Several health problems...not sure which one is more serious?

Chest and lungs
1

I've had a few health problems for a while now but not dealt with them because GPs haven't treated me very well in the past i.e. rude and hostile and stuff, not treating me. 

1) On going anxiety and probably depression but I'm so stressed I don't give them any attention and I've given up trying to alleviate them. Tried lots of therapy and citalopram for a while but citalopram caused more problems than it helped. 

2) Breathing problem. Triggered by intense cardio one night and never went away. Doctor has referred me recently for a spirometry appointment which is in 2 weeks. Has been going on a year/year and a half but I never did anything about it. Feels like 'air hunger', like I can't get enough air in. Feels like slow suffocation. Recently has been worsening, stop working out regularly because it made it worse and it was originally exercise that triggered it. Now I can't do anything really without it being triggered - vacuuming or walking normally on a flat surface. I've never felt like I was going to die from lack of oxygen, it used to be scary in the beginning. Now I just get on with it. It is horrible though and I've learnt never to take my breathing for granted again. 

3) I was working out regularly from January-April this year til I had to stop. Then before then, regularly, until the breathing thing was triggered for the first time and I had to stop. I was working out because I wanted to lose weight, and I was. I was trying to eat healthier and eat more wholewheat carbs, no sugar etc. and I worked out 5 days a week before the breathing thing happened. I lost weight fairly and was  impressed with results. When I tried losing weight at the beginning of this year, I didn't lose anything. I've been rapidly gaining recently even though my diet is normal/fairly healthy. This weight gain is a problem because clothes aren't fitting anymore. Not sure what to do - diet is in check and I can't work out because of the breathing problem. But even when I was trying to lose weight this year, I think I lost barely anything. Just water weight really - 4 months and maybe a couple of pounds? 

3) I have high prolactin and I had it two years ago when I had a blood test but never followed it up because the doctor was horrible to me. I have an appointment with an endocrinologist. I have irregular periods and in 2014 I didn't get a period for a year, maybe longer. Also have no sex drive, vaginal dryness, (this happened after the citalopram though) and recently I feel like all these health problems have been worsening, not just the breathing issue. I've been feeling SO tired all the time (this is not new either but is worsening). Today I slept from 2am til 12pm, then took a nap at 3 til 5:30. I also feel stressed and restless and my vision doesn't feel clear. It's not blurry but it feels...cloudy. I also get mild headpains sometimes especially when looking at light. 

Thanks for listening. Feels good to get all this off my chest! I think I understated how bad it was to my doctor but what more could she do anyway?

What do we think the breathing problem is? I was thinking anemia for a while because taking iron supplements help but apparently all my blood test results including blood count were normal, just not prolactin which was raised, and raised in 2014 too. 

So who knows. Would be great if someone could offer any suggestions for anything I've mentioned though. 

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Also I forgot to mention I am SO STRESSED all the time. So stressed. I've tried things like relaxation tapes and baths to relax but nothing helps. I feel manic and insane recently, plus other worsening symptoms like the vision thing. I feel awful. 

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Oh Lucy, you are really having a bad time aren't you!! No wonder you are fed up! Are you sure that the breathing isn't a panic attack? My brother had them and felt like he couldn't breathe and that felt pretty horrendous to him. If it is, you need to figure out what's triggering it. Have you tried cbt? I don't really know much about the rest of your conditions, all I know is that you need some reassurance from your doc about your medical conditions and try to get some coping strategies in place. I really feel for you, it must be awful. One other thing, for the vaginal dryness, try extra virgin coconut oil, it's a really good moisturiser/lubricant . Hope this helps

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Thanks! I'll try the coconut oil! 

Yeah having a bad time recently as things get worse! I get this breathing issue when I'm just hanging out doing nothing but it's also exercise induced. So who knows. 

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It's really hard to keep positive isn't it, when there are so many things going on with your health. Sometimes, you don't have to be in a particularly stressful situation to have a panic attack, it's more about what your thinking at the time. It's when these thoughts get to be irrational it can make you feel out of control. I think you are going to have to tackle one thing at a time and maybe as each problem gets sorted, you will start to feel better. Good luck Hun.

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What doctors do is just tell you what's wrong with you they never tell u what to do to help the situation. Try eat fresh didn't junk you are what you eat and you are what you think. Keep away from processed foods try to eat fresh which will detox ur body .

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I'm not sure if you are still actively reading these responses, but I'm hoping you're feeling better! As far as your medical issues, you state you have put the anxiety/depression issues kind of on the back burner for now and you've tried different therapy before but don't mention which medications if any you have tried for these. I know from experience that finding the right antidepressant can take a long time. What works for others, might not work for you. Also it takes a few weeks for each one to fully kick in and even see if it works or not. Sometimes it will work, but dose needs to be tweaked. I've had friends who swear by effexor and neurontin but I didn't like either at all. I have taken cymbalta in the past with great results and we'll as lexapro. My mom, who has severe anxiety and depression, takes Prozac and has great results. The reason I'm focusing on this is because anxiety and depression, as well as stress, can have DRASTIC results on your health and can affect virtually every single system in your body. There are people with real pain issues that stem from depression as well as shortness of breath, weight gain, skin issues, gastrointestinal issues, etc. Stress has a HUGE impact. My mom was so stresses a few years back that her pancreas shut down and she went into diabetic ketoacidosis and was then diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (NOT type 2 which is usually associated with being overweight). She now takes insulin on a daily basis to control her blood sugar. When she is stressed, the stress alone can cause her blood sugar to skyrocket. This goes the same for you and I. These all seem like trivial issues but they're not. I strongly believe this is the main reason for ALL of your issues!!! It might take a bit to find the right antidepressant, but keep at it until you do! They can also add meds for anxiety as well if needed but I'd try just the antidepressant first. Also for stress relief, it will take a while, but if you can practice meditation, it will benefit you greatly. It's hard at first. Sit somewhere in a room that is quiet, comfortable. Sit however is most comfortable to you. Set an alarm for 5 min. For these five min, try not to think about anything. When thoughts come into your head, just recognize it and dismiss them.a good way I've found to to this is to just focus on my breathing...breathing in for three and our for three(or whatever), paying attention to the actual process. Some people instead choose to stare at a candle flame and focus on that. Each time, it will get easier and easier. Five minutes a day actually makes a big difference in stress levels. I'm hoping this helps you! Just hang in there and keep following up with doctor even if they are jerks!

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You need a best doctor.