New questions

[Barbara Stewart]

As many of you know, I had my mitral valve replaced in May, 2005 and had to have it restiched down this past January. Between May, 05 and January, 06 I developed PH as a result of the regurge in the loose valve. The heart is now fine, and the PH is improved. I always forget to ask for a copy of the tests, but I just had an echo and it was better.

However, I am having a symptom that I don't understand. I'm not exactly SOB, but when I take a deep breath, it hurts a bit. THe discomfort is in my upper chest and feels a bit like I'm inhaling cold air (I'm in South Texas and it is definitely NOT cold air). Has anyone else had this symptom, and if so, can you tell me what may be causing it? I'm seeing a pulmonologist Tuesday, but I'd like some insight on this.

Thanks everybody. I may not post every day, but I'm definitely around everyday. You guys have become friends who I can talk to when there's no one else who understands.

Barbara

 

[musician2k]

It's funny how the body interprets pain in different ways. If I were experiencing the symptom you described, I'd definitely think it was "pain" of some kind, not just cold air. I think that's just your perception of something going on inside you. Does the pain get worse when you inhale deeply? Last time I had anything like what you describe it was a tiny infection or hole in the pleura, the lining of the lung. It definitely hurt worse when I inhaled...but sometimes inhaling deeply causes it to disappear. It happens spontanously, and still does happen for me every now & then. I talked to my allergist, pulmo guy & they agreed, it means nothing if it goes away fairly quickly. One time, in college, I got it & it didn't go away for a few days (ended up at the health center for that one.) I would def. talk to your pulmo guy about it, tho.

 

[Der Biermeister]

It could also just be a muscle pull.

 

[MikeHeim]

I get this occasionally as well, and I think musician2k pretty much had it nailed. I usually have it for the first deep breath that I take - and the pain goes away quickly after that. I haven't been seen for it specifically, and it certainly hasn't gotten worse with time...