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Thread: Shortness of breath: kinda long, but can anyone help?

  1. #1
    God/dess LuckyOne's Avatar
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    Default Shortness of breath: kinda long, but can anyone help?

    Ok, for several months I have had shortness of breath. Severe shortness of breath just about all the time- often I have to keep yawning to get enough oxygen. It does not seem to be exacerbated by exercise- it can be the same if I am laying down or if I am jogging.

    Looked it up symptoms on the internet and possible causes are pulmonary (maybe asthma) or a cardiac (for example, a heart problem or something.) I know it sounds silly, but I was afraid to get it diagnosed because of my health insurance (which comes up for renewal every three months and and each time the company has the option to deny renewal.) And, honestly, if it was something terrible, I just didn't want to know. I only decided to get it checked out because I'm supposed to have surgery in 2 weeks and I didn't want worsen anything by going under anesthesia.

    Go to the doctor and they gave me lots of tests. EKG- I snuck a peak at the first analysis. It said borderline normal, but "unconfirmed." I couldn't see the spriometer graph though, and they did not say what the results were. (I think they can't tell me anything because they're not sure.)

    More tests, treatments, tubes, x-rays,etc., then my doctor comes back and says I might have asthma. Now I am supposed to use an inhaler twice a day. It seems to help a little. Actually I use it 3 or 4 times a day and it is the highest dosage, which I know I'm not supposed to do but I gotta breath!

    For anyone that knows about asthma, does this sound like asthma to you? Any other ideas?

    BTW, emotionally I am doing ok. I'm just a little cuz I still don't know whats wrong or how to fix it.

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    God/dess Lena's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shortness of breath: kinda long, but can anyone help?

    I don't know much about asthma, certainly not as much as your doctor. Two thoughts tho:

    1 - are you breathing deeply? I know it sounds stupid, but there is some (controversial, I'm sure) evidence that asthma can be improved by deep breathing excercises.

    2 - Eucalyptis, mullien, and elder are all really good for asthma and any kind of lung problems.



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    Default Re: Shortness of breath: kinda long, but can anyone help?

    which kind of inhaler? It can be really dangerous to use some of them more than prescribed! If it isn't working at the prescribed dosage pleeeeease talk to your doctor! Please! Don't overmedicate with that stuff.

  4. #4
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Shortness of breath: kinda long, but can anyone help?

    Doubling the use of an inhaler for Asthma can be serious trouble. You may be making these symptoms worse. People have died doing this! I am not sure what med. the inhaler is, but i would bet it has a steroid in it.

    Also you need to get results of that EKG ASAP! Only a Cardiologist should be able to give you results on that test!

    If you heard or seen something abnormal in the EKG please don't wait for insurance etc. Breathing problems can be very serious.

    Asthma i hear (only from Pulmonary docs) is harder to exhale than inhale. Maybe not for all, but the majority of the time....Heart problems you have a hard time breathing period. Both can mimic each other however...But please get to the ED!

    When you go in to the ED not able to breath even at rest...that should be enough for them to run a battery of tests.

    Also check your heart rate. On your wrist, with two fingers, no thumb...see if it's beating fast. I have to do this and need to remain around 80bpm while awake, not at rest (laying down) But i have a heart condition, and it scares me when others have symptoms that i get.

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    Default Re: Shortness of breath: kinda long, but can anyone help?

    i'm just a shallow breather, and i've had some weird "catch my breath" moments all my life. i also yawn a lot, but i think it's got more to do with pressure than breathing, since i basically stop breathing when i yawn.

    yoga has helped. i notice my breath a lot more. and now i know how to breathe correctly.

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    Default Re: Shortness of breath: kinda long, but can anyone help?

    Sounds somewhat like asthma and/or anxiety. When i'm having a little panic attack I cannot breathe. Yoga and Tai Chi have help me so much. They are low impact, relaxing, and great for circulation.

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    Featured Member dangerousdiva's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shortness of breath: kinda long, but can anyone help?

    I have horrible adult asthma. Sometimes if a cold is just starting to develop I get something that my Doctor's call an "asthmatic response", which makes me wheezy and impossible to take a deep breath. Maybe you're getting a cold?

    Whatever you do don't over medicate yourself, a lot of asthma medicine makes your heart race and can cause other problems.

    I hope you figure it out because not being able to breathe SUCKS!

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