I'm worried about my dad. . .
By amaleigh73
@amaleigh73 (499)
United States
June 19, 2007 8:56am CST
My dad is a courier and he drives a few hundred miles every day for work. He has been struggling with, what we thought, was allergies for several weeks. Last Wednesday, he was driving in Maryland and felt lightheaded and felt like something or someone was sitting on his chest and couldn't breath very well. He felt so bad he stopped at a Medical Clinic. They did a chest x-ray and saw a possible embolism and told him to go to the local hospital. There they did a CAT scan and said no embolism, he has bronchitis in the lowest part of his lungs and sent him home on a very strong antibiotic, an inhaler and instructions to follow up with his regular doctor. He did that on Friday and they said he did not have bronchitis, that he had respiratory spasms induced by allergies. Since then he had 2 episodes that he has been a little out of it for a short time and he made another appointment with his doctor. Now they said he is having anxiety attacks (which we don't think so) and gave him Zantac and told him to see a cardiologist. What in the world???? He is only 59, never smoked or drank, is a healthy weight, decent cholerstoral and is active. Why can't these doctors figure out what is wrong with my dad??? Where is Dr. House when you need him?!?!?!
1 response
@vokey9472 (1486)
• United States
19 Jun 07
Make sure that your father writes down all his symptoms even if they seem silly, like excessive sneezing, etc. Then make sure that he does make an appointment with a cardiologist. Anytime a person feels lightheaded, cannot breathe properly and has chest pains, he needs to see a cardiologist.
He could have something as simple as an infection in the sack around his heart. He could also have something more serious that if caught early can be taken care of very quickly. I was just reading about things men's health and chest pains wtih difficulty breathing was one of the things mentioned.
@amaleigh73 (499)
• United States
19 Jun 07
Thank you so much! Since I posted, he did make an appointment with the cardiologist for Wednesday and he will get the Halter monitor and whatever else they will do. He does have an irregular heart beat, but he has had it for years and there has been no change in that. Thanks again for your response
@vokey9472 (1486)
• United States
20 Jun 07
I am not sure where you are located but I was reading in my local Sunday paper about the 7 symptoms that men should never ignore. Here they are
1. Chest pain: considered the holy grail of medical symptoms. Always see a doctore for chest pain. Why take a chance with you life?
2. Shortness of breath: This could be a sign that your hear is geting weak-also called congestive heart failure.
3. Unintended weight loss: could be an overactive thyroid gland, diabetes, but sometimes the first hint of cancer.
4. Blood in urine or stool: Get a colonoscopy. Could be cancer, could be bleedign ulcers.
5. Changes in urination: Could be an enlarged prostate. Could be prostate cancer. Could be diabetes. A physical and PSA blood test can often tell what is causing the problems.
6. Leg swelling: Fluid build up in feet, ankles and legs. DON'T IGNORE IT! It could be a warning sign of liver, heart or kidney disease.
7. Skin lesions that dont go away: Any skin ulcer that does not go away in a few days, especially on feet and legs, should be seen by a doctor. They could be a hint that something is wrong with the circulation. Any skin lesions that changes color, gets larger or does not go away in a few days could be skin cancer.
Most men will ignore these syptoms. Thank heavens that they have us women to look after them. I read this article and made an appointment for my hubby. He has 4 out of 7 symptoms. I figure it is most likely nothing serious, but why take the chance? I hope everything turns out ok for your father. I will keep him in my prayers.
