Post covid involuntary gasps for air

[Tobogganist]

Have anyone else got this? Since covid I've been getting involuntary sharp intake of breath. It's like a random sudden gasp like you've had a fright or sometimes it's anear- hiccup?

My mum has hypersensitivity pneumonitis and has this. Its like a loud hiccup every so often and gasp for breath. Im on a fb group for people with HP and a lot of them experience the same. The GPs and consultants dont seem to know what it is but something to do with diaphragm.

Thanks @Infracat It may be linked to covid or previous pneumonia I'm a bit worried about that.

It doesn't hurt but it's like I've been sobbing uncontrollably and gasp for breath in that way.

It's weird I hope it goes away if not I'll call the GP.

Yes. Pretty much every day at some point since Covid last year. Just another of its symptoms....it's sort of like sleep apnea but not aware that it happens particularly when I'm asleep, just now and again in the day.

I recently had covid and get this. It seems to be happening less as time passess

Post Covid I also get sharp intakes of breath, like an involuntary gasp. Very strange.

Post Covid I am getting involuntary sharp intakes of breath like a gasp. It's very strange. As previously described, it is a bit like sleep apnoea while awake. Is any one else having this symptom or know what causes it?

Yes, same. Happens more if I'm slightly tilted back but has diminished over time.I've had this since 2020. It's as if you've forgotten to breathe.

I get this too.

Yes!
I had Covid in the summer and even when I was better I really struggled with this especially when exercising for weeks after
I’ve since had colds and this same thing keeps happening

I get this when my asthma is flaring. Sometimes it's the first sign of a flare. A puff of reliever or an increase in my preventer eases it.

It's only been happening since having Covid.

Did this stop for most of you in the end?

I’ve had this but never realised it was linked to covid but it makes sense that it is for me time wise. I’m not doing this anywhere near as much in fact I can’t remember that last time so perhaps it is stopped on its own x

Interested to know this too. I had Covid earlier this year and the involuntary gasps started when I first noticed I had a temperature, and then tested positive. I have had them every since, but not that often. Things seem to trigger them now though, Eg if I'm tired. Recently I tore a muscle under rib cage (which is very painful) and they have come back with a vengeance. So I'm having it quite regularly. I'm curious to know why when I don't have Covid any more.

So also interested to know if it goes away for some people or if they have had any advice or treatment. Doctor doesn't seem interested.

Until now I just put it down to a post covid symptom I was left with, but now it's quite regular, with a rib injury, I'm wanting to know more about what is going on.

Reading this post it seems to be related to

a) Post surgery (anaesthetic related maybe?)
b) With lung conditions generally
c) Noticeably some people have pre-existing immune conditions

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weird-intermittent-quick-inhaleexhale-at-random-intervlds/?pg=2

The link within the link above, is about the condition and pre-dates covid. One theory someone had (which sounds plausible) is that it's a motor "tic" (hence involuntary sudden intake of breath an involuntary tic) - possibly related to low levels of dopamine. This is interesting, because lack of Dopamine is linked to Parkinsons and I think some people had Parkinsons type symptons after Covid too (I did and had real balance problems and the shakes for about 3 weeks afterwards).

So personally I am going to try boosting dopamine (apparently this involves exercise, meditation, yoga, feelgood activities (eg interacting with a pet) and tyrosine rich foods like "chicken, almonds, apples, avocados, bananas, beets, chocolate, green leafy vegetables, green tea, lima beans, oatmeal, oranges, peas, sesame and pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, turmeric, watermelon and wheat germ."

(Taken from link below). Well I already eat most of those and interact with a pet regularly! So maybe it;s the tiredness which leads to lack of exercise, that's the trigger.

https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Respiratory-Disorders/Strange-Involuntary-Breath/show/14555

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22588-dopamine-deficiency

I had this. I had Covid late 2021 and got long Covid. I was referred to the long Covid clinic who I had a couple of video calls with a chest physio with. Mine was not related to shortness of breath but dyregulated breathing patterns I had got in from the Covid. I did exercises which helped along with time and I don’t have it any more. My long Covid resolved over about a year and a half

I have been doing a breathing course with the ENO as part of my long covid therapy, and find that my gasping is much reduced.

Interesting what a PP says about it being a sort of tic. The long covid clinic's attitude is that it is, indeed, a dysfunctional breathing pattern. Hence my referral to the ENO programme.