My mother Lung problems?

Question

My mother has been diagnosed with weird illness , or least in her point of view. Her symptoms changes in months which is an odd thing, she takes regular painkiller the hospital has given her. They gave it to her thinking that theres something wrong with her ribcage when she inhales.

My mom tells me she has daily chest pains and that she feels her breath is shorten when she inhales, when she inhales it seems that her lung is blocked and she cannot inhale completely. Lately her jaws feels tired and weary out easily when she chews and her veins seems to feel shocked a bit sometime, a sharp pain. When she stop drinking the pills the doctor gave the pains seems to come back and so she gotta keep taking them.

We've been to the hospital and GP so often, yet through all her breathing test, blood test from artery and so on, and her x-ray seems perfectly fine.

What could be the cause of this? is my mom life at risk and the doctors can't seem to find a treatment? I fear for my mother life..

Answer 1

Even though her GP has not found anything, I would ask to be sent to a specialist, either a pulmonologist, who specializes in the lung, or a cardiologist, who specializes in the heart. The jaw pain could be an indication of heart problems -- it is one of the symptoms for women. HOWEVER, I am not a doctor. Most insurance companies will authorize a second and even third opinion. I would seriously inquire, since she is complaining of daily pain. Do NOT panic and try to keep her as calm as possible. The best thing is to seek professional advice, as that is what they go to school for! Good luck and God Bless!

Answer 2

Many years ago, I had something. I had it for years -- 3 or 4, and I went from doctor to doctor trying to get it diagnosed. Finally, a physician ran the right test on me and found that I had a thyroid disorder. It was nothing. I took some thyroid medication, and was literally better in less than a week.

But there is nothing more terrifying than being ill and not being able to find what is wrong, and sometimes the search for the right physician is the hardest part.

I am absolutely not a healthcare professional, but the thing that comes through in your question is fear -- for your mother and her health and her life. The other thing that comes through is that you just don't know how to explain what is wrong with her or how she feels. You don't know how to put it into words. I remember this as well, because I didn't know how to explain objectively what seemed so subjective to me.

I really think you need guidance and advice, help finding a physician. There is a web site called WebMD, and they have a section on "Ask the Experts". They don't have an expert on lungs or pulmonary function, but they do on heart-related issues, and that might be a place to start. You could try.

No physician is going to diagnose a patient they have never seen, but they may be able to guide you with appropriate next steps, the wisest way to proceed -- whether you should go to an internist for a second opinion, or ask for a referral to a specialist.

Really, my feeling -- and I am just a person who haunts Yahoo! Answers from time to time -- is that, if you are seeing a GP or a family practitioner, you might want to turn for a second opinion to an internist. This branch of medicine is a general branch -- like the family practitioner -- but is strictly for adults (whereas the family practitioner specializes in the family, kids included). So an internist is a specialist in the illnesses of adults, and he has specialized in them. Many of the specialists to whom your mother might be referred next -- cardiologists, hypertensologists, endocrinologists, pulmonologists, rheumatologists -- must first specialize in internal medicine. And if you go to an internist, try to find one that is board certified, which means that his or her training is very up-to-date.

If you don't know where to turn to find someone, you might want to go ask your priest or minister or rabbi. Oftentimes someone like this, who is a community leader, will have connections with reliable professionals in the community, and can suggest someone reliable that they know, and even call ahead to let them you that your mother is a member of the flock and is frightened as well as ill, and needs help.

Even a teacher may be able to help, because the school has a nurse, and the nurse would know of physicians who could help.

You may feel like you are alone, because whatever is wrong with her doesn't have a name, and so you really don't know what to say, other than that you are afraid. But you are not alone. There are lots of people you interact with every day that will be very happy to be there for you. Talk to them. Let them know you are afraid, and let them know that you need help, that your mother needs help. See if they know someone who can help.

There! Maybe that gives you some ideas. Send your mom hugs. I hope it turns out to be nothing. It just could, you know.

Answer 3

I don't like the sound of that at all!

Do you know what this 'weird condition' is? If not, get that doctor who diagnosed it to talk to you until you do understand.

I really don't know if your mom's life is at risk or not.

Now, once I did have pain in my ribs while breathing, or lifting anything with a substantial amount of weight. But that was because I had undergone some serious strains and trauma recently. And I don't think that applies to your mom.

If the doctors where you are can't or won't help your mom, find someone who can and who will actually work with you.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You definitely need a 2nd opinion.
My husband was in the hospital a very long time & I learned that mistakes are made quite often regarding diagnosis.
I wish you well.