I’m a 43 yrs old so they say healthy fella. I do take low dose 1mg a day a Xanax for anxiety. High pressure life I guess. Sucks but that’s the truth. I don’t smoke anymore (quit 2011) I don’t do drugs, and I have a glass of wine maybe 4 times a month. I’m 178lbs and 5’8 probably should be my normal 165 but that metabolism change and laziness. I’ll fix that.

I came across your original post. And after reading all the reply’s I think I feel like what people feel when they go to any group with something in common. Like AA or something that they can share completely without judgement. I’ve never been to a meeting or anything like that. But is it weird to say that for the ten minutes of resting I could breathe with grabbing my hips for that satisfied breath. There is no way to explain this to anyone if they haven’t experienced it. My 13 yr old daughter asks me what do mean you can’t breath?

This has been going on since 2011. In my life any situation that was stressful I would get anxiety and have a 20 second hit of SOB. But now, today it’s even in my sleep. It’s weird because it used to be I woke up gasping for air, room literally spinning for 2 minutes before the oxygen got back to me. Now that has changed to the daytime. About 3 minutes or less after I wake up and take that first deep breath. I’ve been in the hospital, Er, and every specialist except sleep study for sleep apnea. Just haven’t got there yet. Heart Stress test, Pulmonoligist, Gastro doctor (on nexium) for acid reflux that was giving me kidney area pain when I ate. Take one every 2-3 days and it keep it in check. Bought my one oxygen proximity sensor and it always at 98 or higher.

I’ll be sitting having a good week, good week meaning I’m not trying to satisfy a good breath every 3 minutes. And out of nowhere i actually feel that one HEAVY breath that triggers what I know is going to be a long week or weeks of struggle. I have fear of passing out and nobody being there. My chest hurts, heavy. Left arm And neck pain (never a heart attack thank god) been to the Er at least 6-7 times in the past 5 yrs. I try to go for a walk but I can’t have a conversation with my wife because walking and talking is labored. I’m invited to go places like fishing or riding, can’t because I have a pattern I do when I can’t breath and it’s my laying down at my house. How ridiculous is this? This thing has restricted me from playing knee hockey with my son and so many more things that makes me wanna cry. I guess the worst part is nobody can help. Nobody. If it goes away for a day or a week that’s like Xmas to me. But lately with the covid and being home more or less it’s been worse. Go figure my safe place has become a trigger now because I feel it everyday. When I talk with my staff sometimes that ask me if I’m ok, because they can see me trying to catch my breath. I was ok for a day last week and I help my neighbor carry a 50lb raft I to his backyard. As we were carrying it I felt the heavy chest and breathing like the air was thicker. It’s like a slower heavy intake that never gets to the full satisfactory part. I know I’m bouncing around I just never had anyone to talk to that understands. Only doctors or family members that only hear me but can’t truly know. Again I’ll say it, I could breath fine writing this entire post. Once I get up you all know what’s next.

Thanks for letting me ramble and I hope every last one of you find peace with this. Because it’s an actual living prison with no release date.