Trauma

[Mellywelly]

Hi, to cut long story short. After finding what works finally for my copd I found myself getting out of breath rather than breathless which was brilliant. Then I had covid which was a pain but got over it. Took our dogs for a walk last Friday and the smallest one was attacked by 2 dogs that got out of a house, well after screaming, shouting and kicking out and retrieved my dog from the main road as he slipped his harness, my breath went. Could see my front door from there and took all my strength to get in and just collapsed on all fours trying to breath. Well I haven't been right since. Went to doctors and my blood oxygen 98% great, lungs sound clear great. But can't understand why I am so out of breath. Upped my brown inhaler 2 in morning and evening but still same. Any ideas would be very, very grateful 😔

[sassy59]

How awful! What a horrible trauma for you and your dog. The stress of it all wouldn’t have helped your breathing and I hope you’re feeling much better soon. Xxx

[Mellywelly in reply to sassy59]

Thank you 😊

[Patk1]

That's dreadful!! U did well to save your dog & get home.the adrenaline rush and stress+ physical effort u used - well, its no wonder Yr off colour.rest up,u brave lady.be kind to yrself while u recover xx

[Mellywelly in reply to Patk1]

Thanks 😊

[leo60]

How awful, it must have been such a shock. I would imagine that something like that would put you right out of kilter. Did the doctor have any suggestions, I would have thought you would have returned to how you were by now? I would say take it easy for a few more days, do lots of breathing exercises and if you're still not better go back to the doctor.

What a hero you are, I hope something has been done about the other dogs. Take care xx

[Mellywelly in reply to leo60]

Thanks chook, I took him for a walk earlier and my breathing wasn't too bad. The doctor did say to go back if it doesn't improve. He was my priority that day just like a typical animal lover. He is OK too hasn't phased him at all. Thankfully 🤣🤣🤣

[Nula2]

Oh what a horrid experience for you all! No wonder you're not feeling well. I remember when my little Yorkie was attacked by a bigger dog that had escaped - took us both a good while to get over it. Take it easy and hope you feel better soon. xxxx

[Mellywelly in reply to Nula2]

Thanks 😊

[Solily]

I feel so sorry for you and your dogs.... what a horrible thing to have happened. Hopefully your breathing will get better. The stresss if this terrible incident did not help your breathing!! Please see your doctor if it does not improve How is your dog... any injuries?? So much trauma for both of you! Please take care

[Mellywelly in reply to Solily]

Little archie is a small cavapoo luckily with loads of fur. He is fine thanks, he's a tough little cookie and lovebug 😄

[beech]

I wonder if the extra muscle activity of the quick breathing, shouting and moving fast was so out of your ordinary that you’ve caused a bit of inflammation in your airways that is taking a while to relax and settle back down again? Not forgetting the adrenaline and cortisol from the fright response which might have increased that.

I know when I’ve had a bit of a rushed stressed moment when I’ve have had to do something quickly and very unexpectedly, that demands more of my breathing than I can cope with (including steps or hills at fast pace with no break or rest during) it takes me a while to settle down again, and I pay the price for a few days of uncomfortable breathing and being very out of sorts.

Even watching “Race around the world” on TV when they were dashing for trains and buses had me anxious and stressed just sitting in my chair 😂😂

Hopefully in your situation it settles down soon 👍, but go back to your GP if you need more help.

[Mellywelly in reply to beech]

Thanks chook 😉

[strongmouse in reply to beech]

I think you're quite right beech. A combination of adrenaline, stress and lungs which easily get inflamed could well trigger a response. Almost like a mini panic attack. It may simply take a while to settle down again in all ways for you Mellywelly. Maybe taking some specific time daily for relaxation, simple breath meditation or whatever helps you to become calmer, to reset your whole system.

Hopefully both you and you dog will be able to recover fully and enjoy life.

[Greenthorn]

I think Beech has answered you really well. Maybe that incident has strengthened you? But I sure hope you never have anything like that again!

[babysally]

What a horrible situation. No suggestions unfortunately. My stats are always spot in and my chest clear, however I can't breathe . G.P. Doctors and Nurses have always said to me, "that's how some people are". Frustrating. Hope you get well soon. What an awful experience.

[Mellywelly in reply to babysally]

That's such a typical doctors saying that is. You don't use my doctors do you 🤣🤣🤣

[Caspiana]

Hello MellyWelly. How dreadful. You poor thing. 😞And your poor dog. It is illegal to have dog off leash in Japan unless it's an authorised dog park. You possibly got panicked which exacerbated your breathlessness. I'm sorry this happened you. xx

[Mellywelly in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you 😊

[Zand60]

How frightening for you! Glad your furbaby is ok though. We walk our little one on our farmer's land, along with most of the villagers but now and again there is strangers. One woman had her 2 dogs on leads but screeching at the top of her voice that they were vicious!! Our little one didn't go to say hello, she was of lead, having a run. Hubby did say to the woman that dogs mirror their owners 😂 which left her spitting feathers! Why not just put muzzles on them? They haven't seen her since. My breathlessness is caused when I move, my sats take a dive, so I turn my oxygen up and I can use my sabultamol spray to open my airways. It must be horrid to not know.

