I am looking for some help here as none of the medical professionals I have spoken to seem to be able to help. I am 67 and was diagnosed with COPD about 12 years ago. About five years ago, I started to get breathing attacks every few days where I could not get enough air to breathe properly. As the name suggests, I felt as if there was a major obstruction in the tubes and it was like trying to breathe through a straw. Panic would set in which just made it ten times worse.
Now though, it is different. I can stay calm and just tell myself that I can ride it out as I have done hundreds of times before. Where before the attack could last hours, I can now control it in a few minutes as long as I am in a safe place and just stop.
However, when the attacks happen now, the air is flowing freely in and out but does not seem to be doing anything when it gets into the lungs. I am breathing heavily but always seem to need more than I am getting. I don't feel as if there is an obstruction but I am breathing a lot harder than normal, much more than I would even doing a gentle walk.
The worst part now is also the most embarrassing. While focussing all my attempts at relaxation, breathing in and out and staying calm, sometimes I get so relaxed that I feel I am going to wet myself, or worse. It has happened a few times, luckily nowhere it mattered. Does anybody else have a similar problem and how do you control it?
It has now got to the stage where I am afraid to go out in case it happens in a very public place and I am getting anxious every time I go out the door which is bringing back the panic. I need exercise very much as I am fading away and will soon be skin and bone. I love being outdoors. As my nickname suggests, I worked outside for 40 years and I miss it.
Edit: Thank you all for your constructive and helpful replies. I was beginning to think I was the only person who had this problem and because of this I was perhaps reluctant to raise it with a professional. My health is further complicated by kidney cancer and ME/CFS, although cannabis, with THC ;-), is working wonders on that.
What had me puzzled is that my SpO2 figures are still good, 95-98% is normal. Heartrate can be high at 80-110, but I am still breathing too fast and getting nowhere. I will put off using the pads for now as I want to try to find a way of avoiding this situation by controlling my breathing rather than dealing with the consequences of not doing so.
Thank you again to those who have taken the time to reply.
Andy
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Treecutter
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So sorry on your condition. You need to seek a doctor's care. Sounds like your in a bad way.
My trade was finish carpentry, for over 45 years. After losing my business in the 08 recession. Smokes way to much and decided to stop smoking , 20 years of no smoking now, thought I was ok as previously I lost 2 of my uncles due to COPD
early this year iwas having trouble breathing. Went to my VA doctor, he sent me to the VA hospital ,ran some tests found out I have severe COPD and sever AZMA. He put me on Spiriva and Albuteral and everything seemed ok till 2 weeks ago I was rushed toemergency, couldn't breath. NOT FUN..... after hospital care my doctor put me on Symbicort, everything seems great again
Yhe moral of this my friend is dont wait , the sooner you get help the better chances you have to live a longer life . Without help you epnt make it for long. It changes the life style but you still will have a life to live.
I would suggest like others have try incontinence pants for the leakage risk, better than dirty washing or embarassment. The breathing may have changed because of a change in your illness. Do you not have an annual reveiw with a nurse or doctor? Or an inhaler for such attacks? I would see your GP and say there has been a change in your condition.
I know how you feel....my whole body goes into panic mode and I can lose control .
One thing I noticed was that you wrote you were breathing heavily even though you felt no obstruction .
Sometimes heavy breathing can lead you to hyperventilate.....can you try breathing through your nose gently with a relaxed belly.
Have a practice of gentle, gentle nose breathing when you are not in difficulties at first to get the feeling for it.
Check your breathing rate and pattern at different times of the day, and check you are nose breathing as much as you can .
I would ask your health professionals for advice , there bowel and bladder exercises too.
Hi Treecutter, I have the same problem. A non COPD doctor told me it was "Survival incontinence" when your body goes into survival mode, it closes down organs that it doesn't need first and protects the heart the brain and the lungs... Hence bladder and bowel control out of the window. Apparently it doesn't only happen with COPD it happens whenever the body needs to protect itself even in panic attacks or fear etc.
If I need to go out I have to ensure I go before I go, and come back before I get too tired and risk an exacerbation. The 2 are closely linked for me now and sometimes I'm not sure which starts the cycle any more... Need the loo... Starts the exacerbation or exacerbation need to be near a loo. They say old age is not for the faint of heart... So true! Ps exacerbation is where you have a worsening of your breathing!
I sympathise with you. I have bouts of problems similar. I have learnt to control my breathing but not nice when you can’t get enough air in or out. I also breathe heavier than i used to but that’s because of the copd and damage. Walking is best exercise,. Speak to your doctor about your worries of ‘leaking’. There’s always help. Try stay calm and positive.
Sir I wrote you a long letter yesterday. Basically I said you need help NOW dony wait, go to emergency and get help. Get your doctor order you Spiriva and Symbicort and emergency inhaler Albuteral. Follow exactly all inhalers and keep track of when and what you inhaled. Then soon you will feel better. COPD will never go away but you can live with it. It's a life changer.
Hi Treecutter, I have the same problem and know what it's like. I'm not sure what causes it as I have Atrial Fibrillation as well as COPD. So when I get it I use my Inhaler and GTN spray. Also I have Ambulatory O2 and between them it eases it and helps me breath easy again. So far I haven't wet myself luckily enough but do get the feeling of losing control of my bladder. I've not had any attacks since my Cardiologist changed my meds so it looks like my heart's the culprit. I'm waiting for a procedure ( Ablation) and hope it sorts me out .Have you had your heart checked lately? It's worth seeing your GP.
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