Hi Doc
I posted a couple of weeks ago about a deep breathing difficulty I have been having. Well the problem is still here, but I have a few more concerns I wanted to address.
To recap on my problem, for the last month I have had this difficulty with deep breathng. This issue is on and off for the most part, but more times than not, I cannot take a deep breath, and sometimes I find myself very hungry for air and I force myself to do an "extra" deep chest breath. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
I am a 25 year old male, and current smoker for 10 years. I have a history of anxiety disorder, and in fact have just been weaned off Klonopin over 3 weeks ago (tapering since July) and down to nothing since Thanksgiving.
I received a spirometry and came back normal (almost 6 liters, and I am 6'2). I've been taking this Advair/Singular for a few years for mild ashma issues. Is it possible for the Advair 250/50 and Singulair to "mask" COPD when taking the spirometry test? I realize I am young and it is said that COPD as a rule isn't diagnosed until as early as age 45.
I'm still running on the treadmill fine 1-2 miles for 15-20 minutes. I also was running around on the wrestling mats refing a tournament all day, non-stop without actually being "out of breath". I even took a police test which required me to run a mile and a half in 12 minutes which I did without dropping to the floor when I was done, and this was back in September.
I'm really scared that I am the exception of having some COPD at this age since this has been happening for a while. I was also told that COPD doesn't hit suddenly, rather comes on gradually. Note I have had these simular deep breathing problems in High School as I remember, but obviously went away.
What do I have to be worried about? Could it still be lingering anxiety/withdrawal from the Klonopin? Does the inhaler/steriods "mask" COPD? Maybe an underlying allergy to the smokes?
Thank you in advance.