Do I have pleurisy? How should I treat it?

[Margrav2]

My story is a bit of a long one but if ANYONE has and advice or suggestions I would appreciate it so much!

I spent 6 weeks in Valencia Spain this summer and had a few problems with breathing there. I am allergic to mold and I thought that maybe the air conditioner filters in my apartment haven't been changed I have to note that as part of the Spanish culture the people always smoked. I mean everywhere. Although I do not smoke myself, I was around it a lot and it did make me feel like I had to use my inhaler more.

When I got back home to the states I noticed almost immediately coming back to my home apartment I had shortness of breath. I took my inhaler and it didn't seem to help. I continued to notice for 3 weeks that I was having some chest pain in my sternum area upon inhalation and throughout the day would get some discomfort near my collar bone (like those weird pains you get from running sometimes). I saw the doctor at this point and was directed to get tests done. This persistent chest pain and shallow breathing has been ongoing for about 2 full months.

I recently went to the ER because of an "attack". The doctor thought I was having just an anxiety because I am in my senior year of college etc. I've never had a panic attack until this shortness of breath started happening. I mean feeling someone is standing on your chest might make you have a little anxiety right? I have gotten 2 chest x-rays, a CT scan, an EKG, a heat echogram & checked for acid reflux (which I was negative for). I am trying to take ibuprofen but I do not want to take to much and get a stomach problem. Pretty much all physical activity is out at this point. I can no longer swim or workout even doing basic sit-ups hurts. I am gaining weight like crazy but I am eating a pretty healthy diet. This is driving me nuts and making me miserable.

Please help me. If you have any suggestions at all as to what has worked for you etc please let me know. I am desperate at this point and want to get towards being healthy again.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Asthma is diagnosed with the help of lung function tests. Hope these have been done, to rule asthma as the cause of your breathlessness. Certain systemic disorders like anemia, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies and thyroid disorders can cause these symptoms. Please discuss this with your doctor am sure he will provide further assistance.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[ill13632]

I'm having a similar problem being exposed to 2nd hand cigarette smoke.  I never had asthma and after returning to the US I was dxed and had FEV1 of 73.  It is terrible to be unable to exercise or have energy and to be cursed with sleep apnea