Hyperventilation syndrome

[Alauralane]

Hello all, it has been a while, I want to share this information with you as it has literally saved me.

I have had asthma since childhood, now I have it chronically as an adult, for several years it was managed with my flixotide inhaler and only rarely needing ventolin until the end of last year.

Suddenly I was tight chested all the time, including pain and no real relief from my ventolin, Peak flow readings were normal for me. I was treated with increased steroids, even had to go to urgent care early one morning. After a full work up I was sent home with more steroids. Nothing helped. In desperation I spoke to the amazing asthma nurses here, and during our conversation she asked if I was breathing through my mouth more than nose. I said yes, I have since having this chronic sinus thing since the end of summer, when I broke nose and caused a deviated septum to worsen "ahh she said, it could well be caused by you mouth breathing". Off I went, not convinced at this point I might add.

Long story shortened for you, I was so fed up I booked myself into see a private chest specialist, my Mum love her helped me pay.

He took my details, did a spirometry test, pulse ox, asked about my stress level. Said to me "okay, good news your asthma if fine you have hyperventilation syndrome, and have upset the fine balance of your blood gasses, go away take these mild anti anxiety tablets for a month, take a steroid nasal decongestant and practice deep breathing exercises, through your nose. (You tube has some great example) I left feeling a little silly. Did not take his tablets but researched hyperventilation syndrome myself and used the nasal spray, did the deep breathing and literally within a few days or so I was back to my old self.

[Poobah]

Thank you for sharing! That's very interesting and useful. I saw a physio a couple of years back and she explained that asthmatics have a tendancy to have poor breathing techniques and put me through my paces.