Not Asthma…!!!??
Question:
Well, I went to an Allergy/Asthma specialist yesterday, and as I figured, I do NOT have any allergies nor asthma (at least not from what was tested). I was able to max out the "___" (mechanism that tests your air/lung blow capacity). It’s very difficult to describe, but it’s like one of those children’s toy balloons shaped like animals. I’m able to get a lot of air in my body, but it doesn’t feel like it’s expanding through to all the separate ‘tributaries’ (balloon: dog legs, tail, etc,). I don’t get that sense of satisfaction when taking a deep breath. In fact, it feels extremely tight, like my ribs might break if I try any harder. I can’t seem to get the oxygen where I need it. Does this sound familiar at all? The Doc didn’t have any suggestions, but we concluded that it is often triggered by chemicals and pollutants in the air, those that are so common that I can’t avoid. However, it’s also triggered when I’m not around polltants at all!! (???) Any ideas what could be causing this?? I know this forum shouldn’t be used for sole medical guidance, but I’ll take all the insight I can get. Bottom line, I want to be able to breathe normally (and fully) 24/7, as we all do, I’m sure. Thanks…
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well, I went to an Allergy/Asthma specialist yesterday, and as I figured, I do > NOT have any allergies nor asthma (at least not from what was tested). I was > able to max out the "___" (mechanism that tests your air/lung blow capacity). > It’s very difficult to describe, but it’s like one of those children’s toy > balloons shaped like animals. I’m able to get a lot of air in my body, but it > doesn’t feel like it’s expanding through to all the separate ‘tributaries’ > (balloon: dog legs, tail, etc,). I don’t get that sense of satisfaction when > taking a deep breath. In fact, it feels extremely tight, like my ribs might > break if I try any harder. I can’t seem to get the oxygen where I need it. > Does this sound familiar at all? The Doc didn’t have any suggestions, but we > concluded that it is often triggered by chemicals and pollutants in the air, > those that are so common that I can’t avoid. However, it’s also triggered > when > I’m not around polltants at all!! (???) > Any ideas what could be causing this?? I know this forum shouldn’t be used > for > sole medical guidance, but I’ll take all the insight I can get. Bottom line, > I > want to be able to breathe normally (and fully) 24/7, as we all do, I’m sure. > Thanks…
Of course I cannot make a diagnosis, but can point out that the sensation of not being able to completely fill one’s lungs, particularly if this is episodic rather than truly omnipresent, is the most common symptom of anxiety seen in a pulmonologists office. Larry
Response:
Anxiety? You mean stress? My life is pretty good, pretty stable, probably better than ever to be honest. If anything, these episodes CAUSE anxiety…which would be the other way around. Can you expand on your theory? Thanks…
Response:
I would suggest a complete physical including a heart monitoring test to rule out any problems. UM MOM Susan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well, I went to an Allergy/Asthma specialist yesterday, and as I figured, I do > NOT have any allergies nor asthma (at least not from what was tested). I was > able to max out the "___" (mechanism that tests your air/lung blow capacity). > It’s very difficult to describe, but it’s like one of those children’s toy > balloons shaped like animals. I’m able to get a lot of air in my body, but it > doesn’t feel like it’s expanding through to all the separate ‘tributaries’ > (balloon: dog legs, tail, etc,). I don’t get that sense of satisfaction when > taking a deep breath. In fact, it feels extremely tight, like my ribs might > break if I try any harder. I can’t seem to get the oxygen where I need it. > Does this sound familiar at all? The Doc didn’t have any suggestions, but we > concluded that it is often triggered by chemicals and pollutants in the air, > those that are so common that I can’t avoid. However, it’s also triggered when > I’m not around polltants at all!! (???) > Any ideas what could be causing this?? I know this forum shouldn’t be used for > sole medical guidance, but I’ll take all the insight I can get. Bottom line, I > want to be able to breathe normally (and fully) 24/7, as we all do, I’m sure. > Thanks…
Response:
