Struggling to breath especially when I walk

[Gardenneedstidying]

I had a light cold Thursday/Friday a week ago. In the evening, over half an hour my chest tightened and I started having difficulty breathing.

It got worse and I rang 111 and several hours later via a walk in centre, the doctor gave me steroids, antibiotics and an blue inhaler.

I am still struggling to breath a week later.

During the week the doctor upped my steroids...no change
Went for chest xray...nothing bad on it (thank goodness)
On second lot of antibiotics atm (pill 3 of 8)...no change yet but still hoping this will kick in soon.

Awaiting results from BNP Blood test from Friday.

Just scared really.

[lljkk]

wow, do you have history of respiratory problems?
did they sample your sputum to figure out exactly which bug is infecting you? Wrong antiBs wont' kill certain bugs.

[Gardenneedstidying]

No history of regular breathing problems.

I had a chest infection 10 years ago which was treated with antibiotics.

Only blood sample taken on Friday.

Doctor said even though I am struggling to breath and my heart is working harder, that I was saturated fine (?)

[LIZS]

Could be asthma. Mine was probably triggered by a viral infection, now on daily inhaler.

[Gardenneedstidying]

Doctor said if it was asthma then the steroids would of helped.

I am hoping for the new antibiotics to kick in today.

[lljkk]

steroids help even with viral induced wheezing.
did they do a finger test for your blood oxygen levels ("saturated")?
Oh dear! I hope the antiBs kick in.
can you take it easy today, is anyone helping with kids or other jobs you need done?

[Gardenneedstidying]

Machine on finger said I was saturated. Which I gather is good :)

I am on my own this morning with children but nearly finished the basics just kitchen & laundry.

Just having a rest and then hoovering living room, making lunch and then having a rest this afternoon.

[Gardenneedstidying]

I didn't hoover. I felt really bad, dizzy and lightheaded and was really struggling to breath. So my DH pit me in bed to rest. Just up after a sleep. Still hard to breath but much better than I felt at lunchtime :(

Had enough of this now...These antibiotics have to start working tomorrow. :(

[BeyondThePage]

Antibiotics generally show improvement from day 3. If you are past day 4 and things have not improved go back to the doctor.

[Gardenneedstidying]

Day three for antibiotics tomorrow, so that is worth looking forward too.

Doctor told me to wait until Wednesday to go back...but hopefully I will be feeling better by then.

[DottyGiraffe]

The feeling dizzy and lightheaded could be from breathing too fast as that's very common with asthma and other breathing issues. If you can, try to slow your breathing down when you feel like that - really not that easy to do though "in the moment".

[Gardenneedstidying]

Yes, I do have to slow my breathing down.

[MichaelSheensNextDW]

If you're actually struggling to breathe you need to be taken to A&E.

[Sunshineandlaughter]

www.webmd.com/heart-disease/myocarditis

Any of these symptoms sound familiar?

If you can't breathe go to a and e. Antibiotics tend to work straight away so they clearly don't seem to be helping which would suggest a viral or structural cause.

[Gardenneedstidying]

My chest pressure/pain got so worse last night, that my DH took me to A&E. Luckily they triaged me and said it wasn't my heart. Which was my concern.

They wanted me to wait and see a doctor. But after waiting three hours, there was still a three hour wait. So we went home against advice. I figured if these pains hadn't killed me during the three hour wait...it wasn't an emergency anyway.

So I cried myself to sleep last night, in so much pain :(
On the bright side, I am currently feeling ok, as I haven't moved out of bed yet ! Time to get up and see how my breathing is today. Better I hope.

[Gardenneedstidying]

I am now struggling to breath just sitting here.

Doctor told me to come back Wednesday.

So fed up. So much to do and such a lovely day and I am slowly breathing in and out :(

[Gardenneedstidying]

Guessing the new antibiotics are not going to work either...oh well :(

[MichaelSheensNextDW]

I hope you're going back to hospital and this time won't leave without being treated. You do not want to be an ICU admission needing ventilation.

[Sunshineandlaughter]

How can triage say it's not your heart? Did they do an ecg?

Go back and see a dr if it's bad. Don't wait until wednesday!

But hope you are feeling better today!!!

[Gardenneedstidying]

Yes, they did an ecg. I am grateful it was clear.

My GP told me to wait...not much else to do.

[jesstar]

If it's that bad, go back to A&E. What antibiotics have you been taking? Make sure they test for pulmonary embolism.

Hope you feel better soon.

[MichaelSheensNextDW]

Have you seen the GP today?

[Gardenneedstidying]

As long as I stay sat down and don't talk, I am not too uncomfortable....just very tight chest and every breath takes effort.

I am hopeing the rest today, will make me feel better tomorrow.

I will see how I feel after tomorrow's school run. The GP did take a blood test, so I am guessing they will ring me if it shows anything.

[MichaelSheensNextDW]

You need to be in hospital.

[GlitterGlue]

Could it be something like costchondritis? www.nhs.uk/conditions/Tietzes-syndrome/pages/introduction.aspx

Do painkillers and heat help?

[BoreOfWhabylon]

Do not leave this OP. You need to return to A&E now. By ambulance if necessary.

If you don't want to do that ring 111.

You are most certainly not fit to be even thinking about school runs.