Struggling with Breathing Issues and Regrets
At 19 years old, standing at 171 cm and weighing 64 kg, I find myself reflecting on my own foolishness. I feel quite incompetent at times. Earlier this year, in March, I hosted a party at my place where plenty of beer was consumed. In the aftermath of the festivities, I found myself cracking open a can late at night, though I failed to finish it. I carelessly left it perched on a shelf in my bedroom, hidden from plain sight. Fast forward to early May, I began experiencing troubling breathing difficulties. My mind misguidedly linked these issues to my asthma tendencies, compounded by my heavy smoking habit, leading me to the resigned thought, “My time has come; my father was right all along.” It wasn't until two weeks ago that I finally noticed that forlorn can of neglected beer sitting on the shelf. The wretched odor emanating from it was indescribable. Over the past three months, I had been tirelessly cleaning my room, utterly baffled by the persistent stench (what was I thinking?). Upon tossing the can, I was surprised to find that my breathing improved significantly within just three days, which was both alarming and embarrassing. My concerns, however, extend beyond physical ailments; I find myself troubled by mental health issues as well. I believe I will recover from this lapse in judgment, but I feel the need to discuss my concerns with a healthcare professional. I want to know whether seeking the advice of a lung specialist would be a useful step.
Answers (1)
6/16/2025, 3:50:33 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's great to hear that you've noticed an improvement in your breathing symptoms after addressing the source of the odor. It seems like a multi-faceted situation, influencing both your physical and mental health. Firstly, your experience highlights how important environmental factors can be in managing asthma and overall respiratory health.
Understanding Your Situation
Breathing difficulties can stem from various causes, including environmental irritants like mold or undeclared food items, allergies, and lifestyle choices such as smoking. The can of beer likely produced mold or unpleasant odors, which could irritate your airways, especially if you have pre-existing asthma.
The mental health aspect you mentioned is equally important. Reflecting on past actions and feeling regret can lead to anxiety or depression, especially when compounded by physical health concerns.
Next Steps
-
Continue Monitoring Your Breathing: Since you've seen improvement, pay attention to your breathing patterns. If issues return (e.g., wheezing, increased shortness of breath), note any triggers.
-
Assess Your Smoking: Consider gradually reducing or quitting smoking, as this will significantly benefit your lung health. Look for resources or support groups that cater to smoking cessation.
-
Mental Health Check-In: Acknowledging your feelings of regret and anxiety is key. Journaling about your thoughts or discussing them with a trusted friend can help. Consider resources for mental wellness, such as mindfulness exercises or local support groups.
-
Consulting a Specialist: If your breathing difficulties persist or you're feeling overwhelmed, seeking advice from a healthcare professional can be beneficial. A lung specialist can assess your respiratory health further and tailor a management plan to improve your quality of life.
-
Establish a Healthy Routine: Focus on maintaining a clean, well-ventilated living space, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in regular physical activity appropriate for your fitness level.
Remember, it's perfectly normal to experience ups and downs, especially after challenging events. A professional can provide comprehensive support tailored to your needs, both physically and emotionally. You're on a positive path toward recovery and awareness.
Related Questions
Help Needed: Hormonal and Anxiety Struggles
I’m a 36-year-old woman with a history of mental health issues. I smoke and am prescribed propranolol to manage my anxiety. Recently, I sought help for severe PMS symptoms and suspected perimenopause. Blood tests conducted on January 27, 2026, revealed slightly elevated DHEA-S levels and low estrogen. Just three days later, I began experiencing heightened anxiety along with frequent urination. I decided to stop taking Slynd, but this led to an escalation of my anxiety, resulting in constant panic attacks and a racing heart that reached 150 beats per minute. This abrupt change prompted me to discontinue Slynd on January 30, 2026. Despite managing my anxiety, my obsessive-compulsive tendencies worsened, leading to irrational fears about serious health issues like cancer. Five days after stopping Slynd (on February 5, 2026), I coped with tremors in my legs, a racing heart, extreme dryness in my mouth, and an overwhelming urge to urinate, compelling me to go to the emergency room. There, despite my heartbeat being at 150 and an intense panic that felt foreign, it turned out I only had a urinary tract infection. I was given propranolol, which significantly alleviated my symptoms. The EKG came back normal, but they did not perform blood tests. I needed to take propranolol four times to keep the tremors at bay. That night, my sleep was disturbed, and I woke up at 5 AM with the tremors returning along with anxiety. Strangely, I managed to cope without taking more propranolol. Today, I've been feeling some depersonalization and a general sense of unease, accompanied by minor paranoia. However, I managed to keep my panic under control without the medication. The antibiotics have helped reduce my frequent trips to the bathroom. Unfortunately, I woke up at 3 AM to find the tremors returning, along with increased anxiety and elevated heart rate. I can’t seem to control the shaking, which comes in two-second bursts. I’m left wondering if this chaos is a side effect of Slynd or if I am simply spiraling into madness. I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for Monday, but I worry the response will simply attribute everything to stress.