My doctor was useless and had to Google my condition 🤣. I did see the funny side but it taught me to ask everyone involved with my care questions. And I got snippets of information from each one which made a whole picture. Do you have a nurse at your doctor's? They are full of information. I hope you get sorted, it's nice you still take the walks, I can only do the flat surface, in town ones now

Take care Lesley xxx

[Mellywelly in reply to Zand60]

I love what your husband said to her, that's made my day 🤣🤣

[Biker88]

Breathlessness is the chest muscles reacting to a perceived lack of oxygen not an actual lack of oxygen. So you can be very breathless but your oxygen levels are still good. I’m on Oramorph for breathlessness which helps relax the chest muscles so I don’t get quite so breathless. You unfortunately encounter a situation which was physical and highly stressful as well, an ideal combination to trigger a bout of rapid breathing

[Mellywelly in reply to Biker88]

Thanks, I think it might be a good idea to start strengthening my upper muscles, will look it up later 👍

[battison]

I was horrified reading this. What a nightmare. I imagine your entire body went into overdrive in protecting little Archie. Thank god he’s ok. I think others above have given good advice. You need time to recover from such an awful ordeal. Rest up and spoil yourself you are a hero!

[Mellywelly in reply to battison]

Wish I felt like one. Thanks 🤣🤣🤣

[Alberta56]

So sorry - that sounds awful. Not surprising that you are taking a bit of time to recover. I'm glad the adrenalin kicked in and you were able to save your dog. xxx

[Mellywelly in reply to Alberta56]

Thanks, it all happened so quick you just go into overdrive. He's alright that's the main think 👍

[Alberta56 in reply to Mellywelly]

As long as you're all right too. I hope that you landed a few good kicks on the offending dogs.

[Mellywelly in reply to Alberta56]

I really hope so 🤣🤣

[Izb1]

What a dreadful experience for you and pooch. I would think it takes time for your body to get back to normal after such a shock, plenty of tlc for you both x

[lvn0619]

Do you have any cardiac problems? Has your Dr. ruled this out as a potential cause of your SOB ?

[Mellywelly in reply to lvn0619]

None that I know of. If I don't feel any better by Friday I will definitely go back up. Thanks 😊

[MoyB in reply to Mellywelly]

I was about to mention the cardiac possibility too. Glad to know you'll see your doc on Friday if no better.

While I agree that any one of the 'lung theories' suggested by others may be correct, heart problems can sometimes hide well and only become apparent in a stress situation such as you described.

You had a huge shock, but I would have thought your body would have settled down again by now.

Why not go along for a check up anyway?

Xx Moy

PS Most dogs are fine - it's some of the dodgy owners that need muzzling and locking up!

[Mellywelly in reply to MoyB]

You took the words right put of my mouth 🤣🤣🤣

[watergazer]

How awful for you to see your dog attacked. Do you think it could be anxiety causing your problem xx

[Mellywelly in reply to watergazer]

No, I'm not an anxious person. I have taken him since and was fine just waiting for my breathing to get back to normal, well as normal as it gets 🤣🤣🤣

[Schmu]

Does it help to try to breathe out through pursed lips to get all the air out, and then you may be able to take a nice breath in?

[Mellywelly in reply to Schmu]

Funny you should mention that because I was doing exactly that walking him yesterday. Did help thanks 😊

[Timberman]

I know the problem too well. It seems I have what they call aortic stenosis - its a narrowing of one of the arteries in the hart leading from the aortic valve. I have another session tomorrow to find out more but so far it seems the issue is blood supply rather than O2 content. I have read some solutions up top open heart which would be no go for me at my age and condition . But insertion via the arterial system might be possible. I will know more after tomorrow so may return to help.

[Mellywelly in reply to Timberman]

Not being nosey but let me know how you get on chook. I think people posting different things on here is a big learning curve that could possibly help others in the long run. I know it is for me as I get more sense and knowing from this site than I do my doctors. Good luck 👍

[Parliament53]

Having both of your conditions (and a few more!!) as well as being the owner of five dogs, I feel that I am well placed to empathise as well as sympathise.

In addition to having a wide-ranging medical regime of tablets, inhalers and machines to minimise the effect of my respiratory condition, to help counteracting the anxiety and stress I sometime experience, I have also been prescribed a specific tablet.

As it would be deemed irresponsible to publicly name this medication, I strongly recommend that you consult your doctor.

Best wishes

[Mellywelly in reply to Parliament53]

I am intrigued 🤔 thanks chook. 👍