Problems Inhaling

[Gondore]

I have been experiencing breathing problems for the last three months and I am hoping and praying someone here can provide me with some answers.  I have chronic shortness of breath.  The problem seems to come when INHALING.  A lot of times I feel like I can't fully inhale and I also feel light headed when inhaling.  I have noticed that the problem gets worse when I concentrate on it at all.  If I am distracted (hard to do when you feel like this) it does lessen.  I have also noticed that I can perform physical activity and it doesn't worsen (just remains the same).  It's a terrible feeling that causes me to be on the verge of panic all the time.  I have test my saturated oxygen levels and they are usually 95%+.  Do you think this could be asthma?  I have heard that asthma usually causes problems exhaling and not inhaling.  Any suggestions and similar situations that can be provided would be very much appreciated.

[gherkinclauss]

I'm having an acute version of what you describe. The problem is on inspiration. Shallow breathing is mostly ok. Deeper breathing results immediately in a spastic cough. Sometimes I'd say I feel like I just have tiny bits of grit stuck in my lungs. The Drs aren't very helpful b/c my O2 rates are ok and I could report minor improvement with a nebulizer treatment (overall it made me feel worse!! Shakiness and lightheaded from the treatment was just insult to injury.) I do have very minor asthma, but I keep telling the Drs that my alvuterol inhaler has no effect on my breathing problem. The one thing I feel like the Drs keep missing is my spirometer results which show significantly decreased lung capacity. I'm glad my O2 is up but I believe my lung capacity is important as well. I can barely work the spirometer without having a coughing fit. Deep inspiration is what seems to trigger the problem.  I do have anxiety too, but that medication doesn't alleviate my stmptoms at all either.  Standing straight up seems best with laying pretty flat with legs stretched out also seeming to be better than positions that put external pressure on the body cavity like crouching down.

Have you had any surgeries prior to this all starting?  

[Gondore]

I just wanted to check back in.  It's been about a year and I am still having this issue.  

Here are the physical things I have had checked:

- Thyroid in detail
- Had acid reflux surgery (LINX)
- Lung x rays
- Stress Test
- 2 x EKGs
- Every type of blood work test imaginable
- Ashtma has been ruled out

Medications I have tried:
- Advair
- Avlesco
- Tons of different vitamins and supplements
- Zoloft (for four months at 50 mg only)
- Xanax
- Ativan
- Tons of reflux meds
- Albuterol inhaler

Out of these nothing helped at all except for the Xanax which helped me to not care about the restricted feeling; therefore, reducing my anxiety.  I only use this in emergencies though as I don't want to become addicted.

Every time I inhale I feel a restricted feeling and it causes adrenaline to be released for me resulting in almost a chronic state of panic.  I have become VERY obsessed about this issue because it is impacting every aspect of my life.  I spend hours every single day trying to find a solution.  My anxiety is through the roof for sure.

So, after saying all this....is ANXIETY at the root of all these?  Have you been through this or do you know anyone who has?  Please PM me back or email me anytime at ***@****

[AmandaSam08]

I have that of similar experience.  I sometimes hard to breathe and I feel that something is blocking my throat.  I went to my doctor because I underwent operation with hyperthyroid several years ago and I am afraid it is recurring.  Thank God because the doctor examined me and she said there is nothing wrong about me.  For almost three years now I engaged myself to daily exercise and it eases my breathing.

[FlyDeltaJets]

You should be evaluated for vocal cord dysfunction.  It has very similar characteristics but is more likely to be experienced on inspiration and has an anxiety component that can contribute to symptoms.  VCD can be managed with simple breathing exercises.  You should see an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) for evaluation.

[henryyy]

Asthma is normally a lung condition which affecting breathing, it is common in kids and teenagers. Its symptoms are coughing, shortness in breathing, puffed. Infants also affected by asthma through inherited and anyone can affect by it. Asthma is known as lung disease. Asthma is like a disease which affecting the airways carry air from lungs. Patients having suffered from this chronic situation are said asthmatic. The internal walls of a patient of asthma, his airway are inflamed or swollen. This inflammation or swelling makes the airways very sensitive to anger and increase weakness to an allergic response. As swelling causes the airways become narrower, small amount of air can pass through, from the lungs. Indications of narrowing have out of breath, chest tightness, coughing and problems in breathing. An asthma patient usually faces these symptoms frequently during night, and in early morning.For more details visit
{url=http://www.medicaldictionary.tk}medical dictionary{/url}

[henryyy]

Asthma is normally a lung condition which affecting breathing, it is common in kids and teenagers. Its symptoms are coughing, shortness in breathing, puffed. Infants also affected by asthma through inherited and anyone can affect by it. Asthma is known as lung disease. Asthma is like a disease which affecting the airways carry air from lungs. Patients having suffered from this chronic situation are said asthmatic. The internal walls of a patient of asthma, his airway are inflamed or swollen. This inflammation or swelling makes the airways very sensitive to anger and increase weakness to an allergic response. As swelling causes the airways become narrower, small amount of air can pass through, from the lungs. Indications of narrowing have out of breath, chest tightness, coughing and problems in breathing. An asthma patient usually faces these symptoms frequently during night, and in early morning.For more details visit
{url=http://www.medicaldictionary.tk]medical dictionary[/url}

[Caryopteris]

It sounds like there is a big anxiety component to this.  

That's not to say you don't have some asthma-type symptoms.  

Try stopping dairy and treating any heartburn you might have with daily treatment.  Acid reflux can cause asthma.  Dairy can cause a lot of mucus, and people can get improvement in breathing if they stop dairy sometimes.  

Get more exercise where you work out until you are exhausted and see if that helps your breathing, because it sounds like you are hyperventilating.  Yoga is another way to learn to control breathing so you don't hyperventilate.  

[evewisewoman]

Hello there,

If you think you may have asthma, I would suggest that you make an appointment with your family doctor asap. I can understand why you would
be concerned by this.  I have asthma and it was diagnosed by my doctor
at the time. I take daily asthma medication. Don't know where you live,
but cold weather is a trigger for asthma as well as many other triggers.
Feeling like you're having trouble breathing is very unsettling to say the
least. Don't delay. Make a doctor's appointment and find out what's going
on.  I wish you well.   Eve