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Original poster

Struggling to breath especially when I walk

88 replies

Gardenneedstidying · 01/04/2017 08:51

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.

OP posts:
user1471453601 · 02/04/2017 19:26

As a long term asthma suffer, I would say that if you are struggling to breath while you are resting, you need a medical intervention. Have you had a nebulizer (a mask attached to a small machine is placed over your nose and mouth, it gets ventolin into your system pretty quickly), if not you may need one. Even if they did this at A&E, you may need another.

Whatever, breathlessness when resting is a major red flag. I dont want to worry you (stress is the last thing you need), but I'm concerned.

GlitterGlue · 02/04/2017 19:30

Are you actually breathless though - struggling to get air in and out - or finding it hard to get a deep breath because your chest hurts?

Natsku · 02/04/2017 19:32

That is concerning. And anecdotally, when I have asthma attacks and really struggle to breathe my oxygen sats are still around 98%.

Tietze' syndrome might be possible, that causes a lot of chest pain and pressure like feeling and makes it feel harder to breathe (have had a couple of bouts of it)

I'd go back to the doctor tomorrow, if not A&E tonight.

nocoolnamesleft · 02/04/2017 20:28

If you're struggling to breathe at rest, that is definitely A&E today territory.

Original poster
Gardenneedstidying · 02/04/2017 20:43

My DH isn't worried and says that A&E is a waste of time, as they don't know what is wrong with me and I would only be referred back to the GP tomorrow.

I did the school run all last week on foot. The teachers keep asking me if I was alright. At least this week I have a working car...so I can drive the kids to school and back.

I am half terrified and half just fed up/tired.

The GP isn't worried, the A&E team were not worried and let me leave, my DH is not worried...he thinks I am over worrying.

I know it only been 9 days but I can't remember what it is like to take an easy deep breath and that worries me.

Oh well, I will go to bed soon...I feel better first thing before I move or get up.

OP posts:
BoreOfWhabylon · 02/04/2017 21:16

Is your DH a healthcare professional? Because I am and I disagree with him.

Look, ring 111 and see what they say.

notapizzaeater · 02/04/2017 21:20

The anti b should have kicked in by now, ring 111 and ask again.

CoperCabana · 02/04/2017 21:28

Have they done a D Dimer and/or CT scan?

Original poster
Gardenneedstidying · 02/04/2017 22:12

No to scan and dimm test.

No DH is not a HCP but he is right that a part of it is me getting upset about my breathing and making it worse. But when you are struggling it is hard to stay calm.

The last test the GP did was a BNP ? Blood test on Friday afternoon. Results due back Monday or Tuesday this week.

I am in bed now, counting hours down until morning. Sadly I agree that these antibiotics are not working. Well maybe I can get another set off the doctor or maybe it is viral and I'll just have to wait it out.

If it is a virus, how long will it take to go away ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Gardenneedstidying · 02/04/2017 22:12

A virus not viral.

OP posts:
pombal · 02/04/2017 22:19

Ffs OP if you can't breath with only minimal exertion you need to be seen,something ain't right.
Don't just sit at home waiting to die like it's the Middle Ages!!!

Original poster
Gardenneedstidying · 02/04/2017 22:24

I have seem four doctors and two nurses this week...none of them were particularly concerned. :(

They want me to wait for the test results, which I will ring up for tomorrow afternoon. Just 14 hours off. I have waited 9 days, I can wait 14 hours more...it is clearly mild as far as the medics are concerned. I am just unused to feeling like this and hence my moaning.

OP posts:
RedDahlia · 02/04/2017 22:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pombal · 02/04/2017 22:40

Make sure you get an actual diagnosis tomorrow.
i know you've seen a lot of people but 9 days later you don't know what's wrong and you're no better.
No HCP worth their salt will think you're wasting their time with this:

Original poster
Gardenneedstidying · 02/04/2017 22:42

I guess I could try another GP appointment tomorrow...They really are not that bothered about how I feel atm.

They just check my saturation levels, tell me that is fine and send me off with more pills. They all note I am struggling to breath but because I am saturated (whatever that means) they are not worried.

I keep asking for help but I am not getting anywhere. How many times do I keep asking the same people, the same questions ?

I just keep praying I will feel better tomorrow. Good night.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gardenneedstidying · 02/04/2017 22:44

Thank you for everyone's posts. It is nice to hear that I should get some help/treatment for this problem. So far I just feel like I am wasting the medical staff's time.

OP posts:
Sunshineandlaughter · 02/04/2017 22:47

I went back 6 times once with my dd before she got admitted - you have to keep pushing if you've not had answers/improvement in your symptoms.
Have they monitored you in your sleep? Checked for Skelto muscular causes.
You need to stress how long this has been going on for and then refuse to leave. You really have to quite assertive sometimes to be taken seriously.

CharlieChopstix · 02/04/2017 23:12

Do you suffer from anxiety? It seems strange that so many health professionals are not treating this as the emergency it normally would be

Shosha1 · 02/04/2017 23:16

I have costochonderitis. Sounds just like that.

I had 6 ECGs done.

All sorts of tests, a camera put down my throat, blood tests

Finally after DH called 999 after not being able to breath and pain in my chest and down my arm got a diagnoses

I have had it for 2 years ( also have Lupus and Fibromyalgia )

Heat on my back and cold on my front help.

I also take Gabapentin, codiene and ibroprphen. which has been fantastic for helping with pain

PenelopeFlintstone · 02/04/2017 23:21

Did they give you instructions on how often to use the blue puffer?

PickAChew · 02/04/2017 23:25

Your DH needs to stop being negative and dismissive and you need to insist on sticking around and being tested for everything that needs ruling in or out.

Does your DH undermine you or habitually minimise your problems in other ways?

Original poster
Gardenneedstidying · 02/04/2017 23:25

Charlie No, I do not normally have anxiety issues. I just temporarily feel very anxious as I am struggling to breath and I am worried about it. But this is a physical thing not a head thing. I was happy & non worried when it suddenly came on 9 days ago.

I have no pain in my arms, and the chest pain/pressure is dull and constant not stabbing iyswim.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gardenneedstidying · 02/04/2017 23:30

Doctor gave me a spacer on Wednesday to check I was taking inhaler correctly. But it only eases my breath for a minute or two. I can use it 'when needed'

DH tends to be more logical and less emotional than I am. He loves me and would not want me to suffer. He has just told me I had to go back to the GP tomorrow regardless if the test results are back or not. He wants me to feel better.

OP posts:
weasle · 02/04/2017 23:37

Your symptoms could be from a pneumonia but could also be a pneumothorax or PE. Could you have a cracked rib to explain the pain??
I think you need a repeat CXR, blood test to exclude a PE (D Dimer) and one to confirm the oxygen in your blood and possibly a CT scan.

Original poster
Gardenneedstidying · 02/04/2017 23:44

I already have had a clear chest xray but will ask the doctor about the other tests.

OP posts:
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