Shortness of breath a symptom?

[Breathless45]

My mom died at age 72 from ovarian cancer. So, I am cautious. I developed shortness of breath that gets worse when I bend over to pet the cat for example and after eating.  All lung and heart tests (short of cardiac cath which I have not had yet) are normal and good.  I am wondering if the cause could be abdominal fluid build up/ascites not allowing my diaphragm to move as much as it needs to. That's what it feels like--I can't get a deep enough breath. Question:  Is there any test that actually shows if I have fluid build up in abdomen? I have had transvaginal ultrasound.  Would a CT scan show it better if there is any fluid?  What would be the BEST test...ultrasound, CT scan, MRI.  CA 125 levels normal. Thank you.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,

Here are some of the reasons that people feel short of breath:
-anxiety
-panic attacks
-lung disease: such as but not limited to: asthma, pneumonia, fluid in the lungs
-heart disease- heart failure, cardiomyopathy
-anemia
-thyroid disorders

If you have had a careful evaluation including a chest xray, labs to check for anemia, and thyroid problems,  and a physical examination, then many of these issues will be ruled out.

To answer the other questions:
fluid in the abdomen which is called ascites is easily seen on an ultrasound. A CT scan of the abdomen is a good test to look at the upper abdomen and will also see ascites. Ascites would also elevate the CA 125 test. So with the normal CA 125 and pelvic ultrasound, ascites is unlikely.

It sounds like you are getting a good evalaution.
It can be very frightening to have symptoms that you do not understand. Having follow with your doctor is very important
best wishes

[Jennymay22]

Hey there..... my name is jenny, Im 21. im experiencing the same symptoms as you are. I have been trying to find answers, and solutions to mine.... i cant hardly eat anything, with out not being able to breathe properly, it feels like something is pushing against my airway, and i cant catch a deep breathe.   Im soo confused. i have seen a doc well over a year ago like 5-6 times, and they tell me the same stuff and hesitate to run any test, so i quit going, i dont have insurance or money to pay for it, so im sorta stuck with that doc.  I gave up on going, cause i was getting no where. I have been experiencing these symptoms for over 18 months (after the birth of my first child) and they have recently just gotten really bad... like i said i cant hardly eat anything, when i bend over to pick stuff up its like i have to fight for my air.  i keep thinking it is gas, or acid reflux, and keep taking all this antacids and gasx (which is not helping) im sooooo miserable, and feel soooo bloated(full) gassy after I eat or drink even just a little bit..... and i start weezing really bad, and try and caught a deep breathe, and i have shortness of breathe all the time.  the doc have told me it is IBS (which is not the case) Im just curious do you bloat or get gassy?..... just trying to find answers as I know you are too,

[Breathless45]

I don't seem to bloat or get gassy beyond the normal, but my mom did, so I see this as a red flag for you. Mom was treated for "indigestion" for a year before her diagnosis of ovarian cancer. She lived only six weeks after the diagnosis.  The only way they diagnosed her was when they had to do other surgery on her they found the ovarian cancer in the form of little "dots" floating in the fluid in her abdomen.  I believe this is the ascites you read about. I don't have good insurance either, so I end up paying for all of these tests.  My deductible is 5,000 each year, so ALL of this at first is up to me.  But, don't mess around.  Go to another doctor.  Go to a clinic or somewhere that can give you a transvaginal ultrasound.  I noticed in our paper here that our 24 hour clinic that just opened can do that right in their offices. Otherwise I would have to go to a doctor and get him/her to send me to our local hospital to get the ultrasound. We live in small town. So try one of those 24 hour clinics or one of those radiology clinics and see if you can get one done cheaper.
Neither of us mentioned our weight.  I am not obese, and maybe only 5 to 10 pounds overweight, BUT I am much older than you are and middle age has caused me to have fat around my middle for the first time in my life.  They say when fat is on the outside, it is also on the inside around our organs.  Could this be the case for both of us?  Fat, pushing up against our diaphragm, especially when we bend over?  Also, having a full stomach would add to the lack of space inside, thus pushing up on the diaphragm again.  Or, could we just be out of shape and need exercise?  I am trying that now.  I am now walking three miles a day whether I want to or not.

[shielah]

I was experiencing the same symptoms and my doctor sent me for an ultrasound which showed fluid in my chest (around my lungs) and abdomen as well as enlarged ovaries. Subsequently I was sent for a ctscan after reporting other symptoms, frequent stool motions after eating and increased need to urinate. There was also bloating and weight gain. There was also repeated bouts of diarrhoea. You may have some or none of these other symptoms although I suspect you have because of the doctors comment about IBS which it is often confused with. I know you are very young for such a disease but it has been known. Good luck!

[Kimchi]

I had shortness of breath along with chronic diarhea, major weight lose and lots of gas..Saw lung specialist who had me pose in different positions for lung x rays (she explained that if there is fluid in lung it tends to shift)..results came back positive for OC...was also tested for ulcers and came back negative for ulcers but lots of fluid in abdomen area and same results...Why so many different tests? cause the OBGYN kept telling me these symptoms were not related to OC...Not true, so tell your doctor you want fluid drained and tested immediately!! Had no pain or any other discomforts.  Good luck to you all ladies