Hi everyone I hope your are coping well today, I'm probably looking for reassurance again but I'm also working hard with my doctors, my cbt and my lung physio for what I'm told dysfunctional breathing it's been a long road and still remains. I have seem 3 doctors over the last few years and 2 of them I see or speak to very often because of anxiety but with my breathing just recently I asked If I could have a spirometry again and one doctor said no because it would fuel my anxiety. Ok I understand that but what has been really confusing for me the last few years is that I get told I've got copd from my copd nurse then I speak to the British lung foundation nurses on a regular basic and they have all been fantastic to me and have said I wouldn't even call it copd and both my doctors had a meeting and they both said I don't have copd you don't have symptoms we see with people who have copd you can walk miles you have never had a chest infection, you don't cough ect so I don't really know if it's dysfunctional breathing which I've been told by the physio this is every day I get breathless going up steep hills basically pushing myself harder it's like im breathing through my chest, I chest breath alot I blouting alot but STILL IM TOLD its not COPD I feel crap everyday I'm even led in bed and all of a sudden I will get like hungry for air I'm TOLD its dysfunctional breathing. I'm not on any inhalers again that was discussed by my 2 doctors I really do not no who to believe because it feels like I'm getting more breathless than I feel sorry again but here was my results from September 2019 my results
fev1 91%
fvc 115%
fev1/fvc 64%
I gave up smoking straight after them results then 5 months later February 2020 my results
Fev1 93%
fvc 109%
fev1/fvc 68%
so my percentage went up a bit after I gave up smoking that would indicate I would of been 2% lower for a normal reading my question is OK I was more anxious back then but I guess I still anxious now but why do u feel the way I do my doctors say they are not concerned I have given up smoking at the right time in life I may need an inhaler in 5 or 10 years I may never need an inhaler currently how I'm feeling is I sigh alot and sometimes it feels I can not inhale enough air maybe I'm just locked into the horrible circle my chest xrays were normal
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bryan45735
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Hi Bryan.I would say that if your doctors say you are ok then you are ok. Nurses can be very wrong.
After I had had spirometry at the hospital and had had feedback from the consultant I was invited to attend a review at my GP surgery with the respiratory nurse.
So, in I go and she tells me I am there for a review of my copd. I ask if she will be reviewing my asthma at the same time. She tells me I haven’t got asthma. I tell her my reversibility was 58%. She tells me that my readings went down after I had taken salbutomol. I ask her if she has the consultants report handy. She puts it up on screen and indicate the appropriate paragraph and she says yes it went down. I read it to her and she says I don’t know about that. I can understand the results when I do it myself. We’ll just have to book you in to do it here.
I was also asked to attend clinic at the hospital. Similar experience. You are here for a review of your copd.
Will you be reviewing my asthma at the same time?
You don’t have asthma.
Have you got my spirometry results there?
Looks on screen. This can’t happen with copd and of she goes to consult with the clinic sister.
I tell you this just to illustrate how wrong a respiratory nurse can be in spite of their title.
Maybe, if you can settle your mind things will improve for you. Difficult I know.
Honestly Littlepom, I was like a record on loop in the beginning, not just with nurses, but the consultant and my GP. Looking back it’s quite funny.Luckily the technician told me what the reversibility was so I could point them in the right direction.
Hi Bryan, I'd be over the moon if I had your fev1. I think that anxiety is your worst enemy and seeking different opinions can lead to even more uncertainty and confusion. I would go with what the doctors have said that you haven't got COPD. Many fit and healthy people get breathless walking up hill, it isn't unusual but it also isn't an indication of lung disease. Try and focus on getting your anxiety under control and you will most likely feel better physically too.
I have been diagnosed with asthma and COPD , anxiety too . With your diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing ….did they say what was wrong with your breathing pattern .
I used to breathe with my upper chest ..tight muscles and shoulders up , mouth breathing . Hidden hyperventilating
Now I try and belly breathe ,relaxed diaphragm , relaxed shoulders …and mouth shut .
Not big breaths , but gentle gentle nose breaths only .
If when you are walking and find you need to mouth breathe …..stop , gain control of your breathing , then nose breathe and carry on .
Gentle gentle nose breathing
Check out Patrick McKeown on you tube ….he has some good tips on nose breathing .
Have you tried meditation to help calm …..I started with a teacher at first .
I have just read again Claire Weekes book on anxiety …or nerves ….it’s an old book , I remember my mother suffered with her ‘ nerves ‘ . Claire’s idea is to try and float through a anxiety attack , not feed the panic with more fear .
I find listening to slow music helps regulate my breaths ….slows it down and relaxes.
I find it interesting you seem to believe the doctors that your heart is ok but don’t believe them when they say your lungs are okay. The mind is a powerful thing and anxiety could definitely be clouding your perception of physical symptoms. You show the results of two spirometry tests and are a bit concerned by the small difference but you could have taken another one the day after the first and had a differ result as well. Your FEV1 can vary throughout the day and from day to day so a couple of percentage points difference is normal. They require 3 blows during a spirometry and most times all three are different and they take the best one unless it is unusually high in comparison to the others which generally indicates a problem with you effort or technique.
