Mike 57 talked yesterday about hyperventilating. May I ask how many people hyperventilate (without intending to)? I started hyperventilating a few weeks ago, and try to slow down my breathing, but the hyperventilating comes back.
Any tips on stopping it please. I am on oxygen 5L minute when moving and 2L a minute or nothing when sitting but I expect people hyperventilate if they don't use oxygen.
Well, I have been attending a pulmonary rehabilitation programme for the last few weeks. It is packed with good suggestions, advice and helpful hints. Last Tuesday we discussed panic attacks and controlling our breathing in the event of an attack. We were asked to close our eyes and think of a favourite place to concentrate on. At the same time we were encouraged to take slow, deep, breaths of air. After a short while maybe 2 minutes, a sense of calm was felt by us all in the group. Another suggestion was to find a way of distracting yourself from the uncomfortable feelings experienced. Bring out your phone, diary, squeeze your fingers into your palms. The slight hurt you feel by the fingernails will sometimes be enough to take your mind of your situation. It will also send a message to your brain which sends a chemical into the bloodstream to stop the panic attack. I'll ask tomorrow if she has any other suggestions and post them to you. Take care. Chrys
Thank you so very much for passing on the information. I will certainly try the suggestions. Funnily I am OK at the moment but I expect the hyperventilation may come on again tomorrow. It is not nice. Thank you again. Christine
Is it when you exert yourself or does it start when sitting, relaxing. I get it on exertion.
I’ve just been to pulmonary physio, one to one with a specialist physio. I’ve been given 6 sessions and completed 5. She covered the relaxation techniques as roadrunner explains so well. I found you tube very good for this too.
Then she has tackled my breathing techniques. As soon as I exert myself I go into hyperventilation. She encouraged me to breath in ( with diaphragm) hold for 3 seconds and then try to breathe out slowly. This gives lungs more time to transfer oxygen to blood and take out co2. I found it hard but I’m getting better at it. It definitely makes me feel less breathless more quickly.. and stops the hyperventilating. I don’t know if it helps but she is also encouraging to breath in, hold it as long as possible before exhalation. I started at about 5 secs and I think last time was 15 secs. Perhaps you can ask your consultant for respiratory physio. I’ve found it so helpful.
Good luck with it
Thank you Jomo 45: very helpful.
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