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Original poster

Air hunger? Feel like I can't get enough oxygen.

31 replies

MissingKittyCat · 05/05/2015 10:14

Having had a very stressful few weeks/months, I'm not sure if this is a side effect of stress or tiredness or if I should be worried.

I can't seem to get enough oxygen. My lungs feel odd, no cough, not painful, it doesn't feel 'serious' nor does it feel right. I have recently started thyroxine (hashis), just had a dose decrease as levels had gone the other way. While I was at the drs she checked my days and for a tremor, all good results. I no longer smoke but do have an electric cigarette, have been using it for two years now so I doubt it's that, currently on a very low nicotine level. Have only been feeling like this for a few weeks.

It does coincide with stress and levothyroxine but was happening before my dosage decrease. I feel like I'm having to concentrate on breathing and take big breaths every now and again. It's very strange.

Anxiety? Exhaustion? Allergies? My thyroid? Has anybody else ever had this for such a prolonged period?

OP posts:

AndHarry · 05/05/2015 10:15

Asthma? If you're having difficulty breathing you should go back to your GP.

Just2MoreSeasons · 05/05/2015 10:21

I feel like thus with asthma too. Can you get to the doctors?

Original poster

MissingKittyCat · 05/05/2015 10:25

I can try and make an appointment for today, with it being just after a bank holiday weekend they'll be very busy so I might not get in. Don't want to waste their time if it's simply anxiety or my thyroid levelling out.

I can breathe. Can take a deep breath and hold it without a cough but still feels odd. Difficult to explain. Have never suffered with asthma before, can it just appear?

OP posts:

AndHarry · 05/05/2015 10:32

Yes, it can. I'm an asthma sufferer (onset and diagnosis as a teenager) but only get symptoms when I've had a cold or hay fever. Asthma closes the smaller airways in the lungs so even though you're taking a full breath, not enough blood is being oxygenated.

Tuono · 05/05/2015 10:39

I vape.

And you have just described what happened to me last night.

Not the first time either. And only stsrtef happening to me this year. Since I switched to the e-cig. Which I like. Very much. And do not want to give up.

But sitting up bolt upright in a bit of a panic that for some reason my working lungs aren't able to actually process oxygen... is not nice at all.

I am on low to no N liquids. So I don't think it's the nicotine causing it.

TheSpottedZebra · 05/05/2015 10:43

Anaemia? Have you had your iron tested? I had quite bad anaemia, and the feeling was oddly similar to being at altitude and feeling that the air didn't contain quite enough oxygen so I needed to gulp it every now and then.

cedricsneer · 05/05/2015 10:47

I had something similar which I now think was anxiety related. Really having to concentrate on breathing and getting enough oxygen. Sometimes feeling sort of paralysed as far as breathing was concerned. It seemed undramatic at the time, and not related to anything in particular, but it became something that made me feel anxious and therefore made it worse. It was almost like a panic attack in the end. It passed gradually.

cedricsneer · 05/05/2015 10:48

Tuono · 05/05/2015 10:58

I've found something. I don't fully understand it, but ... the carrier stuff in e-cigs can cause short term airway irritation and measurable drops in air flow. There was some tussling over how bad means bad, but from the sounds of things it is believed to be a short term impact, rather than long term damage.

All the same, after last night I think I'll put e-cig to bed long before I go. And cut down on use. I was a little freaked out last night and can do without a repeat. Short term or not.

www.tobacco.ucsf.edu/e-cig-aerosol-has-same-immediate-effect-cigarette-smoke-nitric-oxide-human-lungs

smee · 05/05/2015 11:26

I had similar and it was definitely anxiety. I was about a year on from Breast Cancer treatment and looking back, I was just incredibly wound up about the danger of recurrence. I found acupuncture really helpful also (this is going to sound weird!) I was advised to sing softly as I walked. It's really helpful as it makes you breathe properly. You should go and see your GP though. I'd bet it is stress related, but it's worth just getting reassurance.

