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Original poster

Breathlessness, what is wrong with me?

48 replies

ScoobyDoo · 28/12/2007 16:09

Over the past week i have had a very tight chest, i have been feeling totally exhausted & over the last couple of days i am finding it hard to catch my breath, even doing the smallest of things like sorting dinner, putting washing on is leaving me breathless.

Dp has also said i am heavy breathing when sleeping.

Is there something wrong with me?

OP posts:
kindersurprise · 28/12/2007 16:13

Are you a smoker?

Perhaps asthma? My Dad has asthma and he gets really out breath sometimes. Once he started medication it got much better, for a while he was going to bed at 8pm.

You should go and see your GP and have him test your lung capacity, I think that is what they did with dad. There are bound to MNetters with more personal experience though, who can give you more advice.

FlllightAttendant · 28/12/2007 16:14

There would be no harm in going and getting an ECG done, Scoob. Can you see your Dr on Monday?

Myrrhcy · 28/12/2007 16:14

Anaemia?

When you say you're finding it hard to catch your breath, do you mean you get wheezy?

Original poster
ScoobyDoo · 28/12/2007 16:16

No don't smoke.

Think i am going to have to see my doctor because i am getting quite worried my chest feels really tight, at times i feel i have to gasp for breath.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScoobyDoo · 28/12/2007 16:17

I don't find i am wheezing like in every breath it feels like i have to gasp as not enough air, suppose it feels like i am missing a breath if that makes sense.

But my chest hurts alot, very very tight.

OP posts:
pirategirl · 28/12/2007 16:17

do you get very tired, say when walking ?

Original poster
ScoobyDoo · 28/12/2007 16:18

Yes & have been sleeping alot, dp has had to do everything

OP posts:
Original poster
ScoobyDoo · 28/12/2007 16:19

Like for instance, just put the dinner on & some washing in the machine & it left me having to try to catch my breath. Feels awful.

OP posts:
christmosschops30 · 28/12/2007 16:20

chest infection (lots going round, I had it and went to the gp because my chest 'just hurt' couldnt explain it any other way)

or anaemia maybe, this can cause terrible breathlessness.

Definately worth a trip to the GP and possibly blood tests too

EddieMonsoon · 28/12/2007 16:20

It could be anxiety. Panic makes you feel you've missed a breath. You then worry about it and it feeds on itself. Having said that, it's definitely a good idea to see the doctor.

Original poster
ScoobyDoo · 28/12/2007 16:23

All of those things sound quite feesable, chest infection maybe, i have been feeling unwell, had slight sore throat & cold.

anaemia not sure is there any other signs of this & what causes this?

Anxiety yes could be this, i am a born worrier, stress alot & do have panic attacks not often but sometimes.

think i will call doctors tomorrow as it seems to be getting worse.

OP posts:
WanderingHolly · 28/12/2007 16:24

Sorry you're not well, but you really do need to see your gp as soon as possible.

You're describing some worrying symptoms. I agree with FA about an ECG - the first thing I thought of was a heart problem when I read your post, but then it could be just a chest infection. Bear in mind I'm not a gp! Are you feeling very tired, achey, are you pregnant?

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Myrrhcy · 28/12/2007 16:26

Anaemia is an iron deficiency and what you have described might be attributable to this.

Do you have heavy periods?

NAB3wishesfor2008 · 28/12/2007 16:27

Sounds like asthma or a panic attack.

wilbur · 28/12/2007 16:30

I would def get yourself checked asap. Sounds like asthma (are you coughing at night at all?) but breathlessness is one of those things that can be something v minor, or something not too good like a pulmonary embolism or as others have said, a heart issue.

FlllightAttendant · 28/12/2007 16:31

Scooby I know if you ring NHS direct they will say you need to go to A&E, so don't ring them

Can you call your surgery and describe your symptoms and ask for a late appt today? Or if not possible, go to the out of hours service. It may well be nothing, but you would at least have peace of mind if they ran a couple of tests? xx

FlllightAttendant · 28/12/2007 16:32

Saying that you could rock up at A&E...I think I would, because I am a worrier as well.

PennyBenjamin · 28/12/2007 16:36

I had anaemia last year, and breathlessness and tiredness was one of the main symptoms. In the space of a month I went from running 6 miles a day to barely being able to manage a flight of stairs without having to rest. Don't remember having a tight chest though, just the breathlessness.

As far as I remember, other signs were feeling very cold, being a bit pale, and having very white nail beds (as opposed to pinkish).

I had a blood test, was diagnosed as anaemic, and give iron tablets which worked really quickly.

FlllightAttendant · 28/12/2007 16:39

It could be anaemia....are you on the phone, Scoob? If not then do it now!

IIRC a heart issue can mean fluid isn't effectively pumped from the lungs so it builds up causing breathlessness. At your age it would seem unlikely though.

InnAFull · 28/12/2007 16:40

I get this horrible tight-chested feeling quite often, but then I've been asthmatic all my life. Asthma is very tiring, struggling for breath all the time and being a bit low on oxygen. It could be that, and it could be allergy related - for example, believe it or not I'm allergic to pine trees and my asthma can come on if I stay in the room with the Xmas tree - do you have a real tree in the house?

So it does need checking out even if it's 'only' asthma - asthma is distressing at best, and can be dangerous at worst - but easily treatable with bronchodilators or steroids for worse cases.

AGlassOfMerlot · 28/12/2007 16:41

i had all the symptoms described and the doc said it was soem kind of panic disorder. i also have asthma.

bashme · 28/12/2007 16:41

If you are anaemic you could try spa-tone which is much better than tablets (no constipation) I took it when pg and my iron levels rocketed

Original poster
ScoobyDoo · 28/12/2007 17:11

Sorry i had to sort kids out & get dd in the bath.

Periods not to bad as am on the pill, defo not pregnant.

Other thing i have done different is not take a break from my pill & carried on to a new pack to not have a period as was off to PIL.

Not feeling cold but have been feeling unwell, have been having hot sweats & feeling very clamy, i thought i had a slight virus as was also feeling very very sick past 4 days.

My chest does hurt & i have been feeling very tired as i said also my body does ache a bit.

I will see how i get on tonight, i can't go to doctors till monday not even sure if there open then but might pop to hospital if i get worse.

Thanks for all your help/advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScoobyDoo · 28/12/2007 17:12

No real tree in the house, never had problems with breathing before can you get asthma this late in life?

OP posts:
noddyholder · 28/12/2007 17:15

I would go to a&e with those symptoms thats what its there for.Hope you get this sorted.