copd

[christy54]

How can I get my family to understand that I am truly having problems with breathing? I feel that they think I may be a complainer. Same goes for my sister. I don't think that people really understand how hard it is. I am dealing with depression, and find it hard to tell anyone.

[fanee]

It could well be 'Hyperventilation' as you refer to both breathing and anxiety. I am suffering from hyperventilation myself and feel the uneasiness in the chest.

Analyze yourself -

Do you feel like you have shortage of air?
Do you have tingling in the fingers and the mouth/
Do you have palpitations?
Do you have pain in the chest?
Do you feel lightheadedness?
Do you sweat in the palms?

If yes, then it is definitely hyperventilation..... meaning you have excessive oxygen in the blood and less Carbon-di-oxide. This makes the  blood flow harder and leads to above symptoms.

Best remedy is to follow 'diaphragmatic' breathing. Place your hand on the stomach.....then breath deeply with the stomach coming out....and then exhale with the stomach going in... so a wave like formation of the stomach while breathing in and out. This surely will help and there is no need to panic. Some victims feel they might die of heart attack.... don't worry...you are not alone.

[Sunny602]

I too can sympathize with what you are feeling Christy....sometimes it is hard for people to understand that you are having problems with breathing if you are "looking too good".. I guess they reconsider if they see you lug an O2 tank around, but many people with breathing problems don't require O2 so it in a sense becomes an invisible disease. People like to look at the outside, if they don't see obvious problems then they tend to dismiss you. Sad but true. This happens with alot of other invisible diseases such as arthritis for example. The pain is very much there but it can't be seen by others.

When my asthma was very bad and people poo poo'ed my complaints, I offered them a straw to breathe through to simulate how I felt on a bad day. They usually tried it thinking that there wouldn't be any trouble breathing through it. Boy were they wrong! After a few minutes of breathing, they would start to fidget because they couldn't take deep enough breaths. After a little more longer, they would quit, it was just too hard. This did teach them a valuable lesson though and they did seem to understand my plight better.  Maybe you should try this with those who seem to doubt your feelings.

You are definitely not alone...Please holler if you have any more questions or concerns.
Sunny

[Tylor52]

Hello Christy. Although I'm not a doctor, I'll try my best to help. When did you first experience breathing problems? How often do they occur? How old are you? Does the symptom trigger during certain activities?

Actually, I understand. I have a history of asthma, and I know what it's like to have trouble breathing. How do you feel? Any symptoms of lightheadedness? Or do you feel like you simply arent getting enough air( you tend to gasp for breath)? Rapid breathing? Rapid heart rate? LOL sorry I'm just feeling a bit concerned. You should get tested for asthma if anything.

Hmm...depression? It could be linked to anxiety. Anxiety has a tendency to make people feel like they are losing their mind or going crazy. It is also associated with shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and the need to always have someone at your side. It can also cause you to think that you have a serious underlying disease, when in reality, nothing is seriously wrong. There are a number of symptoms linked to anxiety, which a handful of people experience at some point in their lives (myself included) It's all a matter of being able to manage it and not let it take over your life. You are not alone; there were times in which I though I couldnt breathe and I thought I had heart disease or something like that..it felt rather scary. Oh and I'm only 20 years old. If you like you can send me a message if you feel like you need to chat.

~Tylor~