Breathless: Before I write my question... - Lung Conditions C...

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Breathless

Alice70 profile image
45 Replies

Before I write my question ,I must say how saddened I was to hear the passing of Mike ,mostly I wite on here when I don't understand something ,last time it was about oxygen ,like so many others on here Mike alway wrote sensible input ,alway kind ready to help ,thank you Mike RIP.

What is it when bending ,tried to do some house work this morning I am finding that after I bend down I am so breathless I have to stop,sat down for a while and though don't bend down while hoovering I managed to hoover living room ok,it is surprising how many times you bend down while trying to clean ,things,ect taking washing out of washer dusting harth picking bits from floor ,same with stretching pegging on line stretching, anyone else find this wondering why so bad when bending down

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Alice70 profile image
Alice70
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45 Replies
CarolMcl profile image
CarolMcl

Hi. I don't have any answers for you but I would be really interested in what other people have to say. I'm new to this forum and what you have described is exactly how I feel, even when bending over putting shoes/boots on

Damon1864 profile image
Damon1864Volunteer in reply to CarolMcl

Hi CarolMcl, just wanted to welcome you to the site, it's a great place full of lovely caring and supportive people. We love a laugh and Chat and looking after each other. Please keep posting and have a good day take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

CarolMcl profile image
CarolMcl in reply to Damon1864

Hi. Thank you so much for your very kind reply 😁. Is that Jack the dog? X

Damon1864 profile image
Damon1864Volunteer in reply to CarolMcl

Yes Jack is my lovely little Jack Russell 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

CarolMcl profile image
CarolMcl in reply to Damon1864

I've got a Jack too along with a Jimmy 🐕🐶 x

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply to CarolMcl

Hi and welcome to our friendly forum. Hope you will benefit from joining us.

CarolMcl profile image
CarolMcl in reply to CDPO16

Hi. Thanks, I'm sure I will 😁

Damon1864 profile image
Damon1864Volunteer in reply to CarolMcl

Awe that's love 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

CarolMcl profile image
CarolMcl in reply to Damon1864

🐶😁🐕 x

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to CarolMcl

Welcome Carol ,I think it must be other organs pressing agianst lungs,I suppose it is natural for this to happen only maybe when we have copd we feel the effect of it ,it is surprising how many times we need to bend down in a day

CarolMcl profile image
CarolMcl in reply to Alice70

Yes it definitely sounds like it. As you say, you don't realise how often you bend over until you're having a bad day. I don't actually have COPD, my diagnosis is pneumonitis and fibrosis due to SLE with a scleroderma overlap

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16

Hi Alice, basically when you bend organs in the chest and stomach area get squashed so there is less room for your lungs to expand. Better to bend the knees if you can rather than bend over from the waist. Stretching up narrows the rib cage resulting in less room for your lungs to expand also.

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to CDPO16

I thought that this maybe happening ,I googled it last night ,and alarmed me a bit as all was saying it is more likely heart failure, but as I scrolled down you can get it with copd without heart failure, I didn't really understand the expiation only that organs press agianst each other

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply to Alice70

Yes, as explained in my reply Alice. It was explained to me at pulmonary rehab. Google needs using with caution otherwise we can scare ourselves.

Hello I have this aswell, when bent over it must squash the lungs and reduce the amount of space to take in air, if you try to take a full breath whilst bent over, then try same thing whilst standing up you will feel the difference, this is in my own experience I am not a medical person, perhaps you can do a search online( just thought of that) lol. joan.

😀😇🙄

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to

Yes I think you must be right organs squoshed ,I suppose this happens to everyone ,only us with copd feel it more

Damon1864 profile image
Damon1864Volunteer

Hi Alice I also have this I asked my respritory nurse why it happens and she told me that bending over squashes your lungs and other organs up so it harder to breath and makes you breathless. Have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to Damon1864

Thanks Bernadette,I can imagen that this happened,I should think everyone's lungs get squashed when bending down only maybe we feel more with copd

We tend to forget that even when we were a lot younger and fitter some symptoms happened to us and we just accepted it as old age creeping on. Now we can't help but wonder if it's a side-effect. 🙄x

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to

Hi Don I suspectthat is the reason why some of it is

Jaybird19 profile image
Jaybird19

happens to me now . but mine has got worse and now with back shrinking canr reach up either.

