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COR MD: What took Lira's breath away?

Every now and then, someone posts a thread asking the COR for advice - as if an online forum could be a substitute for an actual doctor in front of you. More often, however, we become ill and go see a doctor without turning to the COR for help - mainly because it's pointless 99% of the time. I can't remember the last time someone asked for help here AND actually went on to visit a doctor... but, since I'm just waiting for a few exams and I'm going to see the doctor again anyway, I don't see why I shouldn't bother you and the specialists at the same time

All right, here are the symptoms:

• I can't breath properly (it's like my lungs can't ever work at full capacity);
  
• Although my body is particularly fond of sinusitis, the first doctor pressed his thumbs against my sinus (and surrounding areas) and I didn't feel any pain;
  
• The first doctor reckoned I just had a flu, but the medicine he prescribed didn't really do anything;
  
• The second doctor decided to have me examined in every possible way, and although I still need to take a couple of x-rays (face/thorax), I did some cardio-thing-mabob and turns out my lungs and heart are in very good shape;
  
• Although to my knowledge pneumonia is not a transmissible disease, I should add that I'm currently living with a pneumonia-stricken fiancée;
  
• I was very active until this stupid breathlessness began, having run 250 kilometres (155 random Imperial distance units) a bit under three months (my goal was to run all this until mid-May).

Ebola.

I guess I shouldn't have gone to Nigeria get that money from the dead dictator after all

Your recent running has perhaps exposed you to allergens you previously did not experience because you're such an indoor kid.

Or you may have an upper respiratory infection. It's rarely life-threatening for a young person in good shape, but it will be nagging until you either get it taken care of through proper treatment or wait it out. I've waited it out before. It's fucking shite.

That is my extremely amateur analysis, of course. Take it with the usual grain of salt, though upping your sodium intake won't do anything for your condition.

quote:

Originally posted by Halcyon+On+On Your recent running has perhaps exposed you to allergens you previously did not experience because you're such an indoor kid.

I started running and working out with the long distance relationship thing, actually

(although I got a bit out of shape after she came back, for all it's worth)

quote:

Originally posted by Halcyon+On+On Or you may have an upper respiratory infection. It's rarely life-threatening for a young person in good shape, but it will be nagging until you either get it taken care of through proper treatment or wait it out. I've waited it out before. It's fucking shite.

Hmm... actually, the second doctor mentioned something of this sort, reason why he wants me to take an x-ray of my face

quote:

Originally posted by Halcyon+On+On That is my extremely amateur analysis, of course. Take it with the usual grain of salt, though upping your sodium intake won't do anything for your condition.

Do you get a burning sensation when breathing? It may not be lung related at all, but maybe your diaphragm. Have a look at Hiatal Hernia, which is something I suspect I have, but haven't asked the Dr about it yet.

No burning sensation

Since you have had it checked out twice and nothing imminently serious or obvious is the cause, it could (not saying it is) be mental in nature. I was driving one time and felt like I couldn't fill my lungs with much air but then realized that I was over-thinking what is usually an unconscious mechanism. When someone begins to focus a lot of attention on a pain or symptom, it can become difficult to distinguish if it is how you normally feel or not. So maybe it is just somatization.

~Trancelover, M.D.

I don't discard that possibility, and it could well be stress-related as I've been pushing myself a tad bit too hard lately. Still, I'd like to know in what way this is all in my head: I'd like to know if there's snot or if there's not

Do you have any other symptoms like coughing or slime in the respiratory tract (typical flu symptoms)?
This started just a short while ago, right? Sounds like Asthma, except that it would just appear out of nowhere unless you've been exposed to some new allergen.

Until further tests are performed I, as your doctor, order you to listen to Para Para once a day. That should help.

quote:

Originally posted by Meat187 Sounds like Asthma

I was about to say the same thing. Except, like you said, asthma doesn't just randomly appear.

Marcus, I'm sure you would have considered any food allergies? Given that you have pretty harsh reactions to animal proteins (is that what it is?)... Any chance that something has made its way into your diet that wasn't intended, by accident?

Reverse Circumcision.

quote:

Originally posted by Sushipunk Except, like you said, asthma doesn't just randomly appear.