Pleasemrstweedie · 05/05/2015 13:02

Air hunger is a classic symptom of hypothyroidism and it may now may be related to your recent dose decrease.

Was your GP working off your TSH only? It is possible to have a low TSH, but FT4 and FT3 well within range, in which case a dose decrease is not necessary, In fact, if FT4 and FT3 are low in range, you may need an increase.

Yankeepoodle · 05/05/2015 20:42

Have had this both from hypothyroidism and anemia. Back to GP for investigations I think.

ThatBloodyWoman · 05/05/2015 20:46

In the short term,try nose breathing (ie breath in through your nose only)
I found it really helped when one time I developed a weird habit of gulping for air after I'd had a chesty cold.

ThatBloodyWoman · 05/05/2015 20:48

Btw asthma can just appear.
Mine is adult onset with its first signs being in response to what I now know to be a major trigger for me.

twilight81 · 05/05/2015 23:26

I had exactly this when I was aneamic, I could breathe perfectly fine but it was as if the air I was getting wasn't enough.

Original poster

MissingKittyCat · 07/05/2015 10:48

I'm still having trouble. My SATS are fine, oxygen/heart rate all good. It's on and off. Last night I had pain behind my breastbone. I feel ok, not dizzy or anything.

Will go to the doctors tomorrow if it is still like this. If I get any worse I will go to the walk in centre. I think it could be indigestion/reflux, my thyroid or stress. My TSH was 0.06 and FT4 just above normal two weeks ago. I think the symptoms of hyperthyroid (I was hypo) are kicking in, symptoms tend to lag behind blood results don't they? My iron levels are ok but only by a fraction. Will start on some floradix.

It could even be hayfever, a bad year maybe. Will keep you posted. I don't feel like I'm about to have a heart attack or anything. I've been to the GP so much these past couple of months, they're going to think I'm a hyperchondriac.

OP posts:

Angelina77 · 07/05/2015 10:54

I have suffered with exactly this which turned out to be a symptom of a generalised anxiety disorder. I had no idea what was wrong with me for months.

Original poster

MissingKittyCat · 07/05/2015 10:58

I wouldn't be surprised at it being anxiety. I have had shit after shit thrown at me this year. I've also had bereavements of family and two beloved pets, I was wondering if it could be a broken heart?

How did they treat you Angelina?

OP posts:

TheLoneRanger · 07/05/2015 10:59

I'm using the Buteyko method for this:

www.buteyko.co.uk/

So far it's helping. Quite a relaxing thing to practise.

confusedandemployed · 07/05/2015 11:01

Is it like you can't breathe enough air to satisfy your lungs? I often get this when particularly stressed. It's a horrible feeling, but if there is pain involved as well, I would think it's not the same as what I have.

Clarella · 07/05/2015 17:00

Missing - when you say your iron levels were ok but only by a fraction - I had this as well as being a bit over replaced on thyroxine. I was getting muscle symptoms of low ferritin but ferritin was actually 55. But my hb was a little above range. I wondered if my body was acting as if I was up a mountain - I too felt I needed more air at times. I've found lowering thyroxine a tiny tad and taking iron has helped, but had to be tablets.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 07/05/2015 17:44

I've had iron deficiency anaemia and felt exactly as described down-thread, as if I was suffering from altitude sickness.

Original poster

MissingKittyCat · 07/05/2015 19:04

It would make sense. I've always struggled with my iron levels. Had a very active day out today and forgot about the chest pain, I think some of it is psychosomatic. Will see what this evening brings. Thank you.

OP posts:

Cocolepew · 07/05/2015 19:12

I think it could be a combination of anxiety and a habit you have got into.
I've had the same myself and have to really concentrate on not gasping a gulp of air in.

Bonsoir · 07/05/2015 19:13

Yoga can really help with breathing difficulties.

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