Seeking Advice on Health Concerns
I am a 35-year-old woman dealing with several health issues. I am classified as overweight and currently take medications such as metoprolol, omeprazole, buspirone, Paxil, and Mounjaro. My history of smoking began at age 25, and although I had intermittent periods of smoking, I successfully quit a few months back. I've contracted COVID-19 twice, with the most recent instance occurring in October 2022, shortly after which I underwent a C-section and subsequently experienced postpartum preeclampsia. During that hospital stay, I had a chest CT scan, which indicated ground-glass opacities, slight bronchial wall thickening, and a few nodules, all measuring less than 5 millimeters. However, I was not informed of any concerns at that time. In February 2024, another CT scan was performed, which reported no new or enlarging nodules. Additionally, in February 2024, I underwent a stress echocardiogram, which revealed an ejection fraction of 56%, trace mitral regurgitation, and mild tricuspid regurgitation. While the initial reading hinted at mild atrial enlargement, my cardiologist disagreed, stating that everything else appeared normal. I also have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a hiatal hernia. Lately, I have been experiencing troubling symptoms, particularly a sensation as if I'm breathing through a straw accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in my chest when I'm seated, either watching television or using my phone. This discomfort alleviates when I lie down. My primary care physician suggested that this could be related to GERD or possibly anxiety, but I feel that something isn’t quite right. I've lived with GERD and experienced anxiety for many years without facing these specific symptoms until they surfaced last year. While they would intermittently fade away for months, they have now become almost constant. I am plagued by the fear that I may have developed lung cancer since my latest CT scan in 2024, which terrifies me. Is it possible that I have lung cancer? Could there be a risk of heart failure emerging suddenly? I'm reaching out for any insights or assistance with these worries.
Answers (1)
7/14/2025, 2:30:55 PM
OpenHealth AI
Main Points: You're experiencing persistent chest discomfort and shortness of breath, coupled with anxiety about potential lung cancer and heart failure. While your medical history raises concerns, these symptoms can frequently relate to GERD, anxiety, or other benign conditions.
Explanation: Given your complex health background, including your recent history of COVID-19, C-section, and heart health evaluations, it's understandable to worry about your symptoms. The ground-glass opacities seen in your chest CT, while reviewed as stable, can understandably heighten your anxiety about lung cancer. However, the absence of new or enlarging nodules in your recent scan is reassuring. As for heart function, an ejection fraction of 56% is generally considered within an acceptable range. That said, it's important to listen to your body and understand that your symptoms, particularly the sensation of breathing through a straw, can often be linked to GERD or heightened anxiety, especially given the timeline of your symptoms since the pandemic and your C-section experience.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed symptom diary for the next 1-2 weeks, noting when symptoms worsen or improve, and any potential triggers (like specific foods or activities). This can help identify patterns related to GERD or anxiety.
-
Manage GERD Symptoms: Focus on lifestyle modifications to help manage your GERD. Try smaller, frequent meals and avoid eating close to bedtime. Elevate your head while sleeping to minimize reflux.
-
Anxiety Management: Incorporate stress-reduction techniques, such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, or gentle yoga. These can possibly alleviate both your anxiety and BERD symptoms, improving your overall well-being.
-
Follow Up on Cardiac Symptoms: Consider scheduling a follow-up with your primary care physician or cardiologist to discuss your breathing difficulties and any recent changes. Ensure they are aware these symptoms have become more constant.
-
Consult with a Specialist if Concerns Persist: If your discomfort persists or worsens despite the above measures, seeking evaluation from a pulmonologist may help further assess the lung symptoms you’re experiencing.
Please remember that it's natural to feel worried, but focusing on self-care and documenting your symptoms can lead to better insights and support for your concerns. You are taking positive steps by reaching out and seeking advice.
