches higher than the feet. This helps some people, but not all people. (Check with a pediatric Gastro-enterologist, about raising the head end of a bed of a child, or a crib of an infant). Also, see (16) about a special GERD PILLOW, for adults.

(5) We try NOT TO BEND OVER too often, and we try to AVOID STRAINING (Valsalva maneuver). We AVOID LIFTING HEAVY objects. (No weight lifting!) (at least until after no more reflux symptoms for 3 months).

(a) If CONSTIPATION is causing any straining, see Ref.15,18,23,24,25 on page 9 for ideas about gently treating constipation, including eating whole grains, not white (de-natured ones), etc.  For us, exercise, increased water intake, acidophilus/bifidus, digestive enzymes, avoiding junk food, improved diet, chewing slowly (takes will power!), eating when not under stress or angry, etc., all are helpful.

(6) NO MORE TIGHT pants, belt, corset,--AVOID TIGHT CLOTHING etc.

(7) We try to not eat too much junk food. Some people avoid acidic  food, while others need to eat acidic food, if their stomach is not producing any (or enough) acid. (It is good to avoid acid, if one has an ulcer.) These gastric reflux tips methods often can help to heal ulcers. Some people need betaine hydrochloride supplements, which becomes HCl/hydrochloric acid, or, some use vinegar (acetic acid) in salads, or mixed with water, while others need to avoid eating excess acid. Each person is unique. We avoid all artificial sweeteners. Anyone with diabetes might want to look at the excellent book Reversing Diabetes, by Dr. Julian Whittaker, M.D..

Diet soda pop contains the harmful artificial sweetener Aspartame (Equal/Nutrasweet), which can cause WEIGHT GAIN, HEADACHES, UPSET STOMACH, BLURRED VISION, BLINDNESS, TWITCHING, SEIZURES, BRAIN TUMORS, HYPERACTIVITY, MOOD SWINGS, ETC., and soda pop often has strong acids, plus other harmful artificial ingredients. Plain water, gentle herb teas, certain fruit juices, brown rice-milk, etc. are healthier substitutes for soda pops.

We try to avoid all artificial ingredients, including fake fats (like Olean, Olestra, etc.), because these can destroy the digestive system, and prevent absorption of vital nutrients, such as fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) from foods. These fake fats also prevent digestion and absorption of needed fats & oils, used to repair myelin nerve cell sheaths (made of fatty material, mostly cholesterol). Hormones are also made of mostly cholesterol.

(8)  We try to drink more water, to prevent chronic dehydration. We like hard (nicely mineralized) well or spring water.
We do not drink distilled water (soft water, no minerals), because it can leach minerals out of our bones, possibly contributing  to osteoporosis. (See Ref.18,23, on page 9.) We avoid water softeners (chemicals) because they can be toxic, and because good minerals help keep us healthy. People with KIDNEY PROBLEMS &/or GLAUCOMA, etc. should ask their docs how much water is safe to drink, since too much water can be dangerous for them! (But, dehydration can cause problems also.)

(9) We use ACIDOPHILUS/BIFIDUS ( edible beneficial bacteria which keep bad YEASTS away, such as Candida Albicans, formerly called Monilia). ACIDOPHILUS/BIFIDUS also can eat or control some bad bacteria, and some viruses. The acidophilus/bifidus are also called PRO-BIOTICS and are beneficial intestinal flora (mainly for the large intestine). We keep the jars refrigerated, but not too cold. These are available at health food stores & pharmacies. (See Ref.14,15,23,24,25, on page 9).

Acidophilus/bifidus can re-populate the large intestine, with good bacteria, after antibiotics &/or steroids, etc. have killed off these good bacteria! Some of us have to continue eating the acidophilus/bifidus (daily, or from time to time), but the results seem worth the effort to us.

Yogurt and buttermilk contain similar beneficial bacteria, but are milk products, so see (11) below about milk products.

(10) We use DIGESTIVE ENZYMES. My husband likes Acid-Ease by Prevail, which contains Slippery Elm (inner bark), Marshmallow Root, Gamma-Oryzanol (from Rice Bran Oil), and the plant enzymes Amylase (digests starch), Lipase II (digests fat), and Cellulase I (digests cellulose from plant cell walls). The Acid-Ease does not contain Protease, which can be very irritating to ulcer/GER folks.

The Acid-Ease is NOT an acid blocker. It is not an antacid. It soothes, coats, nourishes, and promotes healing. Its enzymes help with leaky gut syndrome.

   I use Total Enzymes (which does have Protease, a protein digesting enzyme) by Nutri-West, a company that sells only to health practitioners (Chiropracters, Physicians, and others). One could ask their physician to order, at cost, for them, by having physician call 1-307-358-5066.

   Digestive enzymes are NOT FOR EVERYBODY, but are helpful for MANY people.

