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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?
Lung Health | Last Active: Oct 23 10:20am | Replies (3405)Comment receiving replies
I’ve run across this post as I am sitting on my couch struggling to breathe at 1:45ish in the morning. Does anyone else fight to take a deep breath so hard that they pull muscles in their chest? I don’t have asthma but I’m starting to think after reading it could be undiagnosed acid reflux or something set off my allergies. I took some Benadryl and came to the couch cause just the sound of my boyfriends even breathing messes me up trying to focus on my own. If he turns my direction I feel like he’s taking all the oxygen and I struggle more. Even the cat trying to snuggle by my face was to much. I do have anxiety and depression but the only thing that has me anxious is the struggling for air, I was fine before hand. I don’t have this very often, maybe every few months but once I have “an attack” it follows me for a bit since I literally pull muscles to try to breathe. Any advice. I’m going to try an acid reducer once I can go to the store. But is there anything else? I did have my windows open today and I want to blame it on the neighbor burning yard waste but I really don’t know. It’s so random when it happens that I can’t be certain. Any advice is appreciated. Sorry if this is all over the place but I feel like I need to cut my chest open to let air in.
Replies to "I’ve run across this post as I am sitting on my couch struggling to breathe at..."
@pandakay727- Welcome to Connect and good morning. I feel your need for taking deep breaths. As a lung cancer survivor I have had plenty of those moments. The feelings are the same, am I going to die? Am I ever going to be able to take a deep breath again? What's wrong with me! I'm confused about what you said about what you said about being anxious. Do you mean that you have it all the time or only when your can't catch your breath, which is entirely natural and expected. Before you try an acid reducer please see a GI dr.. Acid reducers can interfere with many drugs and they do have side effects that you need to be aware of. Allergies can certainly exacerbate SOB. The other day I was on my deck and a whiff of cigarette smoke floated by and in I went and closed the window.
Your statement of wanting to open your chest and let the air in is great, because SOB does just that. Please call you doctor and get an appointment and see if you have an underling cause other than anxiety. Many doctors over look stomach problems so can you stand up to your dr and ask for further tests if t his is what he says?
It does seem like what I feel too. I have been told that my pain and SOB is muscle related...Also, the doctors have said anxiety can worsen this. Have you tried an acid reducer? Since I've been on one the breathing has improved but I still feel there's something in my throat.
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Hi @pandakay727, sorry that you're experiencing this. I know just how you feel! I'm struggling tonight myself - my sinuses are quite inflamed since I have allergies so my shortness of breath is particularly bothersome, and I'm trying to get a big deep breath, but can't a lot of the time. I know it will pass, but it's very uncomfortable. Have you gotten tests done to rule things out? Lung function test, blood tests, EKG, gastroenterology tests, etc.? You should see your doctor and see what he/she says about your symptoms. If they rule things out, then you will have to keep searching for answers like most of us here. Try to control your breathing as much as possible in the meantime. Try not to take deep breaths through your mouth. Use your nose instead. It seems counterintuitive but it helps me regulate my breathing a bit. When I have these bouts of SOB when it gets worse, I utilize what I've learned using the Buteyko Breathing Method. But I would definitely see your doctor and when you do, keep us informed on what he/she says.