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Dr. XXXXXXX Bhavsar, I Wrote To You About 13 Days
Question: Dr. XXXXXXX Bhavsar,
I wrote to you about 13 days ago saying that I am a 42-year-old male who was diagnosed with moderate COPD about 6 weeks ago. At the time I wrote, I was asking for your thoughts on two unexplained symptoms I have developed recently: 1) pain in the chest that wakes me up at night and 2) feeling weak and like I am going to faint.
First, I wanted to let you know that the severe pain in my chest that wakes me up at night was diagnosed by another doctor a few days ago as probably being due to GERD. I was given a prescription for pantoprazole 40 milligrams. I just took my first dose last night and I did not have the chest pain that was waking me up at night. I will have to wait several more days to see if this medicine is the cure for my chest pain.
Regarding my second new symptom, feeling weak and faint and actually fainting on the street a few weeks ago, you said those symptoms might be due to my stopping smoking "cold turkey" about 6 weeks ago--after I was diagnosed with COPD. However, should tell you that I was feeling faint even before I stopped smoking.
I would like for you to explain to me better why stopping my smoking without nicotine replacement therapy would contribute to my feeling faint. Finally, I was wondering if you think getting some medication for nicotine withdrawal therapy would be a good idea for me even though I haven't smoked in 6 weeks.
Thank you for considering my questions
I wrote to you about 13 days ago saying that I am a 42-year-old male who was diagnosed with moderate COPD about 6 weeks ago. At the time I wrote, I was asking for your thoughts on two unexplained symptoms I have developed recently: 1) pain in the chest that wakes me up at night and 2) feeling weak and like I am going to faint.
First, I wanted to let you know that the severe pain in my chest that wakes me up at night was diagnosed by another doctor a few days ago as probably being due to GERD. I was given a prescription for pantoprazole 40 milligrams. I just took my first dose last night and I did not have the chest pain that was waking me up at night. I will have to wait several more days to see if this medicine is the cure for my chest pain.
Regarding my second new symptom, feeling weak and faint and actually fainting on the street a few weeks ago, you said those symptoms might be due to my stopping smoking "cold turkey" about 6 weeks ago--after I was diagnosed with COPD. However, should tell you that I was feeling faint even before I stopped smoking.
I would like for you to explain to me better why stopping my smoking without nicotine replacement therapy would contribute to my feeling faint. Finally, I was wondering if you think getting some medication for nicotine withdrawal therapy would be a good idea for me even though I haven't smoked in 6 weeks.
Thank you for considering my questions
Brief Answer:
Get done MRI brain.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
It's good that your chest pain is relieved by Pantoprazole (antacid).
No harm in continuing it.
Regarding fainting attacks, if they were there before smoking cessation then you should definitely get done MRI brain to rule out brain pathology.
Please let me know
1. Do you have diabetes or hypertension?
2. Have you ever advised about MRI brain?
And if you feel cravings then you should start NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) otherwise no need for NRT as you are free from smoking for 6 weeks.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Get done MRI brain.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
It's good that your chest pain is relieved by Pantoprazole (antacid).
No harm in continuing it.
Regarding fainting attacks, if they were there before smoking cessation then you should definitely get done MRI brain to rule out brain pathology.
Please let me know
1. Do you have diabetes or hypertension?
2. Have you ever advised about MRI brain?
And if you feel cravings then you should start NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) otherwise no need for NRT as you are free from smoking for 6 weeks.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
No, I have not had a brain MRI done.
Brief Answer:
What is the frequency of fainting episodes?
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
You should definitely get done MRI brain.
Please let me know
1. What is the frequency of fainting episodes?
2. How long is the episode?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
What is the frequency of fainting episodes?
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
You should definitely get done MRI brain.
Please let me know
1. What is the frequency of fainting episodes?
2. How long is the episode?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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