Struggling to breathe for 2 months - unsure what to do?

[sleepycocoa]

Hi there,

Really sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this and for the long post but I am desperate for any help.

I’m a 23 year old who has never really had breathing issues. Late March I began to have a flu/cold - had a cough, started struggling to breathe, had headaches and generally felt very unwell. It wasn’t nice but I was able to walk around a bit still. A few weeks later I had anemia (this is now no longer an issue according to my blood tests).

Since March the breathing and coughing issues have continued and they have gotten so bad that I feel I have lost almost all my mobility. Even walking from my bedroom to the toilet makes me struggle very badly (my bedroom is right next to the bathroom so it’s only a few steps to cause this).

What is most interesting to me is that I especially struggle to breathe when laying on my left side or on my back.

Doctors can’t seem to understand what it is and it feels like they’re giving up on caring. I have been to A&E and they say chest X-rays, oxygen, etc. are fine. I’ve been given allergy tablets, antibiotics, cough medicine, inhalers, I’ve tried exercise and rest, I’ve had fresh air and even bought an air purifier to see if it would help, I’ve tried breathing exercises. Nothing has seemed to helped.

I know this forum is not a doctor but I’m just feeling so hopeless and want some sort of answer since even my doctors cannot seem to give me one. I can’t live like this and I am scared that it’s permanent.

Apologies for the long post - if you can suggest anything then thank you so much.

[knitter]

you have my sympathies.

Do you mind me asking if you were tested for Covid 19 in March.

If I remember rightly at that time tests were only given to those admitted to hospital. It’s changed since then .so I guess you wouldn’t know for sure.

But you are still breathless...I have been in a similar position in the past, but I was older than you......couldn’t walk more than a few steps .

I am wondering what inhalers you are taking?

And how much?

Not all inhalers suit everyone, we are all different.some in the past have made me worse, some better.

One of my asthmatic daughters can’t tolerate Ventolin so she uses Bricanyl for example . I can’t tolerate some combination inhalers so use a single preventer which works for me.

I know it’s a difficult time to contact a health professional, but could you ring and ask about your medications.

You have tried breathing exercises, I was wondering which ones? Gentle , gentle relaxed breathing works best for me, try and breathe through your nose only..... to warm and filter the air.....soft breaths using lower chest, not tight upper chest. When you are walking....do a few steps, stop, try and nose breathe to gain control, then a few more

Sleep, propped up with pillows , not flat to see if that helps.

I know it’s difficult when so breathless to relax, but have you tried relaxation exercises and meditation to help calm.

But please check with your health professional about your medication , side effects etc, to find the best for you. As to covid, I don’t think there are antigen tests available to the general public , to see if you have had it .

Best wishes, and let us know how you get on after talking to your GP .

[TG58]

Hi

Sorry to hear you are feeling unwell, it can't be nice for such a young person, as it's bad enough at my age, in my experience an x-ray will not always show the underlying problems, I had a couple with little to no results, I was actually in A&E about 4 times before they finally gave me a CT scan, infact I had 2 in the space of a couple of months (not good) one for my heart and one for my lungs, when they did the one for my lungs it was then I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis, so at least now I know what I am dealing with, and hopefully can get the continued treatment I need. I'm amazed they haven't given you a CT scan as this would have also ruled out any blood clots which can also cause breathlessness, knowing what I know now I would go back to A&E and insist on a CT scan, then at least they should be able to give you a more conclusive diagnosis. Just to add keep coming to this site if you have questions, I have only been here a couple of weeks myself and it's been a godsend, with very nice knowledgeable people, it's helped me a lot and makes you realise your not on your own. Good luck and take care ☺️

[Troilus]

So sorry you are having such a hard time. It must be very worrying even frightening for you. I think the first port of call for you is to get on to your GP ASAP. Ask him what he thinks is going on. It might also be worth asking if you would benefit from a course of prednisone. This is a steroid tablet that reduces inflammation. It always works very well for me. (I have asthma)

Does the blue inhaler you have been given help? This should widen your airways and make it easier for you to breath and clear your chest. You do not need to stick to the one or two it usually says on the instructions and you do not have to wait four hours between doses. Try two, wait a little while for it to kick in and if it doesn’t work have another two. While I am on the subject, do you have a spacer? If I am breathless I find it difficult to do the suck and hold. Either I run out of breath or I cough. Using a spacer I can just breath normally but taking bigger, deeper breaths without having to hold.

If the blue inhaler helps, be sure to tell your GP and tell him how many you need to take to get relief and how many you are taking each day. If he suspects asthma or inflammation he might consider a steroid inhaler. Likewise, if it doesn’t help, let him know.

Is your phlegm clear or coloured? Again this information would be useful to a GP. Coloured often suggests a bacterial infection and indicates you may need another course of antibiotics. It might also be an idea to submit a sputum sample.

See what your GP has to say. Follow whatever instructions you get and if you don’t improve get straight back onto him. If you don’t, he will assume whatever treatment he has given you has worked.

Wishing you well.

[sassy59]

Hi sleepycocoa, I was also going to ask if you have been tested for COVID-19? If not then you should be perhaps.

Sorry you feel so unwell but do contact your doctor and explain your health problems.

Hope things improve soon. Xxxx

[Hidden]

Covid-19 you do not mention, but its the first thing that springs to mind for me (as others have also mentioned).

The coronavirus symptoms can continue for 3 months or more.

As suggested above, I think it would be a good idea to book a telephone appointment with your GP to discuss and query the symptoms you are experiencing still.

Do hope you are feeling better soon - take good care.

Guidance and support - coronavirus here: gov.uk/coronavirus

Best wishes

[2greys]

I am still suffering the lingering after effects of Covid-19 and your symptoms seem to be similar to mine. I too would suggest discussing this with your GP. It does seem to be a frustratingly long process to recover, just as you think you are making some progress, it knocks you back down again. Take heart, things do get better, just so slowly you hardly notice it happening.