Unusual breathlessness and feeling generally crap

[Halsall]

Just looking for reassurance, I suppose! I've been feeling fairly under the weather for weeks, probably since the New Year. Tired, unmotivated, abdo pain after eating, an ache right in the very centre of my chest, a persistent dry cough, and pretty much no appetite or interest in food (not like me!). The most worrying symptom is a feeling that I can't get enough air into my lungs and at times I feel a bit breathless (absolutely zero history of asthma or any respiratory problems, so this is new and not pleasant).

I saw the gp who thought acid reflux, tested for anaemia and h. pylori, both clear. Still feeling crap, I've been back, and while the abdo pain seems to have more or less gone and I'm eating a bit more, gp wants more bloods plus investigation of chest and pelvis. An exam of my torso produced a definite wince when the area directly under my bra-line was pressed...not agony, but certainly tender.

Oh, and I'm menopausal but don't have any hot flushes or night-sweats.

Anyone have any thoughts? I really don't want to carry on feeling like this.

Sounds horrible, poor you.
I would definitely get all the tests done that the GP suggests, and find out what's causing your symptoms. Ask him for copies of the test results, because sometimes you can get information from there that the GP didn't mention… and you can ask him to explain.

Meanwhile (and not wanting to state the obvious) make sure that whatever you do eat is full of good nutrients and healthy stuff, if you're eating very little you need to make sure what you do eat is really good for you… A good multi-vitamin won't do you any harm, and neither would some extra Vitamin D especially as you're menopausal (it protects against osteoporosis which can start around the menopause).

I do hope you feel better soon

do you have pain under right ribs, in your back and/or right shoulder and in your stomach/bottom of breastbone area?

if yes, you might have gallstones which are causing you trouble.

I would insist on a chest X-ray asap. I have had them for less. I'm sure it is nothing, but best to get everything ruled out as soon as possible.

I have been suffering with similar symptoms to you for the last couple of months - extreme tiredness, breathlessness and very achy with tenderness around rib cage when pressure applied. Two docs have suggested costochondritis/Tietze syndrome which is inflammation to the rib cartilage although I am still not convinced as it doesn't really explain the other symptoms. I have had a chest xray which has come back clear , an ECG (normal) and one set of bloods which have also come back normal. I am just waiting the results of a second set to test for vitamin d deficiency (can apparently cause rib pain), thyroid function and a few other things. Might be worth you asking for all these things. Gallstones could be a possibility as previous posted says - particularly if pain is on right (mine more left side pain). Hope you get to the bottom of it soon. I will hopefully have blood test results Monday so we shall see if they reveal anything.

I am having similar symptoms and have been referred for a scan as my doc suspects gallstones.

Happy days!

Thanks everyone, sorry for not returning as I've been in bed most of the day with a migraine - it just gets better!

The chest pain is more central/left than anything, and feels really deep in my chest; when the gp pressed on the spot it felt quite sore then. But I have been generally very achey all over. Haven't noticed any specific back pains, though I know that can be a gallbladder indicator.

The other weird thing is that one foot/ankle has become swollen and just isn't going down. It's been incredibly tender to the touch just below my toes, on the front of the arch, but afaik I haven't injured it. Started almost a fortnight ago and it's still a bother. I'm a bit worried by the swelling as it's nothing I've ever had before. My ankle's been the size of a tennis-ball by the end of the day, and I can't get into most of my (sensible, flat) shoes. I mentioned this to the gp but he didn't seem too concerned and wasn't convinced there was any connection. It seems odd to me though.

peacy, your symptoms do sound very similar - hope you get answers too. I'll be having a chest x-ray and bloods on Monday.