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
Examining Buspirone Side Effects: Is It Serotonin Syndrome or Something Else?
As a 26-year-old female, I have just begun taking buspirone and I've started experiencing some unusual symptoms within the initial days. I’m curious whether this is a common occurrence and how long it might last. - Lately, I’ve noticed blood in my stool, accompanied by intense pain in my side. - I've been dealing with noticeable tremors, almost like shivering but with more exaggerated motions, primarily affecting my upper body, with some minor twitching in my legs. - My heart feels like it's racing; my smartwatch registered my heart rate in the 130s, a significant rise from my usual range of 60-90 beats per minute, particularly within an hour after taking the medication. This sensation tends to peak for the first couple of hours and then diminishes, coinciding with hot flashes. - Frequent headaches are another issue. - I’ve also experienced some mild chest tightness; it’s not severe but certainly feels uncomfortable. - Curiously, I find myself craving salt excessively, which is odd since I've generally disliked salty foods. This craving isn't prompted by thirst. - Additionally, I’ve been having episodes resembling night terrors and I feel a bit foggy mentally, but I’m not overly concerned about those symptoms. My daily medication regimen includes Adderall XR, lamotrigine, and Trintellix, which I've taken for 15, 8, and 1.5 years, respectively. I tend to be highly sensitive to medications, often noticing side effects within just a few days or up to a week of starting any new treatment. The only anxiety medication that has been effective for me is clonazepam, which I discontinued abruptly after relocating, yet experienced no withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, acquiring benzodiazepines has become exceedingly difficult, even though they were beneficial for me. I’ve explored a wide array of anxiety treatments in the past, but they have all resulted in either severe side effects like psychosis, serotonin syndrome, heightened anxiety, or significant fatigue, as was the case with a barbiturate I was once prescribed. Are the symptoms I’m currently facing typical among other users of buspirone? If so, when should I expect them to diminish?
Seeking Clarity Amidst Uncertainty
Age: 23, Weight: 181 lbs, Height: 5’4. Before diving in, I'd like to clarify that I am actively consulting with my primary care physician and other medical professionals regarding my concerns. Lately, I've been grappling with persistent feelings of derealization and depersonalization. I’m managing several medical issues, including Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), anxiety, and depression. Currently, my regimen includes Flexeril along with Vitamin D, Iron, a Vitamin B Complex, and Zyrtec to address deficiencies. A couple of weeks ago, I contracted pneumonia, and since that experience, my well-being has been tenuous at best. My health anxiety exacerbated my emotional distress during my illness; I found myself overwhelmed with tears and worries throughout. Although I recovered from pneumonia, my health has not improved. Daily headaches have become a common occurrence, causing significant discomfort. While I have dealt with headache and neck issues before, the frequency of these recent headaches—often located at the top or front of my head, and occasionally at the base of my skull—has rendered me nearly incapacitated. They are not necessarily painful in the typical sense but are persistent and monotonous. In light of my health anxiety, my physician recommended an MRI of my neck and a CT scan of my head to help alleviate my concerns. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to schedule those appointments yet. Alongside these headaches, I've been experiencing chronic brain fog and anxiety on a daily basis. Although I’ve encountered brain fog previously—mostly related to my POTS symptoms—this episode feels intensively worse. I struggle with a sense of detachment from reality, feeling as though I'm operating on autopilot. My mind often feels empty, and I find myself zoning out frequently. My eyes are tired, and the accompanying headaches only amplify my difficulties in focus and speech, leading to moments where I lose track of simple details, such as where I last placed items. Is it typical to experience this level of brain fog or feelings of derealization? I feel like I’m losing my grip on reality. I have a tendency to seek immediate solutions and it's frustrating that I’ve been stuck in this vulnerable state for weeks. Any advice or insights would be greatly valued.
The Dilemma of Antibiotic Use
Approximately four weeks ago, I discovered a tick on my shoulder, which was quite small, and I promptly removed it. The following day, I awoke feeling under the weather, exhibiting cold-like symptoms that have persisted intermittently for the past month. These include a sore throat, nasal congestion, headaches, aching muscles—especially in my back—along with a fever that spiked at least once last week. On certain days, I feel relatively normal, while other days are quite challenging. Typically, I wouldn't seek medical advice for such symptoms, as I could easily attribute them to severe allergies. However, given that both my father and brother have experienced Lyme disease, I decided to consult a doctor yesterday. The physician indicated that my symptoms could merely be a result of allergies or a minor infection but prescribed a ten-day course of doxycycline at 200 mg per day as a precaution. I'm often apprehensive about taking antibiotics when it's not entirely necessary. I've also encountered information suggesting that Lyme disease symptoms often manifest weeks, months, or even years later, which raises my doubts about whether I actually have it. Nonetheless, I want to be proactive and address the situation appropriately. What are your views on accepting this antibiotic treatment? I am likely to proceed with it just to be cautious, but I am interested in hearing others' opinions. For context, I’m a 23-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 6 inches, weighing 129 pounds, a non-smoker, not on any medications, and I have a clean medical history.
