Just curious....

[Ergendl]

Has anyone else noticed their chest size has gone up since diagnosis with a lung condition? In 2005 my chest size was 32"-34"; now it's 36". I weigh 3 kilos less.

[knitter]

Yes, my rib cage is bigger for sure....maybe to accommodate my hyperinflated lungs.

I think being barrel or pigeon chested is a side effect of some breathing conditions.

It's a nuisance, but an excuse to buy some new bigger tops.

I think there was a mention of this issue some time ago here.....I remember talk of bra extenders.

[O2Trees in reply to knitter]

Yes, that was me knitter and I think it might have been Toci who was recommending the bra extenders. It is definitely hyperinflation that causes this. I actually can't wear a bra any more as it's too restricting for breathing, but when I buy clothes I used to be 38 (38A bra) and now I usually buy 42". But my waist has got proportionally bigger still, and like Ergendle (hello!) I have lost weight.

[Ergendl in reply to O2Trees]

Hello, O2Trees! I was lucky to stumble across the What Katy Did website where they suggested going up a chest size and down a bust size. In 2004 I was measured in a local shop and fitted for 34D bras, which went up to 34G when measured at Bravissimo in 2016; now I'm in 36F for most manufacturers, but 38EE for What Katy Did.

[Hacienda in reply to knitter]

Hi Hun, Yesterday at my Consultation, She had a Trainee Doctor, She Pointed out my "Barrel Chest" it made me feel......so deflated to hear those words, I'm now looking at pigeons differently. Love n Hugs Carolina XXX

[Yatzy]

Interesting! I think you might be right....

[Katinka46]

Hyperinflation of the lungs?

[O2Trees in reply to Katinka46]

Air trapping Katinka - it's a copd thing. With copd, and asthma but probably not so bad, it's hard to breathe out so over time more and more air gets left behind creating pressure on the ribcage which, again slowly over time, accommodates to this by remodelling. Barrel chested is a term used in text books, not come across pigeon chested before though.

[Sharp5Flat13 in reply to O2Trees]

Exactly, the lungs never empty completely. They are like a worn-out elastic band that stretches out but only returns halfway.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Yes mine certainly has, but I've put weight on.. .XXX😊

[Carnival567]

I have lost a lot of weight (16kg/ 32 lb) in last two years but bra size is still more or less the same. The weight loss is quite a lot, but I did need to lose, but the trouble is I am still losing, without effort. Still, gives me a good excuse to look out for new bargains!

[Hacienda]

I am with you all here. Weight gain and bigger boob's. Only wear a bra for a special occasion, feels like a tight elastic band. I was a size 10 all my life, now size 14/16. All my clothes went to Charity shops.

[2greys in reply to Hacienda]

I have gone from 36 to 39 inches (chest). 28 to 32 inches (waist). 8st 3lb to 10st 4lb (weight)

Not sure about my bra size though, do they do bras for man boobs? Yes, all my old (and a lot of new) small clothes went to charity shops as well.

[Hidden]

Watch out for fluid retention snd mention it to your specialist..if you are on anticholergenics like Spiriva or the ipratropium family it is a side effect..

[Annie31 in reply to Hidden]

You're telling me!

[Ergendl in reply to Hidden]

Yes, my GP has prescribed a diuretic and I have a very low salt diet because of water retention, but I can still put on 2 kg fluid during the day and not always lose it again overnight.

[Hidden in reply to Ergendl]

I see...sounds like a lot in one day..if I may I would find out about new inhalers and your cardiac health because it is the heart that helps to pump out the fluid in the lungs so it needs to contract properly. I tell you that because I had to take Dad several times to hospital with that problem.

Take care xx

Fran

[Hacienda in reply to Hidden]

Hi Fran, I do take water retention Tabs, I had so much to ask Consultant, I forgot to ask this one, never Mind my GP is phoning me today, I must ask her.. My Weight Yesterday with Clothes on : 69 k.

Love n Hugs XXXX

[Hidden in reply to Hacienda]

Hi Carolina

Did she listen? 😃

Hope it all goes well for you xx

I drink Contrex mineral water and herbal teas to eliminate.. it works for me.

Take care xx

[Hacienda in reply to Hidden]

Yes, but a lot to discuss yesterday Fran..I think my Rehab should make a difference, Just need that Key turning in my Back to get me going faster. Ha Ha

I will ask my GP when she phones me today. Thank You Dear Fran

love n Hugs. xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Hacienda]

Haha you listened to the chakra video...don’t forget wholeheartedly 😃😘

[Annie31]

Exactly like you!

[Caspiana]

Hello Ergendl . My chest actually got smaller. 😐 Go figure. 😒 xx

[Ergendl]

Thanks for all your comments. It shows that we're all different, but maybe this is a COPD issue for some people. I just wanted to find out what other people thought on this site before I raised it as an issue with the respiratory nurse at my next annual check up.

[SquirrelsHolt]

For your "survey"....... I've been size 8/10 for adult life until 3 years ago when the waistline,hips and bust, suddenly put on inches/pounds. Now a size 14/16 in tops and same for bottom half and bust,like a few have stated already,is bigger(not measured)and only put a bra on for birthdays or Christmas!!!!!!...and I won't be posting a picture in case it scares the children!!!!!