Losing breath

[Mellywelly]

Hi everyone, just wanted to put this out there incase someone can help. Trying new meds for my copd which is lower dose trimbow. Most days go for a gentle walk around a few blocks with no hills, just flat. A couple of times now with this medication and my other medication that I was on for a while my breath just goes. Its so frightening and I don't panic but I just can't breath properly. I do my ventolin before I go aswell. I will stop and try and regulate my breathing by counting more out than in and even more ventolin but it takes a while to come back. Has anybody else had this and if so any tips for me. Thanks 😊

[Oshgosh]

I think you need to speak to GP or asthma nurse.

[peege]

You poor thing, sometimes inhalers take a couple of weeks to 'settle in' the first time you use them......that's all I can think of I'm afraid 😨.....unless it's got something to do with the very high pollen count as well as change of inhaler ××

[Mellywelly in reply to peege]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated 🙂

[Chinadoll81 in reply to Mellywelly]

Had Trimbow but eventually lost its efficacy Now on Trelegy. Works better. Blessings and love xxxx

[Mellywelly in reply to Chinadoll81]

Thanks for the heads up 😊

[GintyFerguson]

That's horrible. Are you anxious? I find if I have a lot on sometimes I can't catch my breath properly. Heat doesn't help and pollen counts are very high. Rest up.

[Mellywelly in reply to GintyFerguson]

I have appointment with my copd nurse 4th July so will chat with her again. Thank you for replying 😄 am a bit anxious but that's because recently I was given wrong medication by a new doctor that was too strong for me and practically collapsed on my walk, luckily somebody was with me. 👍

[Hidden]

Hi there I have IPF and have been taking trimbow for three months and it has been the best inhaler yet for me.

I was on rellvar Ellipta which seemed to take my voice

[Mellywelly in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for replying 🙂

[Izb1]

That sounds frightening perhaps the dose you are on is too low, I think you need to speak with your nurse/gp x

[Mellywelly in reply to Izb1]

Yes I have an appointment 4th July. Thanks 😊

[panthor]

When I first started taking Trimbow I really struggled with my breathing for the first couple of months. I was going to give up with it, then in the third month it was as if something magic happened and it's been the best thing ever for me ever since making such a difference with breathing and breathlessness. I am on 2 puffs twice a day.

[Mellywelly in reply to panthor]

I remember the nurse said it would maybe take a couple of months but I couldn't understand. Now with your reply you have given me hope. Thank you so much 😉

[anng18]

Hi Mellywelly,

I unfortunately get this quite often. I just stop and try and do deep breathing. It's a horrible feeling. It has put me of going anywhere too public, which isn't good, but it can be so embarrassing. I stare vacantly at trees and the sky, until I get my breathe back.

See if you can get it sorted, as I think it has led to me having panic attacks, every time I have an appointment. I always arrive really early, so that I can sort out my breathing before I see anyone.

[Mellywelly in reply to anng18]

I know where your coming from, I get a taxi to the doctors and have to go up about twenty steps and get to reception out of breath. So embarrassing when the people waiting can see you. Thank you so much for your reply. Much appreciated 🙂

[Patk1]

Id be contacting gp/copd nurse x

[Mellywelly in reply to Patk1]

4th July. Seeing nurse 🙂👍

[Patk1 in reply to Mellywelly]

If u still struggle over wkend,id ask to see her sooner x

[Mellywelly in reply to Patk1]

Cheers chook

[Timberman]

Sorry to hear your problems and yes, it is very scarey, but I may be able to help a little. I have had COPD (emphysema, bronchiectasis with mild asthma) for about 15 years and I am now rated severe (32% FEV1).

I suffer very severe breathing problems now and am on O2 for 15 hours and more per day (at up to 2 litres per minute for those who know). I use a portable when walking but cannot manage more than 20 yards without gasping.

What I do is: stop, sit down if possible, relax deliberately and find a window to look at - it needs to be the shape of a TV screen . Then breath in slowly through my nose while scanning the short up pr down side; then and slowly exhale through my mouth while scanning the long side. This will provide a regular 3:5 ratio of breathing. It may take a while to settle.