We are all individuals and our organs generally all do the same thing but can function quite differently. A perfect example is your brain, where if they all functioned the same we would all be identical in what we like and do etc. They all pretty much do the same things but still function individually. My heart can drop into the 50s and occasionally into the 40s when I am just lying on the couch. While that is normal for someone that is very fit and athletic I am not what I would call physically fit nor am I an athlete. My Mom’s heart is the same way and she is 92. Our breathing and lungs I suspect are the same way. Our breathing can be affected by many things including the temperature the humidity, what we just ate and numerous other things I suspect. Some people are not affected much by temperatures and humidity while others are, whether they have normal lungs or lung disease. A Coke or other carbonated beverage can cause a bit of bloating which can put pressure on your diaphragm and prevent you from taking a deep breath and make you feel like you are unable to take a “full” breath. Also many foods can create gas and do the same thing.
The fact that you have been checked and rechecked should give you some peace of mind and you need to consider that some of your issues may be from you anxiety and some may simply be the ways your specific lungs function, and how they interact with your other organs and that at times you may be mildly bloated enough to affect your breathing. Your focusing on your breathing will cause you to identify breathing issues that are considered completely normal in another person who is not so focused on their breathing, and are just the ways your specific lungs function.
You often see people speaking in public or in a TV interview who do not normally do public speaking and you can hear their breathing being affected presumably because of the anxiety and stress. They often seem quite short of breath and are shallow breathing.
Yes I've been seeing a respiratory physio for 6 months now and she says it mire dysfunctional breathing and anxiety but I was given the diagnosis of copd but it was so mild it played with my mind and I'm constantly very easy breathless my doctors won't put me through another spirometry as it would fuel my thoughts and both my doctors say I wouldn't even call it copd and both say no need for inhaler I KNOW MY OWN body but nope they are not concerned
My doctors say they wouldn't advise it because with dysfunctional breathing pattern you get breathless very easy after exercise and with my results xrays ect I'm not showing Symptoms of copd this is why I'm getting fed up because I get breathless even at rest it causes me to over think even the lung physio agrees so what can I say really they are the experts it does make me feel any better
Hi, our bodies are complicated. A symptom in once place i.e breathing, doesn't necessarily equate to a problem in the same place.
Heart, lungs, circulation fitness of muscles, nervous system, all are interwoven. If we worry, even unconsciously, are body gets ready for 'fight or flight', which will increase breathlessness. You seem to have had had some thorough physical tests, which your doctor will be able to interpret.
While doctors can get things wrong and it can be worth getting a second opinion, if you have been reassured that there is no respiratory issue what will you need to help you?
The importance of a good diagnosis is getting the right treatment. If you have been told that your breathing is dysfunctional, then maybe finding out how that can be improved will help? Even with a diagnosis of COPD or asthma, breathing exercises can help. There are some physios who will help with dysfunctional breathing. Also some YouTube videos on this topic about types of exercises for lungs / breathing. It is easy to take breathing for granted, but building up the surroinding muscles and finding a good way, for you, of filling the lungs can help. At home we have an oximeter (not overly expensive on-line) which will give you a reading of your blood oxygen levels, Really helpfully. and a good indication of how well your heart / lungs are working
Hope you find some things to help. Anxiety in itself can be so hard to deal with.
I would guess ( and I'm absolutely no expert) that Strongmouse and Jane have given you some good advice. Yoga is supposed to be good for body and soul. I'm just started trying pilates (couldn't get into the yoga class). At least with indoor exercise you can take a break if you need to sit down. Good luck- I hope you can beat this horrible problem.
I have COPD as well as other lung problems. My COPD shows up on xray plus the spirometry test. If your xrays are normal I wouldn't worry about COPD. My friend gets breathless when walking and she doesn't have any lung problems. It appears to be anxiety more then anything. All the best to youKate x
My doctor said go and push your self hard so I went to play football I ran quiet quick then it was like breathing hard and heavy through my chest it was horrible I explained to my doctor, he just said its being unfit ect it was horrible so because I've got into breathing with my chest alot I'm only using my reserve
Hi Bryan I have recently been diagnosed with dysfunctional breathing caused by high anxiety. It's been going on for 6 months for me. Saw GP, been to A&E few times, had tests, scans, x-ray & lung function tests. After having scary things ruled out A&E doctor said it was to do with lungs but 6 month wait to see Consultant. I am lucky enough to be able afford private Consultant who reviewed results of tests etc & examination of me said Hyperventilation Syndrome ( Dysfunctional Breathing). Seen Private Respiratory Consultant & now doing lots of Breathing excercises plus walking & yoga which I love but had to stop before. Its going to be a very slow process but I have seen some improvement (not getting those scary heart attack symptoms so often now). I can walk up hills again but slower & I stop often to check breathing. Also did CBT course on NHS which had helpful suggestions. Unfortunately our bodies can react to anxiety without us even noticing & it is most certainly a vicious cycle. I completely understand your worries as I am same but I do try not to focus on it all so much now. I hope you see some improvement soon. Jane
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I’m so confused! What do my results mean. 
Flowers from my mind, with candles too.
I'm confused, copd!? can you help please?
