[29F] Experiencing constant fatigue with concerns about lung cancer

Patient Description

A 29-year-old female has been experiencing constant fatigue for the past two days, which worsens when sitting, to the point of nearly falling asleep. Additionally, she mentioned an occasional cough but no other symptoms like unintentional weight loss, shortness of breath, chest pain, recent infections, or fevers. The patient has a medical history of asthma diagnosed in 2005, Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) diagnosed in 2018, and anxiety and depression diagnosed in 2010. She has seasonal allergies and is allergic to Levaquin, Kflex, Sypro, guaifenesin, dyes, and adhesive tape. Her current medications include Diltiazem (120mg), Protonix (40mg), and Zyrtec (10mg), all taken daily. The patient expressed concern about the possibility of lung cancer due to her symptoms.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, your fatigue could be due to a variety of factors:

  • Asthma: Asthma can sometimes cause fatigue, especially if it's not well-controlled. However, you didn't mention any recent asthma symptoms, so this is less likely.
  • Anxiety and Depression: Both of these conditions can cause fatigue. If your symptoms have been worse recently, this could be contributing to your fatigue.
  • Medication Side Effects: Diltiazem, which you're taking for your SVT, can sometimes cause fatigue as a side effect. Similarly, Zyrtec, which you're taking for your allergies, can cause drowsiness in some people.
  • Other Medical Conditions: There are many other medical conditions that can cause fatigue, such as anemia, thyroid disorders, or chronic fatigue syndrome. However, without more information, it's hard to say whether these could be causing your symptoms.

Given your concern about lung cancer, it's important to note that while fatigue can be a symptom of lung cancer, it's usually accompanied by other symptoms such as a persistent cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, or unintentional weight loss. You didn't mention any of these symptoms, which makes lung cancer less likely. However, if you're still concerned, you should definitely speak with a healthcare provider.

What you can do

Here are some things you can do to help manage your fatigue:

  1. Make sure you're getting enough sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours per night.
  2. Try to stay active. Regular physical activity can help boost your energy levels.
  3. Eat a healthy diet. Make sure you're getting enough nutrients to support your energy levels.
  4. Manage your stress. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help reduce stress and improve sleep.
  5. Speak with your healthcare provider. They can help determine if there's a medical cause for your fatigue and suggest appropriate treatments.

What you should look out for

Here are some signs that you should seek medical attention:

  • If your fatigue continues to get worse
  • If you develop other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or unintentional weight loss
  • If your fatigue is interfering with your ability to perform your daily activities
  • If you're feeling depressed or anxious

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for accurate information.

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9 mo ago

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People Also Ask


Can asthma cause fatigue even if there are no recent asthma symptoms?

Yes, asthma can sometimes cause fatigue, especially if it's not well-controlled. However, if you haven't experienced recent asthma symptoms, it's less likely to be the cause of your current fatigue.


Could my medications be contributing to my fatigue?

Yes, medications like Diltiazem and Zyrtec can cause fatigue or drowsiness as side effects. It's important to discuss any side effects with your healthcare provider.


What are the common symptoms of lung cancer that I should be aware of?

Common symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, and unintentional weight loss. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a healthcare provider.


How can anxiety and depression affect my energy levels?

Anxiety and depression can significantly affect energy levels, often leading to fatigue. These conditions can disrupt sleep and increase stress, both of which can contribute to feeling tired.


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20 Comments


Leo#3962

9 mo ago

Lung cancer is highly unlikely, especially at your age. But your concern makes sense. I would try to get a chest CT and you can interpret your results using the AI on the website.

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Anonymous#9690

9 mo ago

Also I had one done that said he wasn’t sure if it was a mass or mucus trapped in my lungs there was some kind of obstruction in my lungs I have another one scheduled for June

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Leo#3962

9 mo ago

Makes sense, well in June hopefully the suspicion finding either disappears or at least doesn't get bigger. A lot of people have lung nodules that never grow bigger and they are fine. Difficult to tell on those scans what something is. I work in a hospital so see them all the time.

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Anonymous#9690

9 mo ago

I was able to check results It said probably not probably mucous due to pneumonia Said it looked like a collapsed lung but I shared results of a repeat chest x ray that was normal and it said it looks like the abnormalities from the ct scan has resolved

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Leo#3962

9 mo ago

Ok great. Yeah I think in all likelihood you are totally fine. A partly collapsed lung (called "atelectasis") is also pretty common, tends to self-resolve, and won't cause much issue for a relatively healthy young person. I guess your CT in June will confirm

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Anonymous#9690

9 mo ago

Yes exactly! When you checked your results on here was it right? Are you a doctor or a nurse? If you don’t mind me asking

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Leo#3962

9 mo ago

I am a med student actually, working in a large academic hospital. Yeah I thought it did a really good job, but I did find that the AI is better at explaining concepts as opposed to stuff involving numbers (for example im not sure if i would ask it what the normal range for something is, I'd just trust the lab report).

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Anonymous#9690

9 mo ago

Around here? Yeah it did really well at breaking stuff down to what certain words meant I copied and pasted the report

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Leo#3962

9 mo ago

I'm in Boston!

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Anonymous#9690

9 mo ago

How do I check results?

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Leo#3962

9 mo ago

If you have access to a CT report, other imaging report, or lab test result, I found that you can choose "explain result" when starting a new conversation, paste your report, and ask questions about it.

It was helpful for me when figuring out what my recent MRI meant

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Anonymous#9690

9 mo ago

So wait explain where or how to do it again lol

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Leo#3962

9 mo ago

haha np. when you start a new chat on MDandMe, I think the "Arora" AI asks you if you want to "check symptoms" or "explain result". You gotta click "explain result" if you have test results or an imaging report you wanna ask about

Do you have access to these on your electronic health record?

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Anonymous#9690

9 mo ago

Yes can I take a screenshot and like post it?

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Anonymous#9690

9 mo ago

What are your thoughts on the Covid vaccine? I had mine for a few years now and I heard that’s the reason a lot of people are developing stuff they never had before getting it? Kinda concerns me

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Leo#3962

9 mo ago

Very rarely people do develop adverse reactions after vaccinations, but these tend to happen pretty soon after getting a vaccine. To my knowledge there isn't any evidence of Covid vaccines being particularly dangerous and all I get all my boosters because its mandatory for healthcare workers. That being said, I think since the pandemic is over it's your choice whether you want the next booster, but there's no reason to be overly concerned. The benefits still largely outweigh the risks unless you or an immediate family member has had a very bad reaction before.

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Margot#4035

9 mo ago

bit of a basic question abt ur fatigue but how is your sleep and mood? Also did u change ur med doses at all recently? might be good to check in with ur doc if the fatigue doesn't resolve within a week cause it sounds severe

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Anonymous#9690

9 mo ago

It just started like last week I quit cold turkey taking depression medicine I actually have a check up tomorrow

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Margot#4035

9 mo ago

ah gotchu. maybe related to stopping meds then? what did your doctor think? im on an SSRI rn and think i might not need it anymore but a bit afraid to stop

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Anonymous#9690

9 mo ago

My vitamin d is low yeah I don’t like the side effects of any of that medicine so I stopped completely

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