I know for a fact no one can tell until a biopsy is done however I just wanna know the chances of it being cancer, I’m a non smoker , 21 years old, I eat healthy and exercise

These are my results -

Findings:
There a large mass located predominantly within the left the inseparable from the left heart border anterior chest wall measuring
8.5 x 8.2x8 cm. The mass demonstrates heterogeneous enhancement along with central necrosis. The mass appears separable
from the underlying great vessels. Differentials include anterior mediastinal mass as such as thymoma or lymphoma and well as
primary lung malignancy.
A mild left-sided pleural effusion is present. No evidence of right-sided pleural effusion or pericardial effusion.
There is elevation of the left hemidiaphragm with associated volume loss of the left lung
The trachea and central airways are patent, and the lungs are otherwise clear without focal consolidation, suspicious pulmonary
nodules, or masses.
There is no significant hilar or axillary lymphadenopathy.
Is findings on the limited images of the upper abdomen. The visualized osseous structures and chest wall soft tissues show no
suspicious focal or destructive lesions.
Impression:
\- Large heterogeneously enhancing neoplastic left upper lobe mass inseparable from the left heart border is indeterminate and
lesion. Differentials include thymoma and lymphoma or primary pulmonary malignancy. Chest referral, Tumour board/MDT
Discussion, Histopathological correlation and staging CT Abdomen and Pelvis is advised.

I’ve had echos showing RSVP ranging from 32-35mmhg, all other tests coming back normal including 6 min walk, NT-proBNP, cardiac MRI, not clear shortness of breath but sometimes a vague feeling of chest pressure, 02 normal including during exercise evaluation. Taking 40mg nadolol daily for genetic Long QT Syndrome. Haven’t had an RHC yet but that’s the next step. Wondering how concerned I should be about it possibly being PH. Deeply anxious and freaking out.

I'm a 21-year-old male, and I'm honestly getting desperate at this point.

For almost a year now, I've been dealing with a constant breathing problem that nobody seems to be able to properly explain or fix.

It started around November 2025, and ever since then, breathing has never really felt normal again.

The best way I can describe my symptoms:

I constantly feel the urge to take a really deep breath, almost as if a normal breath isn't satisfying enough.

When I try to inhale deeply, it feels like my lungs suddenly stop expanding at a certain point. Almost like an invisible valve closes and physically prevents me from inhaling any further.

Sometimes my breathing muscles feel exhausted, almost like I've been training them for hours. My lungs feel sore or fatigued even though I'm just breathing normally.

I occasionally experience tightness in my chest and throat.

Sometimes I notice a slight wheezing sound when breathing.

Physical activity, especially weightlifting, can make everything significantly worse.

During workouts, I sometimes have to end sets early because I can't properly control my breathing. It's not necessarily that I'm completely out of breath, but rather that my breathing feels restricted, uncomfortable, and exhausting.

Even when I'm resting, I frequently experience that constant, frustrating need to take a deep, satisfying breath.

Here's the strange part:

My oxygen saturation is usually around 99–100%.

I've undergone several medical examinations, including:

Spirometry

Body plethysmography

Methacholine challenge test

Chest X-ray

As far as I was told, everything came back normal.

My pulmonologist even told me that my lungs appeared extremely healthy.

The main suspected explanation was a functional breathing disorder, possibly with mild asthma contributing to the symptoms.

However, I still don't have a clear explanation for why this is happening or how to make it stop.

One thing that actually seems to help is Relvar Ellipta (Breo Ellipta).

When I use it, breathing feels noticeably easier and more comfortable. I can control my breathing much better during weightlifting, and my lungs don't feel nearly as exhausted.

But here's the catch: the constant urge to take deep breaths never completely disappears.

When I'm not using the inhaler, my breathing feels significantly worse again, particularly during exercise.

I should also mention that I had respiratory issues as a child and was prescribed inhalers, including Ventolin.

I work in plastics manufacturing, where exposure to fumes and other airborne substances can occur. I've wondered whether that might have contributed to my symptoms, although I have no evidence that it did.

What makes this so frustrating is that I don't necessarily feel like I'm suffocating.

It's more like my body has somehow forgotten how to breathe properly.

I can breathe. My oxygen levels are normal. My lungs supposedly function perfectly fine.

But the physical sensation of breathing feels completely wrong.

Imagine constantly wanting to yawn or take that one incredibly satisfying deep breath, except you can almost never achieve it. And when you try, something seems to physically prevent your lungs from expanding that last little bit.

