LAM: Symptoms

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (pronounced lim-fan-gee-o-ly-o-my-o-ma-to-sis), or LAM, is a rare disease found almost exclusively in women of all races and ethnic backgrounds. LAM symptoms can be different for each person.

Common LAM symptoms include:
 
Shortness of Breath or Dyspnea – Shortness of breath with LAM, or feeling breathless, happens over time, especially with exercise or exertion, which can include wheezing
 
Chest Pain or Pleurisy –  Can be caused by infections, lung collapse, inflammation or irritation of the chest wall and the lining of the lungs
 
Chronic Cough – Lasting eight weeks or longer that may include phlegm or coughing up blood
 
Collapsed Lung or Pneumothorax –  Feels like a sudden, sharp chest pain with difficult, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, profuse sweating, dizziness, and/or lack of normal chest movement on the affected side of the chest
 
Benign Kidney Tumor or Angiomyolipoma – Often found in people with LAM and may cause back and side (‘flank’) pain, blood in the urine or abdominal bleeding
 
Pleural Effusion – A leakage and accumulation of fluid around the lungs and into the chest cavity