Experiencing Chest Discomfort and Breathing Issues After Running
A 19-year-old female, with a height of 162 cm and weight of 54 kg, has reported low iron levels (17) and is currently taking iron supplements. Both my partner and I identify as women in a same-sex relationship, so pregnancy is not a possibility. To provide some background, my girlfriend suffered from pneumonia as a child, likely due to being unvaccinated. Unfortunately, her mother delayed treatment and didn’t allow her to rest during her illness. Since then, she has been unable to run even a short distance without experiencing tightening in her chest, which she describes as burning. Alongside this, she feels dizzy and her breathing becomes noticeably irregular. Although she claims her airways are not obstructed, she produces wheezing sounds reminiscent of a squeaky toy. Most recently, she attempted to run for less than a minute on a Sunday, which triggered the aforementioned symptoms again. She noted that the burning sensation extended to her chin and lower teeth had a tickling quality, and her heart rate remained elevated and did not normalize. Concerned about her wellbeing, I advised her to contact emergency services for evaluation. Upon their arrival, the paramedics noted her irregular breathing pattern and observed that her heart rate remained somewhat elevated even after nearly an hour post-exertion, albeit only slightly above normal. This warranted further assessment, and she was transported to the hospital for evaluation. However, after a brief ECG, the hospital staff dismissed her, attributing her symptoms to exercise-induced asthma and suggesting she was not a priority. I am not a medical professional, but I am skeptical about the asthma diagnosis. If it is asthma, I suspect it might relate to a more significant underlying problem. Later that night, as we were preparing for bed, she suddenly felt nauseous and was on the verge of vomiting. Throughout the day, she had experienced nausea following her asthma episode, and she appeared quite pale during these episodes. I suggested she try to sleep it off, and she agreed to rest. After some time, she woke up feeling extremely unwell and ended up vomiting quite a bit. Now, I'm uncertain whether her nausea is connected to her previous symptoms, which is why I’m seeking advice here. I considered taking her to the emergency room, but after she vomited, her nausea seemed to lessen, and she fell back asleep. Additionally, it's worth noting that she just began a new birth control regimen today to manage her severe endometriosis, but I doubt this is related, given the timeline of her symptoms. If anyone has insights or further questions, I’m open to discussing them.
Answers (1)
6/17/2025, 6:02:09 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear that your girlfriend has been experiencing such challenging symptoms. Chest discomfort and breathing issues during running can be concerning, especially when they come with additional symptoms like dizziness and nausea. Let's break down what you and your girlfriend can consider moving forward.
Main Points:
- Symptoms after exercise, including chest tightness, dizziness, and wheezing, suggest a possible respiratory issue.
- Nausea may be connected to her previous breathing episodes, but further evaluation is necessary.
- Monitoring symptoms closely and ruling out serious underlying conditions is essential.
Explanation:
Your girlfriend’s history of pneumonia may contribute to her current symptoms. Exercise-induced asthma is one possibility, but it’s important to ensure there are no other contributing factors. Her burning sensation in the chest radiating to her chin, along with dizzy spells and wheezing, suggests that she may be struggling with her respiratory capacity during physical exertion.
The recent increase in nausea and vomiting can sometimes occur due to stress on the body from an insufficient oxygen supply, or in some cases, it could relate to anxiety or gastrointestinal responses. The recent change in her birth control may not directly tie in but should be monitored as hormonal changes can affect overall wellbeing.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep a diary of her symptoms, including when they occur, their severity, and any triggers (like exercise, stress, etc.).
- Note any accompanying symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or feelings of faintness.
-
Rest and Recovery:
- Encourage her to rest fully and avoid strenuous activities until her symptoms stabilize.
- Hydration is key; ensure she drinks enough fluids, especially if she’s been vomiting.
-
Manage Anxiety:
- If your girlfriend feels anxious about her symptoms, consider practicing calming techniques such as deep breathing or guided relaxation exercises, which may help mitigate some respiratory symptoms.
-
Consult Healthcare:
- Since her symptoms are persistent and troubling, aim to have her evaluated again by a healthcare provider. It may be beneficial to specifically request:
- Pulmonary function tests to assess lung capacity and rule out other conditions.
- An evaluation of her overall cardiovascular health, especially considering her reported elevated heart rate post-exertion.
- Since her symptoms are persistent and troubling, aim to have her evaluated again by a healthcare provider. It may be beneficial to specifically request:
-
Urgent Care:
- If she experiences any worsening symptoms, such as severe breathlessness, chest pain, or fainting, seek immediate medical attention.
Your vigilance regarding her symptoms and your support are crucial. If she's feeling better after vomiting, it’s still important to ensure her overall health is assessed properly in the long term. Keep monitoring her, and don’t hesitate to reach out for medical help if you have further concerns.