Hello, I visited this group a couple of years ago for help after being diagnosed with asthma. I didn’t think that was my problem then and it turns out I was correct so I’m passing along my experience for anyone interested. I used steriods for a time and relied on albuterol but it wasn’t until I convinced my doctor that I had a chronic systemic yeast infection that he put me first on Mycelex and now finally on Nystatin that I can say that I have gotten any relief. I haven’t used Albuterol in about two years. I do have a question for anyone who might have knowledge of my condition. I am not cured and have heard that a "cure" might require large doses of Nystatin. My doctor is pretty much in the dark about it so I must research myself. I currently take 10mg three or four times a day. I’m much improved but not clear yet. In the last week I’ve double my dose to see if I notice an improvement. I’m not sure yet. I’d appreciate any feedback. Thanks
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> Any ideas what could be causing this?? I know this forum shouldn’t be used >> for >> sole medical guidance, but I’ll take all the insight I can get. Bottom line, >> I >> want to be able to breathe normally (and fully) 24/7, as we all do, I’m sure. >> Thanks… > Cardiac problems (like pulmonary hypertension) can mimic asthma’s > shortness of breath. > I know someone who had symptoms resembling asthma, but it turned out to > be pulmonary hypertension. > Symptoms "resembling asthma" are of difficulty in expiration, and you are > absolutely correct when you say that cardiac problems can mimic it; all here > know of "cardiac asthma." This woman senses an inability to get enough air > into her lungs – and it is episodic. > Larry
Response:
> Well, I went to an Allergy/Asthma specialist yesterday, and as I figured, I do > NOT have any allergies nor asthma (at least not from what was tested). I was > able to max out the "___" (mechanism that tests your air/lung blow capacity).
If it was just a peak flow meter, you could have tightness in the small airways without it necessarily registering. In addition, I (for example) have a very high baseline number; I can be having an attack, but I’ll still register as completely normal if the doctor is going by the (generally not too relevant) ‘averages’ for someone of my age and size. I was running low on my albuterol prescription and needed more, but I’d recently moved; I went to a new doctor and told him I needed a prescription, and that I wasn’t feeling well even right then in the office. He tested my peak flow, and it was 450 — he clucked at me and acted like I was making up the asthma. The fact that my normal peak flow is 600 makes all the difference there. If you can invest in your own peak flow meter ($15 or so), and test at various times of day, you might tell with more certainty if you are ever having compromised readings. Also, a rather basic thing that can be done is to wait and see if, when you’re having an episode of tightness, a dose of albuterol helps or not. (When I first walked into a doctor’s office wheezing, I was at 250 or so. We had no idea what my norm was, of course, but after some albuterol I was over 400. Voila, asthma.)
Response:
> Anxiety? You mean stress? My life is pretty good, pretty stable, probably > better than ever to be honest. > If anything, these episodes CAUSE anxiety…which would be the other way > around. Can you expand on your theory? Thanks…
Not theory, observation. Remember please, I am not making a diagnosis, but merely telling you what is often seen. Lp
Response:
>> Anxiety? You mean stress? My life is pretty good, pretty stable, probably > better than ever to be honest. > If anything, these episodes CAUSE anxiety…which would be the other way > around. Can you expand on your theory? Thanks… > Not theory, observation. Remember please, I am not making a diagnosis, but > merely telling you what is often seen. > Lp
To continue a bit, into theory, it is clear that we are not intended to think about our breathing; we are not intended to be aware of it, any more than we are intended to be aware of pancreatic secretion or the flow of electrical activity from one chamber of the heart to another. Breathing is controlled by complex acid-base sensing mechanisms that regulate respiratory rate and depth. If we start thinking about our breathing, if we wonder how it is doing, we will not breathe as the automatic mechanisms would have it, and we will upset that delicate balance. If we are altering the depth and rate consciously, as part of breathing exercises or breathing disciplines, when we finish with our "session" the automatic regulatory mechanisms will take over and