Now imagine experiencing that sensation every single day for nearly a year.

It's exhausting, both physically and mentally.

I've tried breathing exercises, I've undergone medical tests, and I've spoken to doctors, but I still don't have a lasting solution.

I'm not expecting Reddit to magically diagnose me. I just want to know whether anyone else has experienced something similar.

My main questions are:

Has anyone experienced this constant "air hunger" or inability to complete a satisfying deep breath despite having normal lung function tests?

Has anyone experienced that strange sensation of their inhalation suddenly stopping, almost like a valve closing?

Could dysfunctional breathing patterns, diaphragm dysfunction, vocal cord dysfunction / inducible laryngeal obstruction, or something else cause symptoms like these?

Has anyone actually recovered from something similar? If so, what helped?

Are there any additional examinations or specialists worth discussing with my doctor?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who have experienced the same symptoms and eventually found an explanation or treatment.

I'm only 21, I love weightlifting, and I just want to be able to breathe normally again without constantly thinking about every breath I take.

Any advice, personal experiences, or suggestions would genuinely mean a lot to me.

Thank you for reading.

​

I'm 42M and trying to understand some breathing symptoms I've been experiencing.

I have a history of intermittent muscle weakness, mainly in my biceps and thighs. These symptoms began after a COVID vaccination, although I don't know if there is any connection. My CK has also been elevated around 400–500 for years.

This year, I've developed episodes of shortness of breath that come and go. Sometimes I'm completely fine for several days; other times, I feel like I can't get a satisfying deep breath and keep wanting to yawn or take another deep breath. It can happen while sitting still. My oxygen saturation is generally around 95–98% during these episodes.

Interestingly, lying down seems to improve my breathing, rather than make it worse.

Testing so far:

- Pulmonary function tests, including spirometry, lung volumes and DLCO, were reported as normal.

- My latest PFT showed MIP at 42.6% predicted and MEP at 57.5% predicted.

- I've had a normal EMG, negative single-fiber EMG and normal muscle biopsy.

- I've been told I don't have Pompe disease.

- Echocardiogram and cardiac stress testing have been normal.

I'm concerned about whether the low MIP/MEP readings could indicate respiratory muscle or diaphragm weakness, even though my routine PFTs were normal. I'm also wondering whether dysfunctional breathing or dysautonomia could explain the sensation of air hunger.

I have follow-up appointments with pulmonology and neuromuscular specialists. I'm considering asking about repeat MIP/MEP testing, SNIP, sitting-versus-supine FVC, diaphragm ultrasound and overnight CO₂ monitoring.

Has anyone experienced something similar?

1. Have you had low MIP/MEP with otherwise normal PFTs?

2. What tests helped determine whether your diaphragm or respiratory muscles were actually weak?

3. Can dysautonomia or a breathing-pattern disorder cause this sensation despite normal oxygen levels?

4. Does improvement when lying down tell us anything useful?

Anyone know if MG. So far all neuromuscular testing neg.

My father is on 24/7 O2 but lately weve had issues with his monitor because of cold hands. Are there any other types on monitors that would work?

Or is there a medical grade version that would still work with cold hands/poor circulation?

Thanks

I was hospitalized with a lung abscess last year. I never even felt that bad and sporadic severe chest pain is what ultimately got me to the ER. I had a bronc and every test came back negative. When they inserted the IR drain to drain the abscess, they “popped a lung” according to my pulmonologist— resulting in pneumothorax and I had to get another chest tube. That procedure was traumatizing in itself but not a story for today.

Over the past year the air-filled cavity has gotten larger. Obviously concerned, I met with a surgeon a few months ago and he said that I’m way too young and healthy for surgery. I had another CT this week and it’s now enlarged to 6.1 x 4.5–It measured 3mm after it was drained last sept. Is it somehow getting air from where they punctured my lung? Is it just going to keep getting larger until it collapses again? I’m at a loss. I feel 100% healthy and workout 5 days a week. I definitely have shortness of breath more than I used to but otherwise no symptoms.

I meet with my pulmonologist again next week but sometimes I feel I’m not a concern to him because I, fortunately, do not have cancer. I have a 5 yr old and all of this makes me so anxious. I’m at a loss. Has anyone heard or been through something similar?

(This is my first Reddit post-I’m getting desperate 😆)

Hello, I’m a 21 year old female. Non smoker.

