overall feeling horrible for over a year and not getting better

[jf87]

Okay first off sorry if this is long, and I appreciate all the help/suggestions I can get.
First I'll give a rundown of my diagnoses I've received then my more recent/worsening symptoms. I have been diagnosed with gerd, anxiety/depression, asthma, and more recently bronchitis. My symptoms first started off with a sudden cough, and serious stomach aches. That's when I was diagnosed with gerd and exercise induce asthma. Well I havent been able to work out since and my asthma is still here. So now its adult onset asthma that my doctor is worried could turn into copd or emphazema. I don't smoke! Well I've been managing my asthma symptoms for over a year now, dealing with the wheezing and  coughing.I've been tired and drained for a few years I just thought was due to being a full time mom, student, and worker. Well last year I quit work and school because I couldn't keep up with everything. The past 6 months I still feel drained , more than just being lazy. The past four months my doctor has said my symptoms are worsening due to the bronchitis. I'm on my 4th round of antibiotics, I take albuterol,  symbicort, spiriva for the asthma. Paxil for depression/anxiety. Various medicine for the gerd. My whole body aches, I have a headache everyday, the past 4 months my voice has been in and out. I'm tired of this feeling. Its making my anxiety worse. I feel like a hypochondriac. I think my doc only believes in my respiratory issues and not any of my pain or how severe my anxiety has gotten. He hasn't done any bloodowork. He has only prescribed medications after an endoscopy for the gerd. He has not looked deeper into my prolonged symptoms. Am I going crazy, is he right? Should I question his medical opinion? Could there be some underlying cause to my chronic fatigue and not getting better? I'm a my witts end. I want to cry everyday and it takes all I've got to be there for my kids the way they need me to be. I hardly go anywhere because by the time I get back home I feel like I'm going to  collapse with exhaustion. Even if its just the gas station. Pleas help!

[jf87]

Thanks! I'll look into that. I have to have all my wisdim teeth pulled next week (they all decided to come in at once and all are partially impacted) that's going to put a dent in my wallet for the moment, but as soon as I recover from that I'll definitely try some of your suggestions.

[ScalpMassager]

Mold spores can lead to serious respiratory issues (with you, with your children).  They'd typically start up where there's a moisture/water leak or condensation (behind a ceiling, wall or floor) that's unnoticed / undetected.  They'll tend to get worse over time (and become much more expensive to remedy if they get beyond a certain size).  A visitor might notice on entering your home/bedroom area, a musty, basement like odour if you had mold spores.  We get used to scent too thoroughly for you to be likely to notice it yourself.

It's expensive to buy stuff speculatively and leads to clutter too.  Hence, trying out a different residence (I don't suppose there's an inexpensive motel nearby?) is an easy way to see if you start getting prompt relief simply from being away from a hidden mold source.  

But if money's not a major issue you might consider getting a HEPA air filter gadget for use in your bedroom (it would filter out mold spores and dust for that matter, and if those were contributing to your respiratory complaint, you might find it very helpful).  If it did the trick though, you'd want to get serious about finding a possible mold infestation nearby (before it gets worse).

I find mine (a Bionaire BAP-350 I think) useful in my bedroom most years during pollen season.  Replacement filters are pricey but maybe much cheaper through amazon.com (if you're only using it seasonally and at night they may last for years).

[jf87]

Well I don't really know what a mold spore is. However, its the only place I sleep so I don't know if that's the cause. My house isn't the cleanest as I have a 5 and 7 year old. But its not dirty, more clutter than anything. We have had our mobile home for 5 years so I don't think mold would be a problem, but seeing how I'm not sure what mold spores are. I guess that's a good question. I also want to thank you for replying and talking with me. Its so hard for me to talk with people I know thanks to my anxiety. I always worry about people thinking its all in my head bc that's how I feel lately. I'm not getting better so maybe it is all in my head?

[ScalpMassager]

Yes, indeed -- shortness of breath is very debilitating.  I asked about the symptoms easing at another residence as I wondered about your environment (eg. mold spores you're breathing in your bedroom might be a crippling irritant).

[jf87]

Yes. A Dr at the ER told me to put small bricks under the mattress, that pillows don't really do the trick. I can't sleep completely on my back, so I sleep on my left side. I read that the left is better for people with gastro symptoms than the right. I think I tend to wake in middle of the night bc my body gets stiff. I do reach the rem stage if sleep easily, bc I dream a lot. I thought that was a good sign? My main concerns are my respiratory issues. I think everything boils down to not being able to do things because of my lungs.

[ScalpMassager]

For the gerd, have you tried propping your bed a few inches higher at the head end?  Even that slight slope might be helpful at night.

Do your symptoms ease off and/or do you sleep better, at some other residence?

[jf87]

My doctor has told me I am not allowed to exercise. I have tried to even though he says not to but I couldn't. I get so out of breath just walking down my 1/8 of a mile driveway. So I gave up. Before all this started I was healthy. Heck I lost 70 lbs the year before my symptoms started. I have gained 40 back. I do still eat healthy so I don't understand. I am the type of person that can fall asleep 5 seconds after my head hits the pillow, but I wake up all through the night. I just want to feel better!

[ScalpMassager]

You don't smoke, but, do you live with or work with one of more smokers who smoke indoors?  (That could lead to COPD.)

You're on several meds but I wonder, are you relying on meds to do the job or are you also actively seeking ways to naturally deal with your anxiety and depression?  (eg. extremely healthy eating practices, good general activity level even if it's just brisk walking or walking, quiet times to rest your soul, etc.)

Do you sleep soundly and get enough sleep?