Related Questions
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Understanding Possible Seizure Triggers and Recurrence Risks
Health Background: I am a 21-year-old female, standing at 169 cm and weighing 65 kg. Over the past three years, I have been using oral contraceptives. As of this morning, I started taking 25 mcg of levothyroxine along with a weekly vitamin D supplement of 0.266 mg. Recently, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and found to have a vitamin D deficiency that I suspect has existed for the last three years. I do not consume alcohol or smoke, and I can confirm I am not pregnant. Two years ago, I experienced a mild concussion. I currently reside in Spain. A couple of months back, in mid-December, I blacked out twice. The second occurrence took place while I was at the doctor’s office after seeking urgent medical care for the initial incident. Following the second episode, I underwent a CT scan and an EKG, both of which returned normal results. Further tests, as directed by my physician, revealed a critical vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism; however, he expressed doubt that either of these conditions led to my loss of consciousness. I was then referred to a neurologist, and I am presently awaiting an appointment. Although the waiting period is lengthy, my doctor indicated that I should receive priority for scheduling, although the exact timeframe remains uncertain. The referral document summarized my events, labeling the second episode (which the physician witnessed) as a potential seizure devoid of tonic-clonic movements—a revelation that took me by surprise. After regaining consciousness, I felt extremely disoriented and terrified, struggling to process what was happening. I have no prior history of seizures, epilepsy, or any related conditions, and there is no known family history of these issues. If this indeed was a seizure, what might have triggered it? Additionally, what is the likelihood of experiencing another one? Since that time, I have not had any further incidents, but I have experienced moments where I felt a sense of impending doom, which I managed to overcome. I intend to wait for the neurologist's evaluation, but the uncertainty surrounding a possible neurological condition is quite distressing. Thank you for any insight you can provide!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation and Thyroid Issues: Variability in Cardioversion Decisions
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out for guidance regarding my mother’s current health situation, and I’d greatly appreciate any shared experiences or thoughts. **My mother's background:** - **Age**: 55 years - **Weight**: Recently dropped to 116 kg from 118 kg in just two days, likely due to diuretics. - **Health history**: Previously an underactive thyroid, undiagnosed and untreated, now presenting as overactive. - **Medications**: Currently taking thyroid medication and a beta-blocker (Rapiblock). **Current health status:** My mother has been hospitalized since Tuesday, experiencing **atrial fibrillation with heart rates exceeding 200** beats per minute due to her thyroid's hyperactivity. - The plan for cardioversion was initially settled on Tuesday. However, the following day, the medical team advised postponing it until her thyroid levels could be stabilized, believing that her heart rate would return to normal once her thyroid condition was managed. - Her **obesity** precludes her from undergoing a transthoracic echocardiogram, and due to her thyroid concerns, she cannot handle contrast dye (this has been a consistent issue for over four years). Therefore, the only feasible option was a **transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)**, which has yet to be performed. - She has been prescribed various medications including beta-blockers and thyroid treatments in the past. - On Friday, a doctor proposed proceeding with cardioversion; however, the attending senior physician objected. - Today (Saturday), another clinician has expressed a desire to move forward with cardioversion, having initiated a new medication, as the senior physician is unavailable. - **Communication has been unclear**, as we were notified of developments by a nurse rather than the physician in charge, causing confusion and anxiety. - Currently, only a **chest X-ray** is scheduled, and the TEE remains unaddressed. **My inquiries are as follows:** 1. Is it common for medical professionals to have varying opinions and frequently revise medication or treatment plans like cardioversion? 2. Is it safe to conduct cardioversion in the absence of a TEE? I presumed that this was a standard procedure to exclude the presence of blood clots. 3. Is it usual practice to have only a chest X-ray prior to moving ahead with cardioversion? 4. How typical is it for patients or their families to not be directly informed about treatment changes and learn about them through nursing staff instead? I recognize that this cannot substitute for professional medical advice. I’m simply trying to discern whether these circumstances are typical or if we should express our concerns more assertively with the healthcare facility. Thank you for your insights!
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.