Chest tightness, breath holding, passing out

**vpaulg** · June 22nd, 2009, 11:45 AM

Help me a little.

I had been on Phentermine for about about 8 weeks. I noticed most of the time that I had this uncontrollable urge to hold my breath, often to the point of getting a little dizzy. Odd, but I'm jacked up on speed so why not? It actually felt kinda good actually. I could get these really full breaths and it was nice.

I was losing weight so I was happy.

I went off to China for work and there I passed out once -- odd, very odd, I don't just pass out.

I started reading about the side-effects and noticed fainting, tightness in chest, and difficulty breathing were SERIOUS side effects with the instructions to contact your doctor immediately. Well, I was in China.

So I went off one day, took 1/2 a pill the next, and went cold-turkey after that. I experienced only mild flu symptoms and figured I did actually have the flu because I had long flights and I was in China. The one flu symptom to note is a tightness in my chest. It's been a little over a week now and my flu symptoms have gone away except for the tightness in my chest. This happens mostly in the morning.

So now I read about pulmonary hypertension and it scares me.

So has anyone had any similar experiences or is anyone on here a doctor and can give me some quick advice. I missed my last doctors appointment because I was in China. I've been recovering, then busy, and just haven't gotten back in. Besides, I figured I was done with this drug.

Any advice?

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Paul

**nurseashley** · June 22nd, 2009, 11:59 AM

go to your doctor or go to the emergency departement if you are concerned

**vpaulg** · June 22nd, 2009, 12:35 PM

Thanks. I know, I know. I'm just so busy.

I'll try to get in with the doc. I was just wondering if I could get any quick replies from anyone here that has maybe had similar experiences.

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Paul

**alykat06** · June 22nd, 2009, 01:14 PM

I had similar expieriences about 2 months into phen, almost felt like and asthma or panic attack, always trying to get a deep breath and hold it, well come to find out it was high blood pressure, my doctor put me on a diuretic and I dont have any issues now.

**vpaulg** · June 22nd, 2009, 01:34 PM

Thanks!

I haven't had high blood pressure - hmmmm.....

Was the high blood pressure associated with the Phen? Sounds like your doctor did not think so.

Looking at your stats -- wow! You're doing great! It's great you're taking care of this while young.

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Paul

**nurseashley** · June 22nd, 2009, 08:38 PM

ok the nurse in me had to say that first part becuase nobody can really diagnose what is going on without seeing you in person, listening to your heart and lungs, checking your vital signs, etc.

That being said, I would like to know a few things. Do you smoke? are you on birth control? how old are you? Have you had any pain or swelling in your calves?

Being on a long plane ride can put you at risk for blood clots that can start in the leg and move to the lungs causing pulmonary embolism that can have symptoms of shortness of breath and chest pain. (Pain usually worse with deep breathing)