Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Shortness of breath

Hi Everyone,

I went ahead and put in a call to my doctor just to be on the safe side. I'm waiting to hear back from her now. I felt silly calling before, but everyone makes me feel better about being safe rather than sorry. I actually lost my first cousin (a female), 41, to a massive heart attack 3 weeks ago and I will be 35 next week - so I'm going to stop trying to convince myself that it's nothing and get it checked out! I will keep you guys posted Thanks for all the advice. I always feel so much better after chatting with all of you

Hey lovetoteach- its actually been awhile since i've had any gallbladder attacks - I've just wondered if the possibility of a low-grade infection could have triggered my arthritis. I wonder way too much.

Glad you're contacting your doctor. And understand feeling silly. Unfortunately it was the docs who had me second guessing my symptoms, feeling like a hypochondriac and putting off finding answers. My heart symptoms came on the same time gallbladder symptoms (bad nausea and belching) and I think possibly arthritis - bad neck pain and shoulder pains. Since I wasn't running a fever the on-call doc diagnosed me as having GAD - general anxiety disorder. Didn't bother running any tests. Ha. I've been timid about pushing doctors into looking for more answers, but my rheumy has really helped me to see this stuff isn't in my head.

Sorry to hear of your cousin, and you should let the doctor know of possible family history heart stuff. And try not to let them blow it off as anxiety. At the very least it could be arthritis related and as the many responses show - could be something else.
good luck mary cay

I finally took some much needed advice (thanks guys) and called my doctor. He told me that my latest tests and results are leading to the possibility of pulmonary fibrosis. I don't know much about it or how you treat it exactly. He started me on a 6 pills/day for 12 days regimen along with breathing treatments 3-4 days. I will have to keep this pattern going until I go back in for my next appt. on May 12th. I'm hoping I can really get some relief soon!

Missy

Oh Missy...I'm so sorry, I certainly hope that isn't the case...please keep us posted on your progress, I too hope that you find some relief soon and remember that we're always here for you...big hugs & much love...

I'm sorry to hear that, Missy. I was really hoping it would prove to be an allergic reaction to something. I understand that both rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can cause this so I'll bet AS is another culprit. I think it can be mild and, hopefully, getting your inflammation under control will go a long way to alleviating it.

Thanks Girls! Your words of encouragement make me feel so much better! I hope you both have a great day. I'm fixing to go get ready for work, I have 24 little kindergarten faces waiting for me to get there! Let's pray they're good today. I woke up with an ankle cramp last night (first one ever) and I'm wobbling this morning. I've had leg cramps plenty, but the ankle cramp did not feel good at all-LOL! If I ever have another one of those, it will be toooooooo soon

Missy, I truly hope that this dx is wrong. I'm so sorry you have this to deal with on top of everything else.

Hugs,

Thanks Kat! I'm feeling so much better this afternoon. After 24 hours on the steroids, I feel like I'm breathing 100% better. It is such a relief. How was your day?

I have the same problem. I've had AS for so long and didn't know it. My rib cage doesn't move much. So when I breath I'm mostly using my diaphragm and it's expanding into my gut. When I eat too much there's no where for my diaphragm to go so I can't breath. It may sound strange, but really that's what's happening with me. Hope this helps.

It was good, thanks for asking. Taught my course last night for The Arthritis Society. We have a great group of people who jump into the various discussions with lots of enthusiasm.

Hugs,