Shortness of breath: occasional 'bad' days?

Yes, I live at high altitude and 94 is good for me. Like you, my reading stays good when I can’t breathe easily. The inhaler must relax something that helps breathing. It may be emotional. I’m not aware of any nervousness or anxiety when it happens, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there!

Good evening, taosmary! (@taosmary)

I might have guessed. Taos has been a favorite getaway for me for many, many years, since moving to Colorado, in fact. Have you lived in Taos all your life? Or are you a Western transplant like me?

I believe I mentioned in an earlier post that I, too, am not aware of any anxiety. My blood pressure, too, fluctuates. (My PCP and I are monitoring it carefully.) Today, for example, at a doctor's appointment (wound clinic doctor), my BP reading was high, but when I got home and checked using my own cuff, it was 'okay,' still a touch on the high side, but what my PCP would say was acceptable. Why I mention this is this morning, when I received a truly high reading, the nurse said, 'You're probably just a little anxious.' 🙂

Best wishes,
Ray (@ray666)

Oh Ray, we’re so lucky to live in beautiful places! We transplanted from Oklahoma 10 years ago and love the “blue” air, weather and mountains. No humidity and no 100+ degree days. But healthcare is hard here in NM. It’s a drive to Santa Fe or ABQ for anything complex, and unfortunately complexity comes with age! But we carry on and life is good! Hugs to you…

Ray - Another theory to high BP at the doctor's office is what my doc says is white coat syndrome. When I go, the BP is elevated, I go home, and it is within normal range. So, I kept track if it for 30 days taking the BP 1 or 2 times a day at various times of the day. Went to my follow up appointment with tablet in hand showing dates, time of day and BP readings. She says oh yea, white coat syndrome but I still want you on your blood pressure med. That was 15 years ago, nothing has changed. My BP is still slightly elevated at doctor's appointment, close to normal at home.

Hi Ray. I have recently gone off all pain meds the worst one being Aventyl. I have also gone off pregabalin. None of these drugs do a thing for numbness and the pins and needles caused by this illness. However I am now finding an increase in these symptoms and I am also finding myself a little short of breath at times also along with being more tired. I feel like my neuropathy is spreading in my body. It is in my arms and legs now making them much weaker and I feel pins poking me in my back and chest area and that does worry me. There seems to be nothing that I can do or take to stop the progression of neuropathy. I can’t stand or walk at all without the use of my walker and this is becoming more exhausting every day. There are days when I just feel like throwing in the towel and this is one of them! People say I’m lucky to have no pain and I get that but the mental exhaustion of doing the everyday chores of living and trying to be happy with my life the way it is now is debilitating!

Hi, Tessie (@tessie63)
You have my sympathy and complete understanding. Even without pain (my situation, too), it can be quite exhausting just trying to do the dozen or so daily chores you once did without giving them a second thought. Being without pain is unquestionably a blessing. Nonetheless …
You have my heartfelt wish for better days!
Ray (@ray666)

Try from Amazon both Doublewood PQQ and a CoQ10 with breakfast. These have stopped most of my PN progression as well as 80% of any chest discomfort.

You have to stand, walk, stationary bike whatever you can do to get the blood moving in your legs. Leg press w weights at the gym really helps me as well.

Also make sure your gym shoes are less than 6 months old.

Also stay away from electrolytes like Gatorade- I’ve found I’m very sensitive as it increases neuropathy for me.

Let me know if that helps. I am thinking of starting a self help group for PN.

PM

I also have idiopathic polyneuropathy and have experienced shortness of breath, not to the extent of having to go to ER, but enough to hinder daily routines. I have been going for acupuncture and I am amazed that with one "prick" it disappears. Seriously, sometimes I can feel it "leave" my body. Acupuncture has helped relieve the heaviness that seems to appear at the end of the day. Granted relief only last about 3 days but I quickly use that time to get my physical out door chores done. Unfortunately Medicare does not cover acupuncture so I have not been able to schedule more frequent visits. Isn't it frustrating?

Welcome @pinoaktree, Thanks for sharing your experience. It's great to hear that you have found some relief using acupuncture. Sadly there are a lot of different alternative treatments not covered by Medicare. I haven't experienced the shortness of breath myself but have hypertension and high blood pressure along with my neuropathy and have found breathing exercises help me relax better, especially breathing in through the nose and slowly exhaling through the mouth.

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has a lot of good information on their Living Well with PN page - https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/. Do you have any other treatments or therapy that has helped you?

Thank you for replying to my post. Unfortunately my feet are both dropped and the neuropathy in them makes it impossible for me to ever walk again. My dropped feet have been called paralyzed by two different podiatrists. As for CoQ10, I have been taking it for years with my cholesterol drug. It helps the muscle cramps that occur when using a cholesterol drug. I know exercise is good for neuropathy but my inability to walk or stand alone makes it difficult for me. I use elastic bands from time to time but I’m not consistent with it because I tire out so easily. I walk as much as I can with my walker but my arms ache so much when I use it and it’s just too much for me. I continue to put my best foot forward everyday with this illness and to hope a cure will be found soon to help us all with this debilitating condition.