What Causes Weakness, Difficulty In Deep Breathing, Lightheadedness And Kidney Pain?

Question : Hello, here is my brief history. I have an acute problem with tachycardia, weakness, and elevated cortisol and DHEA that started 3 weeks ago. I also have vertigo and an ENT evaluated me and concluded it was not inner related, but may be vascular in nature.

3 weeks ago, I went to St. XXXXXXX and had a "DMPS challenge test" done by an integrative MD in which I was given a DMPS IV and gave a urine sample before and after to see if any levels of heavy metals were excreted. I did perfectly fine with the infusion, but the next day (20 hours later) when I returned to get a routine Vitamin IV from the same doctor, I felt lightheaded and faint, my blood pressure XXXXXXX and heart rate elevated to 135. The next two days after returning to XXXXXXX I felt very weak, although my blood pressure was low (92 systolic).

Two days later, the weakness continued, although my heart rate elevated. My heart rate remained elevated from a range of 100-120 for the next two weeks, and my blood pressure was 140/80 in a bedridden state. My normal blood pressure is 115-120 (systolic)My endocrinologist did a thorough blood workup and the only abnormality was elevated cortisol, which she said could cause tachycardia but would not cause the profound weakness. During this entire time, I was so weak that I was unable to walk to the bathroom at my home. The tachycardia was preventing me from sleeping, so my primary care doctor put me on Popranolol 10mg – 3X/Day to decrease my heart rate and Clonazepan to help me sleep.

I've had a thorough endocrinologist workup, and we're following a micro adenoma lesion on my pituitary although it's not clear if it's the culprit.

Since that time I’ve regained a small amount of strength, although I am still very weak to where it is difficult to walk, and I still struggle with vertigo, but it has more turned into being lightheaded. My heart rate remains in the range of 85-100, although it is sporadic, and sometimes will be 111 when it is time for a dose, or as low as 74 when it is time for a dose. My blood pressure has come down to normal levels.

A new symptom I have had is that is difficult to fully expand my lungs and I find that I really have to use my diaphragm and push it out hard to expand my belly. I am not "short of breath", I just cannot seem to get a deep breath. I have had this problem on and off for 3 years, and it has gotten worse the past 3 months, being a problem for about a week, then going away, and now it is back again the last week.


I had a full pulmonology lung test in January and saw an Pulmonologist for an evaluation who said he thought everything was normal. A chest X-ray done in the ER didn't show anything. However, because of the difficulty just breathing normally, I thought I would inquire.

The four main symptoms are:

1) Profound Weakness

2) Difficulty taking deep breaths

3) Lightheaded

4) Kidney Pain


My two questions:

Is it possible for lung cancer to just sneak up like this if chest X-rays looked good two weeks ago?

Is there any imaging that doesn't require contrast that would give us a good look at my lungs? I don't do well with contrast agents.

Thank you,
Marisa