27 y/o F with chest tightness, shortness of breath at rest?
vanama7 asked:
I am a 27 year old active female. I do cardio and weight training 3-5 times a week and consider myself in good shape. Around the age of 18 I started losing my hair and became fatigued. My doctor just attributed it to stress so I let it go. Over the years shortness of breath became an additional symptom along with a cold intolerance. Around the age of 23 I became borderline vegan, no meat, chicken, dairy and I eat an occasional fish meal. Recently, my shortness of breath has become extreme and the last two weeks it has become even worse. I am trying to rule out the idea that I may be crazy or a hypocondriac, so please help. I’ve seen a Rheumatologist who discovered that my iron level was an 11. Endrocrinologist saw nothing abnormal. Next is a Gastroentrologist due to my constant bloating and lower stomach pain. So my following symptoms are:
I am a 27 year old active female. I do cardio and weight training 3-5 times a week and consider myself in good shape. Around the age of 18 I started losing my hair and became fatigued. My doctor just attributed it to stress so I let it go. Over the years shortness of breath became an additional symptom along with a cold intolerance. Around the age of 23 I became borderline vegan, no meat, chicken, dairy and I eat an occasional fish meal. Recently, my shortness of breath has become extreme and the last two weeks it has become even worse. I am trying to rule out the idea that I may be crazy or a hypocondriac, so please help. I’ve seen a Rheumatologist who discovered that my iron level was an 11. Endrocrinologist saw nothing abnormal. Next is a Gastroentrologist due to my constant bloating and lower stomach pain. So my following symptoms are:
Hair loss – all over head, not in one spot.
Fatigue
Cold intolerance – hands/feet
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Bloating – Lower abdomen
Diarrea – mornings.
Rheumotologist put me on FE – Iron over a month ago, still no changes. Also, he said it looked like I had Rayneauds.
Please help. I myself am starting to think I’m crazy!
I had spoken to my Endrocrinologist about my recent blood test and he said that my body was fine with wheat. I’m completely stumped. I don’t know who to turn to next or what to get tested. Help…
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September 15th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
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I’m not a doctor at all.
Something that comes to mind is celiac disease. It is an allergy to wheat that results in changes in the intestines that prevent nutrient absorption. It causes diarrhea and bloating, and can cause fatigue, hair loss, cold intolerance. . . Sounds familiar. If your problems got worse after going vegan and your diet now has more wheat, that could be the reason. Celiac disease is also sometimes associated with lung problems. Definitely keep going to the doctor until you get the cause of this sorted out. My bet is the gastroenterologist is a good choice. Other gastrointestinal problems that could explain most or all of your symptoms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Have you seen a pulmonologist as well? Shortness of breath is a serious symptom.
It might be worth it to try a wheat/gluten-free diet until you can see the gastroenterologist and get his opinion.