Don't know what to think, any ideas?
Question:
I’ve been feeling some pressure in my throat/top of chest, for a couple of months. I’ve also had frequent bouts of choking on my food, which I thought to be related to my digestive woes. I have suddenly began having constant anxiety, which is at it’s worst when I’m driving…….something I’ve NEVER had. It’s been bad enough that I had to either get some help or quit driving, and I commute almost 3 hours a day. I’ve noticed that for about a year, I don’t have enough air to sing (some listeners might consider that a blessing!) which I attributed to a bout of heavy smoking I did during an extremely stressful time a couple of years back. I also have had some shortness of breath, and of course, swelling in my legs and feet…….that’s been going on for literally years. My PCP sent me to a pulmonary specialist, because I felt the constriction in my windpipe, and she (and I) thought I might have some type of asthmatic bronchitis or something. The pulmonary specialist sent me over to the hospital for a complete pulmonary function test, and a CT scan of the soft tissue of my neck. I went in to see the doc Tuesday for the results. I already knew I came in just under normal range on the pulmonary function test. No surprise there. Didn’t even think twice about the CT scan. I sit down, and he tells me he found a couple of things on my CT scan. I have ALL I know. It’s back to the hospital Tuesday for a CT of my thyroid, and an echocardiogram. I had a thallium stress test May of 2001, which I guess I passed (had a hypo on the treadmill…..they didn’t believe it till I started falling!) I guess it wasn’t enlarged then, or they would have told me. Anyway, that’s where it stands. I am wondering if the thyroid could be affecting my blood sugar. I’ve been griping since about April that I couldn’t get my Bg’s down to my normal levels since that stint with Avandia starting in January. Not too bad, but definitely NOT where I was before, no matter what I’ve done to effect a change. Bottom line……anyone know anything about this? I’m open to all info, good and (gulp)……bad. Bev Remove the "SpamFree" for email, please.
Response:
Must be the year for thyroids to act up! The weird part is that my son, 40 yrs old/21 in army, had the same problem about 4 wks ago, they (the army) zapped his thyroid with radioactive Iodine a couple of weeks ago. My bs have been messed up for a few weeks, go from hypo to hyper without warning and for reason that I can figure out. My Doc thinks I’ve been hyperthyroid for several years, just now getting bad enought to show up. don – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’ve been feeling some pressure in my throat/top of chest, for a couple of > months. I’ve also had frequent bouts of choking on my food, which I thought to > be related to my digestive woes. I have suddenly began having constant anxiety, > which is at it’s worst when I’m driving…….something I’ve NEVER had. It’s > been bad enough that I had to either get some help or quit driving, and I > commute almost 3 hours a day. > I’ve noticed that for about a year, I don’t have enough air to sing (some > listeners might consider that a blessing!) which I attributed to a bout of > heavy smoking I did during an extremely stressful time a couple of years back. > I also have had some shortness of breath, and of course, swelling in my legs > and feet…….that’s been going on for literally years. > My PCP sent me to a pulmonary specialist, because I felt the constriction in my > windpipe, and she (and I) thought I might have some type of asthmatic > bronchitis or something. > The pulmonary specialist sent me over to the hospital for a complete pulmonary > function test, and a CT scan of the soft tissue of my neck. I went in to see > the doc Tuesday for the results. > I already knew I came in just under normal range on the pulmonary function > test. No surprise there. Didn’t even think twice about the CT scan. > I sit down, and he tells me he found a couple of things on my CT scan. I have about > ALL I know. It’s back to the hospital Tuesday for a CT of my thyroid, and an > echocardiogram. I had a thallium stress test May of 2001, which I guess I > passed (had a hypo on the treadmill…..they didn’t believe it till I started > falling!) I guess it wasn’t enlarged then, or they would have told me. > Anyway, that’s where it stands. I am wondering if the thyroid could be > affecting my blood sugar. I’ve been griping since about April that I couldn’t > get my Bg’s down to my normal levels since that stint with Avandia starting in > January. Not too bad, but definitely NOT where I was before, no matter what > I’ve done to effect a change. > Bottom line……anyone know anything about this? I’m open to all info, good > and (gulp)……bad. > Bev > Remove the "SpamFree" for email, please.