Unlucky or underlying problem?

[verity]

I am a 35 year old female asthmatic smoker.

I started getting central chest pains in september, in december I was told I had pulled a muscle.

In january during a sports activity someone landed on my chest, I had difficulty breathing and pain (like someone stabbing me) on the left of my chest (back, side and front), this continued for 4 months with temperatures every few weeks, physical activity was becoming increasingly difficult. I was given pain killers.

At the end of june I developed german measles with breathing difficulties. At the hospital I was told a chest x-ray was abnormal and was given antibiotics. Mid july I had an asthma attack, which nesitated a hospital visit. The pain had spread to the right side. A week ago during a follow up for the german measles I was told I had some fluid on the lungs. This week I had a severe asthma attack, at the hospital after 3 chest x-rays I was told I still and fluid on the lungs and a collasped lung (or a possible pulmonary embolism). I was only being treated for the asthma so left the next day.

I am still having breathing difficulties and chest pain with exersion (some asthmatic but some that feel different). I have also been getting leg cramps and palpitations. Is this a string of bad luck and/or what possible underlying problem could be causing this (apart from being an asthmatic smoker).

Thank you for your time.

[starion]

Dear Friend,
I'm sorry to hear that your specialist was unable to help you pinpoint the cause of your breathing difficulties.  Fortunately (or not), not all specialists are alike.  Perhaps you may wish to consult with another pulmonologist to see if he or she can shed some light on your continuing symptoms.  Sometimes it is useful to be evaluated at a large teaching hospital like National Jewish Medical & Research Center in Denver, CO.  Best of luck!
Aloha,
Starion

[verity]

Thank you for responding.

I went to see a specialist on friday who phoned today to say a new chest x-ray was normal and a blood test was fine but showed what may be a slight infection. That was it. No follow up. No further tests. No interest. Don't know what else to do.

[National Jewish]

This is a complex, worrisome situation.  Your asthma would not be responsible for the chest pain, abnormal chest X-ray or fluid on your lungs.  Your injury in January probably caused either rib fractures or cartilage separations.  The resultant pain could have led to some lung collapse, which can be associated with fever.
German Measles is a temporary illness that does not cause breathing problems.  Only when a pregnant woman develops German Measles is there a threat to the fetus.
The difficulty breathing, chest pain, leg cramps and fluid on the lungs suggest pulmonary emboli (PE).  PE are blood clots in an artery of the lungs.
You definitely need to be seen by a doctor with expertise in the treatment of lung disease, called a pulmonologist.  Please schedule an appointment as soon as possible.