Hard to breathe.

[dudleyheldt]

Hi, Just seen this site and wondered if anybody here has experienced the same problems as myself. Ever since I can remember I have had problems catching my breath in not overly windy conditions. Be it on an open top bus, open boat ride, car with windows open etc. I can look around and everybody else seems fine Also, when I was really young (I'm 62 now), I had trouble breathing when having my hair washed leaning forward into the sink at the barbers. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Alberta56]

Hello Dudley, welcome to the site. I too have trouble catching my breath in windy weather, especially if it's also cold and rainy. Warm winds are not too bad. Hope this helps. PS. i have bronchiectasis.

[dudleyheldt in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you for replying. It's any type of wind for me, but I appreciate your comments and will try to investigate further.

[Alberta56 in reply to dudleyheldt]

One thing one learns from this forum is that we are all different and our triggers vary tremendously.

[dudleyheldt in reply to Alberta56]

That's for sure 👍

[JAmanda]

could it be that you’re just generally under medicated and so anything like wind can affect your ability to breathe. I’m new to asthma but hot weather has been impossible for me to go out in yet now, on better meds getting deep into my lungs via a spacer - Flutiform - I feel fine in the heat.

[dudleyheldt in reply to JAmanda]

Thank you for replying. The weather really makes no difference. It cab happen here on a cold winter's day, or on holiday in the heat. I will look into Flutiform. Thanks, again.

[Bingo88]

Good morning dudleyheldt. Welcome to this friendly group. I remember my Mom having these problems with hair dryers and the wind. The once at Blackpool the wind was so bad she couldn't get her breathe and I had to fetch the car to her and we went home. Perhaps think about a chat with your doctor about this. If you have not already done so. It could be you are holding your breath in the wind because of a routine you have got into about struggling to breathe. Let us know how you get on it's how we all educate ourselves on our condition. Guessing you are from the Black Country with your title. Enjoy the weekend. Brian

[dudleyheldt in reply to Bingo88]

Thank you for replying. I have only recently mentioned it to my doctor on a visit for my snoring, but I got the impression she thought I've lived with it all my life, so 'crack on', and didn't really come up with any solutions. Maybe I do subconsciously hold my breath. I will see next time. I don't get into these situations very often, so I'm not overly worried. Mostly on holidays when sightseeing etc. (Actually, I am Anglo-Indian, born in India and came over with my parents in 1964, and not named after the Birmingham town, which many people think).Thanks again for your reply.

[Jaybird19 in reply to dudleyheldt]

Hello dudley minor detail from a brummie . Dudley is not a birmingham town

it is Black Country and completely different . Even a different county when i was in b'ham I think

[dudleyheldt in reply to Jaybird19]

Sorry, my mistake. Always thought it was in Birmingham. Will have to swot up on my geography.

[Jaybird19 in reply to Jaybird19]

10 miles away less than I thought I . know birmingham has changed in the 60 years since i left but once a brummie always a brummie . have lost my accent happily in that time but still keep in touch with family still there.

[Biker88]

Hi Dudley, having problems breathing when bending forward is because the diaphragm is compressed which restricts breathing. I suffer the same problem and avoid bending over. However during my weekly seated yoga class the instructor gets me to bend forward and concentrate on breathing “into the back” which does help. Have you had any help with correct breathing techniques, e.g. diaphragm breathing, pursed lip breathing, blow before you go etc. If not a pulmonary rehab course or a session with a respiratory physio may be beneficial

[dudleyheldt in reply to Biker88]

Thanks for your reply. It doesn't happen when bending forward, but I will look into this. Rhans again for your comments.

[dudleyheldt in reply to dudleyheldt]

Sorry, thanks, not Rhans (predictive text).

[Nula2 in reply to Biker88]

Hi Biker, 🙋‍♀️I avoid bending too because of the same problem. (I have bronchiectasis, recurring Aspergillosis and Asthma). When I told my rehab physio she explained about it compressing the diaphragm but didn't mention 'breathing into the back'. I'd be grateful for any tips. Thank you 🙂xx

[Biker88 in reply to Nula2]

Hi Nula, my yoga teacher gets me to sit in a chair with legs apart and slowly bend forward until my head is pointing down, she then gets me to focus on my breathing but expanding into the back rather than pushing the chest out. Breathing out as I bend and then breathe into the back for a few breaths, followed by breathing in when I come back up. This exercise has to be done very slowly and carefully especially if you have a history of back problems. It takes a bit of practice and it helps with overall breathing. My lung function is at 30% so everything is worth a try, I have done a pulmonary rehab course, and had 1-to-1 sessions with a physio and learnt a lot of breathing techniques all of which have helped

[Nula2 in reply to Biker88]

