Short Of Breath

[Scarlett]

For the past four weeks, I have got very short of breath, just walking from room to room. I have asthma, but my inhaler does absolutely nothing to help with this. It’s like I have a bit of phlegm deep down in my lungs, and I can’t reach down to cough it up. The last time I had this was January 2020, and I’m certain it was Covid. I’m testing negative this time, and have had no cold or flu symptoms, just this difficulty breathing. Bit concerned about it. I’ll try and see a doctor next week, but wondered if you had experienced this recently – is it a viral thing?

[barry1010]

Are you feeling well otherwise?
Could it be caused by a reaction to pollen?

[Arksided]

I'm asthmatic also it could be to do with pollen agree with Barry on that one, have you being taking your preventers

[jno]

I had this several months ago; I thought the same as you but it turned out to be my heart (and it still is). Yes, see your doctor.

[Scarlett]

I don’t usually get pollen allergies. It’s only my breathing, I don’t have any itchiness or snot. Jno, did you have the feeling of very slight phlegm but almost impossible to cough it cos it’s so dry? I feel okay in myself, but I am usually quite lethargic, and because of my broken back, I’ve basically spent a year lying on my bed.

I guess this won’t have helped my fitness level.

2 years before that of course I was inside because of Covid. Walking/standing is a challenge because of my EDS.

[jno]

no, no dryness or phlegm (except when I managed to catch a cold at the same time). But as with you, it got so I couldn't walk from one room to the next.

[Scarlett]

Jno I’ll def see the doc asap. I did get something very similar Jan 2020 which did come after a fluey cold. The doc sent me away and said it was a virus trying to kill me, and to come back in 10 days. I do wonder if it is a virus. It came on 2 days after a friend came over with a cough :/

[Scarlett]

Jno what treatment did you get?

[bhg481]

You have absolutely the same symptoms as me. Having been breathless for several months I finally emailed our GP, had a phone call within days followed by a face-to-face. We tried antibiotics, which didn't work, and then, after an X-ray and an ECG, I was referred to hospital. I had scans, breathing tests followed by a face-to-face with a consultant, who requested 16 more blood tests. Yesterday I had a phone consultation and, after discussing with her colleagues and comparing the X-rays and scans with some done 4 years ago after a AAA, she has suggested trying steroids for 3 months.
The bottom line is, there are so many options for your symptoms, you need to get medics involved.

[Hopkirk]

Is your heart racing when it happens?
It could be atrial fibrillation.

[jno]

Scarlett, I'm on beta blockers, which have helped - I'm much better than when I was at my worst - and had an ablation procedure, which I think everyone involved agrees hasn't worked and I may have to have another one.

It may well be something related to asthma, but my experience suggests you should get a doctor to exclude other possible causes if they can.

[barry1010]

Could also be mitral valve regurgitation. Many conditions cause the symptoms you are experiencing so see your GP

[Scarlett]

I do wonder if it’s weight related - always been too heavy, and lost 4 stone last year. Predictably 2 have come back on. But it feels lung related, like I only have half capacity to breath. Surely if it was viral it would be better after 4 weeks? Heart isn’t racing, pulse is fine. Oxygen is 97 which is fine for me (asthmatic).

[barry1010]

My asthma and breathing has improved 100 fold since I lost weight, so you are certainly not helping your breathing if you are heavier than you should be, Scarlett.
You still need to see your GP

[ladybirder]

I'm permanently out of breath Scarlett and I have been diagnosed with COPD. I hope it's not that.

[Scarlett]

Ladybirder, I’ve never smoked so I hope not!

[Hopkirk]

I'm glad to hear it's not your heart. That's positive.

[ladybirder]

I hope not too Scarlett.