Why am I so out of puff?

[Stuckinarut100]

I’m fit, I exercise, not overweight.
I use an inhaler.
Don’t smoke or vape.
Ive had my iron levels checked.
I’ve had a lung x ray.
yet whenever I go upstairs I get out of breath. It’s worse at home. I do have a Dr appointment to ask about it again but what could it be. I’m sat here now trying to get my breath.

Also had loads of tests with an asthma nurse few months ago.

Heart issues? angina maybe? Might be worth an ECG to check.
I
had similar issues and put it down to the menopause, GP sent me to cardio clinic for suspected angina. It wasn't in the end, but it was something heart related, so would definitely make a GP appointment to get it checked out.

Should read cardiac clinic btw. (Actually think it was called Fast Access Chest Pain clinic, which sounded scarier than it was!)

Thank you, I’m back at the Dr in March, same doctor amazingly!

Something heart related maybe. I'd see if you can get an ECG in the first instance at the GP's surgery

Thank you, heart related sounds terrifying!

You say iron levels checked but have they checked ferritin? I get that exact same symptom when my ferritin is low (under 50 can cause symptoms in women).

I’m not sure but I have been taking ferreous sulphate for about 6 weeks anyway

You aren't 'over' breathing, are you?
Hyperventilation syndrome can cause breathlessness, can be caused by anxiety. And won't often be picked up on routine spirometry or lung function testing for asthma, though can be with someone who is experienced in spirometry interpretation and who has taken a thorough history.

DS was like this when recovering from pericarditis.

No I don’t think I’m doing that and I’m not anxious

Have you had a virus recently? I’ve had one with sinusitis and I’m left with breathlessness.

If you’re out of breath at rest you need to go to A&E. It might be a PE or heart arrhythmia.

Do you have scented candles or oil diffusers, they make me breathless.

A long shot here. How often do you ventilate your home? It's tempting in winter to keep windows closed, especially with current gas and electricity prices but we still need to let fresh air in and humid air out for at least 10 minutes a day.

never get ill, often open windows and no scented candles or diffusers!

Id ask for a ct, a relative had his recently

Nothing on xray but ct found blood clot in heart

What about B12? Are you vegetarian? I find I get breathless/air hunger when my B12 is low.

What type of inhaler? Are you using it correctly? What's your peak flow?

Not vegetarian I have b12 injections that I pay for privately.
i do think I need help with my inhaler, got an asthma review coming up.

Hmm, yes, I didn't think you sounded anxious when I posted.
Do you use a spacer with your inhaler?
Inadequate inhaler technique is often ignored and can be life-changing when it is used correctly, so that is a priority to discuss at your asthma review.
Having said that, I don't think it would be inappropriate to ask for a secondary care referral to a respiratory physician, who will look at the whole picture including your Xray, any other imaging, spirometry/lung function tests and consider differential diagnoses.
Do hope you get it sorted out. It doesn't sound right, whatever the cause.

Thank you, interestingly today I’m absolutely fine.

They did say I had some very slight scarring on my lungs when I had my x ray

What inhaler do you use @Stuckinarut100

A blue one?