Breathing problems for days after exercise

[cmcneil]

I've been having some troubling symptoms, and they've been present for several years.  I tend to have trouble catching my breath for a day or two after I exercise, particularly if I run or do any heavy cardio activity.  I've been to the doctor with these symptoms more than once.  They usually measure my oxygen level and listen to my heartbeat, and then tell me that my levels are find and they can't hear anything ususual.  They say it might be some 'mild irritation' in my lungs and hand me an inhaler and steroids.  I've had a chest x-ray and an EKG and they neither has turned up anything.  I'm trying to find out if anyone has had similar problems / symptoms and what they found to be the cause.

I'm 31, 190lbs.  My diet is relatively poor.  I've actually been shying away from exercise in general due to these symptoms.  My extended family has no significant history of heart disease.  Any suggestions?

[ayl291]

As a Nurse I agree with having pulmonary function testing.

Spirometry, lung volumes, dlco.

If that is unreveiling, I would move forward with a cpet.

Followed by an echo and cta.

Good luck!

[Savant_Sharla]

Please go and get your bloods done and tested for iron deficiency anaemia

As you have checked off theses symptoms
*shortness of breath
*poor diet
*fatigue

[ayl291]

You need a cardiopulmonary excerise test ( cpet) and stress echocardiogram.  If those are not revealing than a chest ct with contrast

[lmzadi]

Wow! I am having the same issue. I have just started running. Then all of a sudden I had so much trouble breathing/catching my breath. I’ve been to the Dr twice. Have had chest X-rays and a pulmonary test. They came back negative for any disease. He gave me an inhaler. A week passes and I still can’t breathe. He said it could be acclimation. Something about my cardiovascular is trying to catch up with me. I seen a cardiologist a couple times last year and he assured me, before I had any breathing trouble, that my heart is strong. So, any heart trouble wasn’t considered. He gave me some steroid nasal spray and Allegra.
I ran tonight and focused on my breathing. I tried to breathe in through the nose and put through the mouth. My breathing was not nearly as bad as normal. Also, I’ve been reading on Maximum Heart Rate. Meeting or exceeding your maximum heart rate can affect breathing.

[isawbutterflies]

Hi,

I have been having the same exact symptoms as you. I also struggle with an anxiety disorder. I have had any treatment for my anxiety until two years ago when I decided to see a doctor and he put me on Zoloft. I stayed on it for about 6 months but decided I didn't want to be medicated so I got off of it. Ever since then I can barely breathe and exercise and it's not like I'm winded it just feels like I can't get any air in my lungs. It typically comes on about 3 hours after I exercise and can last for about 3 days. It is so frustrating because I used to be an extremely active and fit person. Did your symptoms start after you got off your anxiety medication?

[ed34]

Perhaps a lung function test would be a good move. This is where you have to blow into a large machine to test the capacity and pressure. It also monitors the gases exchanged. I had one a couple of years ago and found it quite amusing. They keep shouting "keep going keep going" even when your lungs are empty. A great test though, it will show just how efficient your lungs are.

[cmcneil]

Sorry I forgot to mention a couple important pieces of information and I can't figure out how to edit my post.  I struggled with an anxiety disorder for about a decade.  I've not had any specific anxiety problems for a couple years no and am no longer medicated for it.  I do take amitriptyline 15mg/day to help me sleep.  These problems were present before I started on that medication, and I can't decide whether there have been any changes in the frequency of the breathing issues since then.