Struggling with Severe Anxiety and Its Consequences
At 24 years old, I face a multitude of mental health challenges, including Autism, ADHD, schizoaffective disorder (bipolar type), PTSD, and OCD. It certainly feels overwhelming at times. Whenever I encounter situations that provoke stress or require me to make choices, I experience an extreme level of anxiety. It’s a sensation that's almost beyond words, akin to a panic attack that stretches on for several days. For instance, after moving to a new apartment, I became exceedingly anxious about whether I could adapt to the sound of traffic. Although this concern seems trivial, it consumed me. For a period of 48 hours, I struggled to breathe and found myself hyperventilating. During this episode, my hallucinations intensified significantly. Each attempt to consume food or water resulted in vomiting, leaving me without any hydration for two days. My girlfriend, deeply worried about my condition, ended up taking me to the emergency room, where I received 2mg of Ativan to help ease my distress. These frightening episodes continue to occur. I often find myself in the grip of intense panic, unable to keep anything down. I've previously fainted due to severe dehydration. Coping with this situation feels almost impossible. Medical professionals hesitate to prescribe Ativan unless I visit the ER because of a past incident where I attempted suicide with the medication. I'm left questioning which of my diagnoses might be driving these acute panic episodes or if it's simply a disastrous combination of all my conditions. I would appreciate any thoughts or advice from those who might understand what I'm going through.
Unexpected and Repeated Yeast Infections: Seeking Support
I am a 25-year-old woman who has been struggling with recurrent yeast infections for more than a year, coinciding with the beginning of my relationship with my boyfriend, who is 24. He maintains good hygiene and has been treated for the same issues I’ve faced. While I recognize the timing of our relationship and these infections might suggest a connection, I don’t believe he is the cause, nor do I suspect infidelity on his part. What I’m hoping for is some encouragement, advice, or just a listening ear—I'm feeling rather discouraged about this situation. Here’s a detailed rundown of what I’ve tried so far: numerous rounds of Diflucan, including both three-month and six-month suppression therapies, which unfortunately led to a resurgence of infections within weeks after stopping. I underwent a microbiome analysis, a culture sensitivity test (which confirmed the presence of standard candida albicans, known to be highly treatable with Diflucan), and comprehensive STI screenings (covering HSV, HIV, glucose levels, along with specific tests for ureaplasma and mycoplasma, where both my partner and I received treatment followed by negative results). Additionally, I’ve made changes to my detergents, soaps, clothing, and have experimented with different methods regarding underwear use, including sleeping without them and the use of condoms during intercourse (which only aggravated the irritation), various types of lubricants (water and silicone-based), coconut oil, numerous probiotics, apple cider vinegar, yogurt, garlic supplements, among many others. I had been using the Junel Fe birth control pill successfully for years without any complications but switched to a high estrogen pill recently in case my symptoms were hormone-related. I’m still on it. The only treatment option I haven’t pursued is boric acid, as both my OB/GYN and other medical providers expressed concerns it might worsen my irritation or lead to additional complications. The ongoing irritation and itchiness from these infections have been unbearable; at times, I have experienced bleeding and soreness due to them. My boyfriend has been incredibly understanding and is willing to undergo treatment as well—he often feels guilty, thinking my issues may somehow be related to him, but it’s evident it has become a recurring problem on its own. Interestingly, during college, I only faced yeast infections when I started new relationships, but they typically resolved quickly with a single dose of Diflucan, leading me to believe that I would overcome this recent occurrence just as easily. Sadly, that has not been the case. If you’ve made it through my lengthy explanation, thank you for listening! I’m open to any suggestions or experiences you might want to share. If you’re dealing with similar frustrations, know that you’re not alone in this journey, and it’s certainly a challenging one!
Understanding MRI Findings and Related Discomfort
Patient Profile: - Sex: Female - Age: 30 years - Current Medications: Lyrica, Cymbalta, and LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) Inquiry: Could my MRI results be contributing to acute discomfort resembling "coat hanger pain"? Additionally, I experience a burning sensation in the same area, along with achy legs that feel as if they're being constricted. MRI Findings: 1. At the C3-4 level: There is a small right central disc protrusion combined with a moderate bulging disc and osteophyte formation primarily on the right. This has led to mild uncovertebral osteophytes and slight deformation of the right central anterior cord, as well as mild narrowing in the central area. 2. At the C4-5 level: A moderate bulging disc and osteophyte formation is evident, accompanied by significant uncovertebral osteophytes on the right and a left central annular fissure. This situation results in mild narrowing at the center and minimal deformity of the cord, along with mild narrowing of the right neural foramen. Clinical Background: I have been diagnosed with Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN) and Fibromyalgia, and I am considering evaluation for dysautonomia.
Should I See a Doctor Soon or Wait Until Monday?
I'm really hoping this stays up because I genuinely need some guidance. For nearly two decades, I’ve battled an eating disorder, primarily severe bulimia, and I’m also diagnosed with EDNOS. Lately, however, my situation has deteriorated. Over the last eleven days, my caloric intake has dropped significantly, totaling only 5,119 calories; I didn’t consume anything for two of those days. On my highest-calorie day, I managed to eat 1,732 calories, but I also purged afterwards. I apologize for sharing so much, but I’m uncertain whether I should urgently contact a doctor or simply wait until next week since I'm not feeling unwell. There are no headaches or feelings of confusion, just a slight pressure in my chest at the moment—probably exacerbated by the fact that I've just smoked. I realize these habits are unhealthy, especially since I recently experienced a breakup, which was partly due to my eating disorder. That said, I feel surprisingly okay otherwise. Details: - Age: 36 - Height: 5'5" - Weight: 134lbs Medical Diagnoses: - Bulimia - EDNOS - Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) - Depression - Anxiety Medical History: - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) - Hiatal Hernia - Family history of heart-related fatalities Current Medications: - Adderall IR, 10mg twice daily - Wellbutrin, 30mg in the morning - Prilosec, 40mg in the morning - Trintellix, 20mg in the evening Supplements: - Women’s multivitamin gummies (Nature’s Bounty) - Elderberry gummies (Symbucol) Other Details: - Typically, I don’t eat until between 6 PM to 9 PM, and I drink two cups of coffee each morning with cream.