I can’t breathe help

[Katdallas85]

Hello I am a 34 year old mother of three ex smoker off and on for 8 years I have had significant breathing issues since I quite smoking in June 2018 I feel like I can’t expel all the air out of my lungs this is significantly impacting my daily living .. I always feel aweful .. I have had a normal spiro 4 normal X-rays and normal blood work. I feel I might have emphsema I don’t know I just never feel ok and breathing feels like a chore. I have also had a heart ultrasound recently that was mostly normal expect I have a mild left ventricular hypertrophy... also did a burium swallow last week as I have some difficulty swallowing solid foods . I have a referral for upper gi specialist as the only thing my burium swallow showed was hypertrophy of a throat muscle.. I am tired of feeling awful everyday at my age .. I am very large chested and want a breast reduction however I am reluctant to get one with my breathing problems. I am thinking I should be requesting an mri .. I’m supposed to be getting married in August and I honestly feel like there is something really wrong .. please help

[Caspiana]

Hello Kat. 😊

Oh my, you poor thing. I think you need to keep the investigations going on your breathing issues. Are you normally quite fit? Are you a healthy weight? I am not being rude , but I know weight can also impact breathing. Eight years of smoking doesn't seem quite long enough to cause such significant breathing issues (but what do I know? 😑), and you are so young still. What were the results of your spirometry test?

I am small chested , and even then wearing a bra can feel like my chest is compressed even more, definitely very uncomfortable. So I think if you are larger, it is much, much harder.

I hope your partner is supportive. Take it a day at a time. Talk in depth with your medical team. If they can rule out any lung disease then you can start looking into other causes. It's good you are seeing a gastroenterologist. I think when you start getting more answers you will be able to look forward to your wedding. Right now everything just seems overwhelming, very understandable.

Sending hugs and love,

Cas xx 🙋🐕

[Ergendl]

In the meantime, may I suggest you take up singing. If you learn diaphragm breathing you should be able to expel some more of the air if your lungs are hyperinflating. There are plenty of videos on YouTube and the British Lung Foundation has a list of singing for lung health groups all around the country.

Also try eating smaller meals. When we eat larger meals the food expands the stomach and squashes up the lower lungs.

All the best.

[Oshgosh]

Hi,sorry you feel so bad.perhaps you need an overview.

I hAd various problems over the years.they were either treated or ignored..have finally been diagnosed with ctd nsip.

Back to you. Have you asked anyone about breast reduction and whether it will help your symptoms.

I really hope you find the answer.so that you can enjoy your wedding

[Katdallas85]

Thank you so far I’m still working on what is going on. I do have an appointment with a GI specialist to do an endoscopy as well as a consultation for a sleep study.. I’m trying to get an mri .. I was seen at the hospital yet again last night and had an ekg which was normal and another chest X-ray which was also normal. The doctor at the er thinks I have reactive airway disease but wants me to follow up with my doctor.. they gave me a couple inhalers that have been helping a bit