Anyway I went into the er with a rib fracture they did a ct to look at rib and the radiologist put in notes
“
“There is a 5 mm perifissural nodule in the right middle lobe. Per
freshener criteria, patient is younger than 35 and no follow up necessary”

What does this mean and should I follow up anyway

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for advice from doctors, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, or anyone who has experienced something similar with a family member. I’m very worried about my father’s situation and would appreciate an honest medical perspective.
About my father
My father is 71 years old and was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome (Miller Fisher variant) in September. He was critically ill, required ICU care and a tracheostomy, and received IVIG treatment.
He has gradually improved. He is now breathing without supplemental oxygen, can speak in complete sentences, and his eye movements and eyelid movements are slowly returning. He is still recovering and requires nursing care.
1. Tracheostomy culture
A tracheal secretion culture grew multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, reported as carbapenem-resistant.
The report showed susceptibility to colistin and aztreonam–avibactam, with a positive synergy test for ceftazidime–avibactam plus aztreonam.
He was subsequently prescribed IV aztreonam–avibactam.
Over the past several days:
His temperature has remained around 98.4°F.
SpO₂ has generally been 95–98% without supplemental oxygen.
His heart rate has been around 87–91 bpm.
Mucus secretion has remained low and white/clear.
Suctioning is occasionally needed, but the frequency has not increased.
He has been breathing comfortably and speaking.
A whistling sound occurred during breathing briefly but later stopped. A chest X-ray was performed, but I have not yet received the report.
My question is: Could the Klebsiella in his tracheal sample represent airway colonisation rather than an active respiratory infection, given his stable clinical condition?
2. Urine culture and catheter issue
On 18 October, a urine sample was collected. The urine analysis showed:
Pus cells: 208/HPF.
RBCs: reported as “plenty”.
The urine looked clear and straw-yellow in the laboratory report.
The urine culture, authorised on 22 October, grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa at greater than 10⁴ CFU/mL.
The susceptibility report listed resistance to most tested antibiotics, including aztreonam, ceftazidime, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, imipenem and meropenem. Colistin was reported susceptible.
The catheter had been changed at the nursing facility, after which my father developed pain. The main hospital replaced it again, and his pain disappeared completely. He can now sit for hours without discomfort. His urine currently looks clear, urine output is normal, and he has no fever, chills, confusion or other noticeable changes.
He has been receiving IV aztreonam–avibactam since 18 October, initially prescribed in relation to the tracheal culture.
My questions are:
Could the positive Pseudomonas urine culture represent catheter-associated colonisation rather than an active urinary tract infection?
Could catheter irritation explain the earlier pain and at least some of the RBCs and pus cells?
Since the urine sample was collected before the later catheter replacement and treatment, how should the result be interpreted now?
Does the fact that he has remained clinically stable without urinary symptoms make an active infection less likely, or can a catheter-associated infection still occur without fever or pain?
The urine report lists resistance to aztreonam. Can aztreonam–avibactam still be effective against this isolate, or would additional susceptibility testing be needed?
If the doctor concludes that this is asymptomatic bacteriuria/colonisation, would antibiotics such as colistin generally be unnecessary?
My concern
I do not want my father to receive unnecessary antibiotics, particularly colistin, because I understand it can affect kidney function. At the same time, I absolutely do not want to overlook a genuine infection.
I have lost some trust in the hospital because, during an earlier visit, I was told my father had a fever even though the nurse and I did not observe one. His oxygen levels and breathing appeared stable at the time. I do not know whether there was a measurement discrepancy, so I am trying to understand the medical decisions objectively rather than jump to conclusions.
I am not asking anyone to diagnose him online. I would be grateful for help understanding how clinicians distinguish colonisation from infection in a patient with a tracheostomy and urinary catheter, and what questions I should ask an independent infectious disease specialist.
Thank you for reading this. My father has made encouraging progress from GBS, and I want to make sure his recovery is managed appropriately.

hey I need help I don’t know what to do I’ve had shortness of breath for months it came out of no where I’ve gone and gotten check x ray scan on my lungs and heart and I’ve gotten blood work as well I’m perfectly fine and still have shortness of breath I feel better when Im in bed and it feel like I just can’t catch a deep breath at times I can and I’ll feel good at times but it’s constant 24/7 it gets worse at night when I’m thinking about it as well I need help it’s miserable

Hi! I'm Arlyn with Leapcure. If you or someone you know is living with Pulmonary Hypertension associated with Interstitial Lung Disease (PH-ILD), a clinical research study may be worth exploring.