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to Jaybird19

I get it both ways bending down and stretching, we all try to look on the bright side really it's a horrible desease

HollyBoyd profile image
HollyBoyd

Yes, this happens to me too Alice. I just leave things until my husband is around to pick things up!! The dogs toys are kicked into a heap and then I may feel able to pick them all up in one go!! such is life. You are doing very well with housework, good for you xxx😊

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to HollyBoyd

That's a good idea lol,it's not funny really is it, idont do much house work my husband is good on the hoover

Lizzab profile image
Lizzab

I've learned to squat instead of bending. I was weeding yesterday. I got a decent amount done with just squatting.

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to Lizzab

I'm going to try the squat thank you

Jaybird19 profile image
Jaybird19 in reply to Alice70

make sure you can get up from that >I cant so kneel the Bring one leg forward with foot flat on ground and when ready lean forward you weight moves forward and the other leg follows through and hey presto ! less ungainly than struggling up from that bottom shelf in supermarket where the things are so often out of reach.

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply to Alice70

Try doing gentle squat exercises Alice to strengthen your thigh muscles. That will help too when you squat to do something.

B0xermad profile image
B0xermad

Hi alice70, I was given a very good tip by a lung physio nurse she suggested before you bend down,exhale on the down and inhale on way back up as it stops light-headedness and that breathless feeling, I do this often now and it has helped me.

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to B0xermad

Oh I'm going to try this thank you

Maggity profile image
Maggity

Hi Alice, yes I find bending and stretching make me extremely breathless, to the extent that I can no longer put washing out. Not ideal, you will agree, in these days of extortionate fuel costs, to use a tumble drier. I also struggle to wash my hair. You are certainly not alone. Best wishesMaggie

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to Maggity

I don't know about you Maggie ,I have severe copd ,I think this is the problem ,it's awful isn't it ,take care keep well

Maggity profile image
Maggity in reply to Alice70

Hi Alice, I also have two gigantic abdominal hernias due to surgeries and they certainly don't help as regards squashing the organs. Lol 😆. Take care

Jaybird19 profile image
Jaybird19 in reply to Maggity

bending over wash basin to was hair is not good is it, my shower is out of action so wash basin it is .

Sundance115 profile image
Sundance115 in reply to Jaybird19

have you tried using shampoo caps when not feeling up to hair wash.

Jaybird19 profile image
Jaybird19 in reply to Sundance115

its my back that is compacting . and reaching up is the problem. I have been cutting it myself and it is ok but can not reach the back so top and sides are fine but back is 2 years growth too long ! a mullet almost .

Autumnman profile image
Autumnman

Hi Alice70.Include me in the ‘me too’ team.

As everyone else seems to agree, I think it is to do with squashing organs and restricting movement of the diaphragm.

Personally I suspect that the beach ball I carry under my jumper doesn’t help when squished either. 😁.

I find that things like doing up my shoelaces has become a race to get them done before passing out! 🤢

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to Autumnman

That's exactly how I am ,I hate been so restricted ,I thought if I new what was the cause I could try and do something about it,I think your right about the squashed organs

Karenanne61 profile image
Karenanne61

I'll join the 'me too' gang also! With me it's a cough as well. Very often I'll have to leave things for others to pick up! Yesterday I was 'reading' (!he's four) with my great nephew, all the Mr Men books slid off my lap to the floor and my poor 87 year old mom had to pick them up!

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to Karenanne61

I know exactly what you are saying picking things up from the floor is a nightmare ,I think the others are correct in saying squashed organs,,thanks karren

fcag2001 profile image
fcag2001

Mike RIP.

Sundance115 profile image
Sundance115

Inhale - exhale slowly through pursed lips whilst bending - inhale again when straight.I find that helps to a degree with various things that make one breathless.

Alice70 profile image
Alice70 in reply to Sundance115

Thank you for that breathing tip ,I have use this technique, but not when bending down ,I'll try it

leo60 profile image
leo60

Me too!! I put dusters on my knees and shuffle around doing all the ground level stuff, but then there is the getting up!!😂😂 Hanging washing is tricky too, but haven't found a solution to that yet ........ any ideas? I refuse to get a tumble drier, they cost the planet and my pocket way too much !! I'd have been blown away today if I'd tried to hang washing out, and by the time I'd got back inside it would have been dry and I'd have been going back out again!! Windy or what?? I wonder how Hungryhufflepuff and her sheepies are doing?

Sara_2611 profile image
Sara_2611

hi carol RIP MIke - sorry to hear of his passing I cough eveytime i bend down & 5 mins into any activity & ahve to ahve lots of rest even when I use my spray - the more my ILD covers my lungs the less breath i get

I get breathless puttin my horseriding gear because my jodphirs are elasticated & my boots are hard to get on

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