Related Questions
Should I Be Worried About These Symptoms?
I frequently use Q-tips to clean my nostrils due to my septum piercing, and I’ve noticed a brownish-black substance in my left nostril, while my right nostril produces thick, clear mucus. It’s a bit embarrassing, but I suffer from chronic mucus, which has darkened over time, along with post-nasal drip that’s led to persistent bad breath. Additionally, I deal with a dry mouth, and my tongue often appears coated in a brown and white film. Inside my mouth, I have sores and red spots, and my skin peels, problems that seem to linger without resolution. Swallowing food can be difficult, occasionally requiring me to cough up what I’ve eaten because it feels stuck. My throat makes gurgling sounds, and I constantly have the sensation that something is lodged in there. Recently, my voice has taken on a raspier tone, and I’ve noticed tenderness and swelling around my lymph node on the right side of my throat. At 23 years old, standing 6’4” and weighing 130 pounds, I’m struggling with unintentional weight loss. No matter what dietary approach I adopt or how much I consume, gaining weight remains elusive. I smoke approximately 12-15 cigarettes daily. I’m uncertain whether my symptoms are alarming or merely a consequence of my smoking habit. With a $3,600 health insurance deductible that has just reset, visiting a doctor is currently beyond my financial reach, which is why I decided to seek advice here. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I apologize for the lengthy message.
Seeking Support for Unique Mental Health Journey
I’m a 20-year-old male standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 230 pounds. After spending over seven years in isolation, I’m now embarking on the path to recovery. However, I find myself intrigued about whether there are particular brain specialists who might be interested in examining a case such as mine. It seems that I’ve heard of others in similar situations receiving attention and even compensation for participating in studies. Does anyone have insights on whether this could be a viable option for someone in my circumstances?
Experiencing a Manic Episode Despite Medication: Is This Typical?
Age: 38 Gender: Male Height: 6’5” Weight: 225 lbs Ethnicity: Caucasian Duration of Symptoms: I began experiencing manic symptoms in November. I have a bipolar diagnosis that dates back to when I was 16 years old. Location: Pennsylvania Pre-existing Health Conditions: Diagnosed with Bipolar 1, ADHD, anxiety, and an eating disorder. Current Medications: Currently prescribed include: Lurasidone HCl 60 mg tablets, Doxepin HCl 6 mg tablets, Lithium 300 mg, Lisdexamfetamine 70 mg, Zolpidem 12.5 mg controlled-release, Pregabalin 225 mg, Jardiance 10 mg, Lisinopril 10 mg, Naltrexone 50 mg, Mounjaro 15 mg/0.5 mL solution, and Topiramate ER 200 mg, along with Atorvastatin 20 mg. I hope I’ve followed the guidelines for this post. I’m currently enduring a manic episode. It began with symptoms such as restlessness, excessive irritability, racing thoughts, impulsive spending, and rapid speech. Now, I’m facing the aftermath with symptoms of profound depression, thoughts of self-harm, very low energy, and ongoing irritability. I'm quite disheartened as my medication regimen seems ineffective in preventing this episode. Should I reach out to my physician to discuss adjusting my medication or increasing the dosage? It feels like my lithium intake is relatively low at 300 mg taken three times daily. Is it frequent for someone to experience a manic episode while on multiple types of medication, particularly a combination like lithium, Lurasidone, and Doxepin? The Lisdexamfetamine I’m taking is aimed at managing ADHD and my eating issues. Any advice or insights would be immensely valuable. Thank you!
