Stitch/pain in side - shallow breathing

[KittyB52]

I have asthma and COPD, managed with Fostair and Ventolin.

I had a stitch in my left side for a day or two and this morning I stretched in bed and it felt like I pulled a muscle. I haven’t been able to properly breathe in so my inhalers haven’t been as effective and today my breathing has been shallow.

Is there anything I can do to ease this, or will I need to see my GP? Paracetamol took the edge off the pain but it still hurt to breathe in.

Thanks.

[Darceydoo]

I’d get it checked out to be on the safe side!

[ChrissieMons]

You might have a chest infection - as Darcey says, best to get it checked!

[KittyB52]

Still feeling off, but not ‘ill’ exactly until about an hour ago. No cough, cold, fever or anything else. Just a pain in my side and breathlessness. Have taken paracetemol and Ventolin to see if it improves. Peak flow low even for me, so will monitor again in about half an hour.

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to KittyB52]

Sounds like a chest infection brewing.. I get a pain in my side around the kidney area that gets sharper when breathing in I often assume it's a pulled muscle... until my pf dives quite quickly and sharply

[Dogeared]

I've been getting a stitch in the last week or so and also put this down to shallow breathing.

I found this very useful and insightful piece on techniques to release the diaphragm, which had excellent and immediate results - well worth a read for anyone too.

thegotophysio.com/diaphragm...

Also I have ordered a new Powerbreathe breathing exerciser.