Difficulty breathing, lump in throat, weight gain for no cause

Chest and lungs
1

Hi

​Hope someone can help me with a medical issue I've been having.

​Six weeks ago I wasn't feeling right, couldn't understand why. I went to my GP and while he was in the process of listening to my lungs I suddenly couldn't breathe, lost my ability to swallow and my heart rate went through the roof.  He called an ambulance to the surgery and I was ferried to hospital where I released the next day because my stats had stabilised and they found nothing in my chest xray or bloods except they told me I may have an issue with my bowel pressing on my diaphragm.   

I'm asthmatic, used to be chronic but am no longer.  The steroid medication made my thyroid underactive for a time leading to a 6 stone weight gain of which I have lost 2.  My thyroid corrected itself and I am no longer on medication though I will always have the antibodies.  My endocrinologist told me recently I no longer have to see her, my thyroid is fine.

My diet is very healthy and I am very active.  I saw a nutrionist for tips on my diet to improve but basically she said my diet was very good, her only complaint really was I didn't eat enough and she wanted me to include up to 9 portions of fruit and veg very day which I find excessive. I have basically being told the weight gain might be something I will have to live with, nothing shifts it which in turn effects my breathing especially if my asthma flares up, I find the weight difficult to carry.

​I have had 8 hospital admittances in 2 weeks due to feeling I was suffocating.  My respiratory consultant has told me it is because I drove my body to the point of exhaustion and basically my brain targeted my respiratory system though it couldn't replicate asthma it tightened my vocal cords.  He subscribed complete rest for two weeks and I was very lucky. He told me eventually when my vocal cords tightened enough would pass out and my body would reset like a computer, I would not die from this but it was a warning from my brain. 

​It has now been 3 weeks and I still have the symptoms however, I no longer feel the need to claw at my throat for air.  However, I have been left with a near permanent feeling of a lump in my throat, I also find it very difficult to eat solid food, it catches in my throat and I start to choke.  I am living basically on tea, gallons of water (I am constantly thirsty) and the odd bowl of soup. I have absolutely no appetite but I am gaining a lot of weight on the scales though everyone is telling me I have lost weight, I have shrunk slightly in clothes.I know it sounds ridiculous.

​I am worried that a) something was missed, b) my medication is causing this and c) I have a bigger problem in my bowel than was initially thought. 

​Any one any suggestions on what could help or if this has happened to them in the past what did you do?

​All suggestions welcome, I am at my wits end with it and just want to get back to my normal busy life smile

Thanks

2

Could you possibly be suffering with laryngospasms? It's where the larynx goes into spasm suddenly and you choke as your airway closes us. Many GPs have no idea about it and to the bystander it can look very alarming. To the sufferer it feels like you are unable to breathe at all. I'd suggest you google laryngospasms and if you think this is what is happening to you then you need to be referred to an ENT specialist. Meanwhile - if you ARE having laryngospasms, then also google Larson Manoevre - which shows you have to break the spasm. 

3

Thanks for this.  Yes perhaps it is a part of it.  I woke up suddenly on Sunday night not breathing, knocked everything off the nightstand looking for the inhaler, it only took seconds for my breathing to kick back in but it felt much longer, next thing it was morning, I would have though I dreamt it only everything was all over the floor.  I'm getting physio on the advice of my respiratory consultant and the physio as it turns out used to be a nurse and she thinks I may have issues still with my thyroid and also suggested an ENT. She said just because my bloods are not showing an issue with my thyroid does not mean there is not one and it may be still underactive.  She thinks my episode on Sunday night could have been my thyroid pressing on my windpipe and it could be why I am gaining weight, have no appetite, am constantly tired.  She thinks I need a second opinion.In the meantime I've developed acid reflux this week (or I think that is what it is) for the first time in my life.  I can't have food allergies because I am literally eating nothing at this stage. the physio wants me to get checked for other allergies other than foor or drink related but the problem is most hospitals don't seem to do allergy testing, my local one does not.

​Anyhow I am due to see my respiratory consultant this week and I will be asking him to organise the ENT and see what he says about the allergy testing. 

​Thanks for your advice and for the information on the Larson Manoevre.  I appreciate it