Sleeping anxiety not breathing too well.

[Flossy67]

Hi work in a school for the past three weeks I’ve been off with my asthma. First was a chest infection and I was given course antibiotics . Still feel the same also given steroids now on my second lot. I can’t sleep at night I feel I can’t breathe I had a Covid test about 3 weeks it was negative. My anxiety is through the roof . I don’t really want to call my GP again . Has anyone got any ideas . Which would help me sleep not feel so worried too . Also I’m a carer for my parents they’ve both got Parkinson’s .

[twinkly29]

Hi, sorry to hear you're finding things tough.

This might be worth a read as things like anxiety can mimic asthma symptoms, as can breathing pattern disorders which are not only common in asthma sufferers but much more so after an exacerbation like you had initially. It sounds as if your initial problems were the chest infection which set off your asthma, but it might not be your asthma now that's the cause of your breathlessness, especially with the strain you're under and the not sleeping as well.

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

I know you don't want to call your GP again but maybe they could help with the anxiety side of things?

[Flossy67 in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you I’ll phone today . I’m always phoning up . Two lots of steroids two lots of antibiotics. Still not feeling too well . Definitely feels like anxiety attack . Feeling like can’t breathe so horrible makes me feel so run down too . 😢

[twinkly29 in reply to Flossy67]

Anxiety is awful - and I get that too, feeling run down/run over because of it. It's ok to keep phoning your GP. Tell them you think it might be anxiety at the moment not your asthma (which would explain the steroids etc not helping) and what can they do to help with that. Hopefully if you can make some headway with that the symptoms will lessen and you won't need to keep phoning them (and hopefully you'll feel much better too of course!) Being outside helps me when I feel like that, I don't know if you can get out and just "be" at all?

[Flossy67 in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you! one thing after another this year with everything. One day left my steroids. Go for a walk with my dogs to help me feel bit better. I’ll definitely phone my gp . Does feel like palpitations. Feel I can’t breathe properly. It’s horrible making me feel really down . I’m ok in the day but comes to going to bed . That’s when I start to feel worse . Keeping thinking I’ve got Covid as few got where I work . Alcohol helps me to sleep not good . Next day I always feel worse .

[Bevvy]

I often have to have numerous courses of antibiotics and steroids when am really bad. This can also result in struggling for some time afterwards.

You need to give yourself time after bad asthma attack.

Agree need to speak to gp and sounds like need more time off work sick.

Steroids stop most people from sleeping which doesn’t help. Especially when body craving sleep!

[Flossy67 in reply to Bevvy]

I didn’t take my last lot of antibiotics hard when can’t go see your GP only telephone conversation. I felt like the last lot didn’t work . Anxiety so horrible. I’ve been ok all year about 3 weeks ago I started to feel really poorly very tired too . I was very wheeze and coughing mucus up that’s when I was told to go have a Covid test I knew it was going to be negative. Still not feeling 💯. Try have a rest this morning go for a walk .

[Bevvy in reply to Flossy67]

It may be you need a different antibiotic.

Or more than one course of antibiotics. Could be not great you didn’t take last lot of antibiotics from gp....

[Daisy_FC]

Something I do when my chest is bad and breathing is interfering with sleep is prop my pillows up so I'm not fully lying down, it takes some of the pressure off the chest and also have a hot water bottle which can ease the aching feeling a little.

I feel for you, I had a chest infection triggering asthma flare not long ago, also 2 lots of steroids and 2 antibiotics, I know how horrible it is. It is worth persisting with your doctors though and following their advice, it will shorten the amount of time you have to feel like this!

I hope you are feeling better soon.

[Hidden]

It's a vicious circle isn't it? Take the steroids to relieve the asthma and you can't sleep....it's like having 10 espressos before you go to bed! This makes you anxious, tired and feel dreadful. I feel for you... going through much the same myself at the moment.

[watergazer in reply to Hidden]

Yes hate the steroids for those reasons I have enough sleep problems with out the steroids. Hope you are better soon x

[watergazer]

Always a good idea to get in touch with your doctor again - you may need a stronger antibiotic . I had a similar experience many years ago - repeated infections which led to pneumonia so do take care (I'm a retired primary school teacher) xx Anita

[ChrissieMons]

Have you spoken to the Parkinson Society? It seems to me that you have far too much on your plate and if you could get other carers at least some of the time to help you with your parents, you might be able to relax a bit. There are CDs you can find with relaxing sounds/music you could listen to through little headphones at night when you can't sleep, but I think you might consider a talking therapy to help with your anxiety. You have good reasons to be anxious, but it is possible to get on top of the issues. If you can take control of your life, you'll feel better, I'm sure. Good luck!

[ash6]

Hi flossy

I am having something similar since yesterday. It’s like the air is really thick and hard to breath and when I do manage to drift of to sleep I get the palpitations that wake me. Now I’m constantly thinking about it and that’s making it worse

Round and round we go

I definitely feel your pain

Hope you feel better soon