Do you get breathless when you talk?

[gbhill]

I get breathless when I talk, but less obviously walking... Does anyone else find this too?

I also have coughing fits when I lie down to go to sleep, anyone else?

Thanks

Gwen

[diesel12]

do you have inhalers? I can sometimes run out of breath when I'm talking or my voice goes husky and "breaks" but once I use my inhalers at bedtime I seem to be ok except for when I have a chest infection

Whoops that was a bit of a ramble!

sorry x

[gbhill in reply to diesel12]

Thank you!! No inhalers, no asthma, still waiting for a diagnosis. Is your talking breathlessness (running out of air), different to being breathless when you're walking? Thanks xx

[diesel12 in reply to gbhill]

yes, talking feels like running out of petrol and walking feels like a broken engine

[Snoopy1968]

Hiya, I get breathless when I talk, walk and eat ! The only time I am ok is when I first wake up or if I just sit at the computer. It doesn't help that I am quite overweight, eat large meals and dont drink enough water. I used to get coughing fits when I layed on my back now I prop up the pillows and lie on my left hand side.

[gbhill in reply to Snoopy1968]

Thank you so much for your reply!! Does your 'talking breathlessness' feel the same as your 'walking breathlessness'? I feel as if I'm running out of air when I'm talking, and I notice it a lot more. Thanks xx

[stone-UK]

Hi

Talking uses lots of muscles which require oxygen, hence the breathlessness, talk slower and on the exhale, stop to breath in. Sleeping in a raised position may give you a better sleep

[gbhill in reply to stone-UK]

That's interesting, I desaturate a lot  too. Thank you so much for your reply, Gwen 💕

[Titchy52]

Only wen I have chest infection x

[Hidden]

Hi when you lie down the fluid collects in the lungs more which is why you cough more.  Try sleeping with more pillows and using your ventolin just before you go to bed.   x

[knitter]

Talking can disrupt the breathing pattern too...I find it especially bad on the phone ...and then I start coughing. As stone says, try and speak more slowly with relaxed chest muscles

[Uzor in reply to knitter]

I find that when I'm on the phone it does get worse. 

[velvet55]

Hello Gwen

You say you do not have any inhalers, has your GP sent you for a chest x-ray, given you a lung function test ( spirometer ) and checks for Asthma. I had an ECG as well.

All 3 tests don't take long, and you get the results quickly.

You obviously have something, with your breathlessness when you speak, you are not anxious are you, as this plays havoc with your breathing pattern.

I have asthma and COPD, l don't normally get breathless when speaking except when l have an infection, but l used to always cough at night.

Is your bedroom, to hot / to cold, that could start you off.

Now just before l get into bed, l have a dose of Ventolin inhaler, a good cough, and it seems to clear my airways for sleep.

If l have an infection l sleep propped up with pillows

I hope your GP sorts you out quickly, night time coughing is a pain in the butt !!

Velvet xx

[y_not]

During infections I hate talking because breathing allows [gasp] about three words [gasp] three words then [gasp] so it's really [gasp] difficult to talk [gasp]. My wife understands and tends to ask questions needing a yes or no answer then waits for a response without rushing me! She's really good at it (but I often fail to notice that fact!)

Without an infection I'm not too bad but still limit sentence lengths and slow down my speech (today I am presenting at a board meeting!!) so I have to be VERY careful or I end up with embarrassing moments 😃

I find the key is to not rush or allow anyone else to rush me - I will speak at MY SPEED and they can wait till I've finished!

Good luck with your diagnosis

[Hidden in reply to y_not]

Well said....and you have a wonderful Wife.

[Maddimegan31]

Hi gbhill...yes , I've been told it's inflammation of the airways ...I get the same when lying down nighti mes .  I use a steroid inhaler  in the early evening and have one puff it lasts for twelve hours ...it helps. Ask your doc. To prescribe one  to you . It does help. 😀

[montymillie]

morning , yes to all of them, I just gotta slow down, and go with the flow!!! best of luck martine 😆

[gbhill]

Thank you so much everyone for your wonderful replies, I really appreciate it x

[katieoxo60]

Hello Gwen, I too sleep with a raised head and three pillows. I am fortunate I have an adjustable bed. Like yourself I get coughing spasms mainly if I rush or have an infection, so I take my time of course which results in being overweight which does not improve my breathing or arthritis. I get coughing bouts just from eating something cold like ice cream.  You need to try some suggestions to see if they work for you, I was advised to take deep breaths if I feel a cough coming on, but bronchial spasms do not give any warning but worth a try if you feel a cough coming on.  I am sure given time you will learn ways to manage your symtoms, ventolin is supposed to help coughs and breathing but does not work in all cases. hope this helps you

