Any one ever

[Purple_1963]

Get out of breath n gasping to breath after walking up stairs it causes me to panic so much...!

[gingermusic]

I use to but then my local council fitted a stair lift for me free of charge. May be worth looking into for yourself. Best wishes

[Ergendl]

I control my breathing as I walk up stairs. Breathe in for two steps, breathe out for two steps, repeat until I have to pause and catch my breath (if necessary), then start again.

It's how I used to climb up the sides of very steep fells in the western Lake District forty years ago. Then the count was for four and four, and pause every ten repeats; then shorten as necessary as the slope got steeper.

It's forty-five years ago today on Easter Monday, I climbed my first fell, Blake Fell (1880 feet), after being told by physios I would never climb another fell following a road accident in 1977 that put me in hospital for 4 months and a full leg caliper and crutches for another three.

[knitter in reply to Ergendl]

My daughter is in the Lake District now , thirty odd years ago diagnosed as asthmatic , real problems with breathlessness , now fine .

[Bingo88 in reply to Ergendl]

Wow. You have done Amazingly well for the last 40 years to keep going. Especially with the leg problem as well. Hills are certainly a no no for me. But I can still manage to make it to the 1st floor in a hotel without getting too breathless. My breathing thankfully recovers fairly quickly. Hope your keeping well. Brian

[peege in reply to Ergendl]

Congratulations on today's anniversary Ergendl 💐

[Alberta56 in reply to Ergendl]

That made me grin. Moral: never take too much notice of what doctors tell you. 😊😊😊👍👍 xxx

[Ladyinavan in reply to Ergendl]

Well done you

[Bingo88]

Good morning Purple _1963. I think we all panic at 1st when we get very short of breath. But we learn to just stay calm and do Deep breathing to slow your breathing down and get back to normal. Sitting forward with your hands on your knees helps as well. Ergendl has given you some good tips for climbing stairs. But you will find more videos on YouTube if you put in copd. Recover from breathlessness. Brian

[O2Trees]

Hi there! Good advice above already. This is just to say that I learnt from someone here a good few years ago to take a big mouthful of air on each step so that would one in and one out, following Ergendl's method above - almost like a panting motion. Ive adapted this to one in/one out for four stairs, then four more breathing normally then another few stairs with the one and one. Then a rest at the top.

This works for me but you need to experiment with what works for you. The important thing is to feel in control which should deal with the panic. Take as many rests as you need, and be sure to not climb stairs if you're short of time. Approach it knowing you can do - after all you ARE already doing it - but you need to be more strategic. Maybe have a chair at the top of the stairs to sit on until your breathing improves. And the pursed lip breathing that Peege is essential.

[peege]

Pursed lip breathing is my friend when breathless on inclines. Brian is right, some videos on youtube to learn from, do speak to your gp though. P

[anng18]

Hi Purple,

Good advice above - I really sympathise - I suffer from this as the day goes on. I have an accessible window at the top of the stairs, which I go to as soon as I make it to the top. I have to build myself up in the evening - it's so frustrating!

[katieoxo60]

Hi Purple_1963 On the stairs I have to stop . I never really gasp for breathe but I get coughing fits if I I do anything quick so appreciate what you are saying . I now find if I do too much I get pain when I breathe and my muscles are easily fatigued . You could try breathing exercises to strengthen the lung muscles. Others I know take a puff of Ventolin before doing stairs. Another way is a hand fan blowing into your face lessens the gasping. Hope the replies here help you even if only a little. Last option contact Asthma UK for some more advice on your personal experience of breathing. Hope something suggested helps.

[Alberta56]

When I was really ill I had to go up and down the stairs on my bum. Not very feasible in a public place. I still sometimes haul myself up using the bannisters. I hope some of the advice given here will help you tackle stairs more easily. But it's more or less normal for people like us to get out of breath tackling stairs, so try not to panic or distress yourself. xxx

[Fruitfiend]

Never do anything in a rush ,I still think I can move like road runner until I get the panic fired up inside me and I have to keep telling myself to move like a snail no shame in that I'm still adjusting ,I just cannot be hurried or I panic ,give yourself plenty of time slow as you go ,,,good luck