Help me make sense of these symptom?

Just trying to hopefully get an idea of what this issue might be about. I understand that I should be going to a doc, and I will.

-For most of the summer I've been having problems breathing, especially when it's humid, but not always. It feels like my lungs arnt getting enough oxygen when it happens and I have to make my self breath deeper, or yawn to get enough air. No wheezing or gasping, but not getting enough oxygen.

-I've been having heart palpitations a little more than usual, but my blood pressure seems to usually be okay.

-Sometimes I get winded easily, but this also might be because I've been getting either no sleep or way too much sleep lately, so my body is all in all not in the best shape. Other times I can exercise and feel fine, so it's off and on. Actually, sometimes it feel like exercise helps me breathe for awhile...then about half an hour later I struggle again.

-Sometimes I'll get aches in my chest that will come and go. They are on the right side (right beneath my breast, where the band of my bra is) like 90% of the time, but every so often they'll be in the middle or left. Movement can effect the pains, so I think it might be chest muscle related, and not heart. Also my chest can handle no extra pressure anymore. Even a loose fitting bra can make my feel constricted and make it harder to breathe.

- And I don't know if this is anything, but I find that I seem to always be subconsciously sucking in my gut? Like I can't help it. And one time I got a chest x-ray done and the doctor said something about my lungs holding on to too much air and not releasing it???


Has anyone here been diagnosed with asthma, but never or rarely cough and wheeze? Just difficulty getting enough air, especially when it's humid.


I think I may also post in the heart forum, but it seems to be more lung related. Hope someone can help be shed some light on this while I wait to get to a doc!

Post Edited (Mcnubby) : 8/11/2015 3:30:35 PM (GMT-6)

Ah that's what I was worried to hear, but I could never find information about how early heart attack symptoms can start. Everything I could find was just about actually having a heart attack and the moments before. Did you have any other questionable symptoms?

I saw a doctor briefly, but she said that the issues looked lung related, but I didn't have a lot of tests or anything to really back that up. I've been very worried about the possibilities of this being heart related. Unfortunately it looks like I can't sign up for a health insurance plan until November, so I've been reluctant to return to the doctor as all the needed tests would end up costing me thousands

Well, while you are waiting to get insurance there are some things you can do.

#1 Start keeping a journal. Write down everything. Date, time, weather, dry or humid, temperature. Pollen level (see TV reports or online info). Everything you eat and drink. All your meds. Reactions - with time, so you can relate it to meds or foods, weather, or where you are inside or out. Some reactions can be delayed, so you may have to look back a couple of days to find a cause. Look it over once a week and highlight anything that stands out to you.

#2 I would try a few different antihistamines to see if any of them help. Follow directions and only take one kind a day or a few days. If it's allergies maybe one will help without putting you to sleep. The main ingredient in lots of sleep meds is Benadryl.

If you're severely short of breath see a cardiologist and just make payments. See if you can possibly afford an EKG and cholesterol test. You can't afford a heart attack - lots worse than paying a doctor. It's cheaper to make a regular appointment than to go to the ER.

Is there any history of heart or lung disease in the family? Did you ever smoke?

Yes, humidity and heat make you feel more tired and out of breath when you're building up to a heart attack. But it would probably feel bad with lung disease too.

Since you mentioned possible lung disease, that could certainly be a concern. I don't know much about lung problems, but maybe someone will take note and reply if you list the tests you did have done.

It might be GERD, I can remember when I initially had some problems similar to what you are describing I thought I was having heart problems, but fortunately it turned out to be GERD. This can sometimes cause Gastritis problems as well, which would account for not wanting any pressure on your chest area, I have had that feeling too. Maybe you could try taking something like Zantac, and see if that helps, bearing in mind that you are having to wait to get insurance. If you Google GERD you will find a lot of information on the subject.