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General health

I find it difficult to take a full breath sometimes- does anyone else get this?

16 replies

TheBreastmilksOnMe · 12/06/2009 21:37

I don't wheeze and I havn't got asthma but I sometimes feel like I can't take a full breath and its worse if I havn't eaten for a while and my blood sugar is low or if I've eaten lots of sweet stuff.

My sister gets this too and it really puzzles us- she has been tested for asthma and nothing shows up. I'd love to know what causes it as nobody else I've asked seem to understand what I'm talking about. Anyone else or am I just odd and alone here?

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BEAUTlFUL · 12/06/2009 21:38

I get this, but I just put it down to soking loads of fags. Like you can't fill the bottom part of your lungs, just the top? Could it be stress?

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BEAUTlFUL · 12/06/2009 21:39

soking loads of fags??

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TheBreastmilksOnMe · 12/06/2009 21:44

That's exactly it BEAUTIFUL- just like you can't fill the bottom part of your lungs- and the more breaths you take the worse it is.

I don't smoke though so I don't think that is the reason for it. Still puzzled!

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ChasingSquirrels · 12/06/2009 21:51

oh yes - not any more (or not for ages anyway). I think it was maybe a stress thing with me, although it didn't happen at specificly stressful times.
I don't smoke either.
God, it was awful.

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Sexonlegs · 12/06/2009 21:54

I get this on occasion too. I often find it is due to me being rushed/stressed/anxious or if I am tired. It is horrid - almost feel like you are suffocating.

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MrsMcCluskey · 12/06/2009 21:54

I get it when I am feeling a bit anxious
Also get low blood pressure dont kknow if it is linked

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sallysparkle · 12/06/2009 21:55

Yes! I get this from time to time and have no idea what it is. I remember as quite a small child having it too. Strange!

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TheBreastmilksOnMe · 12/06/2009 21:58

Sooo interesting- and ever so slightly reassuring that we're not alone.

So it may be caused by stress/anxiety/tiredness/low blood pressure?

and low blood sugar or high blood sugar will cause your body to be stressed, as will smoking.

I do think I am all the above at the moment and I do occasionally get dizzy spells so maybe I have low blood pressure occasionally.

This is really helpful- Keep them coming!

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suwoo · 12/06/2009 22:09

Only at strange times, like when I read your thread title or when people are underwater on the TV.

All the time your thread is in active convo's I am struggling to take a full breath.

weirdo alert

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captainpeacock · 12/06/2009 22:16

I get this, I gave up smoking 2.5 years ago and it has got worse since. I have had it when out on a walk and have to ask dh to stop so that I can get a full breath, often it takes ages or I just can't get one, but then keep walking, but get a bit panicky at the same time. I am always able to get one eventually.

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captainpeacock · 12/06/2009 22:16

I get this, I gave up smoking 2.5 years ago and it has got worse since. I have had it when out on a walk and have to ask dh to stop so that I can get a full breath, often it takes ages or I just can't get one, but then keep walking, but get a bit panicky at the same time. I am always able to get one eventually.

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Shitemum · 12/06/2009 22:18

I get this sometimes, think it's caused by stress. Try and concentrate on the out breath rather than the in one.

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Montifer · 12/06/2009 23:29

Could possibly be chronic overbreathing (aka hyperventilation syndrome)which can happen without you being aware of an 'abnormal' breathing pattern and it would feel worse if you try and take deeper breaths.
This book is a good one (imho) if you want to read more.
HTH

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smudgethepuppydog · 13/06/2009 09:32

I was going to suggest hyperventilation too.

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Laugs · 13/06/2009 09:42

If I think about breathing, I find it really hard to breathe normally. It has led to panic attacks etc in the past, which I think with me is also linked to blood sugar levels - so I'm sure it's all somehow connected! Really concentrating on something else is the best thing, I find.

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TheBreastmilksOnMe · 13/06/2009 17:38

Thanks for that Monitfer I have just bought the book after reading a few pages. Certainly sounds like it.

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