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve been feeling some pressure in my throat/top of chest, for a couple of > months. I’ve also had frequent bouts of choking on my food, which I thought to > be related to my digestive woes. I have suddenly began having constant anxiety, > which is at it’s worst when I’m driving…….something I’ve NEVER had. It’s > been bad enough that I had to either get some help or quit driving, and I > commute almost 3 hours a day. > I’ve noticed that for about a year, I don’t have enough air to sing (some > listeners might consider that a blessing!) which I attributed to a bout of > heavy smoking I did during an extremely stressful time a couple of years back. > I also have had some shortness of breath, and of course, swelling in my legs > and feet…….that’s been going on for literally years. > My PCP sent me to a pulmonary specialist, because I felt the constriction in my > windpipe, and she (and I) thought I might have some type of asthmatic > bronchitis or something. > The pulmonary specialist sent me over to the hospital for a complete pulmonary > function test, and a CT scan of the soft tissue of my neck. I went in to see > the doc Tuesday for the results. > I already knew I came in just under normal range on the pulmonary function > test. No surprise there. Didn’t even think twice about the CT scan. > I sit down, and he tells me he found a couple of things on my CT scan. I have that’s about > ALL I know. It’s back to the hospital Tuesday for a CT of my thyroid, and an > echocardiogram. I had a thallium stress test May of 2001, which I guess I > passed (had a hypo on the treadmill…..they didn’t believe it till I started > falling!) I guess it wasn’t enlarged then, or they would have told me. > Anyway, that’s where it stands. I am wondering if the thyroid could be > affecting my blood sugar. I’ve been griping since about April that I couldn’t > get my Bg’s down to my normal levels since that stint with Avandia starting in > January. Not too bad, but definitely NOT where I was before, no matter what > I’ve done to effect a change. > Bottom line……anyone know anything about this? I’m open to all info, good > and (gulp)……bad. > Bev
Oh Bev! I bet you are feeling pretty scared – I know I would be. I recently had a thallium stress test for a possible ischemia and angina, and it showed up pretty clearly, confirming the doc’s suspicions. So all one can do is follow whatever they advise, and see what help is available. You *are* probably going to have to make some new life style adjustments – BUT, with medical help, you could still continue to lead a good life. Please check with your doctor about discontinuing the Avandia – I believe it is contra-indicated when there is heart disease and/or edema. That’s all I can suggest. Annette
Response:
Are you on blood pressure medication? I was diagnosed with an enlarged heart many years ago. My doctor said it was due to many years of uncontrolled high blood pressure. I started on medication and there hasn’t been any mention of an enlarged heart for years. Gary P.S. Please do whatever your doctor tells you to do. Their business is to get us well. Something it took me a while to learn. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’ve been feeling some pressure in my throat/top of chest, for a couple of > months. I’ve also had frequent bouts of choking on my food, which I thought to > be related to my digestive woes. I have suddenly began having constant anxiety, > which is at it’s worst when I’m driving…….something I’ve NEVER had. It’s > been bad enough that I had to either get some help or quit driving, and I > commute almost 3 hours a day. > I’ve noticed that for about a year, I don’t have enough air to sing (some > listeners might consider that a blessing!) which I attributed to a bout of > heavy smoking I did during an extremely stressful time a couple of years back. > I also have had some shortness of breath, and of course, swelling in my legs > and feet…….that’s been going on for literally years. > My PCP sent me to a pulmonary specialist, because I felt the constriction in my > windpipe, and she (and I) thought I might have some type of asthmatic > bronchitis or something. > The pulmonary specialist sent me over to the hospital for a complete pulmonary > function test, and a CT scan of the soft tissue of my neck. I went in to see > the doc Tuesday for the results. > I already knew I came in just under normal range on the pulmonary function > test. No surprise there. Didn’t even think twice about the CT scan. > I sit down, and he tells me he found a couple of things on my CT scan. I have > ALL I know. It’s back to the hospital Tuesday for a CT of my thyroid, and an > echocardiogram. I had a thallium stress test May of 2001, which I guess I > passed (had a hypo on the treadmill…..they didn’t believe it till I started > falling!) I guess it wasn’t enlarged then, or they would have told me. > Anyway, that’s where it stands. I am wondering if the thyroid could be > affecting my blood sugar. I’ve been griping since about April that I couldn’t > get my Bg’s down to my normal levels since that stint with Avandia starting in > January. Not too bad, but definitely NOT where I was before, no matter what > I’ve done to effect a change. > Bottom line……anyone know anything about this? I’m open to all info, good > and (gulp)……bad. > Bev > Remove the "SpamFree" for email, please.
