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Ongoing Breathing Problem
Doctor,
I am a 21 year old white male who is seemingly healthy. For the past 1-2 years, I have been getting out of breath easily, going up stairs, running short distance, putting clothes in the washing machine/dryer, etc. Some activities bother me more than others. I also have chest pain, mostly directly over my heart. The pain starts for no reason and not always when I am out of breath. I went to the doctor for this in October 2008. The doctor ordered an EKG, echo cardiogram, blood test, chest x-rays, PFT, i think that was all the tests. I also saw a cardiologist. In the end, both said I was healthy and there were no problems. My primary care doctor prescribed Advair for me to take twice daily. This helped some but did not solve the problem. I quit going to the doctor cause I felt like I was getting no where and they were beginning to think I was making these problems up.
Now a couple years later, the other night, I am watching discovery health channel. The story is about a healthy EMT who is having the same exact problems as myself. His were a little more severe, but I could relate to his every symptom. He was diagnosed with HIV, and Pneumocystis pneumonia having caught both diseases while on the job. I did some research on PCP and see that mainly AIDS patients have this disease.
Both of my parents died of HIV after I was first born. My dad caught HIV through blood transfusion before blood was tested, he first had leukemia. I was told that I did not have HIV or AIDS and had nothing to worry about. I even did an anonymous at home HIV test last year as I was curious. (this was before I went to the dr about my breathing problem) The test came back that I did NOT have HIV.
My concern and question is, is it possible that I have Pneumocystis pneumonia? Do people that do not have HIV also get this type of pneumonia? Do I need to go to a different doctor and be tested all over again, or mention Pneumocystis pneumonia?
Thank you for your advice
Matt
I am a 21 year old white male who is seemingly healthy. For the past 1-2 years, I have been getting out of breath easily, going up stairs, running short distance, putting clothes in the washing machine/dryer, etc. Some activities bother me more than others. I also have chest pain, mostly directly over my heart. The pain starts for no reason and not always when I am out of breath. I went to the doctor for this in October 2008. The doctor ordered an EKG, echo cardiogram, blood test, chest x-rays, PFT, i think that was all the tests. I also saw a cardiologist. In the end, both said I was healthy and there were no problems. My primary care doctor prescribed Advair for me to take twice daily. This helped some but did not solve the problem. I quit going to the doctor cause I felt like I was getting no where and they were beginning to think I was making these problems up.
Now a couple years later, the other night, I am watching discovery health channel. The story is about a healthy EMT who is having the same exact problems as myself. His were a little more severe, but I could relate to his every symptom. He was diagnosed with HIV, and Pneumocystis pneumonia having caught both diseases while on the job. I did some research on PCP and see that mainly AIDS patients have this disease.
Both of my parents died of HIV after I was first born. My dad caught HIV through blood transfusion before blood was tested, he first had leukemia. I was told that I did not have HIV or AIDS and had nothing to worry about. I even did an anonymous at home HIV test last year as I was curious. (this was before I went to the dr about my breathing problem) The test came back that I did NOT have HIV.
My concern and question is, is it possible that I have Pneumocystis pneumonia? Do people that do not have HIV also get this type of pneumonia? Do I need to go to a different doctor and be tested all over again, or mention Pneumocystis pneumonia?
Thank you for your advice
Matt
If this is not the possible disease, what else could be causing my problem?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Pneumocystis pneumonia is extremely rare in those without HIV.
If this is a concern, I would discuss whether HIV testing is appropriate in your case.
To specifically test for this pneumonia, an induced sputum test is normally done. Other tests to consider would be obtaining samples via bronchoscopy if the sputum test was negative.
Discussing these questions with your personal physician, or in conjunction with a lung specialist, can be considered.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin Pho, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
www.twitter.com/kevinmd
If this is a concern, I would discuss whether HIV testing is appropriate in your case.
To specifically test for this pneumonia, an induced sputum test is normally done. Other tests to consider would be obtaining samples via bronchoscopy if the sputum test was negative.
Discussing these questions with your personal physician, or in conjunction with a lung specialist, can be considered.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin Pho, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
www.twitter.com/kevinmd
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