Why do I keep experiencing involuntary sharp intake of breath.

[APC65]

Hi I am m 3 weeks post CABG and increasingly I am experiencing sudden involuntary intake of breath. I can only describe it like when a child is sobbing and then suddenly draws in breath. My Sats are all good, breathing is otherwise normal. Has anyone else had this? 🥴

[Hidden]

Hello

I get this sometimes before I had my Bypasses and since I have

Not sure what causes it others may and there are more posts on here that pop up with members saying they have had this but never amounted to anything

I am pleased everything else is going well which is a good sign especially at this early stage of recovery and next time if you keep having them when talking to your Doctors or Rehab Nurses just mention it I think they will no doubt say it is nothing to worry about

I hope your recovery keeps going well x

[Swalecliffe88 in reply to Hidden]

Nice to see you again. You do so much good with your kindness and replies to frightened people. Bless you. Be Kind xx

[Hidden in reply to Swalecliffe88]

Hello

Thank you that is nice of you to say

I hope you are keeping well x

[Manhattan1]

i get this on a regular basis.. haven’t gone through any major cardiac interventions.. jusr invasive angiogram.. don’t have a clue what causes it to be honest.. next time i talk to my GP i’ll ask👍

[Captain_Birdseye]

I started getting this after the virus that can not be named... it's lessened with time and the doctors don't seem concerned about it.

I've seen someone describe a similar feeling, but more like hitting turbulence on a plane or an elevator drop.

[Dj1962]

Hi..yes I had it post surgery...over about 6 months it got less..and now 3 years i never get it...but like you i was concerned when it first happened..Good luck with your recovery..

[Hare123]

hi. My husband had this filling his heart attack. He mentioned this to rehab, who told him it was down to his medication. From memory I think it was ramipril that can cause it.

[gladliz in reply to Hare123]

Could be; I'm on Ramipril and I get the same 'sobbing child' effect sometimes. Have Afb but no procedures so far.

[Seal59]

I agree with Hare123. My husband gets it. Quite loud and uncontrollable. I think the culprit may be ramipril. The doctor said try Windeze but it didn’t make any difference.

[APC65]

Thanks all... I will ask at next appointment. Not unduly concerned it's just a bit weird. I don't take ramapril but guess it could be bisoprodol.

[devonian186]

Yes, I suspect that following the collapse of our lungs during the operation that we then tend to take shallower breaths and every so often take an involuntary deeper one. They have become less frequent as time has passed but believe that ramipril lists it as a side effect.

[Pilgrim2]

I had this after OH valve repair, happened frequently for few weeks then declined and now at 3 months doesn't happen at all. Hope you find the same.

[Larneybuds in reply to Pilgrim2]

I also get this after OHS and valve surgery. Mines not a sharp or big intake of breath and doesn't happen all the time but I am conscious of it when it does happen. Others have mentioned ramipril but I was taken off that some time ago. I have just assumed it to be to do with the surgery. I don't get any pain with it or any other symptom.

[Silvertail]

That used to happen to me - your post reminded me - however I don't get it any more. I never asked the doctor what it could be so would be interested to hear what you find out.

[Hidden]

Dear APC65

It is properly nothing but please contact your Heart team about it and at the very lest it should be recorded.

It is a know phenomena after open heart surgery and is often { as mine was } put down to re-training the lungs to draw a steady long breath.

This is why the lung breathing exercises are so important and many stop them to early { I still do them everyday and have found that my lung capacity has increased a lot even post surgery of 2 years approx }

Take care

[momander in reply to Hidden]

Hi , I wasn't given any advice on after care post op? No breathing exercises either whilst in hospital after my op. I asked the nurses if I should be doing breathing exercises as I was given a wee plastic device when I had my lung capacity test. The nurse said she had never seen this before?? This was a cardio thoracic ward!! Thankfully my lungs and breathing are fine I used to do lots of deep breathing in hospital. My hospital wasn't the best unfortunately

[Sally_Scott]

I’ve had it now for 6 weeks since I had OHS. Really surprised me at first. Not sure how long it will last. Btw I don’t take Ramporil like some of the replies here. I’m on Apixaban and Flecanide.

[Dollcollector]

I get it as l am falling asleep. Maybe because my breaths are more shallow and l need need the oxygen.

[WardijaWardija in reply to Dollcollector]

So do I, just when dozing off 🥱😩

[Wingnutty]

I had my 4 x CABG and Aortic valve replacement nearly 10 years ago and I noticed this perhaps a couple of times a day after the op. It doesn't happen anymore to me and it was a long time ago when it stopped happening but I can't say how long. When you have something like this which doesn't distress you and it gradually fades away, you tend not to notice that it has actually stopped.

[andy110519]

Good question and description. I still occasionally get it nearly 4 years after OHS for AVR, didn't experience prior to op and am only on Warfarin, fit and healthy with any checks always ok. The reply about the deflated lungs during op makes sense.

Take care

Andy

[Swalecliffe88]

Hi APC Yes I get that too. Can’t remember if I had it before my CABG but that was some years ago. I thought it was because they nicked my phrenic nerve during op and it was something to do with diaphragm spasm. But sounds like I am not unusual and lots of others having had or not had by pass ops. So can’t give you a definitive answer. But glad to hear your a doing ok after op. Hope recovery continues well. Take care

[invictaAlec]

Sudden involuntary intake of breath came up as a topic a couple of years or so ago on this forum. Unlike others who have replied to you, I have to say that it has never disappeared in my case. My 3 x CABG was in June 2018!

I believe I have always been a shallow breather and it seems this is my body's way of reminding me from time to time it needs more oxygen! Many people refer to the breathing exercises they were given post op to encourage their battered lungs back towards fuller use. I don't remember being given any at St. Thomas's.

Alec.

[APC65]

Thank you everyone for interesting and useful comments. It appears many experience this weird sensation but not clear explanation of what causes it. I asked my physio today and he had no idea... So he's going to make further inquiries... I'll let you know what I learn.

[Apollocreed]

Hi APC65, just wondered if you managed to find anything further out? My CABGx4 was done in April23 and I was fine for 6 weeks but then developed these involuntary intakes through the nose and mouth. Many thanks

[APC65 in reply to Apollocreed]

Hi - they are strange aren't they! No one could give me an clear explanation.... However they have now pretty much stopped... My operation was Feb. 23.

[Apollocreed in reply to APC65]

Hi APC65, that’s great news! Very happy for you. They are driving me nuts. Did you do anything specific? Like deep breathing exercises, change any medication, etc? Thanks

[APC65 in reply to Apollocreed]

I did do my breathing exercises and I had a spirometer which I can now ' get all the balls up' on so I guess it's to do with lung capacity. I reduced bisoprodol too to 1.25 from 2.5 so it could also be that.

[Apollocreed in reply to APC65]

Thanks APC65. I think I will get a spirometer too and a medication review. It’s just so strange! I also find my breathing (intake) sometimes gets “stuck” when I do my deep breathing exercises and if I yawn I have to gasp halfway through. Thanks again for your help.

[Manhattan1]

hi.. i also experience the sharp intake of breath phenomenon 😂.. never had any major cardiac surgery.. have undergone invasive angiogram 3 years ago.. but can’t remember if the intake of breath was happening before that or after it.. i’ve never mentioned it to my GP.. maybe next time i see her i’ll bring it up 👍

[Caradomben]

I get this . Feels like I can’t get a breath then I suddenly take a a sharp intake of breath which eases it. Don’t know what causes it. I take bisoprolol and Flecainide