An Interesting Journey

In 2011 I had a heart attack in Tescos of all places. I was prescribed Simvastatin, although my cholesterol was relatively low. Within a few weeks I had muscle pain in my arm, researched and was horrified, saw my doctor and stopped taking them. Meanwhile I was slowly losing weight, averaging a stone a year sometimes more. I was 13st. 7lbs so happy with that or so I thought. In 2013 I fell heavily on my chest and bruised my sternum badly, saw the doctor. Within weeks I had a strange sensation under my ribs, like a belt tightening and then it went. Next day it returned and stayed. Back to the doctor who diagnosed IBS????

Over the years I knew I didn't have IBS but what? As time passed the symptoms changed. I seem to develop allergic reactions to certain foods, fruit being one. Bloating became the norm and then the breathlessness kicked in and everything seemed to be linked to food. Yes I should have gone back to the doctor but I'm in my seventies and I didn't want to be poked and prodded, with instruments pushed up and down my body. I wanted answers but my way.

I couldn't find the answer to the belt tightening. I knew some described it as an MS hug but I don't have MS. and then when I started to read up on COPD it all seemed to fit. The lengthening lungs, the lack of space, link to food, the bloating and perhaps some of the weight loss. I am now 8st. 7lbs. but oddly enough having suffered indigestion since my pregnancy and popped pills more or less daily, I now don't have indigestion. Bizarre!

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