Seeking Guidance for Coping with Eating Disorder Triggers and Thoughts
I'm an 18-year-old female, weighing around 120 lbs and standing at 5 feet 4 inches tall. Over the past few months, I’ve been navigating the transition of living independently while pursuing my college education, making strides to establish healthier routines for myself. Having been a competitive athlete throughout my formative years, I grew up in an environment where maintaining a fit and slender physique was intensely stressed. However, upon entering college, my exercise regimen dwindled, leading me to gain about 5 to 7 pounds. This change was a source of anxiety for me, and following a somewhat offhand remark from my mother regarding my weight, I felt compelled to regain control. Regrettably, my response wasn't the healthiest. I started to severely limit my intake, sometimes going as long as 3 to 5 days subsisting on just gum, water, and the occasional energy drink. There was a sense of pride in my ability to endure such restrictions, and I experienced an unsettling exhilaration from the emptiness in my stomach. However, when I finally succumbed to the urge to eat, I would then purge. Initially, it was an isolated incident, but it soon regrettably escalated into a more frequent occurrence over the next month or so. I found myself meticulously tracking my calorie intake, and despite significant restrictions on certain days, I would often purge any small healthy meals I managed to consume because I despised the sensation of fullness. I began gravitating towards all-zero-sugar and low-calorie options, steering clear of foods I once cherished. To this day, I still experience apprehension surrounding specific dishes that used to bring me joy. After recognizing my behaviors, my roommate intervened, suggesting healthier methods to alter my weight, such as embracing regular workouts. Taking her advice to heart, I dedicated myself to making a change. I’ve done reasonably well since then, only reverting once or twice following that realization. I started engaging in exercise more frequently while prioritizing balanced meals and sufficient sleep, resulting in a notable improvement in my overall happiness. Upon returning to college after the winter break, I set new fitness objectives for myself. Despite never being overweight, my goal was to shed additional pounds and enhance muscle tone, prompting an increase in my workout frequency. Understanding the necessity of a caloric deficit for weight loss, I began eating less. My current practice involves loosely estimating my calorie intake from Monday to Thursday with an aim of keeping it below 1000. I also strive to burn over 1000 calories during those weekdays, reducing my expectations to at least 500 calories burned on weekends. My routine typically includes strength training 5 to 6 times a week, along with around two hours of incline walking on the treadmill and outdoor distance walks. On the weekends, I don’t track my calories explicitly; I try to eat mindfully but find myself skipping meals occasionally when I feel I’ve overindulged. I treat myself to sweets during the weekends, but I have developed a fear of certain foods I used to enjoy, such as pasta, avocados, peanut butter, and even whole bananas, opting instead for a third of a banana for breakfast throughout the weekdays. I've successfully lost a considerable amount of weight and feel pleased with my progress. Nevertheless, I frequently experience stomach discomfort and bloating, often leading me to believe I might feel better when I don’t eat rather than when I do. My current approach includes keeping my caloric intake lower for four days while designating the remaining three days as ‘refueling’ days to maintain a balance. Although this routine has yielded positive mental and physical results, I am now dealing with injuries and am concerned about needing to limit my walking routine to allow my ankle time to heal, as I want to avoid prolonged setbacks due to tendonitis. I recognize this regime has significantly aided my mental well-being and helped manage my anxiety regarding food. Last month, for instance, I logged 229 miles of walking and burned over 30,000 active calories according to my Apple Watch. While I appreciate the structure I’ve established, I’m uncertain about how to proceed with my injury and I am apprehensive about repeating the behaviors I experienced in the past. Does anyone have suggestions or alternatives I could incorporate during my recovery while still staying active? Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Seeking Medical Advice for Hormonal and Nervous System Symptoms Post-Medication
Greetings everyone, I'm reaching out on behalf of my wife, who doesn't participate in Reddit, to seek advice on what kind of medical professional she should consult regarding her health issues after halting her medications and supplements. Here are some details about her: - Age: 33 years - Gender: Female - Height: Approximately 5 feet 2 inches - Weight: Roughly 100 pounds - Country: United States - Tobacco Use: None - Alcohol Consumption: None - Recreational Drug Use: Discontinued THC gummies 12 weeks ago (used them 1-3 times a week for a year) - Current Medications: None - Past Medications/Supplements: - Concerta for ADHD (discontinued around 8 weeks ago after 15 years of use) - Vitex (chasteberry) at a dosage of 500–600 mg daily for about 1 year (stopped approximately 6 weeks ago) - "Adrenal support" supplements (adaptogenic/cortisol-focused, which have now been ceased) Her main concerns have arisen over recent weeks, displaying a range of physical symptoms that do not align perfectly with one specific issue: - Sleep disturbances, particularly waking up early feeling restless and with adrenaline surges - A sense of discomfort in her nervous system during the evening, without any accompanying anxious thoughts - Infrequent heart rate awareness and a jittery sensation - Periods of brain fog paired with challenges in focusing - Experiencing emotional numbness at times - Symptoms that vary in intensity with her menstrual cycle Regarding assessments conducted thus far: - Routine lab results from her primary care physician (including thyroid tests) came back normal - No known heart conditions - She has no history of anxiety disorders (these feelings do not seem to stem from thought processes) While she does not perceive a significant level of anxiety or stress mentally, she senses a physical imbalance—particularly in relation to sleep and hormonal issues. These symptoms seem to be rooted more in physiology than in psychological factors. We are trying to determine which type of specialist would be best suited for her next steps: - Endocrinologist (for possible hormonal imbalances?) - Psychiatrist (to address medication withdrawal versus potential physiological anxiety?) - Neurologist (to investigate autonomic functions or nervous system issues?) - Provider in functional or integrative medicine - Or perhaps a different specialty altogether I would appreciate insights from anyone, especially those who have dealt with similar health situations after stopping long-term stimulant use or hormone-affecting supplements. What type of medical professional should she consult first, and why? Thank you very much for any support or recommendations you can offer!