Hi Biker, thank you for your detailed reply 🙂. I will practice that. I'm pretty hopeless with breathing techniques 🙄but will give it a good try. Thanks again - I've learnt so much from the lovely people on this site. Take care xxx

[Alberta56 in reply to Nula2]

My Pilates teacher is very hot on breathing techniques. I wonder if you could find a similar person in your area. xxx

[Nula2 in reply to Alberta56]

Hi Alberta, good idea will look around and see. Thank you 🙂xxx

[Nula2 in reply to Biker88]

Hi again Biker, I haven't tried the bending over yet but have been trying to breathe using the back as well as the front of my lungs. I have already noticed a difference. It really does help with trying to breathe correctly. Thank you so much. Take care 🙂

[Izb1]

Hi dudleyheldt and welcome to the site. I wonder if the wind cuts of your breathing in through your nose, sometimes this can happen if you are full facing the wind x

[dudleyheldt in reply to Izb1]

Thanks for your reply. I will monitor this next time it happens. I normally inwardly panic so as not to make a fool of myself and not try to find solutions to remedy it. I'll try to be more control next time and see if different positions help. Thanks again.

[Izb1 in reply to dudleyheldt]

I don't blame you for panicking there is nothing worse than not being able to breathe. If this happens again put something over your nose and see if it makes things better. Good luck x

[dudleyheldt in reply to Izb1]

Thank you for your advice x

[Nula2 in reply to dudleyheldt]

Hi Dudley and welcome to this lovely site. If I'm out in the wind I hold a scarf in front of my nose and mouth (not actually touching it - just put it round my neck and hold it in front of my face) that seems to help a bit.

[dudleyheldt in reply to Nula2]

Thanks for the advice. I shall try that next time.

[Nula2 in reply to dudleyheldt]

👍hope it helps xx

[Patk1 in reply to Nula2]

I do too Nula2

[peege]

Hi and welcome to this patient's forum! You've come to the right place to get support, information, ideas and other's experiences lung-wise.Do you have a diagnosis of asthma? There are several lung issues besides asthma, Alberta56 mentions bronchiectasis to name but two. I have asthma and Small Airways Disease. There is also something called dysfunctional breathing (which I know little about). People are right to mention breathing techniques, there are short videos on YouTube to watch , deep diaphragm breathing is particularly helpful (the diaphragm is a muscle). I find it brilliant for many situations ie when feeling a bit anxious we tend to shallow breathe using just the top part of our lungs so oxygen to blood is insufficient.

Personally I'm a nose breather which I find so much easier for breathing exercises and during changes of temperature particularly cold which for many asthmatics closes the airways making us short of breath.

Your GP was next to useless grrrrr. Every GP would know that as we get older issues can worsen so if I were you I'd try again with another one. Have a look at your surgery's website to check if a different GP specialises in respiratory issues - I sincerely hope there is one. We all have to be proactive in getting medical support/ investigations.

Good luck, let us know how you get on ..........there is a helpline available uk office hours when you can speak to a professional. P

PS I wonder if you found wearing a mask during the pandemic made a difference to your breathing when out & about 🤔

[ghousrider]

Hi good day glad to hear not on my own i had copd since 2013 tracky in the kneck i dont have my hair washed at barbars i have to lean back in my shower chair to wash my hair walking slowly helps me cant do fast walking up stairs thats bad i moved in to a ground floor flat due to my health i am 59 all the best ghoust rider

[dudleyheldt in reply to ghousrider]

Thank you for your comment x

[knitter]

water on my face in the shower makes me breathless , walking into the wind too .

Strangely using a small hand held fan directed on my face helps with breathlessness as does leaning slightly forwards . But bending over I lose my breath . Sometimes even opening the fridge door on a bad day …cool air and I cough.

The ALUK website has tips to deal with breathlessness …gentle pursed lip breathing helps me with the feeling of panic .

[dudleyheldt in reply to knitter]

Thank you for your comment and advice x.

[peebee2902]

For as long as I can remember, I've always had trouble with open car windows, when the, car is moving, also air con in cars... Just feels like I can't breathe x

[Patk1]

Hiya.welcome to the forum. Id ask a different dr to do your peak flow, refer you for lung function tests + a chest xray or preferably chest ct scan,to see whats going on.youve had some gd tips.u could read up on " controlled breathing techniques" which,if u practise regularly,at home, youll find it easier to use it whn u need it.its a good technique as not only helps breathing,it reduces anxiety .hope u get a helpful gp x

[dudleyheldt in reply to Patk1]

Thank you for replying. I will follow this up.

[Patk1 in reply to dudleyheldt]

Good.let us know how u get on.u need to know whats going on so u can deal with it.dont take no for an answer.theyre basic lung tests.x