Response:
G’day G’day Bev, At this point one thing is very obvious. You will really appreciate getting a full and correct diagnosis. That is not something any of us can do. Similarities to our own or others experiences would probably only mislead you further. The medical profession will basically have to go through the process of eliminating possible causes. That may take a while and test your patience sorely because the same symptoms can appear for unrelated conditions. Whatever, we all wish you well and hope you soon have a sound diagnosis for you and your doctors to work on. This post not CC’d by email – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’ve been feeling some pressure in my throat/top of chest, for a couple of >months. I’ve also had frequent bouts of choking on my food, which I thought to >be related to my digestive woes. I have suddenly began having constant anxiety, >which is at it’s worst when I’m driving…….something I’ve NEVER had. It’s >been bad enough that I had to either get some help or quit driving, and I >commute almost 3 hours a day. > I’ve noticed that for about a year, I don’t have enough air to sing (some >listeners might consider that a blessing!) which I attributed to a bout of >heavy smoking I did during an extremely stressful time a couple of years back. >I also have had some shortness of breath, and of course, swelling in my legs >and feet…….that’s been going on for literally years. >My PCP sent me to a pulmonary specialist, because I felt the constriction in my >windpipe, and she (and I) thought I might have some type of asthmatic >bronchitis or something. >The pulmonary specialist sent me over to the hospital for a complete pulmonary >function test, and a CT scan of the soft tissue of my neck. I went in to see >the doc Tuesday for the results. >I already knew I came in just under normal range on the pulmonary function >test. No surprise there. Didn’t even think twice about the CT scan. >I sit down, and he tells me he found a couple of things on my CT scan. I have >ALL I know. It’s back to the hospital Tuesday for a CT of my thyroid, and an >echocardiogram. I had a thallium stress test May of 2001, which I guess I >passed (had a hypo on the treadmill…..they didn’t believe it till I started >falling!) I guess it wasn’t enlarged then, or they would have told me. >Anyway, that’s where it stands. I am wondering if the thyroid could be >affecting my blood sugar. I’ve been griping since about April that I couldn’t >get my Bg’s down to my normal levels since that stint with Avandia starting in >January. Not too bad, but definitely NOT where I was before, no matter what >I’ve done to effect a change. >Bottom line……anyone know anything about this? I’m open to all info, good >and (gulp)……bad. >Bev >Remove the "SpamFree" for email, please.
– Quentin Grady ^ ^ / New Zealand, >#,#< [ / / "… and the blind dog was leading." http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’ve been feeling some pressure in my throat/top of chest, for a couple of > months. I’ve also had frequent bouts of choking on my food, which I thought to > be related to my digestive woes. I have suddenly began having constant anxiety, > which is at it’s worst when I’m driving…….something I’ve NEVER had. It’s > been bad enough that I had to either get some help or quit driving, and I > commute almost 3 hours a day. > I’ve noticed that for about a year, I don’t have enough air to sing (some > listeners might consider that a blessing!) which I attributed to a bout of > heavy smoking I did during an extremely stressful time a couple of years back. > I also have had some shortness of breath, and of course, swelling in my legs > and feet…….that’s been going on for literally years. > My PCP sent me to a pulmonary specialist, because I felt the constriction in my > windpipe, and she (and I) thought I might have some type of asthmatic > bronchitis or something. > The pulmonary specialist sent me over to the hospital for a complete pulmonary > function test, and a CT scan of the soft tissue of my neck. I went in to see > the doc Tuesday for the results. > I already knew I came in just under normal range on the pulmonary function > test. No surprise there. Didn’t even think twice about the CT scan. > I sit down, and he tells me he found a couple of things on my CT scan. I have > ALL I know. It’s back to the hospital Tuesday for a CT of my thyroid, and an > echocardiogram. I had a thallium stress test May of 2001, which I guess I > passed (had a hypo on the treadmill…..they didn’t believe it till I started > falling!) I guess it wasn’t enlarged then, or they would have told me. > Anyway, that’s where it stands. I am wondering if the thyroid could be > affecting my blood sugar. I’ve been griping since about April that I couldn’t > get my Bg’s down to my normal levels since that stint with Avandia starting in > January. Not too bad, but definitely NOT where I was before, no matter what > I’ve done to effect a change. > Bottom line……anyone know anything about this? I’m open to all info, good > and (gulp)……bad. > Bev > Remove the "SpamFree" for email, please.
Don’t know if this will help or not. Last week when I was at my doctor I mentioned that I seem to be choking by having saliva or some foods go "the wrong way" more often than usual. He said that I may have a little nerve damage from diabetes to the little flap in my throat that is supposed to prevent this from happening. He has not been able to find any evidence of nerve damage anywhere on me before. He said there isn’t much I can do about it. I do this often when I eat a handful of mixed nuts which is one of my better snacks. He said to make sure that I drink a little water or something before and after eating them. Good luck to you. Chuck
Response:
>Please check with your doctor about discontinuing the Avandia – I >believe it is contra-indicated when there is heart disease and/or >edema. That’s all I can suggest.
