Sudden attacks . Hi I was told a moth... - Lung Conditions C...
Sudden attacks . Hi I was told a moth ago I have emphysema I have heard you can get sudden attacks is this true?
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Sometimes your symptoms can worsen for no obvious reason eg. you can feel great one day and wake up the next very short of breath which may or may not get better as the day gets on. Very dependent on your own triggers eg. my husband is affected very badly by the cold weather so today he is very breathless. But if you are starting with a chest infection which could mean you have a temperature, that your phlegm changes colour, you are coughing more and/or more breathless then you would need to take antibiotics and a visit to the Doctor.
COPD is a very personal illness and what makes one person short of breath may not make the next. You will learn to find your own triggers. Please ring the BLF helpline (click on the red balloon) and ask their advise, they might be able to explain it better than I can. Take good care, TAD xx
Thank you been ok up to now but woke up this morning feeling so breathless and ill visit to see the doctor I think
I have emphysema, have had for many years. I would not say you get sudden attacks with emphysema, however certain things can cause a rapid deterioration in breathing ability, if for instance someone used an aerosol spray, someone smoking, bonfire, house fire, smokey cooking, washing powder, bleach, other cleaning agents, a dust storm and other things may cause big problems.
Exacerbations on the other hand are not usually described as sudden attacks, but they can cause some serious breathing problems, especially if left unchecked.
I wonder how much is in our minds, Yesterday I had an awful cough, loads of rubbish coming up (it's lovely that you can use descriptions like that on this site) by the end of the day I was certain that I was heading for a breathless attack, and sure enough as soon as I stood up it hit.(Luckily not bad and controllable)
But if I had talked myself into it, if I had sat back and relaxed instead of thinking it's going to get me and trying to get to bed I would have been fine. . This morning it is of course, it was the first thing I thought about. So I am sitting writing this and looking for other things to take my mind off the fact that breathing is a bit blocked this morning.
I am wandering if you are referring to anxiety attacks monreal resulting in a fear of not being able to breathe. If this is the case you can get some help with this certainly it is covered on the pulmonary rehabilitation course. Learning breathing techniques and how we can manage our symptoms more effectively removes a lot of the fear and anxiety about not being able to breathe.
Anxiety attacks are usually the start of my breathless attacks, I have tried all sorts of methods to control them, but found a local hypnotist who has worked magic, the majority of triggers have gone, and the odd ones that are left are normally controllable. As you say it's all down to breathing control and mind over matter. Once the fear is gone life becomes so much easier.
That's good news, so glad you are getting help and things a working themselves out.
It is your brain that triggers anxiety/panic attacks when it is not getting enough oxygen.
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