Can Viruses Reach the Brain? A Concern During Blood Draws
Age: 22, Gender: Male Recently, I scheduled a comprehensive health examination that required a fasting blood glucose test. While the technician was drawing my blood, I experienced an unsettling sensation in my chest that prompted me to take a deep breath. Suddenly, I found myself making unusual noises as if someone was rousing me from a deep slumber. Confused, I asked my father if I had fainted, and he confirmed that he had been holding me. This strange episode lasted only a few seconds, but I noticed my lips and the area beneath my eyes turning pale, as my father pointed out. Afterward, I felt dizzy while seated; I drank some ORS mixed in water, which helped me feel better after a few minutes. Subsequently, blood was drawn from my other arm. When I shared these events with a general practitioner, he requested several tests, including those for malaria, dengue, typhoid, a chest X-ray, an ECG, and a CRP test. All test results came back normal, with the exception of my CRP level, which measured 7.95 mg/dl—slightly above the standard range of 0-6 mg/dl. Upon examining the X-ray, the doctor mentioned the possibility of a virus affecting my brain, which he suggested could have caused the seizure-like episode. This left me feeling anxious, especially since he mentioned these episodes could reoccur. When I recounted my history of upper respiratory infections, he did not seem to pay attention. Despite my father's request for medications, the doctor insisted on hospitalization, eventually prescribing LEVEPSY 500 MG and VOCPODX 500 MG. He indicated that I was dealing with a viral issue and prescribed antibiotics as well. Upon researching, I found that Levepsy is typically used for seizures, yet the doctor did not clarify its necessity for my situation and suggested I schedule an MRI scan before taking it. I'm feeling quite perplexed. I even consulted ChatGPT, which recommended seeking a second opinion on my condition. Should I follow that advice? I appreciate any guidance you can provide.
Desperate for Answers: Struggling with Incessant Hunger at 20
Five months ago, my life took a devastating turn. It all started when I indulged in an overwhelming quantity of carbohydrates. At that time, my parents were adamant about ensuring I ate enough since I had been classified as severely overweight. Ironically, I was quite thin due to my heavy involvement in running during that period. After six hours of consuming nothing further, I checked my blood sugar levels, which had spiked to 169 mg/dL. Compelled by an incessant hunger, I ate to my heart's content once more, stemming from the hyperphagia caused by hyperglycemia. My previous experiences with obesity in 2020 made me aware of this phenomenon; however, I’ve managed to remain quite lean over the past two years through proper diet and consistent daily running. Yet soon after eating again, I was struck by confusion, followed by nausea, which led me to vomit a couple of times. I also experienced an intense dry mouth and had to use the restroom excessively, around ten times an hour, for over six hours. That experience was peculiar, but it was only the beginning. From that day forth, I have suffered from relentless and unquenchable hunger, a condition known as hyperphagia. It appears this hunger is unending; no matter what I consume or how much food I take in, I cannot achieve a sense of fullness. I could eat an enormous feast that would satisfy ten ravenous lions combined and still feel unsatisfied. Since this issue arose, my weight has increased by 100 pounds. I used to weigh around 100 pounds at 178 cm height, which I realize was significantly underweight at the time — but that’s not the focus here. I am fully aware of what it means to overeat, and this situation feels entirely different. It’s as if my body has lost the ability to recognize satiety. Strangely, the sensations typically associated with overeating — like bloating, gas, or stomach pain — vanished overnight. One moment I was experiencing these symptoms, and the next, they completely disappeared. I’ve undergone comprehensive blood tests that examined hormones, glucose, and insulin levels, all of which came back normal. This weekend, I have an appointment for a pituitary MRI, but I am honestly terrified. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m dealing with something atypical that won’t show up on scans. I am at a loss. Recently, I considered reaching out to the Undiagnosed Diseases Network, but I discovered they typically don’t take on cases involving subjective symptoms. I’ve even pondered contacting the Endocrine Society, hoping they might connect me with a specialist willing to delve deeper, but I am skeptical about that too. What I truly seek is someone who is willing to investigate my situation thoroughly, although I recognize that finding such help might be improbable. If anyone has suggestions on where I might seek help or know of any resources I could tap into, I would sincerely appreciate it. At just 20 years old, I feel like I am at my breaking point. It’s disheartening when people dismiss my struggles, citing my past obesity and my current weight gain without acknowledging my hard work in maintaining and losing weight. I have repeatedly fluctuated between 145 pounds (my typical weight before this ordeal) and around 130-132 pounds over the past two years, and I am genuinely at a loss for how much longer I can endure this. Any guidance or recommendations would mean the world to me. Could consulting with a neurologist be a potential avenue? I’m not even sure if they handle such issues, but I’m desperate for assistance.