I've spent some time this afternoon revising how to breathe properly...because I have to confess to becoming a bit panicky over this feckin CO2 retention. I'd practically forgotten about it until the Consultant brought the subject up last week, ever since then I've been trying to judge whether feeling dozy when I first wake up is idleness or the beginning of a slippery slope into ICU again...had a headache this morning as well...that's another symptom of retention.
So I watched a few YouTube videos and breathed in when the demonstrator did and breathed out...trying to stop my shoulders coming up and whacking my ear lobes...
Then it was onto 'phlegm reducing green drinks' couldn't cope with the bloke in the video though...he wouldn't just get on with it but kept sort of jiffling about as though he needed to go for a wee...anyway all I could see was a bunch of carrots on the worktop so I left him to it and watched Ronan Keating singing Life Is A Roller-Coaster instead...
I think ginger is said to be good for reducing phlegm or might be cinnamon...garlic is said to be a cure for stomach worms...I've made a rhubarb crumble for supper...wonder whether that is good for lung gunk.
There's no point in getting my knickers in a twist over this retention thing...there doesn't appear to be any self-help strategies for it...other than pursed lip breathing that is. And the Consultant didn't mention using one of those masks at night.
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Is easy done was thinking same myself
The reckon if you blow air out fast one time you can reset your breathing pattern
Yarning a lot is sign esp if you do it in busy places of CO2 retention
Nooooooo. I don't think so. Not if you are the same person who takes her 'kit' into the garden to get the vegetables planted. I think like most of the s you play Ostrich so that you can carry on & get the most out of life until something or someone brings it back (enter your consultant). Then you start wondering if there's something more you could do. I think you are one very plucky lady.
Vashti dear, this does not sound like you at all. Always so confident and upbeat about what is going on with you. I know nothing abot CO retention so have no wise advice to give you, but I do know that maybe Bach flower rescue remedy make help to calm you.
I have used it for years for panic attacks and it stops them in their tracks, really it does, but is also calming, made from flower and plant essences and does not interact with any medication.
My sister uses it on her mega-expensive racehorses and pedigree dogs, so there is no health risk. Pronounced " batch " and not like the Composer, it has been around for years. Just a thought. Boots have even started selling it. affectionate thoughts. Polly
Polly, I got these for my beloved dog when he was poorly with vestibular disease and old age! They worked wonders with him! I suspect I threw them out when we had to get him euthanized I blamed my shortness of breath on the worry, as I was so anxious when he was poorly, unfortunately according to my gp it is copd! Tesco sell it! I'm going to get some, for me this time! Thank you for reminding me about this And Vashti, sending you loads of good breathing & gentle hugs over the internet
I think you are far to busy to be a hypochondriac, what with your writing that entertains us all, shopping, planting veg. Take care Vashti. Love Margaret x
Try this breathing technique. You need to be sat comfortable, not hunched over so that your lungs are compressed at the bottom. Start slow deep breaths with pursed lips, until you have a regular pattern. Forget about the breathing in, that will look after itself. When you are ready for the exercise, breathe out as much as you comfortably can, hold it there for about half a second, then either breathe out a little more, or give a little cough. Do the in-breaths through your nose.
The idea is that the little bit extra you breathe out has a concentration of CO2. It works for me, but I can't say it will be the same for everyone. Costs nothing to try.
breathe easy
Johnwr
Vashti, I had to smile and read your post to my husband. He was not having a great day on Sunday and went through very similar to you. Every little thing was a problem - had I noticed his arms were very thin - thats surely a bad sign; And wasn't he using more inahlers than usual; And he was finding it very cold - that had to be a bad sign etc. etc. Even when I suggested we go to the Doctor he decided that was not a good idea - the Doctor was sure to notice even more signs!!!
Whilst I smile and recognise what you saying I also know they are very real fears. Try to enjoy life and not worry about what might be! Take good care of yourself, lots of love TAD xxx
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I blamed my shortness of breath on the worry, as I was so anxious when he was poorly, unfortunately according to my gp it is copd! Tesco sell it! I'm going to get some, for me this time! Thank you for reminding me about this 
And Vashti, sending you loads of good breathing & gentle hugs over the internet 
Have been called for a contrast CT scan following chest x-ray - questions...
Help with a pseudo question
Constant itchy feeling in throat that makes me feel like I always have to cough.
Is anyone else a "hypochondriac" ?
I'm frustrated with the medical profession.