Then you can move on but take it slowly and use a stick - or a fence!

Now you may know all this but I find it helps. When we breath all that actually happens is that your chest and diaphragm move outwards to lower the pressure in your lungs. The air is at 14 lbs per sq inch pressure and it is thus allowed to enter the lungs. To breath out however you have to press the air out using the muscles in your ribs and diaphragm. That means it takes longer to clear and uses energy to do it.

I note you use counting which is a very good idea. We actually breath at a rate of about 10-12 breaths per minute. So that's about 8-10 second per breath. Counting "one-and-=two-and-three-and" etc is close to one second a number. So :

In -

one-and-two-and-three-and" pause (important to let the little molecules of O2 get out of your alveoli and into your blood)

then

exhale

one-and-two-and-three-and- four-and-five Pause again (to allow slight recovery from the exertion)

And off again.

I hope this is of value.

[Mellywelly in reply to Timberman]

Thank you so much for your reply, am going for a walk shortly and if it happens again will definitely try that. Just hope nobody is on the other side of the window at the time or they'll think I've just escaped from somewhere 🤣🤣🤣👍

[Timberman in reply to Mellywelly]

A poster will do it?

[Mellywelly in reply to Timberman]

Cheers!!

[GinnyMa in reply to Timberman]

This explanation is great and very helpful. Thank you!

[Homely2]

I have asthma and get similar attacks. With me they are provoked by something, pollen, humidity etc. My breathing just goes with no other symptoms.

I find a dose of fostair 100 very helpful. I am on fostair 100 mart, so have four free doses I can use.

[Mellywelly in reply to Homely2]

Thank you for your reply, I have had so many helpful tips from everyone 😀

[JulyAugust]

You are only 56 so very young and have that to your advantage. Can you afford to get a treadmill? I got one from Argos for around £250 which I have set to flat (no incline). When I first got it I used to be able to do 3.5 km per hour for twenty minutes and I was gasping for air. Now I do 50 minutes at around 4.7 km per hour with not too much breathlessness (sometimes even go up to 5 km per hour for the last ten minutes or so). You also need to do hand weights as they strengthen the muscles around your lungs, also leg weights 4 or 5kg. I do my regime three times per week and I have gone from not being able to get dressed or walk from bedroom to bathroom without gasping for air (to the point of panic) to leading an active life even gardening, going to Zumba classes etc and no longer being frightened to leave my house. Hope your breathing improves x PS. I’m on Trelegy Ellipta.

[Mellywelly in reply to JulyAugust]

Thanks for your reply. Have a good exercise bike I used to use every day but since they started mucking about with my meds its put me off cos I'm breathless just getting to it. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Will start again with baby steps 👍

[JulyAugust in reply to Mellywelly]

When I attended pulmonary rehabilitation course they told us it would only take two weeks of little or no exercise for our breathing to revert back to pre-exercise which has made me a little paranoid about exercising. Yes, aim for the baby steps and good luck Mel!

[Hobbledehoy]

Hello Mellywelly. You will know more after your appointment. (Don’t be afraid to write down All that you want to ask, they appreciate the efficiency!) You are doing well with your walking. I am in a similar condition & use a 4-wheeled walker. I just sit down for a minute or two (or more) as often as necessary - it helps with the distance to keep out & about. Best wishes honey.

[Mellywelly in reply to Hobbledehoy]

Cheers chook, will update after appointment 👍

[Jake25]

Hi MellywellyDo you check the humidity on a daily basis? It's really bad in Leeds today 86% and I always feel like you describe when the humidity is really high. You can get the forecast on your phone and it will tell you the humidity too. Hope this helps.

[Mellywelly in reply to Jake25]

Thanks Jake25, I was much better when it's cooler. Thank you for your reply 🙏

[Kristicats]

start again with low stage exercise/ walking and build up very gradually ? Bit by bit