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Original poster

Always short of breath

58 replies

MummySS22 · 18/12/2023 10:23

I've been having a his fo quite a whil, I go through phases where I feel like I can't get any air. I'm not gasping for air by any means or panting. I just feel like an air hunger all the time and the constant need to take deep breaths or yawn to try and get some air? Does this make sense to anyone? I have bad health anxiety as well but I know that this is real, it's not in my head, granted the sensation of this air hunger does send me into a meltdown. I've mentioned it to my GPs several times and they dont seem concerned. Anyone else experiences down thing like this?

OP posts:
soemptyinside · 18/12/2023 10:33

Breathlessness and anxiety are both symptoms of low B12. Have you had any blood tests done recently? It's a simple test on the NHS - if your doctor won't do it, you can get the same test done privately instead.

PictureFrameWindow · 18/12/2023 10:34

How is your iron? Have a look at your iron stores (ferritin) as well as the circulating iron. Many people need to be higher than the baseline 'normal' readings to feel well.

Original poster
MummySS22 · 18/12/2023 10:36

soemptyinside · 18/12/2023 10:33

Breathlessness and anxiety are both symptoms of low B12. Have you had any blood tests done recently? It's a simple test on the NHS - if your doctor won't do it, you can get the same test done privately instead.

I've recently had ally bloods, including B12 I'm not deficient in anything.

OP posts:
Original poster
MummySS22 · 18/12/2023 10:37

PictureFrameWindow · 18/12/2023 10:34

How is your iron? Have a look at your iron stores (ferritin) as well as the circulating iron. Many people need to be higher than the baseline 'normal' readings to feel well.

I've had my iron and ferratin checked recently.y iron is normal and hb is fine. My ferratin is ,20 but I've had this for a long long time before my ferratin was so low I think.

OP posts:
Iwishiwasasilentnight · 18/12/2023 10:39

Have you just mentioned it to the GP or made an appointment specifically for this issue?

Original poster
MummySS22 · 18/12/2023 11:45

Iwishiwasasilentnight · 18/12/2023 10:39

Have you just mentioned it to the GP or made an appointment specifically for this issue?

Many times specifically for.this issue but they don't seem bothered and looked at me like I was mad.

OP posts:
Iwishiwasasilentnight · 18/12/2023 14:28

Did they check your oxygen levels?

Exactfare · 18/12/2023 15:02

I had this for months, thought it was iron but bloods fine
.

It got really bad after a cold, I had an emergency apt with th doctor - got steroids and antibiotics

In my case it's probably asthma! I'm 38 no previous history. I'm on a long term steroid/ reliever inhaler now and it's 99% better

It was the really bad acute flare up that made me get checked

Original poster
MummySS22 · 18/12/2023 16:28

Iwishiwasasilentnight · 18/12/2023 14:28

Did they check your oxygen levels?

There always between 96-99

OP posts:
43ontherocksporfavor · 18/12/2023 16:31

If you think about breathing, you focus on it and it’s hard to just breath automatically. When I had palpitations, they got worse because I focussed on them and became anxious so then the anxiety made hem worse. Could it be your anxiety? Perhaps of you addressed that.

CaramelEmporium · 18/12/2023 16:41

It’s probably ‘just’ your anxiety and I say ‘just’ because it’s a horrible horrible sensation. My anxiety manifests itself like this, I sometimes can’t take a really deep breathe and then I panic, plus an over-awareness of swallowing.

soemptyinside · 19/12/2023 11:04

MummySS22 · 18/12/2023 10:36

I've recently had ally bloods, including B12 I'm not deficient in anything.

Show quote history

If your blood work is normal, it could be a physical manifestation of your anxiety. What are you doing to treat/manage your anxiety?

SutWytTi · 19/12/2023 11:09

Could you have asthma?

I am surprised they haven't checked you for this.

Phone this charity and speak to their helpline and then go to the GP armed with their information about what to request: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/

Asthma + Lung UK

We’re the only UK charity looking after the nation’s lungs. Together, we’re making sure that one day everyone will breathe clean air with healthy lungs.

https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk

Original poster
MummySS22 · 19/12/2023 11:21

soemptyinside · 19/12/2023 11:04

If your blood work is normal, it could be a physical manifestation of your anxiety. What are you doing to treat/manage your anxiety?

Show quote history

Admittedly my anxiety is not being treated appropriately. I've had many therapies and medications for my anxiety which has now progressed into OCD. I don't feel like I is anxiety though due to the pattern of symptoms.

OP posts:
Original poster
MummySS22 · 19/12/2023 11:22

SutWytTi · 19/12/2023 11:09

Could you have asthma?

I am surprised they haven't checked you for this.

Phone this charity and speak to their helpline and then go to the GP armed with their information about what to request: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/

I'm not sure, I've never been tested for asthma and have never had any issues before. My sibling had quite bad asthma as a child and high and he did unfortunately pass away from severe complications of his brittle asthma.

OP posts:
Original poster
MummySS22 · 19/12/2023 11:23

Following on from my last post I think I've just had a lightbulb moment... Is it trauma.of my brother's asthma and the psychologcal effects making me feel hungry for air? Or is a physical condition.

OP posts:
debka · 19/12/2023 11:27

Sounds like you might be describing dysfunctional breathing.

Have a look at this website:

www.physiotherapyforbpd.org.uk/

I am a respiratory nurse and see this sometimes in my patients. Often in the more anxious people.

Original poster
MummySS22 · 19/12/2023 11:29

debka · 19/12/2023 11:27

Sounds like you might be describing dysfunctional breathing.

Have a look at this website:

www.physiotherapyforbpd.org.uk/

I am a respiratory nurse and see this sometimes in my patients. Often in the more anxious people.

Thank you, I will take a look. Its not a serious issue though isn't?

OP posts:
Unabletomitigate · 19/12/2023 11:39

I had something like this, I always felt my breath was shallow. I go to tcm practitioner and they said it was becuase i did not breathe properly. I was a litlle, yeah right. But years later I took up pilates and learned how to breath properly. I know, it sounds batshit, but my breathing is much better and I have more energy.

debka · 19/12/2023 14:01

Absolutely not, OP, it's anxiety related and can be treated with therapy and breathing exercises. The link I sent is pretty helpful.

worldwidetravel2017 · 19/12/2023 14:16

Have you had your b12 , feretin and vit d checked ?

worldwidetravel2017 · 19/12/2023 14:17

MummySS22 · 19/12/2023 11:23

Following on from my last post I think I've just had a lightbulb moment... Is it trauma.of my brother's asthma and the psychologcal effects making me feel hungry for air? Or is a physical condition.

Have u had a full blood count lately?

Ask 4 full blood count
Plus vit d
B12
And feretin tests

Original poster
MummySS22 · 19/12/2023 14:19

I just got back from the doctor's and they checked menand said my oxygen is fine and my heart rate is fine, my lungs are clear and my heart rate is fine and it's likely anxiety. I felt like I was gasping for air this morning so it was good of them to see me.

OP posts:
Original poster
MummySS22 · 19/12/2023 14:19

worldwidetravel2017 · 19/12/2023 14:17

Have u had a full blood count lately?

Ask 4 full blood count
Plus vit d
B12
And feretin tests

Show quote history

Yes iv had all these done in the last month and the doctor says they are all un remarkable.

OP posts:
worldwidetravel2017 · 19/12/2023 14:21

MummySS22 · 18/12/2023 10:37

I've had my iron and ferratin checked recently.y iron is normal and hb is fine. My ferratin is ,20 but I've had this for a long long time before my ferratin was so low I think.

Show quote history

Youd feel bit better if you got feretin nearer 100