difficulty breathing while running - 22yr old female

[cara71885]

I am a 22yr old female who never smoked, parents never smoked, eats healthy, is not over weight, and used to be very active in sports in high school. I was not very active for a few years except for the fact that I was a foot messenger and walked at least 3-4miles daily. Its been about 2 years since I left that job and at the beginning of the summer started running a few days a week. I found that when I got to around 1/4 mile – 1/2 mile my chest would feel tight, my head would pound, I would have trouble breathing, and my body especially my teeth would tingle. So I would walk for about 1/8 mile and then I could run another 1/4 – 1/2 and the same thing would happen. This was back in may it is now September and I have been running a few times a week all summer and the same things still happen. Last night I tried to push my self farther and I got to the point where I felt like if I wasn’t telling myself to breathe my body wouldn’t and I got lightheaded and today I have a head ache. Also sometimes after running the muscles around my ribs are so sore I can’t touch them or lay on my side or stomach with out pain.

When I was in high school – 4yrs ago I ran track, cross country, and was a competitive dancer and I never had these problems. Do you have any insight for me? I haven’t been to the doctors yet.  
Thanks!!

[cara71885]

i am going to call my doctor today to try and get an appt. But 2 weekends ago i ran a 3 mile race for a charity. I had to stop about every half mile to walk a little but i finished the race in 30 minutes which i didnt feel was that bad considering how i have felt all summer while running. But i wont try to push myself anymore until after i see a doctor.
thanks for the advice i hope its nothing too serious.

[National Jewish Health]

This is puzzling.  The problem could reside in your lungs and the lungs should be the first part of your body to be evaluated.  You should have a lung examination by your physician, a chest x-ray and pulmonary function tests (PFTs).  Your symptoms could also be caused by heart disease or by abnormal blood vessels in the lung that can cause your blood oxygen level to fall and your tissues be oxygen deprived.  Examination of your heart should include an echocardiogram with a "bubble study" to look for what are called "shunts."

Your symptoms could also be due to an uncommon but not rare endocrine (hormonal) condition caused by a tumor called a pheochromocytoma.  High blood pressure is almost always present with this condition as is recurrent palpitation and excessive sweating.

You should stop running or "pushing yourself" physically immediately.  There is something wrong with your body and mind over matter won't work and may be dangerous.  You should see a physician promptly, preferably an internist, and stress what you have described here, that you were a healthy, very physically active young woman and that is no longer the case; that, there has been a drastic change.  There must be a reason for it, and unless you are suffering from anxiety with panic attacks, the reason is almost certainly physical.

If your symptoms are not taken seriously, you should request consultation with a pulmonary specialist.

Please give us a follow-up to let us know how you are doing.