(11)  My husband has found that AVOIDING MILK PRODUCTS helps him feel less congested, with less mucus in throat. Milk and milk products can cause gastric reflux episodes. Brown-Rice Milk (look for gluten-free) can substitute for milk (but not for babies!).

Gluten is in wheat (includes spelt & kamut), rye, oats, barley, & buckwheat. Read labels to avoid hidden gluten, in some soy sauces, gravies, grain alcohols, beer (barley malt), etc. People with Celiac Disease need to avoid all foods containing gluten. BROWN RICE (organic) is gluten-free. Corn is gluten free, but is very allergenic (allergy causing), so avoid corn. Avoid millet, at first, because there is disagreement about whether millet is safe or not, for Celiac patients.

MILK MAY CAUSE MORE ACID to be produced, IN THE STOMACH!

I occasionally eat milk products, like yogurt, cheese, whipped cream, or my ACIDOPHILUS/BIFIDUS, which is mixed with goat milk powder. So, at these times, I take LACTASE ENZYMES, to digest (break down into easily absorbed small molecules) the milk-sugar called LACTOSE. Many people (due to heredity &/or disease) have Lactose intolerance, where the small intestine does not secrete the lactase enzyme. Result is that the milk-sugar (lactose) travels further down the small intestine than it should. Then, bad bacteria eat the lactose, giving off lots of gas (a by-product of the digestion of bad bacteria), and this causes folks to get bloated, gassy, have diarrhea, and cramping. I use Lactaid brand lactase enzymes, and it works for me. Ordering direct from them can save money.

(12) Using the above methods has almost completely freed my husband of needing to use Tums, and seems to be nicely controlling his and my GER/LPR. We have never used acid blockers.

ACID BLOCKERS CAN HAVE DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS: Some examples are:

Acid must be present in the stomach, in order for the stomach to make a substance called Intrinsic Factor. Intrinsic factor must be present with Vitamin B 12, in the stomach, for absorption of Vitamin B 12 to happen, in the ileum (last part of the small intestine), I believe.

Acid blockers therefore prevent absorption of Vitamin B 12. Malabsorption (lack of absorption) of Vitamin B 12, causes NERVE DAMAGE (pain, numbness, pins & needles sensation, etc.) in the peripheral nerves (outside the brain & spinal cord). This is called PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY. For details about this problem, see the Peripheral Neuropathy forum at http://www.braintalk.org

If Vitamin B 12 continues to NOT be absorbed, eventually there can be NERVE DAMAGE to the Central nervous system (brain & spinal cord).

ALSO, the minerals calcium, iron, zinc, other minerals, and important trace minerals, etc. cannot be properly absorbed, when there is no acid in the stomach (due to acid blockers, etc.).

AND, protein does not get properly digested (broken down--eventually into amino acids), in the stomach, when there is no acid in the stomach.

Doctors and pharmacists can advise about VERY gradual(slow) tapering down (weaning) schedules (when and if safe) for the acid blockers. Some acid blockers, when stopped too quickly, can cause rebound acid secretion in the stomach, resulting in excess hydrochloric acid secretion. The REBOUND ACID SECRETION often causes worse GERD symptoms!

ALSO, SOME FORMS OF REFLUX ARE NOT ACID REFLUX, but are ALKALINE REFLUX, (bile is alkaline). Besides refluxed stomach acid (HCl/hydrochloric acid), Pepsin (an acidic proteolytic/protein digesting, enzyme) & bile (alkaline) can irritate & damage: the esophagus, throat, vocal cords, & lungs. Acid blockers do nothing to stop alkaline reflux!!

(13) Do not drink ICY COLD DRINKS, and AVOID VERY HOT DRINKS. Use room temperature drinks, or slightly cool, or warm, but not ultra-hot. Extremely cold or hot liquids can irritate the stomach, which is bad for ulcers &/or gastric reflux.

(14) Ask physical therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, etc. if they know any safe adjustments that might lessen GER/LPR, if you wish.

(15) Read (by Dr. James A. Koufman) PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET ON REFLUX by Center for Voice Disorders of Wake Forest University. Here’s a link:  http://www.bgsm.edu/voice/pt_info.html  Dr. Koufman was a pioneer in showing the connection between stomach reflux (can be acid reflux OR alkaline reflux) and breathing problems!

(16) Some have found a special (large) GERD pillow helpful for preventing GERD episodes while sleeping and while lying down. Here is a link to the Prop up pillow website:  http://www.propuppillow.com

(17) Avoid harmful chemical air pollution, which can aggravate gastric reflux. See page 5 of VCD website for more about this.

(18) Using the above methods, in addition to the SINUS SURVIVAL tips, has helped us to prevent VCD attacks, in us.

