Air hunger?

[Jemm_beth99]

Hello, what it is I feel as though I’m constantly trying to catch a “proper breath” if this makes any sense. The only way it subsides is if I get into different positions to help open my airways? Any clue to what this could be?

[Helen0304]

Hi. I had exactly the same problem. My GP referred me to a respiratory physio and that helped me a lot.

[annenic]

I know how you feel, I too have this. Can’t even yawn properly as I can’t catch enough air . I have Asthma as well as Emphysema and Doc says it’s just one of these things and to use my spacer to take my inhalers to ensure I’m getting all of the med in x

[andy_levene001]

You need to get it checked. It could be asthma. I have asthma and the breathlessness which accompanies asthma can suddenly get much worse and become critical. I find breathlessness the most terrifying and horrible aspect of asthma. See your GP before the breathlessness gets worse which can happen very quickly.

[Tugun]

Hi,

I agree with everyone - definitely get it checked out with a doctor. Sometimes with a really bad episode of asthma I need to bend in different ways to cough up the phlegm but as Nellysasthma said maybe a physio or chiropractor is needed.

[printess]

Hi Jemm_beth99,

This can be a symptom of asthma not properly controlled or other conditions caused by asthma or nothing to do with asthma at all.

It can also be a symptom of dysfunctional breathing pattern which many asthmatics have and is treatable by a pulmonary physio.

Have you seen a respiratory consultant and/or respiratory physio, that would be my first port of call.

[Polzovatel]

Hi, I've had this feeling for over 3 years - cannot fulfil a deep breath - sometimes I am aware of it all the time, sometimes a bit less. When it's bad , I am awake during the night gasping for air.

I asked about it in my asthma clinic but didn't get any reply .

I did Buteyko course - it didn't help much , cannot find any good respiratory physio - private or on NHS.

Somebody mentioned a chiropractor - I wonder if people got any improvement after seeing a chiropractor .

In my case it started after about 3 years on serertide and other asthma inhalers so it possibly could be a side effect?

I think it's aggravated by reflux so I take ranitidine when it gets really bad and it helps a bit.

Did you have a CT ? I once was told that this could be caused by a diaphragam/phrenic nerve paralysis but there is no treatment for it anyway

[strongmouse]

Check that you have the best medication for you. It can be easy to accept a new 'normal' without realising you might need some additional or different medication. My peak flow was down for some time and it was only after a bad allergic bout that I was put on stronger inhalers and I found out that my peak flow should have been higher!

If you've done that then ask your GP to check out if you have any other condition - or as others have said - physiotherapist help with good breathing techniques - or other respiratory conditions.

Hope you find what helps and feel better soon. xx