Hello,
I am struggling to find answers and my doctors conclude that I'm perfectly healthy; yet I feel otherwise. I really like the doctors that I have seen and I don't questions their credibility, but I'm still struggling.
Issue: Having difficulty taking in deep breaths - like I can't get in enough air. I know I'm receiving oxygen, so I try not to worry, but it's very uncomfortable. During these moments, physical activity makes it worse. It almost feels like something is pushing on my lungs and won't fully expand. This is accompanied with a slight cough that can turn mucousy - especially at night when my sinuses act up.
Current diagnosis: Slight asthma (but doctor said there's no evidence. He is treating me like it's asthma until next visit in 3 months). This has been going on for 6 months (sporadic episodes) and has happened in the past very rarely.
Age: 34
Gender: Female
Race: Caucasian
Location: Long Island - whole life
Lifestyle: Healthy diet/exercise - social alcohol
Stress level: Could be better - moderately stressed
- Blood tests - normal
- EKG - normal
- Stress test - normal (above average)
- Sonogram/heart - normal
- Chest X-ray - clear/normal
- Spirometer - normal (no evidence of asthma)
- Oxygen - 99-100
- Blood Pressure - normal
- Allergies - some present, but very minor
- Hiatal hernia - normal (not enlarged)
I grew up as an athlete and now my side gig is a Fitness Instructor. Due to having some issues not able to breath in deep enough (can last from 2-5 days), I've really slowed down on working out, almost to a stop for about 6 months now. I'm nervous, even though my breathing during cardio is fine. I do not workout during these episodes as it is difficult to catch my breath.
Pulmonary doc prescribed me a rescue inhaler, but it only helps about 50%. A hot shower seems to be the only thing I feel better after.
Past history: My mother was a big smoker, so I did grow up around second hand smoke until about the age of 22. (however, doc said my lungs were clear). I suffered from acid reflux, but that is controlled through diet. My father (74) was recently diagnosed with COPD, but tested negative for ALPHA 1 - which means it should not be hereditary. He also has not lived a healthy lifestyle. My job consists of visiting manufacturing plants - 1 day a week I'm in a plant where certain materials can make the air feel "powdery", but that's only walking through until I get to the office area.
Medications: multivitamins (prenatals for a year now), fish oil, fioricet (as needed for migraines). Occasional vitamin D, biotin, turmeric, glucosamine chondroitin.
I appreciate any advice. My last stop is back to my primary doctor, who originally suggested anxiety. I really don't believe it's that since physical factors can influence it and I don't feel like I'm having anxiety attacks.
Thank you for your time. I know this is a lot, but I figured you can help best if I give as much information up front.
Peace and Love - ZFitnessInstructor