So simple really
I saw my doctor yesterday for this breathlessness issue. He asked me loads of questions about my supposed-asthma (I say that because I always doubted actually having it), what brings on these "attacks" of breathlessness and what - if anything - helps me out of them. I told him how I'd been given asthma medication on numerous occassions throughout my life, but that I always doubted needing it. The pumps were always prescribed to me when I had a chest infection or bronchitis or something, never for general wheeziness. Unless I'm sick, I never use it!
I told him how these recent breathless episodes can come on anytime, even just sitting on the couch, watching TV. I feel like I have a weight on my chest and, because it is sometimes accompanied by what feels like heartburn, I'm starting to worry about my heart. Are these breathless episodes an early sign of heart trouble? I'm overweight and I don't get the exercise I obviously should.
So after sharing all this, the doc started checking me out. Blood pressure? 112 over 70. Very good, especialy for a pregnant woman. Heart? Fine. Neck, ears, throat and sinuses? All seem fine. Lungs? Well, deep breath, please... There's the problem. I felt it before he said it. When I took a deep breath, I felt a rattle or wheeze in my lower right back.
By my doctor's reconning, I don't take deep breaths enough. The lungs are made up of little bubbles that fill with air when we inhale. Emphysema is an illness that starts to kill off those bubbles, causing you to have a smaller lung capacity. My doctor says that perhaps I have been "splinting", meaning that I didn't like the way the wheeze felt and was subconsciously not taking deep breaths. This causes the bubbles in my lower lungs to collapse and, in turn, gives me a lower lung capacity. The good thing is that, seeing as I don't have emphysema, my bubbles can be re-inflated by taking deep breaths.
The doc suggested deep breathing exercises. As he found no signs of infection or asthma, he didn't think it necessary for me to continue using the pump.
So I've been deep breathing and I feel much better. I was breathless last night before bed but that was the only episode since I saw the doctor yesterday. Let's hope that solves things.
So simple really.
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(18.5.06 17:02) Wow, sounds simple enough!! "breath deep in......now out" repeat 3 times!! Glad you got this solved! |
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(19.5.06 05:16) Humm...that is very interesting. Both times that I was pregnant I had major breathing issues (just ask Mylozmom, she had to listen to me all day at work). It also felt like there was something on my chest stoping me from taking a deep breath. But once I had the baby it went away instantly. Very weird. |
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(19.5.06 07:15) Isn't that because the size of the baby reduces the amount of space for the lungs to inflate? Must be nice to have more of an 'answer' now. |
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(19.5.06 15:34) yeah I guess that was it, but I got it very early on befor the baby would have been big enough to do it. As the baby grew it just got worse. And yes hindsight is always 20/20 hu? |
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Sherri / Website (19.5.06 15:45) Wow Nicola. You must feel better now having had seen the doctor. I would have worried about it until I did. Glad that everything is fine. ** take a deep breathe** 
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(25.5.06 12:31) Where did ya go? How you feeling? How's Jake? Update please! |
