Calli, You definitely need to see a cardiologist and maybe a pulmonologist. Sometimes a specialist is so narrowed and focused on their own field that they don’t hear other symptoms. Shortness of breath deserves a work up. Practical advice is to sleep at least at 45’ angle. A foam rubber slant support works better than piles of pillows or one of the beds that raise your CHEST and head. I wish you wellness, but being proactive is very important! Blessings!

Hi Calli… I had this issue for awhile and I ignored it . Thinking it was just a flare up. One night I couldn’t take it and I felt flutters I went to the er and was admitted for 2 weeks due to fluid build up in my right lung had to get a chest tube put in to drain over 2 liters of fluid off me. They told me it was inflammation due to lupus that cause that. It was a scary thing because when I laid down I felt like I was suffocating smh. So I know exactly how you feel

Calli, have you been evaluated? Like Julie, I believe the most likely explanation is congestive heart failure, as this is a classic symptom called orthopnea, which is due to the backup of fluid into the lungs. Pericarditis could potentially cause this, as well as weakening of the heart muscle or diastolic dysfunction, where heart stiffness causes pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). Pericarditis is almost always painful, but rarely, fluid can accumulate around the heart due to inflammation of the pericardium with no pain--just shortness of breath.

Pulmonary disease will typically cause symptoms throughout the day, not just when lying down. So PLEASE get checked out, if you haven't yet.

And please keep us posted. We're concerned about you!

@A MyLupusTeam Member.. Thank you for all the info. My dr definitely wants me to come in , she definitely thinks it could be my heart or sleep apnea. So I will be making an appt.nd we will see!

I’m having this most of the time. I’ve been on a wedge pillow since diagnosed. I tried to calm myself most of the time and it kinda works. Like breathing on nose and exhaling thru mouth slowly. My ekg is normal But I’ve had an echocardiogram and they’ve found thickness on the left ventricular wall. still waiting to be seen by a cardiologist. Pls make sure your primary care is aware so they can check on u