Unsatisfied breathing and terrible chest pain/pressure!

Mental health
1

This is my first post, so I'll just get right into it. Last month, I has a tooth extraction. Immediately after, I got sick for the first time in years. I went to Urgent Care and got put on antibiotics. I didn't think anything of it until it passed. I noticed my breathing was strange. I felt like I couldnt get a satisfying breath and I was out of breath doing just about anything. Its like my lungs weren't filling up. On top of that, it was accompanied by this overwhelming chest pain/pressure that is constant. It started out minimal but now it is full blown and it literally destroyed my life in a matter of weeks.

I suffer with anxiety, specifically, health anxiety. I have for almost 3 months now. But this has me losing my mind. I literally feel like I am dying every single day. I've been relying on my mother to help me with my son which is NOT something I do. I have alway gad control over my life but this is killing me. Now, I'm sick once again and I'm convinced maybe I have a rare alpha 1 deficiency.

I've been to so many doctors. PCP, Pulmonologist, Gastroenterologist, I see a Cardiologist next week. I've gone back to the dentist demanding to know if something went wrong. I'v been in an out of the ER at least 10 times (Over and over was told it was bronchitis) I've had multiple chest x-rays, a CT scan of my chest, abdominal, pelvis, head, and face/sinus cavity as well as an upper endoscopy and tons of blood work. All came back clear. I am beyond, and I mean beyond, confused. My breathing test from the Pulmonologist came back with a mild obstruction, (I am a smoker, 29 years old) but the doctor assured me I do not have COPD or Emphasyma and it MAY be asthma. (I was told I had hyperinflated lungs, but it may have been from taking a deep breath during the x-ray)

I went to my primary doctor hysterical, telling her I couldn't live like this. I have always been active, exercised, ate well, took care of me and my son, and now I'm losing my mind. I've lost 25 pounds in 3 months. 10 in September. I can barely eat or drink. She is set on telling me this is anxiety. I can't understand how anxiety can literally destroyed someone like this. I feel like something is very, very wrong and I'm terrified and exhausted. I want to feel like myself again. She prescribed me Buspar and told me to give it a month. I take emergency Xanax to help and it STILL doesn't relieve the physical symptoms that I'm being told is anxiety.

Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Has anyone ever found a light at the end if this hellish tunnel? I literally can't live like this anymore. One month changed my life. I want it back.

2

yes i can relate to this. i can tell by your post that you are very worked up and scared. like you i have had all these symptoms you have had. i have severe health anxiety aswell and yes anxiety can destroy you emotionally and physically and drain every bit of energy you have. the not getting a satisfying breath of fresh air is a classic anxiety symptom and it is very scary. the good news is you have had a lot of tests which has come back normal. ( i wish they would of give me half the tests you got). i have been like this for years . my general anxiety has subsided but my health anxiety remains. i was on all sorts of pills and counselling which didnt work, i was put on sertraline ( zoloft) a few months ago which seems to be helping. you need to discuss more anxiety treatments with your doctor and see what other options you can explore or this will drain your life away as it did me. you need to learn how to manage it.

3

Hi there. Thank you for replying. You said you've dealt with this for years? How do you cope? I'm out of breath just laying down and it really is killing me. Do you also deal with chronic chest pain? That's also really hurting me. This has turned me into a message in a matter of weeks and I've had no relief. It's just getting worse. My doctor is working with me but I know medication takes time to work. I just want some relief. I'm worried I have a rare lung disease or fibromyalgia. Did you try meditations before this?

4

I can 100% relate with you people say it sounds 100% like anxiety but they have no idea the severity of the problem anxiety comes and goes u get relief and breaks from anxiety this is 24/7 I've dealt with the shortness of breath for 7 Months I am at my wit's end every minute I've got to gasp multiple times a minute to get a deep breath I literally can't do anything I'm a shell of my former self I know I'm dying and this is gonna kill me my doctors aren't finding anything meaning to me they are not taking me seriously this is life or death it's Terrifying I feel like I'm suffocating

5

ive had the symptoms so long i dont know what normal is at times. i know my constant trying to get a satisfying breath of fresh air fatigues my lungs which is how i think i get my chest pain. i find i can breathe better on cold days because the air is cold and feels like i can breathe better. i dread Sumner though. the allergies the hayfever the humidity, all bring the breathing thing on. my meds are improving it though that im on now. my mum has fibromyalgia and her symptoms are different.

do you smoke?

if so quit it makes it a bit better.

what meds are you on?