breathless

[Mark1973]

hi

I got diagnosed with fibromyalgia recently. Lately I have been getting chest pain and shortness of breath, does anyone else get this and know the reason why..?

[Alb2]

Hi, it’s not something I experience but there could be many reasons for such symptoms. It would probably be a good idea to speak with your GP who would be best placed to advise you😊

[Debsdelight72]

There are many reasons for your pain Mark1973,

Don't think every thing is the Fibro, if GP is closed there is either walk-ins or call 111 NHS for advice,

[Cat00]

Could be anxiety, that's how it is with me. I also get panic attacks but they are a little different. Took a long time to realise the effects anxiety has on breathing, tightness around the ribcage and the effort around breathing. If you've just been diagnosed recently your body maybe telling you you're worried about it, even if you don't actually think you are worried consciously.

[Blearyeyed]

It can happen.I have Fibro but other medical things linked to my Fibro and EDS and using medications caused the increase in chest pain, breathlessness and palpitations.

I would suggest starting a diary from now marking when it happens and what you were doing in the minutes to hour before the pain started to see if the activity or even food or stress you were under beforehand caused the symptoms. Your diary for any illness and it's symptoms also helps your GP to see what's happening and helps them diagnose the issue.

Definitely go to your GP and get properly examined. No new symptoms, particularly chest pain and breathlessness, should just be brushed off as part of an illness you already have, other causes need ruling out and the right self care advice is required.

Ask your GP to do monitoring blood tests to rule out the possibility that it could be being caused by vitamin or mineral insufficiency or a deficiency, that can be very common with Fibro even if you have a good diet.

Request a full blood count , ferritin / iron to rule out Anaemia.

Vitamin B12 and Folate as these at low levels are known to cause chest pain and breathing issues and affect how well you absorb iron and Vitamin D.

Liver Function and Kidney Function ( electrolytes) and Vitamin D to rule out mineral imbalance and other metabolic issues that can also cause these pains.

You have the right to request these tests to get a baseline of your ranges for your medical record and to rule out deficiency problems which are simple to treat , especially if you have a chronic health condition and take medication.

Request a copy of your test results or look them up online because low normal or borderline test results can cause some people more symptoms than others, and knowing if you are too low or too high can help you to make changes in your diet and hydration that will help to improve your general symptoms.

If tests are normal but these things persist or get worse go back to the GP and ask to be referred to Cardiology in case other tests might be necessary.

And if you do find that these cardiac or breathing symptoms get worse don't be shy about ringing 111 or going to AandE , they are happy to see you and will often spot and diagnose what is happening much easier if they get to test you while you are experiencing the problem.

[Dor1]

I would go get this checked out, Gp or A&E. I had this 5 years ago (fibro for 12 years). Luckily I worked in an operating theatre, an anaesthetist checked me out and sent me to A&E. They found a heart murmur and after a few test it turned out that 1 of my heart valves wasn't working properly and I also had aortic stenosis and ended up having to have surgery. Not saying that this is what you have but please get yourself checked out.

[Tommygurl]

Hi Mark 1973I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in February.

I am so glad I found this group I am finding out that things I've had for years is also part of fibromyalgia!

Before I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia I was diagnosed with costochondritis the first time I had this I thought I was having a heart attack.. it is sharp chest pains and breathlessness its quite scarey too when you don't know what it is .

Look it up have a read see if yiu relate to this .hope this helps

[Robdickson]

hi mark

I get it also, it’s rare apparently, when it triggers me my voice changes and can feel it in my shoulders as well as the chest pains .

[Chilliconcarne]

Hi Mark, yes I get breathless and with a burning soreness pain in my chest and shoulders at night. It can be quite frightening. In the Morning it can feel quite sore . I have had angiogram test but it was negative as do most tests seem to be with Fibro. I have reynauds and neuropathy of my feet also. But there seems to be no medication offered. I am on an NHS pain zoom course at the moment which helps understanding pain. Conclusion is training your brain to slow down its called "STOP" deep breathing and relaxation. Hoping it will help.