Actually it does. Asthma presents itself in two forms, the congenital one and another form which to this day is not really figured out how it appears, although it is known to be caused by external factors.

OT: Lira, go to a physician and ask to do a Spirometry test (Lung Test) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirometry

This will show if there is any affection to your lung capacity and the dynamics between the volume, power et cetera. This is a simple test, used by most physicians to determine whether or not you can suffer from a restrictive or obstructive disease.

You didn't write anything about a fever, but ask them to take the value of you eritrocites sedimentary value and an eventual Protein C test (these take a few minutes) to rule out an infection or inflamation.

There are tons of lung pathologies that present themselves the way you described, but don't jump to hasty conclusions.

EDIT: Just for the record:

- Do you smoke?
- Do you cough?
- Do you have any history of cardiac disease? (including family)
- When was the last time you had any problems like these?

quote:

Originally posted by Chimney

This is why I love the COR And why I suspect Marcus does too.

Med student, fuck yeah. Awesome post, Chimney.

Actually pneumonia can be transmissable, and it's not like pneumonia is some elusive thing to diagnose. You can hear fluid in the lungs upon auscultation, then they confirm it with a chest xray. Normally it's accompanied by elevated temperature as well.

What are your other symptoms aside from "I can't breathe" that would make the docs think it's a flu? Do you have a cough? Fever? Any secretions in any part of your airway, and if so, what do they look like?
Do your symptoms persist all the time and are they accompanied by pain? Or do they only appear at certain times? Is there anything that makes the symptoms better or worse?

Did the doctor even listen to your chest? A face xray wtf.

Has there been a vote for AIDS yet?


You'll know when pneumonia really kicks in, it'll be like breathing with lungs full of sand and you'll have no energy.

quote:

Originally posted by Miss Pie A face xray wtf.

What's wrong with your face?

quote:

Originally posted by Chimney Actually it does. Asthma presents itself in two forms, the congenital one and another form which to this day is not really figured out how it appears, although it is known to be caused by external factors.

Well, yes and no. As you say it's usually an external factor and "it's not figured out" surely doesn't say it appears out of nowhere.
Also, let's not rule out autoimmune. The body can indeed develop spontaneous reactions that might present with symptoms similar to asthma but have actually a cause that... HOLY FUCKING SHIT, IT'S LUPUS!!!!!

Very unlikely, but interesting read, though.
IPF

quote:

In the UK IPF kills about 5,000 pa[18] (more than leukemia or ovarian cancer).[17] A famous occurrence of IPF was Evel Knievel, a famous stuntman. He died of IPF.

Re: COR MD: What took Lira's breath away?

Tom Cruise?

quote:

Originally posted by Meat187 Do you have any other symptoms like coughing or slime in the respiratory tract (typical flu symptoms)?

Some coryza and I feel my upper respiratory tract is often congested... but, other than that - no, nothing remarkable, really.

quote:

Originally posted by Meat187 This started just a short while ago, right? Sounds like Asthma, except that it would just appear out of nowhere unless you've been exposed to some new allergen.

A friend told me this yesterday,

quote:

Originally posted by Meat187 Until further tests are performed I, as your doctor, order you to listen to Para Para once a day. That should help.

Before, during, or after lunch?

quote:

Originally posted by Sushipunk Marcus, I'm sure you would have considered any food allergies? Given that you have pretty harsh reactions to animal proteins (is that what it is?)... Any chance that something has made its way into your diet that wasn't intended, by accident?

Actually, that's a very good question... Hmm...

quote:

Originally posted by Chimney OT: Lira, go to a physician and ask to do a Spirometry test (Lung Test) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirometry This will show if there is any affection to your lung capacity and the dynamics between the volume, power et cetera. This is a simple test, used by most physicians to determine whether or not you can suffer from a restrictive or obstructive disease.

Kay!

quote:

Originally posted by Chimney You didn't write anything about a fever, but ask them to take the value of you eritrocites sedimentary value and an eventual Protein C test (these take a few minutes) to rule out an infection or inflamation. There are tons of lung pathologies that present themselves the way you described, but don't jump to hasty conclusions.

All right

quote:

Originally posted by Chimney - Do you smoke? - Do you cough? - Do you have any history of cardiac disease? (including family) - When was the last time you had any problems like these?

I don't smoke, nor have I ever smoked and/or lived with people who did; no coughs; no cardiac diseases in the family; this is the very first time in my life I've had a similar problem.

Weird, huh?

quote:

Originally posted by Miss Pie Actually pneumonia can be transmissable, and it's not like pneumonia is some elusive thing to diagnose. You can hear fluid in the lungs upon auscultation, then they confirm it with a chest xray. Normally it's accompanied by elevated temperature as well.

The very first thing the first doctor did was rule out pneumonia (which I thought could be a good candidate). He tried to listen to my lungs from every possible angle with the stethoscope, but found nothing (so your last question is answered here). The second doctor didn't really look worried about it either, having done the same just in case.

A chest xray is also in order

quote:

Originally posted by Miss Pie What are your other symptoms aside from "I can't breathe" that would make the docs think it's a flu? Do you have a cough? Fever? Any secretions in any part of your airway, and if so, what do they look like?

No cough, no fever, transparent coryza.

quote:

Originally posted by Miss Pie Do your symptoms persist all the time and are they accompanied by pain? Or do they only appear at certain times? Is there anything that makes the symptoms better or worse?

It gets worse when I exercise, and it's becoming more frequent these days for whatever reason. No pain whatsoever, just the feeling that there isn't enough air around me.

quote:

Originally posted by Lilith Has there been a vote for AIDS yet?

Damn, I really shouldn't have gone to Nigeria

quote:

Originally posted by Lilith You'll know when pneumonia really kicks in, it'll be like breathing with lungs full of sand and you'll have no energy.

This is somewhat familiar

quote:

Originally posted by Meat187 Well, yes and no. As you say it's usually an external factor and "it's not figured out" surely doesn't say it appears out of nowhere. Also, let's not rule out autoimmune. The body can indeed develop spontaneous reactions that might present with symptoms similar to asthma but have actually a cause that... HOLY FUCKING SHIT, IT'S LUPUS!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Salegon Very unlikely, but interesting read, though. IPF

Edit: Oh, my pulmonary functions are apparently fine, we can rule this out. Phew!

Worse with exercise definitely sounds like asthma.

quote:

Originally posted by Miss Pie Worse with exercise definitely sounds like asthma.

Or, if it is a respiratory tract infection, exercise would certainly also make it worse.

Go have the Spirometry test, but I have a feeling it's a low level respiratory tract infection. They can actually last ages and sometimes can drag on to the point you think you have some chronic disorder just because you can't function to your usual ability, yet don't show major flu signs etc.

Oh, bugger, asthma!? Now that I'm almost thirty? That's more like arsema

Let me take all these tests first and then I'll post the results. If it's asthma I'll think of something to reward you guys for the good work.

There's just one thing I can't understand though: If it is asthma, and it may well be it, shouldn't the doctors have noticed it when they stethoscope'd the hell out of my chest? Or is it unnoticeable if it's just a mild crisis?

quote:

Originally posted by Lira Oh, bugger, asthma!? Now that I'm almost thirty? That's more like arsema Let me take all these tests first and then I'll post the results. If it's asthma I'll think of something to reward you guys for the good work. There's just one thing I can't understand though: If it is asthma, and it may well be it, shouldn't the doctors have noticed it when they stethoscope'd the hell out of my chest? Or is it unnoticeable if it's just a mild crisis?

They should. A so called "wheezing" sound, which is pretty easy to hear.

I have to agree with Jenny. What's up with the X-ray...I'd order an Xray if I suspected either a tumor or pulmonary emphysema.

quote:

Originally posted by Chimney They should. A so called "wheezing" sound, which is pretty easy to hear. I have to agree with Jenny. What's up with the X-ray...I'd order an Xray if I suspected either a tumor or pulmonary emphysema.

Oh, good, this means we can probably rule out asthma and focus on a possible tumo-- wait, what!?

Time to make haste and hurry up with these exams

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