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Respiratory Problems Questions

Seeking Clarification on ECG Findings

Hello! I'm a 25-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 2 inches and weighing 155 pounds, currently being treated with levetiracetam. I have been diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, and recently, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). I received a diagnosis of POTS last Friday from my cardiologist, and I'm set to start medication once I make adjustments to my hydration and sodium levels. However, the results from my recent ECG have been causing me some anxiety. Here’s a summary of what the report indicated: - Sinus tachycardia at 104 beats per minute. - Possible enlargement of the left atrium. - An abnormal rhythm noted in the ECG. Upon reaching out to my doctor’s office, I was informed that the term "abnormal" pertains to the tachycardia aspect of the results. But I’m curious about what the notation regarding atrial enlargement signifies. Should I consider scheduling an earlier appointment? Might this be connected to my POTS condition? I’m still trying to understand everything about POTS, so if the answer is straightforward, I apologize for the confusion. I have a follow-up visit planned in a month. Thanks so much for your help!

BronchitisCOPDENT
Male • 25-34
9 hours ago

Persistent Breathing Difficulties and Related Concerns

As a 19-year-old woman preparing to celebrate my 20th birthday, I have a history of being incredibly active throughout my childhood, engaging in sports such as track, cheerleading, and cross country. My journey with asthma began early in my life. My first year of college was relatively smooth until January of this year when I started experiencing shortness of breath with simple activities like climbing stairs, and I found I could no longer maintain my regular gym routine. At a height of 5 feet and weighing 113 pounds, this change was concerning. Along with the breathing difficulties, I also felt overwhelming fatigue, often waking up with persistent headaches. Initially, I chalked it all up to the typical fatigue experienced by college students and didn’t seek help. However, in May, I fainted at school, sustaining a head injury after hitting a soda machine, which led to an emergency trip to the hospital. During my evaluation, doctors discovered irregular heart rhythms, prompting extensive testing over the summer. The results from my ZioPatch indicated an AV block and other minor issues, but these were often dismissed given my age, suggesting I might still be growing. Lung tests revealed significant airway thickening, leading to a regimen that began with prednisone and various other medications, and I currently manage my condition with Singulair. Just four weeks ago, I fainted again, leading to another hard fall, and I was forced to withdraw from this semester. The latest ZioPatch results mirror the previous findings, leaving me feeling trapped in this cycle without answers. Despite many of my lab tests returning within normal ranges, I am still plagued by breathing difficulties, muscle weakness, and chronic headaches. I sense that something is fundamentally wrong, but it has reached a point where I feel resigned to living with these symptoms indefinitely. Additional symptoms I face include dizziness, brain fog, and occasional speech slurring, which align with what I've previously described. What further tests should I consider, or are these symptoms easily explicable?

Shortness of BreathAsthmaBronchitis
Male • 25-34
1 day ago

Seeking Guidance: Uncertain About My Health

Recently, I was diagnosed with bronchitis, and now I fear I may be developing pneumonia. I'm facing symptoms such as chills and difficulty breathing, as well as occasional hot flashes and significant tiredness. Additionally, I've noticed an increase in my urge to urinate. Can anyone provide insight into what might be happening? For context, I am a 35-year-old woman residing in Caldwell, Idaho, standing 5'11" tall and weighing 300 pounds.

BronchitisCOPDPneumonia
Male • 25-34
2 days ago

When Should You Worry About a Respiratory Virus?

