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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Fatigue And Breathlessness With History Of Spinal Fusion?

My dad is a 53 y/o M that called me complaining of acute onset generalized weakness, fatigue, excessive hunger, and shortness of breath with exertion. He is status-post MI in 2013 with PCI of the LAD with a history of endocarditis, chronic back pain, sarcoidosis. Surgical history including spinal fusion of the L4/5 vertebrae, exploratory appendectomy, partial discectomy for herniated disk at L4/5 (prior to the fusion). He has rx for NTG prn and 81 mg ASA qd and also takes Tylenol 3 prn pain for the back injury. He originally reported HR at 140 and irregular and is still irregular but not as fast. I recommended that he seek treatment by a physician but he wants to wait until after he s eaten. What could be going on?
posted on Wed, 13 May 2015
Twitter Mon, 26 Sep 2022 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 30 Sep 2022 Last reviewed on
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Anesthesiologist,  's  Response
Hello,

Possible causes of acute shortness of breath, fatigue are congestive cardiac failure, cardiac stent failure, pulmonary embolism, severe pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute asthma, pulmonary artery hypertension, unstable angina or severe kidney failure leading to water retention in lungs.

To those who come to my clinic with similar symptoms, I do recommend a chest X-ray, ECG, 2 dimensional echocardiography, d- dimer levels and kidney function tests. Treatment always depends upon the underlying cause. Therefore, let him see a physician for thorough clinical examination and appropriate treatment.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
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What Causes Severe Fatigue And Breathlessness With History Of Spinal Fusion?

Hello, Possible causes of acute shortness of breath, fatigue are congestive cardiac failure, cardiac stent failure, pulmonary embolism, severe pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute asthma, pulmonary artery hypertension, unstable angina or severe kidney failure leading to water retention in lungs. To those who come to my clinic with similar symptoms, I do recommend a chest X-ray, ECG, 2 dimensional echocardiography, d- dimer levels and kidney function tests. Treatment always depends upon the underlying cause. Therefore, let him see a physician for thorough clinical examination and appropriate treatment. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist