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Suggest Treatment For Breathlessness, Anxiety, Stress And Chest Wall Muscular Pain

Posted on Thu, 5 Nov 2015

Question: Hi. Over the oast month ive been experiencing shortness of breath. Sometimes on exertion or when not exerting myself. This has happened to me in the past when i was much younger and them during stressful times in college and in life in general. I havent had this in a while so it is a bit scary. My doctors all say its anxiety and stress related but now I have chest wall muscular pain as well. My physical therapist and doctor say its inflammation of muscles and to stop worrying bc that will make it worse. Sometimes when i sleep- i wake up with the pain and shortness of breath. When i see my mom who is a practioner she checks me and tells me its your anxiety again and i need to relax and control it. Can this all really be the case? I also feel like i have the aches and chills as if i have the flu but my mom and doctors all say i need to calm dowm. Just not use to this on exertion or when im sleeping. Its like i am always feeling stressed lately. Thanks for your help.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get done ecg, 2d echo and PFT first.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your situation and problem.
By your history and description, possibility of stress and anxiety related symptoms is more.
But better to first rule out heart and lung related diseases for your symptoms because breathlessness is seen in these diseases mostly.
So get done
1. Ecg
2. 2d echo
3. PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
Ecg and 2d echo are needed to rule out cardiac diseases.
PFT is needed to rule out bronchitis.
If all these are normal, than no need to worry for major heart and lung related diseases.
So if you have not done all these tests yet than first get them done.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (33 minutes later)

So have those tests done but since its been 2 months and ive had those tests done in the past when this haplened last time and they were normal its probably anxiety corredt? Thank you again

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, it is stress related mostly.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
No need to repeat the tests because they are normal in the past.
So possibility of stress and anxiety as causes for your symptoms is more.
So better to consult psychiatrist and get done counseling sessions. Try to identify stressor in your life and start working on its solution.
You may need anxiolytic drugs too.. So don't worry, you will be alright.
Avoid stress and tension, be relax and calm.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar