This is probably a stupid question but....

So I feel like this is a really daft question but I'm going to ask anyway. 😂

I was diagnosed this summer, so it's all new to me. I've been trying to pinpoint what makes me short of breath.

Due to a dodgy thyroid my resting heart rate is around 54bpm, but whenever my heart rate rises I get more short of breath.

For example, now I'm sat of the sofa drinking tea, my heart rate is 64 and I'm absolutely fine, no issues filling my lungs. Earlier today my heart rate reached 120(!) Just climbing some steps on a walk and I just felt like I could only fill half my lungs.

So it's not even during exercise, just minor exertion. So stupid question time: is that to be expected?

I assumed it would happen if I tried running again but this was very mild exertion. It feels like there's a link between heart rate and SOB rather than exercise and SOB. If that makes sense?

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Perhaps it's more that your heart rate rises when you're short of breath for whatever reason?

Though it isn't always recognised and is often blamed on medication, there is an established link between asthma flares and increased heart rate (your heart works harder when breathing is difficult). When my asthma is bad even very minor exertion can send my HR shooting up - that doesn't happen when things are ok.

How is your asthma control overall? If you're newly diagnosed, you may still be trying to find the treatment that works best for you. Do you find you need to use your reliever inhaler much?

[Hidden in reply to Lysistrata]

Well, I think I have a mild case; I've never had an attack. But I know next to nothing. I was diagnosed via PF monitoring had a brief chat on the phone with the asthma nurse and then sent on my way!

So I've been coming at this blind, as it were.

I had to use the reliever at the beginning but I've not used it in weeks.

It would make more sense that my HR rises as I can't breathe than vice versa!😂 It's reasonably short lived. Using the steps as an example again, I find I get to the top and have to take some big gulps of air because I can't make my lungs inflate, I yawn quite a lot too.

It happens with even the smallest exertion which is frustrating, it's not debilitating but it is frustrating when I have to stop at the top of the stairs every time. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Glty in reply to Hidden]

Have you tried taking your reliever when you're feeling short of breath? If it helps, that would probably mean your asthma is the cause.

If you're not already, keeping a regular record of your peak flow, and measuring before and 15 min after taking your reliever would help your GP/asthma nurse

understand what's going on.

I often find I'm struggling for breath at very low exertion levels (loading the dishwasher for example) when my asthma is flaring up, so I'd say it's probably worth getting in touch with your GP. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Glty]

I've been keeping an eye on my Pf morning and night.

I've not been taking the reliever; I've never felt like it's bad 'enough'... But then, I'm not sure at what point it would be. 😂

In the summer, over 2 weeks I had a PF low of 230 and a high of 460 but now it's fairly consistent 390/450. I did use the reliever in the summer when I needed to.

I have to shower with the window and door open otherwise I can't breath!

I dunno. Sorry- this has turned into a train of thought! I guess I was living with this for so long it's become normal and I can't figure out what's normal and what's not!🤦🏻‍♀️

[Poobah]

This is is a bit if a shot in the dark, but it's not uncommon to have anaemia if there's a problem with thyroid - logic says there shouldn't be a link...but. Anaemia will make you SOB on exertion and it's impossible to get one's breath. Having both asthma and a thyroid disease it took ages for the doctors to figure out that my symptoms were actually anaemia. A full blood count test can rule out that possibility. You don't say whether you have an over or under active thyroid - over active is really horrible: racing heart, exhaustion, muscle weakness, feeling dreadful. While under active: no energy, feeling low, being cold.

It's difficult sometimes to say which symptom belongs to what illness so tests can clear up any confusion.

[Hidden in reply to Poobah]

I've hypothyroidism, so under active. FBC doesn't suggest anaemia but my ferritin is pretty low. GP won't do an iron panel but I'm going to do one privately in the new year just to be certain.

In the meantime I'm eating loads of iron rich food!

[Poobah in reply to Hidden]

Good for you for taking control. Hope you get things sorted.