re-equilibrate. When we wonder about our breathing, when we wonder if it is working as it should, we will overbreathe; it is inconceivable that we would underbreathe in this circumstance of concern. We will take deep breaths to test the lungs’ expansibility. I can’t give you precise psychological explanations at this point, but I know by observation that people who do this feel that they are not getting a suffucient amount of air (oxygen) into their lungs. Far from not breathing well enough, when a person is going through one of these episodes they hyperventilate, producing a symptomatic state that is often misinterpreted as not getting enough oxygen – and so the deep "testing" breathing continues. If this is the state that presents to the doctor, the only reasonable therapy is talk therapy. The patient must be reassured, usually by pulmonary function testing, that their lungs are as normal as can be ascertained by what techniques are available, and then must be led through explanations of the benign nature of the problem. The state usually gradually clears, though several visits for discussion may be necessary. This may take time. If the sensation is constant, rather than intermittant, it may represent restrictive lung disease, but this can be discovered in pulmonary function testing. Larry
Response:
http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1999/09_99/kuschner.htm Typically adult onset asthma is characterized by irritant sensitivity not allergies. Have you been tested for GERD or Post Nasal drip? Any coughing or is it all SOB (short of breath)?
Response:
I’m not sure what GERD is, but negative on the post nasal drip. Also, I have no ‘typical’ cold/sinus/allergy symptoms…no runny nose, watery eyes, etc.. And yes, I do cough, but I think that’s reflexive…me trying to suck in extra air. Also, sometimes, I get relief if I force myself to yawn. But mainly, it’s the sporadic shortness of breath. I’m still running/biking etc at my standard pace, but…little improvement. Should I just suck it up, no pun intended? Thanks… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Typically adult onset asthma is characterized by irritant sensitivity not >allergies. >Have you been tested for GERD or Post Nasal drip? Any coughing or is it all >SOB (short of breath)?
Response:
> Any ideas what could be causing this?? I know this forum shouldn’t be used for > sole medical guidance, but I’ll take all the insight I can get. Bottom line, I > want to be able to breathe normally (and fully) 24/7, as we all do, I’m sure. > Thanks…
Cardiac problems (like pulmonary hypertension) can mimic asthma’s shortness of breath. I know someone who had symptoms resembling asthma, but it turned out to be pulmonary hypertension. — Steven D. Litvintchouk
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Any ideas what could be causing this?? I know this forum shouldn’t be used > for > sole medical guidance, but I’ll take all the insight I can get. Bottom line, > I > want to be able to breathe normally (and fully) 24/7, as we all do, I’m sure. > Thanks… > Cardiac problems (like pulmonary hypertension) can mimic asthma’s > shortness of breath. > I know someone who had symptoms resembling asthma, but it turned out to > be pulmonary hypertension.
Symptoms "resembling asthma" are of difficulty in expiration, and you are absolutely correct when you say that cardiac problems can mimic it; all here know of "cardiac asthma." This woman senses an inability to get enough air into her lungs – and it is episodic. Larry
Response:
GERD is gastroreflux. Gerd can cause Asthma symptoms. You may not even have symptoms of Gerd like heartburn or the feeling like your food is coming up and still have it. Any " UP ALL NIGHT"? Notice anything with change of weather? Non-productive cough?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m not sure what GERD is, but negative on the post nasal drip. Also, I have > no ‘typical’ cold/sinus/allergy symptoms…no runny nose, watery eyes, etc.. > And yes, I do cough, but I think that’s reflexive…me trying to suck in extra > air. Also, sometimes, I get relief if I force myself to yawn. But mainly, > it’s the sporadic shortness of breath. I’m still running/biking etc at my > standard pace, but…little improvement. Should I just suck it up, no pun > intended? Thanks… >Typically adult onset asthma is characterized by irritant sensitivity not >allergies. >Have you been tested for GERD or Post Nasal drip? Any coughing or is it all >SOB (short of breath)?
Response:
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