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Shortness of breath/ lumps in my nasal passage/ hashmimoto''s

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Phoenix

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I've been experiencing shortness of breath for a few months now. At first, I thought it was Ambien as I was taking it for about a month and a half, and read up on the side effects, which included shortness of breath (caused by swelling of the throat etc). I'm no longer taking it for a few months already and the shortness of breath has not gone away.

So, I thought I'd better do some investigations. It has to be one of the following:

1) something wrong in my nose or throat

2) something wrong with my heart (my heart has been beating quite fast, or at least it feels like it)

3) I might have water in my lungs.

I started by visiting my ENT doctor yesterday and he found some lumps in my nasal passage. He does not believe they are cancerous, but an allergy reaction. He gave me some allergy medication, told me not to eat a bunch of foods (essentially dairy, peanuts, wine, beer, spices and certain fruits), and would like me to come back for a follow up.

He also said that my nasal passage is rather narrow and would like me to think about some non-invasive procedure to enlarge it. This would be independent of what he might do with the lumps (if they did turn out to be cancerous).

I'm quite concerned about the lumps, despite the Dr's assurance. I'll abstain from dairy and other produce for the next 10 days or more. I will come back for a follow-up.

Other things which I think may be possible causes for the shortness of breath might be something to do with my Hashimoto's and/ or the Thyroxin medication I'm taking (taking 12.5 micrograms a day as I only have Hashimoto's and am not hypo yet). My mom passed away from what I believe to be complications arising from her thyroid problem. For a while before she died, she had water in her lungs. Also, she died of a stroke, which if I remember correctly, came about because of her heart and possibly also diabetes problems.

I'm freaking out a bit. I have made appointments to see my endocrinologist next week and also to see a heart specialist and a lung specialist. Not sure if they can find anything, but am still concerned, not least because of the lumps.

I was wondering if anyone might know something about any of this and could you offer any word of advice?

Thank you.
 

beau13

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Not sure about some of the symptoms you posted..however I do know that there is likely nothing wrong with your heart. The idea of your heart racing (or feels like it is to you) indicates anxiety. You are worried about what could be wrong with you, so anxiety creates that feeling that your heart is beating faster, along with shortness of breath (or the feeling , that you can't catch your breath) I guarantee that if the doctor held the stethoscope to your heart, it would sound normal (at the same time you are telling him it's beating faster). The more you research for what could be causing these symptoms, the more anxiety you create (even on a subconcious level). I would definitely follow up with a doctor to put your mind at ease, and in the meantime, try not to worry about it, it's likely nothing serious. Other than the lumps in the nasal passage (nasal palups), the other "feelings" sound like anxiety (body's way of reacting to your symptoms). Been through this myself, and have had many others tell me their similar experiences. The doctor in many of these cases (my friends) has prescribed a very low dose of Ativan (not sure of the spelling), to relax the body, relieve the anxiety (when no medical condition is found). I am just saying, if you try not to think about it too much, and stay calm, these "feelings" your experiencing may ease up.
 

Festy

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Phoenix,

I''m sorry to hear you''re going through this - it sounds scary. Like Beau says, you are probably fine, but it''s hard not to panic when these things come up. I have Hashimoto''s so I can speak to that. You should definitely have your thyroid levels checked as a precaution. Heck, anyone with H''s should probably have them checked every 6 months. If your thyroid is over-active, that could explain the feeling that your heart is racing. It''s good that you made the appointment and I''m sure you''ll get some answers.

Good luck, try to take it easy, if that''s possible. I''m sure your doctors will figure out what''s going on.
 

kama_s

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Nasal polyps are incredibly common. Please dont worry yourself!
 

fleur-de-lis

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At this time of year, allergies can cause so many of the symptoms you describe (inflamed nasal passages, inflamed throat, inflamed sinuses, inflamed lungs...). Your doctor has confirmed that you are having an allergic reaction to something in at least one of the common areas. I''d sit tight, relax, and give the allergy meds the time they need to work before ordering other costly tests.
 

AmberGretchen

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Phoenix - ditto the others, I know it must be very scary and tough not to worry, but I think worrying is only likely to make things worse for you. I''ll send thoughts and prayers your way and hope that things clear up with the dietary changes and the allergy meds and you feel better very soon.
 

