Advice on being breathless.

[Lizzy 0]

Hi Guys,

Just wondered if you have any advice, ive been breathless on and off for about 2 months, i sometimes have shooting pains (not to painful) in my chest. Im 30 (just turned) and yes i do smoke:(

We cant afford to go to the doctors as we don't have insurance and i have not got my advanced parole, so i cant go home yet.

I have been suffering with depression since moving to the US and was wondering if there maybe just panic attacks, i have them when i wake on a morning or they just come on at anytime. Its like i cant get enough air in, its not bad enough for me to worry just gets on my nerves and makes me panicky.

I had a chest x ray for the medical in May, so it cant be something serious as it would of showed then.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[mRx 16]

Dont want to scare you but.... you should really try to get into see a doctor. It could be a warning of a heart attack.

http://www.womentowomen.com/heartdiseasean...ke/symptoms.asp

[brnidokiegurl 0]

Think of it this way, can you afford not to get it checked out? Could be health wise, could be stress, could be weight, could be change of climate, go to the doctor.

[MHandMB 0]

I would go ahead and try to get insurance. I got my husband signed up with a policy on ehealthinsurance.com, and I didn't have any trouble getting it set up. Thank God we haven't had to use it yet, but you can bet that if we had to cancel it, he would need it.

I've had panic attacks before, and they do cause me to be short of breath. And they happen at odd times, not always when I am in the middle of a stressful situation. But, I still think you should at least see a doctor. Check around in your area. There may be low-cost clinics you could go to.

Good luck!

[Lizzy 0]

Thanks for your advice, i checked out the page:)

I don't think its heart attack as thats one or 2 episodes that lasts for a few mins to an hour... but now i saw that page im scared about heart disease..

[heishe 2]

This could be a serious medical issue. Any diagnosis or reassurance you get on here will be largely speculative. You need to find some way to get to a real doctor!

['my_destiny' 0]

I just hope it will not be a bad health condition..if it is just caused by too much stress, try to relax and take a fresh air. Do some Inhale and exhale thing for a while but dont forget to see a doctor.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Chris-n-Veronica 0]

Thanks for your advice, i checked out the page:)

I don't think its heart attack as thats one or 2 episodes that lasts for a few mins to an hour... but now i saw that page im scared about heart disease..

Panic Attacks can feel like a heart attack... But and a big But I'm not a Doctor...See a Doctor!!!!!

[LuzyC 0]

Been that way too..,can't finish my tae-bo workout coz im catching my breath ,feel chest pain and headache.

I do have series of test like ECG,2-D ECHO and TREADMILL/STRESS TEST just last week ..I have no poblem or heart desease ,the result is ASTMA ALLERGY-it can cause of difficulty in breathing also but if i were you its better to see a doctor to find out.

[chri'stina 190]

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/panic_attac...acks%20Symptoms This info about panic attacks sounds like your symptoms.

But as others said, it is important you see a doctor. Even if it is panic attacks, you still should see a doctor. If you have been depressed for awhile and are having panic attacks, maybe you need some anti-depressants until you feel better. You might damage yourself physically if it continues. Stress can do bad things to the body over a long period of time. Call around to different Dr's offices and find out which one has the lower price for first time non-insurance patients. Hope you find out what's up and can feel better soon!

[Fandango 1,439]

I'm sorry, Lizzy, but no one here is in any position to give medical advise. Go see a doctor!

If you go to a county hospital, you can go on a payment plan for the bill. I'm not sure how that works out for non-USCs, but I can't think they'd turn you away if you're having chest pains.

or go to one of those walk-in medical centers!

[Peikko 1,575]

I have to agree with those that have said it is better to get some professional help with your problems.

The chances are that you are suffering from some kind of depression related panic attack, but this does need to be adressed as well as it is unlikely that they will just go away, particularly if you have been suffering with this problem on and off for 2 months.

I would consider trying to get some help with the depression anyway. It is normal to feel somewhat overwhelmed when you take such a life changing step as to move to a different country on top of getting married, but to have this leave you feeling depressed is less normal.

It might be an idea to work out what it is that is making you depressed and see if there is anything you can do to change some of the things that are causing the depression.

That you are posting something so personal on a message board suggests that one of the things you miss is having people to talk to when you need to, you are possibly missing your mates in the UK and haven't had time to start the process of building new friendships. Try to make the time to start this process as soon as possible. One suggestion is to try http://www.meetup.com . There are all kinds of groups and they are very easy to join and most of the best ones are free.

Good luck, I hope you manage to see a Dr soon which should relieve some of your anxiety.

Edited January 2, 2007 by Purple_Hibiscus

[Ta Ta 1]

I agree with everyone to go to a doctor. If a doctor will not see you without health

insurance go to the emergency room.

Let us know how you are feeling and what the doctor said.

One tip: I am a lisenced massage therapist and work with panic attacks...

Lay flat and breathe in slowly on a count of 4-5 , then breathe out very slowly on a count of

6-8. This will calm your system and the panic subsides, if it is a panic attack.

It is almost impossible to be panicked during this breathing process but it will take some time to get the hang of it. Go get checked out !

[KiKi 0]

I have panic attacks and it can make you feel breathless, but also check out pleurisy if the pain is on inhalation....

I've had that twice and it produces chest pain with shortness of breath....

I would go to the ER if I had to......good luck!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Lizzy,

You might try telling a doctor that you don't have health insurance but are concerned about this problem. An understanding doctor might give you a routine exam at a reduced cost without any expensive tests and be able to access what the problem is. If he thinks it's more serious, he might be able to point you in the direction of what you can do.

Take care!