(19) Please check with your doctor, in advance, to be sure that it is OK for you to try these tips, in your particular case. Also, please get monitored by your doctor, to be sure that no more damage to the throat, esophagus, stomach, vocal cords, lungs, etc. is happening, from possible SILENT gastric reflux.

Pregnant or nursing ladies should check with their doctors, before trying any of these tips.

Avoid any herbs, foods, etc. that you may be allergic to.

Check with your doctor and pharmacist, to be sure that there would be no harmful interactions between any of your medications, diet that you may be on, and any herbs, foods, etc. mentioned in these tips.

Check with your doctor, to be sure that these tips would not interact badly with any medical condition you may have.

These tips help my husband and me (adults). Some of these tips may be OK for children, and others may not be OK for children. Check with your doctor! Babies with gastric reflux need DIFFERENT treatments, not these tips (except for raising the head end of the crib, if your doctor says it is OK to do this, etc.). Check with your doctor!

[Concerned lady]

Some SINUS TIPS:

SOME  SINUS SURVIVAL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: SINUS SURVIVAL, by Dr. Robert Ivker, D.O.  See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com  

PLEASE READ THE BOOK SINUS SURVIVAL, by Dr. Ivker!, for MORE GOOD IDEAS!!!

(1) NASAL IRRIGATIONS: THIS IS DONE WITHOUT ANY CHOKING, AND WITHOUT SNIFFING THE LIQUID UP THE NOSE! My husband does these once a day. I do them 2x a day. When I first did them, I needed to do them 4x/day. We try to avoid doing them within 1 hour of bedtime (or lying down), because some of the irrigation fluid drains out later on, and we prefer to be awake and not lying down (when possible), to gently blow the residual warm salt-water out of each nostril. Keep tissues (unscented) handy.

  (a) First, we each bought a NETI-POT, an 8 ounce little ceramic teapot without a cover, from a health food store. Some people who do Yoga use neti-pots (hence the East-Indian sound of NETI-POT). This avoids potential latex allergy from rubber bulb syringes! Also, this is a gentle gravity method, with no dangerous high water pressure. And no electricity is needed!

  (b) We put about a half teaspoon (1/2 teaspoon) of plain (non-iodized) salt (sodium chloride, NaCl, avoiding additives) into the neti-pot. We like PLAIN, ADDITIVE-FREE, NON-IODIZED sea-salt (from health food store).

  ( c) We then add a little hot water and stir, to dissolve the salt. We use well water (no chlorine, no fluoride). Distilled water would be OK, but we do not drink distilled water, which can leach minerals (like calcium) out of the bones, contributing to osteoporosis.

  (d)  Then we add a little cold water, and stir, to make the salt water warm, not hot. (I experimented, until I found the most comfortable degree of warm temperature—tepid/lukewarm.)

  (e)  Then, we add warm water to fill the neti-pot, and stir.

  (f)  I lean FORWARD, over a sink and tilt my head slightly to the right, so my RIGHT nostril is a bit higher up than the left nostril.  I wear a bathrobe, because this can be a little messy (but it is worth it!!! The sinus relief is wonderful!!!, like lessening post nasal drip, lessening stuffed nose, lessening phlegm,  soothing and healing sore & dry throat, promotes sinus drainage, etc.).

If it feels like fluid is getting into one or both ears, try keeping the head less tilted (sideways), so that one nostril is just A TINY BIT higher than the other one. But still lean FORWARD over the sink, to prevent the fluid from going down the throat.

If it is hard on my back to lean forward, I put a folded towel on the edge of the sink, put my left fore-arm on towel, to support my back, and then I lean forward over the sink.

  (g)  I put the neti-pot spout INTO my RIGHT (upper) nostril, and gently, slowly, pour about 4 ounces (about half of the 8 oz. neti-pot) (it is a guestimate)  of the warm salt water into my right nostril. The fluid pours or drips out of… my LEFT (lower) nostril! (into the sink). IT TOOK A LITTLE PRACTICE TO KEEP THE FLUID FROM GOING  INTO MY THROAT, BUT I QUICKLY LEARNED BY PRACTICE! LEANING FORWARD, OVER THE SINK, HELPS ME TO KEEP THE FLUID FROM GOING DOWN MY THROAT.
    During this nasal irrigation, I must breathe through my open mouth. (I can talk, if necessary, but usually I do not).

  (h)  Then, I gently blow both nostrils, and then lean FORWARD, over the sink again, slightly tilting my head to the left, so my LEFT nostril is a bit higher than my right nostril. Then, I put the neti-pot spout INTO my left (upper) nostril, and gently, slowly, pour the rest (the last 4 ounces) of the warm salt water into my (upper) left nostril, letting it pour or drip out of the right (lower) nostril, into the sink.

  (i) Then, I gently blow both nostrils. Then, I bend over, carefully, (sitting or standing) and gently blow each nostril, one at a time, while head is low. Then, I stand up, or sit upright, and gently blow each nostril.