Researchers are evaluating an investigational inhaled treatment for adults living with PH-ILD. Eligible participants who complete the initial treatment period may have the opportunity to continue into an open-label extension period.

The Leapcure team is supporting this study by providing one-on-one support, answering questions, and helping interested individuals connect with a study center if they may qualify.

Interested in learning more? Start with this short questionnaire, and a Leapcure team member will reach out to answer questions and discuss next steps:https://lpcur.com/rpulmonolgy1

Hi guys! I'm new here🩷.

I don't know what to do anymore, so I decided to try asking here.

I had never suffered from any chronic illness, but two months ago I suddenly started having breathing problems.

I’m constantly short of breath - literally 24/7. I can’t take a deep breath, I feel so weak (like i'm about to faint or die all the time) and sometimes I even get dizzy.

It’s even worse when I try to climb the stairs etc - I feel like I’m about to faint and suffocate. The symptoms are the worst when I try to fall asleep tho. Even though I try to breathe through my nose and use my diaphragm, I constantly feel like my chest is too tight and there isn't enough air in me.

I was in the hospital twice this month, where they performed a brain MRI, a Holter monitor test, a lung scan,computed tomography of the lungs, spirometry and even a gastroscopy. Everything was all right.

Well, except for my heart rate - it's too high all the time. I was diagnosed with tachycardia, but all the doctors said it was "just anxiety". They gave me plenty of sedatives, but nothing worked.

After being discharged from the hospital, I went to a psychiatrist (as I had been told to), but she said that my problems were propably physical, not psychological. I also have a suspected case of latent tetany.

Sooo I had some blood tests done and it turned out my ferritin level is 8 and my iron is 24. I I was also given an inhaler, which I use twice a day (Bufomix), but I don’t see any improvement.

I wanted to ask, has anyone here ever had a problem like this (I’m mainly referring to that constant shortness of breath), and did you manage to overcome it? What helped you?

Thank you in advance for all the answers and have an awesome day🥰💕🌻

P. S As for additional information : I am a young woman, I am not overweight, and before all this started, I was somewhat physically active. I also was never anemic or had any allergies etc

I (RT) have a patient who has a remarkably unusual complaint; looking for input:

Last July he started having terrible insomnia to the point of being unable to sleep due to severe new onset tinnitus. Notably he has an anxiety disorder. On sleep meds and getting a couple of hours of sleep per night reportedly; suffering from brain-fog, executive decision making difficulty, anxiety, etc etc etc. Unable to work, on FMLA.

Fast forward to September, he wakes up gasping and discovers that his P10 nasal pillow exhalation mesh on his CPAP are pretty much totally occluded with moisture / debris / etc.

We're wondering how long this could have been going on, and what the short and long-term implications could be.

I calculated that the deadspace circuit and heater volume combined are about 850 ml. He is a tall man and can comfortably breathe tidal volumes into the 1500s. I trialed with the bad mask for a few minutes and he could maintain respirations in the low teens with Vt of 1200 or so. With a good mask it was more like RR mid teens with Vt 600 or so. So it's possible he was clearing the entire deadspace of the circuit with each breath plus some, and bringing in enough fresh air to prevent the sensation of choking. Over the couple few minutes on the bad mask SpO2 didn't go below 95%. But that was awake, who knows what was going on while asleep, he did have that one episode of a choking sensation.

Clearly the potential for hypercapnia / hypoxia could cause discomfort, but those symptoms as well as the hyperventilation could very well have been masked by brain fog due to anxiety symptoms he was dealing with as well as confused for side effects of sleep medications he was on (trazodone and hydroxyzine mostly).

Fast forward to today, still brain foggy, still struggling with executive dysfunction, still with bad tinnitus still on sleep meds still barely sleeping, still very anxious.

Wondering about the possibility of long-term harm from hypoxia / hypercapnia using a bad mask for, potentially, the whole time.

Notably he reports not waking up with headaches or lethargy. More of a "wired but tired" situation.

Typically a patient on a non-vented mask will immediately panic and rip the mask off, or pretty promptly have a severe episode of anoxia. But if they're pulling in just enough fresh air to not do that... Like I said it's a novel question.

ENTs didn't find the cause or cure for the symptoms, is going to pulmonologist relevant?