Shortness of breath

I left a message with my rheumy and waiting for a call back.  Most of you know that I have been extremely fatigued since last week and also having joint pains in my hand.  This weekend I didn't do much and didn't come online much because I just wanted to rest.  I just started experiencing shortness of breath now and most of my tiredness this weekend came from my shortness of breath.  I don't have any chest pain with it although both of my arms are feeling extremely weak.  I'm really worried that its something to do with my heart or lungs but I'm not sure since there isn't any chest pain.  Do these symptoms just sound like the regular things that go along with your lupus or does sound like something more serious or maybe I'm just being overly worried?    

Hi Des,

 

I dont know why you are having shortness of breath, I dont see

why you are having this, and I certainly hope when you left the message with your rhuemy, that you told them this!!  I get it, but it's because of pericarditis in my heart, caused from the RA or the Lupus, so if you havent heard back from your doc by now, I would be on that phone again, dont mess with the unknown, you dont need more problems on top of what you already have.

 

Please keep us updated, and I will be praying for you hon. Please dont wait too long, not trying to scare you, but I think everyone here would agree, when it comes to our hearts, dont second guess, get help.

 

God Bless,

Diane   

Hi Des ((hugs)). I know how frightening it is to be short of breath. Since I havn't officially had a rheumy tell me what my DX is I can't say that my lungs are destroyed by lupus or something. You should insist on an xray though. It could be by anything from stress to pnemonia. If you have swelling it could be edema. You may have some fluid in your lungs. Stay away from any cleaning chemicals. that will only make it worse. My lungs started going bad when there was a chlorine spill at work. that was 9 years ago. I can't even have bleach in my house. Please make sure you get a chest xray. and let us know how it goes.

love ya
carol

Thanks everyone. Yeah, I thought it was a little "put offish" by my rheumy but I guess I will give him the benefit of the doubt. He is probably so booked (he is one of the most sought after rheumys here) but I did talk to my GP (he called me back personally :) and told me that he could see me tomorrow morning and if I have any arm pain in addition to my weakness or chest pain to go ahead and get to the ER. I'm hoping that I can get through an uneventful night and just make my appointment tomorrow. I will be sure to request a chest xray and I'm not sure which labs for this to ask for. Even if its nothing serious, something needs to be done because this labored breathing is very distressful. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again!!

Everything went okay last night. I went to the doctor today and sent me to get a chest xray (which found out later today it came out normal) and he wants me to go and see a cardiologist for a stress test and other cardio testing. I feel so stupid cause I started crying while I was talking to him so I ended up walking out with samples of Lexapro (without realizing thats what he gave me until my ride home lol).

Thanks for everyone's support

Des,

  Tks for updating us. I'm glad the doctor is sending you to a cardiologist to check things out. Awww... I have cried several times in the doctors office. I think things just build up and when we get some new symptom that scares us, we break down when we least expect it. Don't feel stupid, I bet alot of others have done this too....(((Hugs))). I hope the Lexapro helps.

  I hope you get some answers soon. Keep us updated and take care. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                            Babs

Hi Des.

I'm a Des too. But that's not why I'm writing. I have the same symptoms you described. In my case the shortness of breath came first. I did the spirometry test and showed a reduction of 10% lung capacity. I did the cardio stress test and that was normal. The arm weirdness came next and included unusually bad shoulder and bicep pain, numb hands, pain aimed down from the elbow. In my case, it was definitely not serositis.

Hope that helps,
Other Des

Des, it's a test that you breath into a tube. sort of like if the cops think your drunk lol. only it is meaured on a machine. It shows how much pressure you have when you blow out. Most people think that the problem is actually the inability to take deep breaths but it's actually the muscles in your lungs not being able to blow all the carbon dioxide out of your body. when that happens you aren't able to get enough oxygen into your blood system. and Yes you don't have to show problems in an xray for you to have breathing problems. When I have bad problems I can't blow out a candle.

hugs
carol

Is the Spirometry test the same as a Pulmonary Function Test? Just curious.... .

Des, I hope you find out soon whats going on and get some relief.

                                                        ((hugs)) Babs                                                           

Tks Carol,

  I was just curious...I had several PFT's when I had lupus pneumonitis. The office I work in does the pulse/ox test on patients too. It's pretty neat!

                                                            ((hugs)) Babs