I have breathlessness and cough when I do not do cocaine. Am I addicted?

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Firstly, cocaine has got a wide range of effects on the heart. So, hypokinesia means there is some damage to the heart which may be due to cocaine or may be due to coexistent coronary artery disease. So, you will need coronary angiography preferably, conventional and CT angiography is the alternative. Also, since hypokinesia is observer dependent, sometimes reported milder hypokinesia may not be actually present and false positive findings are possible. But, we should get it confirmed by further investigations. This much hypokinesia should not cause breathlessness in you, rather it appears to be related to cocaine withdrawal only. Also, I guess you do not have gastric/reflux symptoms. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms usually settle in a few weeks without treatment. It is better you reduce consumption gradually over the next few weeks, then stop, rather than abruptly stopping. So, once we rule out heart disease, then you can get back to normal life after quitting its consumption.

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You should get reflux treated as well as it can cause breathlessness. Acid refluxes into lungs and causes bronchoconstriction which can cause breathlessness. So have antacids, prevent oily, spicy foods, elevate the head-end of the bed during sleep or rest. Heart failure is of two types, systolic and diastolic. Now, since your ejection fraction is normal, systolic heart failure is unlikely. Regarding diastolic heart, which is possible in you, an echo would show evidence of diastolic dysfunction (usually mentioned in the last part of the report). So, if it is there, then diastolic heart failure is a possibility and you will need diuretics. Even otherwise, there is no harm in having short diuretics trial after your reflux is treated. After all these, you should get one pulmonary function test done to rule out airway disease which cannot be diagnosed on a CT scan. Now, in your case, I do think, you may not have true breathlessness, but just a feeling due to withdrawal or may be increased awareness. Do you have increased respiratory rate in one minute (more than 22 to 24 per minute)? Do you get undue breathlessness on running or doing heavy activities or just a usual one? If yes, then it may be a true breathlessness.

Hello,

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So I think it is likely related to withdrawal only as drinking or having cocaine will not make breathlessness to subside if it is occurring due to heart failure or any organic cause. Your heart is not yet damaged to any significant extent. There is just mild apical hypokinesia which is almost equal to normal. So, quitting all will definitely normalize your heart. However, before concluding this, we need to rule out the possibility of disease in coronary arteries. So, I would recommend getiing an angiography either CT or conventional done. If this is normal then nothing to worry. So overall, it doesn't appear worrisome at present from hearts perspective, but needs some more evaluation of coronary arteries.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, X-ray is a general thing and can be interpreted by any physician including a cardiologist. Also, a CT scan can be interpreted by a cardiologist and he can certainly interpret the printed report which is provided by the radiologist. However, reporting of the CT scan is best done by a radiologist.