I only ask because I have a severe breathing issue that is yet to be satisfactorily diagnosed. I've been told I just have a 'breathing dysfunction' but that suggests over (or under) breathing. Which I'm clearly not.
But it's gradually getting worse and has been for almost 3 years. I also suffer with CFS/ME and, while I realise this is a strange place to ask, I know that it will still cause severe respiratory distress if those muscles aren't working properly.
If you do, what does it feel like to you? I often feel like I'm trying to inhale whilst a dead weight is sitting on my chest and pressing against my sides. Lying down is much worse and I find I manage little exercise without being totally out of breath, I was gasping this morning after just washing my face. I'm 39. I've had the whole gamut of lung function tests and my lungs are fine. But there's clearly a muscular issue for me, it's just convincing my doctors that that's the case.
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DaveT81
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Hi. I have CFS too, diagnosed in 2016. I'm thinking there are different levels of it perhaps? Although I dont share your issues at all but I'm wondering if its to do with the CFS/ ME.You could try putting the same post on the CFS/ ME site- its a bit quiet due to the nature of the syndrome but someone may be able to shed some light. Good luck, P
Were you given any description of your dysfunctional breathing pattern? Were your breaths per minute counted, or which part of your chest you were using .....upper or lower, tight shoulders, tight diaphragm .
Breath pattern at rest , or when stressed , when talking ?
Are you nose breathing to warm and filter the air , gentle relaxed breaths , not mouth breathing ?
Try placing one hand on upper chest, one on lower....the lower hand should move out more .
Have you tried gentle pursed lip breathing ...breathe in gently through your nose then out gently through your pursed lips ...repeat a couple of times.
Try relaxation exercises on you tube , may help to release tension .
Gentle , gentle exercise ....maybe just sitting at first.
But I would contact your health professional again....I know it’s difficult now for your breathing to be monitored.....but could you ask them to explain what they mean by dysfunctional breathing ?
The BLF have a helpline open for UK residents, office hours 03000 030 555.
Nope, I didn't even get a diagnosis of breathing dysfunction from the resp doctor. He just simply said 'I'm referring you for respiratory physio'. It was the physio herself who told me why I'd been referred.
I didn't get any explanation as to why he felt this, other than the lung function testing I'd had was okay so he couldn't find an issue with my lung capacity, etc. Since then I've become increasingly unhappy that he didn't observe my breathing pattern at all, despite the first time I saw him I talked a lot and was visibly getting out of breath. I'd estimate that my breathing pattern is between 10-12 breaths per minute, which I'm led to believe is normal.
I do nose breathe, yep. I mouth breathe now and again, when I feel the issue is at its worst and what you've described above is what the physio has gone over with me, which I've done for a few months now and I'm definitely breathing correctly - stomach/abdo moving out more, chest not moving at all.
I am going to just start up some gentle exercise and diaphragmatic/intercostal breathing exercises again. Now that we're back in lockdown I doubt my GP will want to be seeing me again any time soon!
Only meds I currently take are ramipril and omeprazole. I recently started to take a lot of supplements but the issue with my breathing has been in place long before I started those!
Difficulty in breathing when lying down is something I have so I have to sleep in
a semi sitting position, several of the people at the hospice I go to with lung problems have the same issues. Some have got adjustable hospital beds to enable them to sleep sitting up. Have you ever been shown the correct breathing techniques, a lot of people don’t fully expand the lungs when breathing. There is a lot of info on the internet and a physio can normally demonstrate correct breathing using the diaphragm instead of just the chest muscles.
I'm going to have another look for breathing techniques. I overdid it somewhat early last year so just stopped and I think I may need to look into getting a decent wedge pillow for bed
No, I don't generally sleep great to be honest but I have put most of that down to my CFS/ME. But yeah, when my breathing is really bad that is the biggest issue as I feel like I'm gasping for breath. I had a sleep study about 18 months ago but said that the issues weren't serious enough to warrant a CPAP or anything else.
If you drop into my free YouTube channel Breathe Better Sing Together, there are a few videos demonstrating simple exercises we use at the start of our singing sessions to help work the muscles associated with breathing and encourage diaphragm breathing. Visit youtube.com/channel/UCGvJ9E...
Further to Ergendl’s post have a look on the resources page at themusicalbreath.com where you will find all kinds of videos around movement & voice & also my singing for breathing cd which although originally produced for folk with copd has proved remarkably successful for people with dysfunctional breathing patterns (which I have had myself) I am glad you were referred to a Resp physio - did their breath retraining not help? The great thing as Ergendl will agree, is that focusing on something like singing or dancing takes the focus off the breath but best to use those exercises produced specifically for people with challenged breath. It can & does change but takes time. It’s known as the great mimic which you describe perfectly ie your lung function tests have come back normal but breathing a challenge. It takes time. The respiratory drives in the brain take a bit of time to find the “new normal” good luck & trust that change can come - I have seen it personally & professionally. Go well.
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Awful pains I 
Anybody have worse symptoms after a rest or nap?
Young diagnosis = sorter life? 32 with 60%