Hi Annette, I stopped the Avandia about 4 months into it when it wasn’t controlling my Bg at the highest dose with insulin. I gained 20lbs which I haven’t totally lost (gained 30 with Actos, then lost every pound when I stopped it). I’ve been back on Glucophage for several months, but something just hasn’t been right. For one thing, it used to be a running joke between Gib and me that I was NEVER hungry. He often had to remind me to eat. Now, I’m starving to death before I get to work, and by the time I get home. Weird. Bev Remove the "SpamFree" for email, please.
Response:
> I’ve been feeling some pressure in my throat/top of chest, for a couple of > months. I’ve also had frequent bouts of choking on my food, which I thought to > be related to my digestive woes.<
Ah, before I even saw the answer I said must be thyroid. Son and good friend had same symptoms. <snipped> > Anyway, that’s where it stands. I am wondering if the thyroid could be > affecting my blood sugar. I’ve been griping since about April that I couldn’t > get my Bg’s down to my normal levels since that stint with Avandia starting in > January. Not too bad, but definitely NOT where I was before, no matter what > I’ve done to effect a change.
Raising hand, ooh, ooh, me too!! I went to an Endo for the first time and had the Thyroid tests and A1C done and waiting on lab work back. My fasting and other numbers have been rising. I like to keep tight control and do not like some of the spikes I have been getting. I’m hoping that when (if) I start on Thyroid meds, that everything will fall back into place. Good luck on your Thyroid scan and the rest of the stuff, as well!! Julie E. T2 11/00
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>My fasting and other numbers have been rising. I like to keep tight >control and do not like some of the spikes I have been getting. I’m hoping >that when (if) I start on Thyroid meds, that everything will fall back into >place. >Good luck on your Thyroid scan and the rest of the stuff, as well!!
Bev Remove the "SpamFree" for email, please.
Response:
Nothing to offer, Bev, just best wishes. Hope it works out for you. — Best wishes Louise Type 2, controlling by diet and exercise Remove oldglory for email.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve been feeling some pressure in my throat/top of chest, for a couple of > months. I’ve also had frequent bouts of choking on my food, which I thought to > be related to my digestive woes. I have suddenly began having constant anxiety, > which is at it’s worst when I’m driving…….something I’ve NEVER had. It’s > been bad enough that I had to either get some help or quit driving, and I > commute almost 3 hours a day. > I’ve noticed that for about a year, I don’t have enough air to sing (some > listeners might consider that a blessing!) which I attributed to a bout of > heavy smoking I did during an extremely stressful time a couple of years back. > I also have had some shortness of breath, and of course, swelling in my legs > and feet…….that’s been going on for literally years. > My PCP sent me to a pulmonary specialist, because I felt the constriction in my > windpipe, and she (and I) thought I might have some type of asthmatic > bronchitis or something. > The pulmonary specialist sent me over to the hospital for a complete pulmonary > function test, and a CT scan of the soft tissue of my neck. I went in to see > the doc Tuesday for the results. > I already knew I came in just under normal range on the pulmonary function > test. No surprise there. Didn’t even think twice about the CT scan. > I sit down, and he tells me he found a couple of things on my CT scan. I have about > ALL I know. It’s back to the hospital Tuesday for a CT of my thyroid, and an > echocardiogram. I had a thallium stress test May of 2001, which I guess I > passed (had a hypo on the treadmill…..they didn’t believe it till I started > falling!) I guess it wasn’t enlarged then, or they would have told me. > Anyway, that’s where it stands. I am wondering if the thyroid could be > affecting my blood sugar. I’ve been griping since about April that I couldn’t > get my Bg’s down to my normal levels since that stint with Avandia starting in > January. Not too bad, but definitely NOT where I was before, no matter what > I’ve done to effect a change. > Bottom line……anyone know anything about this? I’m open to all info, good > and (gulp)……bad. > Bev > Remove the "SpamFree" for email, please.
Response:
I don’t have much to offer in the way of advice on this one, but I wish you well on your tests. 
Cheri – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi Annette, >I stopped the Avandia about 4 months into it when it wasn’t controlling my Bg >at the highest dose with insulin. I gained 20lbs which I haven’t totally lost >(gained 30 with Actos, then lost every pound when I stopped it). >I’ve been back on Glucophage for several months, but something just hasn’t been >right. For one thing, it used to be a running joke between Gib and me that I >was NEVER hungry. He often had to remind me to eat. >Now, I’m starving to death before I get to work, and by the time I get home. >Weird. >Bev >Remove the "SpamFree" for email, please.
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