  (j)  Finally, I wash out the neti-pot, using hot water and UNSCENTED gentle, health-food- store dish detergent (unscented soap is probably OK too). I thoroughly rinse the neti-pot with hot water, and let it air-dry upside down on a paper towel, in a dish drainer.  

  (k)  After a little practice, nasal irrigations now take only a couple of minutes to do! This neti-pot method uses gentle gravity, (possibly safer and more comfortable than some other methods). My husband and I actually look forward to doing these nasal irrigations, because they are so helpful, soothing, and healing!

(2)  WE HUMIDIFY THE AIR AT NIGHT in the bedroom, while sleeping, USING A VICKS (or any good brand)  HOT WATER (warm mist/steam) VAPORIZER—NO MEDICINE, JUST WATER & A LITTLE SALT TO GET THE VAPORIZER GOING. (HOT water seems to prevent mold, in our vaporizer.)
  
This has very much helped to moisten, soothe, and heal our noses, throats, and sinuses. The high humidity prevents throat from drying out, even if mouth breathing while sleeping. Dry air used to make throat feel sore & hurt. Vaporizer prevents & treats this problem.

We put the hot water vaporizer about 7 feet away from our noses, but directed towards our noses.

(3)  WE USE AN AIR CLEANER only AT NIGHT. We bought a negative ion generator because it is noiseless and less expensive than a HEPA filter. We put it on, in the living room, at bedtime. When we tried it in the bedroom, it gave off too many negative ions (too drying, too irritating, caused insomnia).
   By keeping it in the living room, just the right number of negative ions drift into the bedroom, cleaning the air nicely, preventing stuffed nose. (We only operate this air cleaner in a room that we are not in.)
   We keep the gadget away from metal, and we do not touch it while it’s on, because MUCH OZONE would be produced if it is close to metal, or if it is touched. Ozone, in large amounts, is toxic, drying, irritating. ( Ozone is bad stuff, except when created in small amounts by nature, like from lightning.)

AVOID AIR CLEANERS THAT SAY THEY ARE OZONE TYPES. In his book, The Healthy House, John Bower writes that even negative ion generators may produce a very small amount of ozone, but in very tiny, acceptable amounts., The only time I ever smelled ozone from our neg. ion generator, was when I touched it for more than a couple of seconds.

John Bower writes that some very sensitive people are bothered by resins in HEPA air filters. Also such air cleaners create a breeze, and make a sound.

(4)  I use a Breathe-Rite nasal strip while sleeping, to help keep my nose un-stuffed, and to lessen snoring. CAUTION: Packaging of this product contains natural rubber latex which may cause allergic reactions. IF YOU MIGHT HAVE A LATEX ALLERGY, DO NOT USE THESE BREATHE RITE NASAL STRIPS! Call the company at 1-800/858-NOSE(6673) to ask if there are any other ingredients that you might be allergic to.

(5) Please check with your doctor first, to be sure that these tips are OK for you to try, in your particular case.

(6) These SINUS TIPS, along with some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS, and improving AIR QUALITY, can often greatly lessen (or eliminate) both VCD attacks, and similar Upper Airway Dysfunction, squeezing shut, attacks! (like Laryngochalasia, etc. See PAGES 5, 3, 4, 9, and links page, of http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

These SINUS TIPS (& GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS & IMPROVING AIR QUALITY) can also be helpful for people with asthma, voice problems, etc.

[jshelbcoff]

Thank you everyone, yes I will call Lung Line.

Yes, I also have left arm numbness and weakness that strikes on occasion.  I too have had a complete cardio workup.  I understand that this can be reffered sensations from the esophagus.  I also think that the doctors don't know everything they are supposed to about reflux, and, more specifically, hiatal hernia.  It goes something like this: many people have hiatal hernia with no symptoms; therefore, hiatal hernia causes no symptoms itself.  I would disagree with this assessment, or at least feel that GERD is responsible for more than they know.

These conditions will commonly be attibuted to anxiety by doctors, but only because there are some things that they don't understand.

[krista]

Hi :)

  I've had an upper GI, but I don't go back to the city I go to school in till next week.  Eventhough both doctors reassure me that its not my heart, I just wonder where all this pressure is coming from?  It comes and goes...today it was fine, but I can have it up to a week at a time....its frustrating!

[Concerned lady]

Dear jshelbcoff,

What meds are you taking now, for what conditions? Drug side effects &/or drug interactions should be considered.

Also, are you exposed to "indoor air pollution"? (like toxic molds, irritating or toxic fumes from chemicals, or "outgassing" from new building materials, etc.)

I hope you can find good docs to help accurately diagnose you.

Concerned lady
***@****
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[23aiden23]

A related discussion, Shortness of breath and odd heartbeats was started.