Does anyone ever get a really sick st... - Lung Conditions C...

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Does anyone ever get a really sick stomach when they become suddenly breathless. This happens to me often. I have severe emphasema and

butter-fly profile image
12 Replies

broncheitasis but have never read of anyone who feels sick before or while being breathless. This can happen to me when active or at rest.

I'd be grateful for any answers or suggestions.

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butter-fly
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libby7827 profile image
libby7827

Hi butter-fly, when I become breathless the first thing that happens is that I want the loo desperately, And because I want the loo my breathlessness gets worse because I get anxious. Thank heavens I think I am over this now by telling myself it's all in my head. It's only a suggestion, based on my own experience, but it could be an anxiety thing, you may have become conditioned to feeling sick if you're breathless,or feeling breathless because you feel sick. I had an upset stomach a month or so back and every time I felt I was going to be sick I got very breathless, it was definitely an anxiety thing because there is nothing worse than being sick and breathless at the same time! It's quite terrifying. Sorry this sounds so garbled but hope you get the gist. It may be that someone else will come along and tell you of their quite different experience! Libby x

Bengunn profile image
Bengunn in reply to libby7827

Hi Libby 7827.SPot only i am opposite to you,when I need the loo I get anxious and breathless about getting there because I can't walk far and when I get there I get breathless and anxious about getting back.must be anxiety.happy new year.Bengunn

junespoon profile image
junespoon in reply to Bengunn

Hi Bengunn, I am exactly like you,need the loo worried I cant get there quick enough, Then anxious about getting locked in and not getting back quick enough to my partner, The stupidity of it is when I am home all day don't need the loo very often All in the head but ruins a day out,

butter-fly profile image
butter-fly

Hi Libby. What you say all makes sense. I think the nausea comes first but both seem to happen at the same time. I get the loo thing as well but that's logical. Sometime the sheer effort of getting there and back leaves me so breathless I dread it, other times when I am well I am just fine.

onamission profile image
onamission

When I get breathless I feel so sick and light headed and always feel faint.

butter-fly profile image
butter-fly in reply to onamission

Sounds like me at times onamission and it's a very unpleasant feeling! All I can think of is that it's low oxygen in the blood for a while. I'm going to make a list of things like that that worry me and take then to the nurse, doc or consultant next time I see them. Whoever I see first!

onamission profile image
onamission in reply to butter-fly

good luck let us know how you get on

butter-fly profile image
butter-fly in reply to onamission

Will do! Probably need the luck too!

My husband thinks that it's problems with his stomach that is causing his struggle to breath, but I wonder if he is experiencing the same as you all? We've only got an upstairs toilet and he struggles with the stairs so it would make sense.

butter-fly profile image
butter-fly in reply to

Sounds like it too. A bit more common than we think then.

It must be murder to climb those stairs at night.

('Fraid I'd be watering the garden if it wasn't so cold!)

Lolly2 profile image
Lolly2

I do Butter-fly. I have to have my 'sick bowl' nearby just in case! Often I just end up spitting into it, and not being sick...it depends how recently I have eaten. It is much worse during an exacerbation. Being aware that it could 'just be anxiety' does not help or stop it. I have a small bowl that I carry around the house with my extra glasses in it and tissues and pills. It's like a comfort blanket. While I am out at the supermarket, I just have to leave and sit down for a while. Luckily my husband carries on for me. I also get the loo panic, so I now keep one of my O2 bottles in there and top up if I need to. Lol. Lolly. x

butter-fly profile image
butter-fly

Hi Lolly, lovely to hear from you. It's so long since I wrote this post!

I, like you, keep an O2 cylinder in the bathroom now in case I need it! About the sickness, it has eased off a bit, but I now know when I have it it makes me breathless. I now have anti-sickness pills to combat the nausea. I have IBS which can get quite bad so I think that's the main culprit.

The loo panic is just part and parcel of severe breathlessness I'm told. (Some days I'm lucky to make it!) I also have had to have pills for that which I can safely say do help most of the time. I certainly take one before I go out!

I agree that realising you 'are anxious' does not help if you are very short of breath I think anxiety has a very negative effect on people with lung diseases and sad to say a lot of doctors don't pick up on this or are not really willing to go into it. Lol.

Roll on Spring. We all feel a bit better then!

Sara xx