Shortness of breath, chest pain, etc...

Since my health insurance card expired—and being a student, I have to renew it every single year—my mom hasn't sent over the new one yet. Without it, I can't see a doctor through my provider, so I'm hoping someone here might be able to help me figure out what's going on for free.
It started a few days ago, right after I moved into my new place on Monday. At first, it was just shortness of breath, but as the days went by, I started getting this pain in my chest, specifically on the left side. It’s happened sporadically before. It actually first flared up last year after I got back from summer break, though it seemed to settle down once I moved away for college. Then, when I came back home for the holidays, it popped up again. Usually, using Ventolin or my inhaler (that purple disc thing, I can't remember the exact name) would clear it right up—just two or three puffs and I'd be fine. But this time, it isn't stopping. Honestly, the breathing issue isn't even the main problem anymore; it's the chest pain. This morning, my calves started aching, and I had some pain between my elbows earlier too, though that's gone now. My calves still hurt a bit, but not as much as they did this morning. I'm really hoping someone knowledgeable can tell me what I'm dealing with. I'd be incredibly grateful. Or if you could at least point me toward where I can find more info.

Honestly, you should probably see a doctor. That doesn't look entirely harmless. Also, didn't they give you a temporary insurance card or some kind of paperwork to use while your actual ID is being processed?

quiethound45 said:Honestly, you should probably check with a doctor. That doesn't sound completely harmless. Also, didn't they give you a temporary ID or some kind of paperwork while your actual card is being processed?

It was valid through September 30th. My mom needs to mail me the new one, but she can't get it out until Monday after I send over the confirmation and we handle the back-and-forth.

I guess you could still take her to the doctor—as long as you haven't gotten a new one yet, though I'm not entirely sure.
Listen, chest pain is usually a bad sign; it could be heart-related, or maybe something with the lungs. It sounds a bit like a type of asthma to me (possibly allergy-induced), but usually, that involves more shortness of breath rather than this sharp stabbing sensation in the chest. Does she get tired easily?

quiethound45 said:I think you can still see her doctor—as long as you haven't received a new one yet, but I'm not entirely sure.
Look, chest pain is usually a bad sign. It could be heart-related, or maybe something with your lungs. To me, it sounds like a type of asthma (maybe allergic?), but asthma usually feels more like shortness of breath or struggling to catch your wind rather than sharp pains in your chest. Are you getting tired easily?

I don't get tired. I'm leaning toward an allergy too, though allergies usually stem from some plant or something near the house. I'm actually away from home right now, but the pain is still there. I'll try to head to the doctor tomorrow if I can, assuming I don't run into any damn red tape or bureaucracy. =)

Take those papers with you and just tell them you aren't feeling well. I’m pretty sure they’ll take you in, and if that doesn't work, you can always just head to the ER—they have to see you there, at least I think...
It would be terrible if you went into anaphylactic shock and ended up alone without anyone to help while you were unconscious and struggling to breathe. This isn't something to joke about—seriously.
(I watched my grandmother deal with chest pains right before she suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away, so hearing about chest pain really gives me the chills)
It's better to be safe than to let something stupid happen. I really hope it isn't anything serious, but you should act like it is just in case. I'll be thinking of you, please let me know what happens.🙂

So I asked my people—if things get really bad, just head straight to the ER. They have to take you in regardless of whether you have insurance or not! You can also call them if you're feeling like you can't breathe properly

Olivia Martin6 said:So, basically, ever since a few days ago (specifically since Monday when I moved into my new apartment), I've been having this real hard time breathing

Don't you think it could just be stress from settling into a new place? 😉

Walter Myers4 said:Don't you think it could just be stress from adjusting to a new environment?😉>

Not really. I've lived here for a year already, and this stuff started happening back home out of nowhere, too. I'm heading to the doctor tomorrow, so hopefully they can figure it out.

Wait, where on earth did Ventolin even come from in this whole story?

Olivia Martin6 said:Since my student health insurance card expires every year and my mom hasn't sent over the renewal info yet—meaning I can't hit up a doctor under my plan right now—I'm hoping someone here can give me a free diagnosis.
Basically, ever since I moved into my new place on Monday, I’ve been struggling to breathe, and as the days go by, this pain in my chest—specifically the left side—is getting worse. It used to happen occasionally before; it actually started when I came back from summer break last year, though it went away once I moved out for college. Then, once I came back home, it popped up again. Using Ventolin and an inhaler (that purple disk thing, I forget the name) usually cleared it up after two or three puffs, but lately, it won't stop. Honestly, the breathing difficulty isn't even the main issue anymore—it's the chest pain. This morning my calves started aching, and I had some pain between my elbows too, though that passed. My calves still hurt a bit, just not as bad as they did earlier. I'm really hoping someone knowledgeable can tell me what's going on; all I can offer is my sincere thanks. Or, at least, point me toward where I can find more info.

Ever heard of psychosomatic illnesses?☕

Olivia Martin6 said:Since my health insurance card expired—and being a student, I have to renew it every single year—my mom hasn't sent over the new one yet. Without it, I can't see a doctor through my provider, so I'm hoping someone here might be able to help me figure out what's going on for free.
It started a few days ago, right after I moved into my new place on Monday. At first, it was just shortness of breath, but as the days went by, I started getting this pain in my chest, specifically on the left side. It’s happened sporadically before. It actually first flared up last year after I got back from summer break, though it seemed to settle down once I moved away for college. Then, when I came back home for the holidays, it popped up again. Usually, using Ventolin or my inhaler (that purple disc thing, I can't remember the exact name) would clear it right up—just two or three puffs and I'd be fine. But this time, it isn't stopping. Honestly, the breathing issue isn't even the main problem anymore; it's the chest pain. This morning, my calves started aching, and I had some pain between my elbows earlier too, though that's gone now. My calves still hurt a bit, but not as much as they did this morning. I'm really hoping someone knowledgeable can tell me what I'm dealing with. I'd be incredibly grateful. Or if you could at least point me toward where I can find more info.

HEY, I'M DEALING WITH THE EXACT SAME THING RIGHT NOW... I got my labs back and my iron levels are incredibly low. My doctor suggested that might be the cause... but I've been on iron supplements for a month already and I don't feel much better. I even quit smoking because I got so worried... I'm struggling to breathe, and now my arms are hurting—one minute it's one arm, then the other, especially my elbows and my pinky on my right hand...

I apologize for reviving such an old thread, but I am quite distressed and am hoping for some guidance. I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for this Thursday, but I am unsure how I will manage until then.

Over the last two days, I have been experiencing pain in my esophagus. It started in my throat before gradually migrating down, and now I am finding it difficult to breathe. I have no other symptoms, but the sensation is maddening—it feels as though a heavy weight has been placed on my chest. I also struggle with very low iron levels; could there be any connection between the two?

Carl Barrett11 said:I apologize for reviving such an old thread, but I am quite distressed and am hoping for some guidance. I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for this Thursday, but I am unsure how I will manage until then.

Over the last two days, I have been experiencing pain in my esophagus. It started in my throat before gradually migrating down, and now I am finding it difficult to breathe. I have no other symptoms, but the sensation is maddening—it feels as though a heavy weight has been placed on my chest. I also struggle with very low iron levels; could there be any connection between the two?

Is it actually possible for esophageal inflammation (in my case, specifically from acid reflux) to cause shortness of breath??? I don't really have much pain, just these absolutely brutal bouts of nausea...
My iron levels are fine... though I do know that being anemic can definitely cause breathing issues...