
What Causes Breathing Difficulty, Chest Pain And Sleep Apnea?

Question: My brother, who is 40 years old, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX and about 5'10" tall, non-smoker and weights approximately 300+ pounds has the following medical symptoms: difficulty breathing, when he lays down for bed he has excruciating pain between his should-blades that shoot to the front of his chest and radiates to each shoulder. It's better when he sits up or stands up. He seems to have severe sleep apnea--he drives a cab and while at a traffic light he'll fall to sleep instantly. While driving he'll swerve because he's fighting sleep. He's not now driving. He's been checked for hight blood pressure and diabetes and was told that they are normal. He was given an inhaler. His coloring is very black and tar colored--not his normal coloring, he's normally a chocolate brown color. My brother can not bend down or squat to pick up anything. He was told that he has a problem with his hip. Lastly, when he sleeps he speaks out loudly, struggling and very distressed. All his symptoms seem to be getting worse. What do you think? Thank you for anything you can suggest.
Sorry. For your consideration, I forgot to mention that my brother produces a profuse amount of saliva and his speech is slurred and getting worse. Thank you.
Sorry. For your consideration, I forgot to mention that my brother produces a profuse amount of saliva and his speech is slurred and getting worse. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Following advice
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
What your brother is experiencing may be related to heart failure. Heart failure may be associated with dyspnea, edema, sleep apnea and other above mentioned symptoms.
If he was my patient I would recommend to do the following examinations to find out what is causing his symptoms:
- Blood work
- Ecg
- Cardiac echo
- Holter monitoring
- Sleep study
Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Following advice
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
What your brother is experiencing may be related to heart failure. Heart failure may be associated with dyspnea, edema, sleep apnea and other above mentioned symptoms.
If he was my patient I would recommend to do the following examinations to find out what is causing his symptoms:
- Blood work
- Ecg
- Cardiac echo
- Holter monitoring
- Sleep study
Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

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