I want to clarify upfront that while my description may suggest a medical crisis, I am not in immediate danger. At 28 years old, my health is generally stable except for a persistent tachycardia without a clear cause, which complicates my breathing issues, particularly at night. I haven’t been officially diagnosed with asthma, but I tend to exhibit asthmatic symptoms. Last Monday, I developed a sore throat accompanied by a fever above 101°F, which persisted along with typical chills. By late Tuesday, I began to experience a mild cough, though I did not have any nasal congestion. Concerned after potentially being exposed to flu and an antibiotic-resistant strain of strep from a family member, I sought testing at urgent care on Wednesday. Thankfully, the results for flu, strep, and COVID-19 were all negative, which was a relief. However, my cough has progressively worsened, to the extent that violent coughing led to swelling in my neck, making it difficult to sleep Friday night; I felt as though I was drawing air through a straw and was still experiencing a fever. Consequently, I returned to urgent care on Saturday, where they retested for flu and COVID, but overall deemed me to be fine and prescribed cough syrup, which has provided little relief. Now, on the third night struggling to breathe comfortably at bedtime, I managed to fall asleep only to awaken frequently, gasping for breath and needing to cough for air. It seems to me that inflammation in my upper airway is causing this issue, even though my lungs sound clear. The situation is frustrating, as the urgent care doctor suggested I should have gone to the emergency room. However, the hefty hospital bills from a severe case of mono last winter still weigh heavily on me, and I fear that any ER visit would merely lead to unnecessary imaging and hydration, costing me a fortune for little actionable help. I've been on leave from work for two weeks and return tomorrow. As I work with infants, I’m anxious about the possibility of transmission to them, as well as the risk of needing additional time off if my condition doesn't improve. The sensation of suffocation feels unnatural, yet I am left to manage my daily life, unsure if my symptoms could be attributed to something like Mycoplasma pneumonia, or perhaps a mix of inflammation from the viral strain and bronchospasm due to my medications. I find myself in a dilemma, questioning whether this warrants the accrual of even more medical debt for a solution. Any guidance on this would be greatly appreciated.

PneumoniaENTSore Throat
Male • 25-34
4 weeks ago

Understanding Concerns Over Persistent 91% SpO2 Levels Amid Bronchitis Symptoms

A 32-year-old male began experiencing symptoms of a cold shortly before Christmas, primarily suffering from significant nasal congestion and a runny nose. After feeling slightly better for a day or two, he started feeling unwell again on December 31. His symptoms intensified to include persistent runny nose, nasal blockage, diarrhea, high fevers peaking at 40°C for two consecutive days, and severe coughing in the past few days. Two days ago, he visited a physician while he and his partner were experiencing reduced coughing. His lungs were assessed and were reported to be in relatively good condition. He was prescribed Robitussin to help loosen mucus and given a non-steroidal inhaler. Meanwhile, his partner presented with more serious symptoms and was diagnosed with bronchitis. However, the following day, his condition deteriorated; his lungs developed a noticeably wet and crackling sound, yet he struggled to expel any mucus. The persistent coughing has caused significant discomfort in his chest and rib area. A point of concern has arisen regarding his blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels, which have been lower than usual. Initially, while he rested on the couch, his SpO2 was consistently recorded at 91%. Although it improved slightly throughout the day to 94%, it fluctuated later back to the range of 91-92%. This brings about a pressing question: at what point should he be worried about his low oxygen saturation? He is hesitant to visit the emergency room, fearing the potential of contracting additional infections given the circumstances. Any guidance on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Sinus CongestionBronchitisENT
Male • 25-34
4 weeks ago

Adjusting Inhaler Use for Nighttime Relief

At 23 years old, I’ve been diagnosed with a respiratory infection and have been given an inhaler and amoxicillin for treatment. The instructions indicate that I should take 1-2 puffs every four to six hours as needed. Typically, I find that I don’t need to use it much during the day, perhaps just one puff. However, I experience significant wheezing and coughing when nighttime arrives. Is it advisable to increase my inhaler usage at night since I rely on it less during the day?

CoughWheezingPulmonology
Male • 25-34
4 weeks ago

Question Regarding Stress Test During Cold Symptoms

I’m a 56-year-old woman, standing at 5’5” and weighing 196 pounds. My medical history includes various issues such as adhesion disease which leads to intestinal blockages and ileuses, along with concerns about a heart condition that emerged following chemotherapy. Additionally, I’m currently experiencing a cold affecting my head and chest. My past medical background encompasses facing stage 2 invasive lobular carcinoma, which resulted in a double mastectomy and reconstruction, followed by chemotherapy and Herceptin treatments between 2018 and 2019. I also had a constricted bile duct and my necrotic gallbladder surgically removed back in 1974, which is where my adhesions originated. Moreover, since 2010, I've dealt with non-epileptic seizures. My current medications include Venlafaxine, Adderall, and Dilaudid, which is administered via an intrathecal pump. At present, I am undergoing investigations with a cardiologist to assess any potential heart concerns, possibly connected to a reduced ejection fraction due to previous chemotherapy. I have a scheduled echocardiogram and stress test tomorrow morning, followed by a follow-up consultation on January 30 to review these results along with data from a Holter monitor I wore last month. Unfortunately, I woke up yesterday with a severe head and chest cold, and my condition has not improved by this Sunday morning. I suspect that this cold could affect the accuracy of the stress test, but I am uncertain about that. It is Sunday today, so the office is not open, and I can’t leave a message. The only opportunity to reach them will be at 8 AM tomorrow, but I need to leave by 8:15 AM for my 10 AM appointment. This means I would have to set an alarm for 6 AM, so I am fully prepared to head out, only to potentially learn that a rescheduling is necessary. Should I assume that they will advise me to postpone the stress test given my current illness? Or would it be wise to wake up early and prepare just in case? Due to my adhesion disease, I often experience significant abdominal discomfort in the mornings, which is why I would need to get up so early. I appreciate your guidance in advance!

CoughWheezingSinus Congestion
Male • 25-34
4 weeks ago

4-Year-Old Boy with Pneumonia – Chronic Lung Disease History: Unexplained Symptoms

Hello, I'm not looking for a diagnosis right now but I do have a query regarding viral testing! We recently visited the hospital and spent time in the ICU, where our son was evaluated by his pulmonologist. Within a span of two weeks, he underwent two sets of X-rays, as well as numerous blood tests, viral panels, MRSA tests, and a mucus culture to search for bacterial infections. Despite all these examinations, the source of his pneumonia remains elusive, though the X-rays clearly indicate the condition. At home, he requires supplemental oxygen on an as-needed basis, which is unusual for him, yet he displays none of the typical symptoms – no cough, no fever, nothing at all! Still, his X-rays look quite concerning. While I'm not a radiologist, my experience after being in medical school for four years has given me some familiarity with reading such images. I'm curious to know if it's typical for pneumonia to present without an identifiable cause? I recognize that pneumonia can manifest as a symptom, but it's bewildering that all tests have yielded negative results. Remarkably, he hasn't experienced any illness in over two years. **Could he be suffering from a mutated virus that wouldn’t be detected by standard viral panels? The tests covered more than twenty viruses, including coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and influenza.** He is managing fairly well under the circumstances, but whatever is affecting his health has significantly impacted his lungs, which is heartbreaking. I'm simply trying to grasp how all the test results could show no abnormalities despite his condition.

BronchitisPneumoniaPulmonology
Male • 25-34
4 weeks ago

Understanding Bronchitis and Pneumonia

I would like to gather various perspectives on a recent diagnosis. My doctor identified bronchitis and recommended a course of azithromycin and benzonatate for treatment. I'm a 34-year-old woman and I do not smoke. Additionally, my 4-year-old has been unwell for over a month. Her physician initially overlooked her condition and prescribed amoxicillin, suspecting a possible sinus infection. Interestingly, my ex-mother-in-law was recently diagnosed with pneumonia, which adds a layer of concern.

Sinus CongestionBronchitisPneumonia
Male • 25-34
1/3/2026, 3:00:32 AM

Seeking Guidance After Experiencing Pneumothorax for the First Time

Hello, I’m a 38-year-old male who encountered my first episode of pneumothorax last Friday. I awoke to discomfort in my chest and back that escalated from mild to excruciating over a few hours. This led me to the emergency room, where x-rays revealed that my right lung had collapsed significantly, resembling a deflated raisin. I was promptly connected to a Pleur-evac device and underwent another x-ray, which showed notable improvement, although the lung had not fully reinflated. After spending two days at that facility, I was transferred to a different hospital to undergo suction treatment, which successfully restored my lung to its normal state by the third day. Unfortunately, once the chest tube was taken out, my lung collapsed again by about 25%. To investigate this further, I was scheduled for a CT scan, the results of which did not show any significant issues. As a result, the medical team has advised surgery as the best approach to gain a clearer understanding of the situation. As someone with hypochondriacal tendencies, this whole experience has become a frightening ordeal. I have always been anxious about potential health problems, especially around the holidays, and here I find myself again, troubled and still hospitalized since New Year’s. I feel overwhelmed and uncertain. The doctors inquired about any recent injuries, and I did have a fall about a week before my hospitalization, landing on my back from a meter high, although I got back up relatively quickly. Additionally, I had a bike accident on October 15 where I fell onto my right side. Even though some time has passed, I wonder if these incidents could have contributed to my condition. Recurrent pneumothorax seems to be comparatively rare, which makes me apprehensive. I would be grateful for insights from a specialist or anyone who has experienced something similar. I'm finding it hard to cope with my fears while confined to my hospital room, and any advice would be immensely appreciated.

COPDPneumoniaPulmonology
Male • 25-34
1/2/2026, 10:40:20 PM
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