[31F] Experiencing shortness of breath, chest tightness, and fatigue

What might be happening

Based on the symptoms you've described, here are a few possibilities:

• Anxiety or Panic Disorder: These conditions can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, chest tightness, and feelings of fatigue. They can also cause a sensation of something being stuck in your throat, which is known as globus sensation.

  • Treatment typically involves cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, and lifestyle modifications like regular exercise and stress management techniques.

• Asthma: This is a condition that causes your airways to become inflamed and narrow, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, chest tightness, and fatigue. You mentioned that using an inhaler provided temporary relief, which is common in asthma.

  • Treatment typically involves the use of inhalers to control symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.

• Heart Disease: Given your family history of heart disease, this is a possibility. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest tightness, and fatigue.

  • Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes, medication, and in some cases, surgery.

• Thyroid Disease: You mentioned that you have an underactive thyroid. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include fatigue and feeling out of breath.

  • Treatment typically involves taking synthetic thyroid hormone, which you're already doing.

What you can do

1. Seek immediate medical attention. The combination of shortness of breath, chest tightness, and fatigue can be a sign of a serious condition like heart disease, especially given your family history. It's important to get evaluated by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

2. Try to stay calm. If your symptoms are being caused by anxiety, staying calm can help reduce them.

3. Continue taking your thyroid medication as prescribed.

What you should look out for

• If your symptoms worsen or you start to feel pain in your chest, call 911 immediately.
• If you start to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or like you might faint, seek immediate medical attention.
• If your symptoms don't improve or you start to experience new symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Please remember that while I strive to provide accurate information, I'm not a doctor and this advice should not replace a consultation with a healthcare professional.