Shortness of Breath - Can't breathe!!!

[shawnshine]

Hello,

I'm a 22-year-old vegetarian active male. I've had the very disturbing feeling of not being able to "catch my breath" or get a "lung-ful" for the past 3 days, and it seems to be worsening as time progresses. I have never been diagnosed with asthma, but I have had heart surgery a year ago to repair a leaky mitral valve. Since then, I've had cardio check-ups and everything is in pristine condition, with my last check-up 3 weeks ago. So I'm guessing this must be pulmonary-based instead.

Generally, when I have trouble breathing due to cigarette smoke or other pollutants, I borrow my friends' albuterol inhaler (maybe once or twice a month) and it clears up instantly. I've tried it once a day for the past 3 days and it doesn't help at all. Not one bit. I can hear myself wheezing when it gets particularly bad, especially after working out (I do cardio for 20 min./day) and later at night (it's much better in the morning).

My sinuses have been extremely clogged for the past month or so, with squeaking sounds in my sinuses, ear aches, and some dark yellow mucous. I have an UNproductive cough every once in a while, and haven't had any nasal drainage at all recently. Just the shortness of breath. I'm also around secondhand smoke, which I know is terrible. It's a constant battle.

I've also been burping a lot. I wonder if it has to do with not getting enough oxygen or trying to overcompensate my breathing. In addition, I was diagnosed with Strep Group G (beta-hemolytic) a month ago when I went to the ER for intense substernal pinching pains. They sent me home with the diagnosis saying it was not worth treating and that my chest pains were not cardiac related (after the ekg and echocardiogram) at all.

Please please please help. Should I see another doc? I'm uninsured. Just started taking amoxicillin yesterday (I have a week's worth as a prophylactic for my erupting wisdom teeth).

My aching lungs... The air quality conditions in Atlanta are terrible, which doesn't help and I was spending a lot of time outdoors when the quality got really bad a few days ago when the breathing troubles started, as well as scrubbing the floor with bleach for an hour or so that day.

I wonder if that caused it???

[alohacarrie]

It would definately be a good idea to get your own meds.  Use an inhaler before you are exposed to pollutants if possible.  If that doesn't help you would need a nebulizer, which would also have to be ordered by a doctor, though a GP may be more cost effective.

There is a lot you can do for yourself!  Eat fresh fruits and veggies, drink water all day long, probiotics (or Kombucha, my fav) might help, and if you drink coffee or soda you should quit.  Your doctor might not see any heart "issues" in time for you to take better care of yourself, so do it now.  With your history you better not let your youth factor keep you in denial.  Have you educated yourself about heart disease?

Feel free to send me a private message if you have anymore questions.

Many blessing.

[shawnshine]

Carrie,

Thanks so much for your response!

I've never been diagnosed with asthma before, but the fact that my lungs sometimes close up from reactions to smoke or foods (hot peppers) means that I must have it, right?

Do you think I should pay to see a cardiologist, pulmonary specialist, or asthma specialist?

[alohacarrie]

Wow you have a lot going on.  I have been a respiratory therapist since 1985.  I worked in intensive care units for 23 years and have been teaching cariac and pulmonary rehab since 1997.  I always say start with the simple stuff first.

If you aren't moving enough air to deposit your inhalers deeply into your lungs, then your inhaler will not help.  You need to get a nebulizer for home use!  And I mean immediately!  Remember, if you go to the emergency room they are going to give you nebulized treatments as often as it takes to open you up quick.  

I have given continuous nebulized albuterol to infants extended periods of time!  You must be diligent in treating your wheeze.  Remember that your wheeze is inflamation and spasm within your airways.  Once you get really tight lungs, the deck is stacked against you.

I would also make sure to keep checking your oxygen level.  You are young so this may not seem to be a worry for you, but if you are experiencing low oxygen levels when you can't move air, it will weaken your heart muscle.  I know that nobody wants to think about heart failure, but with your history you should make it a point to assure that you always meet your oxygen need.  You can educate yourself about this more at the free online resource Heart Failure Solutions.  Hope to see you there!

Be well,
Many blessings.