Why do I randomly have shortness of breath?

Why do certain drugs cause me severe shortness of breath?

• Propranolol, Amitriptyline and Codeine have all, over the last few months, started causing me extreme shortness of breath (I take them separately - not together) and chest tightness. At night if I have taken any of these tablets I wake up gasping for air and although I'm breathing, I feel the air is not going in unless I take a very, very deep breath. I keep waking up at night because I'm not breathing - needless to say I have now discontinued these tablets. Other meds like anti-inflammatories or paracetamol don't cause this. I have high BP (170/140 today) and a high pulse rate (130 resting). I am slim, in my mid-twenties and do not non-smoke. These tablets never effected me in this way before the last few months. Please do not tell me to see a doctor, this is obvious - I am currently having to wait 3 weeks for an appointment with my doctor as waiting lists are so long on the NHS, and I am hoping for reassurance in the meantime. What is it about these drugs that are causing the shortness of breath? My doctor says my lungs seem fine, so perhaps it's just a sensation (I do hear mild wheezing at night) - but it's bad enough to wake me up in the night gasping for air. Yes, this situation makes me anxious - but this is not the cause.

• Answer:

  The people able to give you a proper answer will be professionals in the health sector. Your consultant should be able to give you answers? They will have the information you are looking for...Your BP and pulse is extremely high for someone that sounds generally fit and in their mid-twenties? Is this caused by an underlying condition do you know? Propranolol is for hypertension am I right? Codeine:- The most frequent side effects of codeine include lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and sedation. Other side effects include allergic reactions, constipation, abdominal pain, rash and itching. Which you are probably aware of anyway but could this be the cause? Along with your BP and pulse being so high I'm not surprised you are struggling in terms of struggling to breathe. I mean, you may not have had this side effects before, but they can come and go as they please! Depending on certain factors...Like your mood, anxiety levels etc! Hope I've helped in a way.... Might not have given you a definate answer but like I said, the consultants will make it more clear for you! Hope you recover speedily and feel good in yourself!