Extreme shortness of breath

F

farah_ruff88

New member
I am really scared right now of why I have been experiencing shortness of breath. It happened to me today for the second time in the past few months.
I became short of breath a few months ago when my dog escaped out of the fence and I had to bring him back in, when I bent down to pick him up and start to carry him back in the house I was fine but when I sat him down, my chest and my upper back felt like it was squeezing and I couldn't catch my breath, I started to feel light headed and dizzy and whatever I did I couldn't catch my breath. It happened again to me today as I was walking up a flight of stairs, I was fine when I got to the top of the stairs but when I bent down to pick my keys up that fell I stood back up and got that same feeling, I panicked and went to the restroom to splash cold water on my face and try to catch my breath. I couldn't and thought I was going to die right then and there. This one just occured within the last couple of hours and as I sit here my upper back area still feels weird, like tingly feeling and tight in between my shoulder blades.
These are the only two times this has ever happened so far.
Let me give you a brief history of my overall health that might clear this up.
I have mitral valve prolapse and have experienced shortness of breath with it in the past but nothing this bad
I have GERD, an inflammed esophagus, esophilitic esophagitis that an endoscopy revealed 2 years ago, on and off gastritis and burning in my stomach especially around my belly button area, and irritable bowel. I have had really bad stomach problems on and off for about 5 years now but I don't know if the shortness of breath is related because it just started within the last few months.
I dont have insurance and I'm trying to get in to see a doctor now, the same doctor who many years ago diagnosed my mitral valve prolapse, he is great if I can get in to him.
I am just really scared that one day I'll become shortness of breath and won't be able to get my breathing back under control or catch my breath. This is really bad. Please any advice is so appreciated!
 
Well, it goes without saying, I would definitely get in to see a doctor.
That has happened to me before as well....but as I calmed down, it got better.
I am not sure if your other stomach problems could have anythign to do with it.
I am sorry I am not alot of help....but just wanted to respond to your note....
How long has it been since this episode happened today? If an hour or more has passed, are you feeling any better?
 
Could be related to your GERD as it can mimic asthma - which this also might be. I owuldn't worry about it though. Sounds like it's something they can sort out easily.
 
you should definately go to a doctor and get yourself checked out.
you do have mitral valve prolapse so you should go see if there have been any changes that can contribute to your shortness of breath.
gerd can give you shortness of breath but usually not to that extent and it doesn't mimic asthma, the symptoms are different and much less severe.
as for the pain and discomfort on your upper back between the shoulder blades, that can be your lungs and the heart and the lungs work together. please go get a proper diagnosis.
 
Well I went to my doctor and he dismissed it as panic attacks and gave me 20mg of citalopram once a day.
He said my lungs sounded good and that he could barely hear my heart murmur and heard a few palpatations while listening to my heart but he said otherwise i'm in great health.
He was worried about the burning pains I've been telling him I'm having and told me to take Zantac 150mg twice a day for a week then cut it down to 75mg twice a day.
I still get short of breath. I have this funny, tingling sensation and a sort of tightness in between my shoulder blades and I got short of breath again last night just going outside to pick up my dogs and bring them in. They are small dogs 7 lbs so I don't strain to pick them up and I came back inside and the shortness of breath started in again.
I can breath in and get a good breath and can fill my lungs up but it still feels like I can't breathe if that makes any sense.
I know the doctor thinks these are panic attacks because he asked my if my heart raced when I was having these and told him yes, but usually its more of a heart pounding than racing.
I am so scared, I am in fairly good health, I'm 5'10 and weigh 165.
Are there any other conditions or diseases that can mimic the symptoms I'm having and why is it worse when I bend over or climb stairs or an incline?
It never did this to me before up until the last 4 months which have been a complete nightmare!
 
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