[Walrus22]

Hi Gwen I used to have a similar problem when lying down (I'm not saying you do) but it has almost gone since I've stopped smoking,but I still can't shift the gunk off my chest. I hope this helps.... Ian

[gbhill]

Thanks... So many of us have a similar problem!! Wow. I'm being admitted to hospital as soon as there's a bed free, to have more tests done to find out what's wrong. Xx

[onamission]

Hi Gwen I have copd and suffer with all the above I do use my inhaler's but when I have a coughing fit I use simple linctus more so at night to help me sleep

[Hidden]

On walking we meet up with others sometimes, and I thought it was because am the one to do a lot of the talking that I get a bit out of breath sometimes. I do use two pillows when I'm reading but discard one during sleep.  I did cough a lot, enough to keep me awake all night, and make me sick,  before I was diagnosed with copd, but now I'm on Fostair twice daily and Salamol whenever needed.

[Mandy6513]

Yes i get breathless when i talk and the thing that drives me nuts is people asking if im ok when im breathless and i cant answer them !!!!!

Try some extra pillows to prop yourself up in bed or as your ot for something to raise the bed up it can help 

[rubyred777]

Hi Gwen, just read your post. I notice when I'm talking,  something going on. Can't say I'm breathless. More like lots of adrenaline!  Almost like my voice is vibrating in my chest. Its hard to explain. I was looking at your numbers in your breathing test. They're really good. Do you have copd? Doesn't look like it. 😊😊  😊 Rubyxx

[gbhill in reply to rubyred777]

No copd 💕 Thanks for looking at my results 😃

[Kathygwanny]

I get very breathless talking, especially on the phone. Also when eating. Takes me ages to finish a meal. 

[shivanalla in reply to Kathygwanny]

I also have same symptoms, do you know why ??

[Caspiana in reply to shivanalla]

Hi shivanalla , 👋

It is very common for those of us with lung disease to experience breathlessness when talking. We simply do not have enough oxygen to keep all our organs oxygenated and talk at the same time. Do you have lung disease? This post was written four years ago, 😊 maybe you could write your own post introducing yourself and with any questions you may have. We love to hear from new members. Have a good week.

Cas xx 🙋

[Uzor]

I do also. Not very nice.

[Uzor]

Yes I do get breathless when I talk, and cough a lot . I have been given inhalers which seems to help.

[Snodgrass]

No problem talking but hopeless when walking! Mind you I think the talking thing is because I talk so much the necessary muscles are really strong!!!!!

[Uzor]

I do get chest tightness and cough when I talk, especially when I'm on the phone

[Beth1949]

I have a pillow wedge that I use when I can't lie completely flat at night.  It helps a lot.  Also I can usually lay on my right side, sometimes on my back.  But rarely can I lay on my left side, I cough and wheeze too much.

[Jayday38]

Hi I need sum help I'm 38 male. Been suffering with what feeling like breathing funny for last two weeks. When i stand I feel as I'm not breathing prop. No cough no wezzing my voice goes all croky. I was given 3 inhalers blue brown and white. Dint help had lung function test last July was fine. I suffer from Heath anxirry now thinking the worse. I get the odd pain around shoulder Blade area.. My mum has copd she says hers is worse when laying. But I feel fine laying down .i had ecg. bloods . All OK doc listened to my back and chest sounded OK. Any tips or info would be great. I was thinking silent reflux .gerd

[annienell in reply to Jayday38]

Hello Jayday38 , and welcome to the forum. This thread is over 2 years old and therefore you might not receive any response.

I suggest you post a new message with your query which will then be seen by all our current members, who I am sure will offer support and advice.

To submit a new post click here - healthunlocked.com/blf which will take you to the BLF home page where you will see a blue box [write] on the top right of the page. Click on this and follow the instructions.

Best wishes, Annie

[Hidden in reply to Jayday38]

You ever get this figured out? Same boat w me 38 clean results

[Aisling30]

Strangely enough i get breathless. Have been to gp, told me my chest is as clear as a bell and I am not breathless because I speaking to him very fast. He then took my oxygen levels which were 97, my peakflow was crap because it always has been for the last 20 years so he says it is anxiety. I have had asthma since 5 years old. I am now 66. I don't really wheeze or cough or bring up mucus. He may be right. Probably General Anxiety Disorder i have and you may have a bit of that too.

[sharingthoughts]

Probably something to do with diaphragm.try possible stretches.avoid fixed posture for long time.especially smart phone on bed over long period.