little_blue_jay Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Has anyone else had both unexplained weight gain and worsening shortness of breath around the same time?Are they connected somehow - i.e. not enough oxygen carried to cells cause weight gain?The last couple weeks I've been getting a bit pudgier, I'm too afraid of the number I'll see to step on the scale and find out but everything's getting tighter below the belt. Absolutely no change in diet, low carb Paleo, etc. No addition or changes in meds etc. Plus I am having worse shortness of breath - now the last couple days here in Ontario it has been getting damper which isn't good for lung issues but this seemed to have started before this rainy weather so I can't figure it out.I do have a Ventolin puffer but it makes me jittery & tachy so I don't use it unless I really feel I have to. Every few minutes I feel I need to take a deep breath but the lungs feel like they don't want to open - I think of it as an old accordion that I'm trying to open but it won't I do have a doc app't on the 23rd, that was the absolute soonest they could get me in, he is always prebooked so far in advance and it's a b*tch to get in to see him. I wondered if anyone else had these two symptoms get worse together and how/if they're related?(Sorry if this is TMI but I'm after my period so the weight gain isn't that!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katybug Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 I have "unexplained" weight gain that we are pretty sure is from my depakote. Although, weight gain and increased breathing problems could be an indication of edema. Do you feel like you are retaining a lot of fluid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little_blue_jay Posted April 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Yes, now that you mention it! I do always have the indentations around my ankles from my socks. I've pointed this out to a doctor I saw at the walk-in clinic and she said 'everybody gets that, it's normal' but it does seem like it's gotten a bit worse lately. What would this edema indicate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katybug Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 I retain fluid in my my legs top and bottom. If I lean on my thighs with my elbows, I leave very obvious dents. I also loose about an inch and a half around my calves and ankles when I wear my compression stockings. That's how I gauge how bad my edema is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little_blue_jay Posted April 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 But what would be causing mine if I'm not on any meds that would do that? I'm seriously trying not to scare myself that it's something bad like a blood clot in the lung (which my doctor ordered a test for a couple years ago when I had bad shortness of breath, it was normal thank goodness, he frightened me!) or pulmonary hypertension or something. I've just searched for any correlation with MCAS and edema and I can't find anything that links them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuneFlower Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 I have similar symptoms, keep putting off going to dr. Edema has so many causes. Does not makes sense to speculate without some tests. It also could be nothing but I would definitely check out the shortness of breath. That needs to be addressed. good luckJune Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogini Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Even if you aren't taking any new medications, what medications are you on? There are many reasons for edema. I would get to the doctor as soon as you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little_blue_jay Posted April 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 My 'meds' if you could call them that are listed in my signature. Not much but iron and vitamins really... the 23rd is the soonest I can see my own doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lfreem02 Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 I have gained 37 lbs, even though I have increased my exercise, and changed from a vegetarian to a plant based/whole food diet. I have never had an issue with weight before this. The last time I went in to see my GP she confirmed that I have edema. I have seen an Endocrinologist, and my free cortisol level got up to 56, but dropped back down to 27. I have a follow up next month to check my level again in case I am developing Cushing's Syndrome. I have changed birth control pills to see if that will reset something, but so far, no improvement. My GP is concerned about my heart, and if things don't improve soon or get better, she is going to order an ultrasound of my heart. Most of my weight gain is in my midsection, and I get very bloated. I honestly look like I did when I was about to give birth to my daughter 10 years ago. I also experience early satiety. I also have an appointment with my Gastroenterologist, Gynecologist, and Cardiologist next month. Hopefully someone will be able to figure out something soon. I was taking Lexapro when the weight gain started, but switched to Zoloft, but the change didn't help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lfreem02 Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Forgot to mention that I have been sighing a lot over the past few months. It is as if I need a little more oxygen. I have also woken up a couple of times breathing like I have been working out. My daughter was in bed with me last night, and woke me up because I was 'creaping her out' with my strange breathing. My GP also suggested seeing a sleep specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little_blue_jay Posted April 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 lfreem02, I sigh alot too! Every few minutes really. I must sigh alot more than I notice because a co-worker mentioned it one day then I started paying attention to it, it is as though I am not getting enough air. It is a frustrating feeling! I had a heart ultrasound several years ago which came back fine. I wake up not at all refreshed, I've told my doctor I feel somedays I could get up, eat breakfast and go right back to bed. I've tried a sleep lab twice, first time I didn't sleep, second time I only fell into a light sleep and they said something about 'upper airway resistance something-or-other' which my doctor wasn't worried at all about, he said it's a BS thing they come up with to try to get you to buy a CPAP machine..... I did go to the walk-in clinic after work today and mentioned both of these symptoms. He typed it all in to the computer so my own doc will see the report. This doc listened to my lungs and said I'm not wheezy and my heart sounded good and even, I mentioned the worry about a blood clot and he said there would be certain pulse noises he would detect if that was the case. For the edema he ordered kidney function tests which I have to go back to the lab for tomorrow. I had blood work done only a few weeks ago and kidney function was just fine, the only thing was the low iron which I already knew about. So this edema thing is puzzling. I don't like my pants getting tighter! Any tighter than this and I'm going to have to ask work to order me a pair one size up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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