asthma? (in Off-topic)

Ok, so lately I've been having trouble breathing. I often feel like my chest is restricted, like I can't take a deep breath and be satisfied. I'll breathe in and out as deep as I possibly can. Every few minutes I can get a breath that feels like it fills my lungs, but then it goes back to feeling restricted again.

Does anyone else ever have this problem? I was thinking it might be asthma, or perhaps allergies? I don't smoke, I've never had an asthma attack, and I don't have any breathing problems when I excercise or play basketball or anything like that, just when I'm prone/chillin out I get this problem for a few days at a time and then it will go away for months at a time. It really disrupts my sleep and it's extremely irritating feeling like you can't take a deep breath.

Get to the doctor sometime soon, say in the next week or so. The forums aren't really the right sort of place to be asking for advice for such a condition.

"Does anyone else ever have this problem?"

Yup... Though, that's every day with asthma...

"It really disrupts my sleep and it's extremely irritating feeling like you can't take a deep breath. "

It is, isn't it? Definitely see a pulmonologist, or at least a general physician at your earliest convenience (very preferably while your symptoms are active)...

I think shadow meant to say "Get to a doctor asap...hope I helped :)"

Pretty much, Goldengate. :)

Nah, it's just that I see all too often people who have conditions that could be serious, and they just put off going to the doctor about it, instead relying on the advice of friends.

The most recent example that I read about was someone with a sore leg, and he was wondering if he should do something about it. It ended up that he had a fracture, after he eventually went to get the leg X-rayed ...

uh-oh, i'm dead!

sleep apnea perhaps?

BF,

I had the exact same thing, hit me later in life (around 30). It ended up being due to allergies.

I always had sort of weak lungs growing up, chest colds, etc. But never extended periods of breathing trouble.

Then I moved into a house with lots of carpet, and got a cat. All was fine -- for a while. Over time, the carpet fills up, and while you can't see it, the allergens become concentrated. I would awake in the middle of the night gasping, headache, oxygen deprived. I had no idea it was allergies, because I had no itchiness, runny eyes, nose issues -- it was just the breathing.

I moved to St. Louis, went to a doctor, and discovered I am allergic to just about everything. But I am pretty sure it is dust, cat, and dog stuff that really gets me. Pollen does not really seem to bother me, and STL is terrible for that. I got a great doctor who tested me and then educated me on the fact that asthma can often be a sole symptom of allergies. I do get runny nose, etc, too, if around dogs/cats for a long time, but the breathing is the main issue.

The very good news is that if allergy-triggered asthma is what is going on, there are several light meds that can help. I am on the lightest dose of Advair, and only take it once a day. My wife also suffers from allergy-triggered asthma, and can control it with one pill (Singulair) a day. It controls things. I also live on all hardwood and have a nice air filter in the bedroom. Finally, I think I am actually growing immune to my particular cat's dander, because other pets seem to bother me a lot more, yet I can sit with and pet Lola and not have any problems to speak of.

So, get to a allergy/asthma doctor, get worked up, and get healthy... Lack of breath just sucks!

Perhaps you have allergies that are contributing to your breathing difficulty. I'm not sure of your location, but pollen counts are definitely high in many parts of the United States. I've spent the last week coughing, sneezing, wheezing and generally dreaming of winter. If this is a chronic condition, you really should see a doctor.

deep breathing exercises can help and are also a relaxing way to fall asleep, just not while driving!

As someone said. GO TO THE DOCTOR!

It could be smoking related if you smoke, could be alergies, could be bad air where you live, and many other reason that only your doctor can determine.

Yes,
Go to the Doctor, now.

Asthma is quite bad and I have personally seen people die from acute attacks of it.

In the hospital I work, we have a 22 year old, brain dead from such an attack. While his body is breathing, his brain is mush.

There are medicines you can take to help, provided you see someone who knows how to treat it. Typically it is a pulmonologist (chest doctor specialist).

I have asthma, sounds a lot like allergies though. The pollen is as worse as it has been for a very long time. I would try and over the counter decongestant if you can, and make an appointment for your doctor.

In my experience, OTC drugs, while good for helping sneezing and itching and such, do not do as much for breathing issues if the asthma is allergy related. Then again, I do have insurance, so that makes the "real" drugs cheaper. I understand that it is fortunate that I have coverage, so don't want to take it for granted.

Plus, the breathing issue may not be allergy related, so the doctor is the definite route to go! No use messing around trying to self-diagnose or self-medicate...

In my experience, allergy medicine doesn't help with asthma at all, but who knows it could just be allergies. So, go to doc as soon as possible, and try some meds if you can't see your doc for awhile.

sorry if my reply is a bit too light thought of but:


I sometimes also have trouble breathing. It's not regarding bad health or anything but it usually occurs when talking to the cutest girl I know ^_&

^_& = a pierced eyeball?! o.O First lasers, now studs... I demand we confiscate Shade's eyes before any further harm is done! :P