Gina's Posts

Hello all.. I'm still having shortness of breath which has gotten worse and still no answers in sight. I had an angiogram which showed my heart vessels did not have any blockage. I have had a PFT test, an Immunoglobin E test which was mildly high and a bronchial challenge test to determine if I had airway disease which turned out negative. My pulmonologist can't figure out why I'm having these issues. I can't walk and have a conversation at the same time because I sound and feel like I ran up a flight of stairs. My last echo showed mild AS and no need to replace valve until my 60's. My pulmonologist has me on an asthma regimen medication for three weeks to see if it helps. I'm scheduled to have a walking test and a cardiopulmonary bike test to see if possibly anything was missed in relation to my valve. Has anyone experienced this? Breathless and tired

Hello, First off... I’m so grateful for this community, it helps me realize I’m not alone in my confusion and journey. It has been 4 years since my last update... I have moderate AS. When I was first officially diagnosed in 2014 my cardiologist told me I could climb Mt. Everest.. prior to that there was confusion on what my actual diagnosis was... two years ago my cardiologist said I have the valve of a 70 year old and would probably need my valve replaced in my early 50’s.. then last year said maybe late 50’s... I have been on and off on asthma medicine due to shortness of breath and chest tightness on and off for the last 4 years... now I’m back on regular asthma inhalers meds twice a day and using my rescue inhaler as needed. I can’t do a simple hike or do high impact exercise without my heart rate spiking from 115 to 150 within minutes and have to stop because I feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest... my primary care first thought it was cardiac related.. but thought about it and thinks it’s the exercise, heat is exacerbating my asthma but wants me to be cleared by cardiology first. Oh and also prior to this was having chest tightness and feeling like someone was in my chest squeezing my heart, only lasts for a few seconds but was happening every day for four days straight (this by the way was new sensation/symptom). I was at the ER last week, due to weird front neck pain, sweating and nausea... no chest tightness though. Stress echo done and all was good.. still waiting to see my cardiologist for follow up as per my primary care doc.. I’m now being referred to a pulmonologist and have to get a pulmonary function test done.. my next echo is in October.. I work in a hospital and one of my friend (doctor) informed me my symptoms don’t sound right with the high impact exercise and hiking. I’m not a smoker, never have been.. mildly overweight could lose 15 pounds.. I was reading my first visit with my pulmonologist and he indicated shortness of breath not related to lungs but rather diastolic dysfunction.. I however don’t see this in any of my cardiac medical records.. my concern is being prescribed inhalers and possibly covering up another issue that may exist.. I’m also very fatigued after coming home from work.. fall asleep for at least 2 hours before I go to bed, is it just because I’m stressed??? And my boyfriend has COPD2 and can do a hike without batting an eye.. I also go to the gym, treadmill 3x a week for 30 min and do fine...am I overthinking this?? Should I just accept my new reality?? Any advice would be appreciated Really confused — asthma or heart or both Gina