Hi Gabe,
I have never been able to explain my story until I read a mirrored version coming from you.
I also, developed this rare form of breathing in 2012 at the age of 60.
I have been a bad asthmatic all my life with chest infections becoming more prevalent and asthma increasing. I have also been in the top 5% fitness levels since I was 25 years old. I am now 75 (next month) and have fallen back due to this complaint to top 10%.
I chose to do Buteyko in 1998, twenty six years ago and for twelve years after, I was drug free. No puffers, no cortisone, no chest infections that needed antibiotics etc. I experienced all kinds of asthma before this and within six weeks, it changed my life forever.
I was warned by my GP that I would always be an asthmatic, and it would show up in different ways. I thought he was of the old school ignoring alternative ways of curing.
My mother died in 2007. At that time it was emotional and the stress came out in neck stiffness big time.
By 2010, I experienced a shortness of breath when tired but nothing to think twice about. My doctor, a specialist, prescribed a preventative puffer once per day and my exercising regime was still on track and very important to my every day.
In 2012, we were experiencing great troubles in our business and ended up having to sell our home to relieve debt. This was hard to accept (internally) and on the outside I put on a brave face, excepting all that came our way. All was not bad as with four children they were so supportive of my husband and I, and while life took twists and turns, I had an inner strength to support my husband and continue with positivity.
This is when I was hit badly with not being able to breathe. (2012) Yet, with all this I felt I was not a victim of 'anxiety'.............
You described that period of your life for five years and I felt I was wearing the same pair of shoes as you. It eventually left me when I realised after being hospitalised, having every test to show all clear, I was talking with a nurse who mentioned it just might be a 'brain to lung' disconnection and maybe I should work on it.
Eventually I was clear for another five years. Off and on I would get symptoms, start Buteyko once again and it would go away.
In 2020 and against the odds we managed to purchase our own home once again.
It didn't matter that COVID came, went, came, went. We were in our own home with no real worries
and our kids living in the States at that time would come and stay for weeks before returning. It was a time that I really thought I had all this mysterious breathing behind me.
2022, things started to change once again, and the stress came back into my life along with the odd breathing.
My husband is now in his 80's with alzheimers and I have been running our business since 2014.
We again have problems and with the flip of a coin we are faced with spiralling downhill.
This is not a sob story. In fact, I have been blessed in life, had an amazing life, four beautiful children, grandchildren and a husband who is kind. I am still positive on an upwards graph but need to say that it has become obvious to me that these challenges do effect my breathing more so the older I get.
As I look back there have always been life's challenges that must have impacted my health and can say it could very strongly be one factor that my mysterious breathing keeps coming back.
After reading all posts, there could be other possibilities that might trigger this as well and I am going to talk
to my specialist this week. I will start by sending him your article, so he can get a better understanding of my
breathing challenges.
I will endeavour to keep you updated.
Thank you for putting this original post up, and your continued support to all those who post.
Thank you,