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What Causes Persistent Pain In Left Arm And Breathing Problem While Treating Depression?

Posted on Thu, 16 Jun 2016

Question: Hello doctor,
For past 2-3 months i am suffering from pain on my left arm,last one month i feel difficult in breathing also, especially if am in a congested room, walking or if i am doing something that cause physical strain. some times i felt a pain on my left chest also when i am anxious. I had taken medicine for deppression. Is this breathing difficulty is due to deppression. By blood pressure is 100/70. Cholestrol total 192 HDL-40 Triglyceride -65 and LDL-139.

Answered by Dr. Priyank Mody (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Reports Mentioned are nomral . 2 D Echo and TMT to rule out cardiac pathology..

Detailed Answer:
Hello, I am Dr. Mody and I would be addressing your concern. .
Your blood pressure and the lipid profile you have mentioned will not cause the pain .

Also at your age Heart as the cause of chest pain is very very rare . Also when in depression it's very likely to have a panic like attack when you are in a congested room . So if you don't smoke , are not very overweight and particularly if you don't have a strong family history of heart disease, any cardiac evaluation is not the First on cards . If any of the above risk factors are present and if the pain increases significantly on exertion then you need to consider the following:

A 2-D Echo-cardiography and Treadmill stress test should be done to rule out cardiac pathology.
Hope My advice would be of help.

Regards
Dr Priyank Mody

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Priyank Mody (14 hours later)

thank you doctor for your reply.
please tell what should i do to overcome this breathing difficulty,
Shall i continue staloma 5 un the morning for 2 more months but i feels sleepy in day time because of that meducune i think.

Answered by Dr. Priyank Mody (23 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Don't stop staloma suddenly, may cause rebound. yes it causes sleepiness

Detailed Answer:
Hello , Yes staloma can cause sedation , may consider taking it at night . However suddenly stopping the medication can cause rebound in symptoms which can precipitate a panic attack like situation. So slowly taper things off and do it under guidance of your local doctor .
About breathing issues , anxiety itself can cause subjective sensation of laboured breathing .
Second if you have a weak stomach or associated gastritis consider ,
Taking any antacid for 2 weeks or so , like
Tab pan d 40 mg once a day before breakfast .
There are no side effects for the same .
Also if you have cough / coryza consider evaluating for any chest issues .
Hoping I could help.
Let me know if any clarification needed
Do rate for others reference.
Regards Dr Priyank Mody

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Priyank Mody (5 hours later)

Hello /sir,

Sir i have one more doubt.

I have already consulted a chest specialist he told no allergy, asthma issues.

Then anxiety is the cause of this breathing problem? Could you please tell how?
Apart from medicine what are other options to overcome this breathing problem?

Answered by Dr. Priyank Mody (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
Try relaxation techniques

Detailed Answer:
When you are anxious you tend to take shallow breathes , as the need for oxygen in on the higher side when your anxious , you have to take more number of breath s to provide the same oxygen as you would have provided by taking normal deep breaths .
So yes anxiety is the probable cause of breathlessness.
Relaxation techniques would be the key , you may try yoga some sports to take your mind off the cause of anxiety.
This forum would not be adequate to teach you relaxation techniques, discuss it with your psychiatrist.
Regards Dr Priyank Mody

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D