Phoenix

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Date: 4/16/2009 6:29:13 AM
Author: beau13
Not sure about some of the symptoms you posted..however I do know that there is likely nothing wrong with your heart. The idea of your heart racing (or feels like it is to you) indicates anxiety. You are worried about what could be wrong with you, so anxiety creates that feeling that your heart is beating faster, along with shortness of breath (or the feeling , that you can't catch your breath) I guarantee that if the doctor held the stethoscope to your heart, it would sound normal (at the same time you are telling him it's beating faster). The more you research for what could be causing these symptoms, the more anxiety you create (even on a subconcious level). I would definitely follow up with a doctor to put your mind at ease, and in the meantime, try not to worry about it, it's likely nothing serious. Other than the lumps in the nasal passage (nasal palups), the other 'feelings' sound like anxiety (body's way of reacting to your symptoms). Been through this myself, and have had many others tell me their similar experiences. The doctor in many of these cases (my friends) has prescribed a very low dose of Ativan (not sure of the spelling), to relax the body, relieve the anxiety (when no medical condition is found). I am just saying, if you try not to think about it too much, and stay calm, these 'feelings' your experiencing may ease up.
Thank you so much, Beau, Festy, Kama, Fleur-de-Lis and Amber.

I'm sure you're right, Beau. It's difficult not to feel scared, but I definitely try.

My thyroid is under-active, so not sure why my heart feel like it's racing, other than the anxiety. It'll be good to hear what the endocrinologist says. I'm sorry to hear you have H's too. Hope yours is under control. Mine was only diagnosed about 1.5 yrs ago and the Dr is still trying to decide what's the best dosage but I see her almost every 3-4 months.

Kama, I read that abt 1 in 100 people have them. I guess that'd be considered common (?). Thanks for your reassurance.

Fleur-de-lis, thanks for your reassurances also. I'm also going to see a naturalpath and see if I can take a blood test to identify my allergies. It'd be good to be able to isolate the ones that cause the allergies though I have no doubt that milk is def one of them.

Amber, thank you for your kind wishes and thoughts. It's def scary but there's no cancer history in my family so fingers crossed. Still concerned but I'll try not to be overly so.
 

kama_s

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Date: 4/17/2009 1:22:56 AM
Author: Phoenix


Kama, I read that abt 1 in 100 people have them. I guess that''d be considered common (?). Thanks for your reassurance.
Yep. It''s quite common. I come from a family of allergies, so literally everyone in my family has nasal polyps. They''re never associated with cancer, so you have nothing to worry about...besides getting your allergies in check ofcourse.
 

Phoenix

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Date: 4/17/2009 11:18:11 PM
Author: kama_s

Date: 4/17/2009 1:22:56 AM
Author: Phoenix


Kama, I read that abt 1 in 100 people have them. I guess that''d be considered common (?). Thanks for your reassurance.
Yep. It''s quite common. I come from a family of allergies, so literally everyone in my family has nasal polyps. They''re never associated with cancer, so you have nothing to worry about...besides getting your allergies in check ofcourse.
Thanks so much for letting me know that.
 

kama_s

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Date: 4/17/2009 11:23:53 PM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 4/17/2009 11:18:11 PM
Author: kama_s


Date: 4/17/2009 1:22:56 AM
Author: Phoenix


Kama, I read that abt 1 in 100 people have them. I guess that''d be considered common (?). Thanks for your reassurance.
Yep. It''s quite common. I come from a family of allergies, so literally everyone in my family has nasal polyps. They''re never associated with cancer, so you have nothing to worry about...besides getting your allergies in check ofcourse.
Thanks so much for letting me know that.
No worries. I just didn''t want you to worry unnecessarily
1.gif
 

MMMD

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I have Hashimotos and could not take the Thyroxin because it caused my heart to race, so that is something you might want to think about. And, of course, anxiety surely doesn''t help anything. Good luck, hope you are feeling better soon.
 

Phoenix

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Date: 4/18/2009 9:08:04 PM
Author: MMMD
I have Hashimotos and could not take the Thyroxin because it caused my heart to race, so that is something you might want to think about. And, of course, anxiety surely doesn't help anything. Good luck, hope you are feeling better soon.
OMG!! I knew it!! I knew it was something to do with the medicine (though as you and others quite rightly pointed out, the anxiety no doubt is to blame to). Thanks for letting me know.

Would you mind if I ask you how you keep your Hashimotos under control? I tried a few things but in the end it seemed the medicine seemed to be the one that could keep my antibodies and other indicators from going all over the place.
 
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