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What Causes Tiredness And Shortness Of Breath?

Posted on Sat, 23 Aug 2014

Question: Hi Doctor
Lately, I have become continuously very tired, short of breath. I really only want to rest. I suffer no pain. I take drugs for diabetes type 2, cholesterol and high blood pressure which keep me at acceptable levels. I don't know if anemia is the cause.
If I go to the hospital, I'm sure they'll not find any obvious signs from the regular tests.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Could be the medications

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

Sometimes excess fatigue and myalgia could be the product of the side effects caused by the drugs you are on.

I would like to know the medications your are on. Please do mention the names of the same here.

Waiting for your response,

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (11 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply....
Most of the following drugs are prescribed...some are off the shelf...

Aspirin 1/day
B50 complex 3/week
Metoprolol 2x25mg/day,
Citalopram 2 x20mg/day,
Atorvastatin 1x40 mg/day,
Ramipril 1x5mg/day,
Lipitor 1x20mg/day,
Januvia 1x100mg/day,
Metformin 5x500mg/day,
Novo-Gabapentin 3x300mg/day,

It's an awful lot... I would be very happy to get your opinion...
Have a nice day
XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Medications need to be revised

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

Both Metformin and Atorvastatin are known to cause fatigue and myalgia.

If you are on these medications for long it is time to get them revised and be placed on a better class of maintenance drugs. There is no need for any other intervention here, change of medications would help you get rid of the problems within a week or so after that.

Hope, I answered your query.

Wish you good health.

Regards,

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (12 hours later)

Thank you..
Could you advance the next major potential problem source?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (23 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ramipril

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Ramipril can cause cough on long term use.

Rest are fine. Please do revise the Atorvastatin dose as you are on a 60mg per day (including Lipitor) course which is unusual.

Regards,

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

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