Breathing...

[Becca19962014]

Wierd one.

So I've a growth blocking my throat. No one knows what it is and it's effecting my breathing and eating. My breathing to the extent that I can collapse and have developed sleep apnoea.

I saw a GP today who suggested I learnt consiously to breathe again as I'm struggling with over and under breathing.

Their exact words being "have a Google"

Any ideas? I've inhalers I can use for the asthma I have, sleep apnoea I've been told to try and sleep at a certain angle but I'm struggling when awake as the left side of my throat is blocked. I suffer with anxiety and depression too which isn't helping.

I'd appreciate any suggestions, I have googled but there's a lot of rubbish out there!

Have you been referred for investigation.?

I've an ultrasound next week but other than that the other referrals e.g. To respiratory consultant is going to take months.

Sorry that should say at least twelve months. I'm not choking all the time so not a priority hence saying just learn to breathe properly again.

Easier said than done!

That doesn't sound right .Is it an actual lump in your throat or it feels like something in your throat?If there is a lump in your throat you should be seen a lot quicker than that?Is the ultrasound on you throat

It's an actual lump on my tonsil which can be seen the ultrasound is for the lump. I've had it for two months now. GP not bothered about it though it's been infected more than once.

You have an airway obstruction

This is classed as a medical emergency....

If it is affecting breathing and sleeping to the extent you have to consciously breath you need an emergency referral

Either gp
Or a&e

Im and a&e sister and i would have u in majors/resus if u presented like this...

Please dont feel your wasting time hospital can and will sort u

Sorry for crap writing on phone and feeding

Try googling Butyko breathing. It helps with asthma too.

GP said wait for ultrasound and it's not important enough for a&e I'd be wasting their time as I'm not drooling or choking and can breathe, 111 said the same. My last visit to a&e was horrendous and I'm terrified to go there.

@Frogqueen13 This is not an acute airway obstruction - OP has has it for a couple of months, had antibiotics & refered for a scan. I agree completely that 12 months in unacceptable but she is clearly not requiring heliox, adrenaline nebs & fast bleeping ENT & anaesthetics.
(also A&E sister)

grandma you understand i think I'm just not explaining well.

I know however, it is getting worse because of my mental health means I suffer with bad anxiety attacks and other mh stuff can mean I scream a lot (not delibrately!) and that too is effecting my breathing.

It's very hard to explain properly, though I think you understand what I'm saying. Basically the left side of my throat is partially blocked compounded by a very large tongue and I also have a partially paralysed face on the right side effecting my breathing on that side, obviously it wasn't a huge issue before this became such a problem.

Unfortunately the time I can completely not breathe I won't be able to get help because I live alone, which is adding to my anxiety, along with knowing I choke a lot at night.

My GP thinks if I can learn to breathe then I'll manage much better. Though the deep breathing exercises that were suggested didn't help at all.

It's very hard to find decent resources for breathing online.

I've avoided googling what might be wrong with my throat despite having been given some options by another GP (none of which were good news).

It sounds like your anxiety which is understandable by all accounts is making things worse.The gp might prescribe something to help with this until you feel a bit better

Have you looked at any mindfulness resources? There are lots of mindfulness exercises that use breathing as their basis, and that may help you to get back your breathing in a less focused way.

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DHE0foUmnRyk&ved=2ahUKEwiXvdGzvObeAhXLI8AKHUw0D-cQwqsBMAB6BAgKEAU&usg=AOvVaw3OxclpOV2bh2IKkXus2jJe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Square Breathing is a mindfulness technique. This link is to a YouTube video.

I can't have any meds for anxiety due to my physical conditions.

The other thing I was wondering about, is whether you have tried using some chloraseptic spray to reduce your sensation of the lump? I'm thinking that if you are less aware of it, you may be less anxious about it, which may make it easier to breathe. It's just a thought.

Mindfulness does nothing for me. I've wasted enough money and time on courses and books of mindfulness. I think it's because my faith is extremely central to my life so in effect I already live a very mindful life.

Yes I'm using a spray. I'm not really aware of it constantly just when eating or drinking as obviously it effects both and obviously if I'm coughing or sneezing. The lump on my tonsil can't be seen but the one on my neck can if I turn my head (not by me of course but by others who ask what it is).

I think also the breathing thing is because the right side of my face doesn't work properly due to Bell's palsy so I'm more aware of it than I otherwise would be if that makes sense.

Would registering to text 999 give reassurance you could get emergency help?

Don't breathe deeply. That doesn't help when you're struggling to breathe.

Buteyko breathing has helped a bit with my breathing difficulties for different reasons.

Calm, slow, shallow (ish) breaths should feel a bit easier than trying to take deep breaths when you're panicking.

I know it's easier said than done.

I'm now on oxygen and even then struggle to catch my breath sometimes. It only lasts a minute or so, probably not even that. But I start to panic, which makes it worse.

I have also been trying to relax with other methods (classical music, soothing sounds etc.) that don't involve breathing, as I find that it's much easier when I don't think about it!

I hope you can find something that works for you. It sounds hellish

I have registered for the 999 text service after someone here mentioned it to me back when it was thought I "just" had tonsillitis.

The breathing deeply thing is what I've had drummed into me for my anxiety leslie and it's a really hard thing to stop doing, especially when my anxiety is so bad, though of course your right it does make it harder. I found some resources for people with COPD (I know I don't have that!) to do with easier breathing which I'm hoping will help me in some way.

Just be aware that the 999 text service isn't as quick as the 999 voice service, because someone has to manually relay the text message to the 999 operators, who then dictate a message to the text handler, which is sent back to the person using the text service.

The 999 text service is only designed to be used by deaf/hard of hearing people or people who are completely unable to talk.

The quickest way to get help if you are not completely unable to talk but struggling to breathe/talk, is to use the "silent solutions" method when you dial 999:

cough or tap the handset, or press "55" on your keypad.

That would be far quicker and would let them know you are in trouble and need help.

Telegraph

lougle im aware it isn't as quick and I'd use the other method if I was capable of doing so. I do sometimes find due to mh I cannot use a phone at all (hallucinations - auditory and tactile) so having the option is of some comfort to me. I've set up gps on the handset as well so it will be able to send them my location as well via separate text, though living where I do that's of limited use (rural, very poor mobile signal!)

Pressing "55" can be hard on a smartphone I've learnt as the button to get a keypad is right next to the "end call" button on the screen (very annoying!!) but I've another mobile now as well, usually I have both with me.

I've got an appointment - in two weeks! I rang to make sure it wasn't a mistake and the consultant apparently had a referral from GP on call as well and prioritised it urgent.

I'm very scared as I've PTSD and cannot cope with men near my mouth.