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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?

Lung Health | Last Active: 2 hours ago | Replies (3355)

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@holliehobbie

I had some nerve testing of the other nerves that run past the C4 as I also experience migraines. Typically I get them after raising my arm over my head for a period of time or lifting a heavy weight over my head. The trap and scalenes take over when it should be the lats working. The take over muscles are meant to do that and get tight and inflamed and I end up with a migraine same problem next day.
I learned to manage that one by stretching my shoulder joint, particularly hanging from a chin-up bar. And, by not lifting things or my arm over my head. Not ideal but could be much worse.
I’m wondering if the damage caused the C4 anterolisthesis, I don’t know if there’s a way to confirm. The nerve testing concluded that those nerves were functioning, but then the doc/tech said to me that there was a lot of nerve damage, but that it had healed. I looked like I “had the nerves of a 60 year old”. This wasn’t included on the report.
I work on loosening that shoulder as often as I can, but it just keeps getting tight again, sometimes I’m not always so great at staying on top of it, not to mention that some muscles can be stubborn to release. 1 stretch or 1 massage or 1 physio session may not relieve it.

I didn’t have (or maybe didn’t notice) the air hunger until the last month or so, I wish I could identify exactly which stretch or exercise I need to do to relieve it but so far I haven’t pinned it down.
I wonder if either the C4 is just irritating those nerves but not compressing them, hence the results, poor functioning and tightness and/or if it’s the scoliosis thats affecting the muscles involved with breathing.

I am on iron supplements now, it’s only been about 2.5 weeks. I haven’t noticed it help my breathing. I’m curious about muscle function, breathing function and nerve function in relation to iron (and iron deficiency).

I’ll update if I get more info!

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Replies to "I had some nerve testing of the other nerves that run past the C4 as I..."

I wonder if the inflammation has to do with the breathing issue. I've often wondered for myself it inflammation is involved. Though I don't overtly experience symptoms of inflammation, except for some sinus inflammation, I sometimes wonder if there is inflammation involved with the respiratory system somewhere such that it affects the breathing.

Not knowing much about nerves, I wonder if your nerve issue is connected to the vagus nerve. This nerve deals with many functions, but respiratory function is part of it. Have you looked into vagus nerve stimulation exercises? You mentioned the phrenic nerve previously which deals with the diaphragm but I'm thinking these nerves are connected to each other as the nervous system. It would be worth at least trying some vagus nerve stimulation exercises. I've done them myself and they're pretty easy to do.