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Breathing problems?
A friend of mine began having breathing problems on Saturday night. He said it felt like he couldn't get enough air. He felt dizzy and at one point even said his left arm felt a little numb. The thing is, we were sitting perfectly still and watching a movie. There were no stressful physical activities involved.
On Sunday he seemed to be feeling better, but ever since Monday night he has been having the same breathing problems, possibly worse.
He says he feels like he is dying, because he has to constantly concentrate on breathing. He's unable to focus on anything else and it often strains him to talk, but the seriousness of it fluctuates a bit.
He went to a doctor who told him he had anxiety problems and gave him some sort of medicine along with Lunesta to help him sleep (having to concentrate on breathing made it difficult to sleep too).
He says that nothing is actually stressing him out.
What do you think is wrong with him?
On Sunday he seemed to be feeling better, but ever since Monday night he has been having the same breathing problems, possibly worse.
He says he feels like he is dying, because he has to constantly concentrate on breathing. He's unable to focus on anything else and it often strains him to talk, but the seriousness of it fluctuates a bit.
He went to a doctor who told him he had anxiety problems and gave him some sort of medicine along with Lunesta to help him sleep (having to concentrate on breathing made it difficult to sleep too).
He says that nothing is actually stressing him out.
What do you think is wrong with him?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Yes, anxiety is definitely a factor you cannot rule out. One may not be aware that he is anxious but he will be.
The other possibility is cervical nerve compression at the level of cervical vertebrae. Spondylotic changes in vertebrae, slipped disc, disc protrusion, canal stenosis, degenerative bone disease, herniated disc, bone disease, cancer or TB of the vertebra or bad posture can all cause pressure on the nerves. Bad posture is the commonest reason for this. A chiropractor can help you out. If symptoms persist then you would need to consult a neurologist. A MRI is required to find the cause.
Obstructive disease of the lungs like asthma is another possibility that can be investigated.
It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Yes, anxiety is definitely a factor you cannot rule out. One may not be aware that he is anxious but he will be.
The other possibility is cervical nerve compression at the level of cervical vertebrae. Spondylotic changes in vertebrae, slipped disc, disc protrusion, canal stenosis, degenerative bone disease, herniated disc, bone disease, cancer or TB of the vertebra or bad posture can all cause pressure on the nerves. Bad posture is the commonest reason for this. A chiropractor can help you out. If symptoms persist then you would need to consult a neurologist. A MRI is required to find the cause.
Obstructive disease of the lungs like asthma is another possibility that can be investigated.
It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!
How does he do while he is sleeping with the sleeping aid? Is he still struggeling to breath then? If not maybe it is stress but I would keep looking into it. If he does start taking the anxiety medince it might take a while for it to kick in. Unless it is one of the fast acting temporary kind of medicine like xanax or valuim. Keep a close eye on him.
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