Shortness of breath?

[Mia843]

In short I have endometriosis and adenomyosis. Full story can be read on my last post attached to my profile. My question is, does anyone else suffer with shortness of breath? I am 5.7, 51kgs. Regular gym goer, runner, swimmer (when not in pain) however towards the week running up to my period and in other random times during the month I get horrific shortness of breath, as if I've been running up and down flights of stairs continuously. I feel as though my chest has shrunk and I can't get a full breath in and find my self gasping for air. This can happen even whilst watching TV doing nothing. I was found to have endo on my diaphragm in 2022 laparoscopy and am due for my second surgery this Monday (15/07) but I'm wondering can it spread/affect your lungs? Is anyone else experiencing this?

[BlueMocktail]

I'm similar situation although only just had an ultrasound which showed endometriomas, multiple large fibroids, cysts etc....had an MRI scan last week and requested a CT scan to check for thoracic endo which I'm having later this week. Hope it does show up something as have never been convinced that I'm asthmatic (was diagnosed last year) and nothing else really explains how bad the chest pain and breathlessness is on a monthly basis.

Hope you get some answers xx

[Stitchrunner1 in reply to BlueMocktail]

Asthma can make your chest hurt like hell. You can also get inflammation of the tissue between your ribs too. Thoracic endo is a possibility. But also don't underestimate asthma, either. Make sure you get someone to help you learn to take the medication. Inhalers are not easy to use. Also make sure you do not have an underlying infection. Endo is so all consuming and painful and downright awful, we blame everything on Endo at the expense of looking after our health. We become Endo. I am not underestimating your intuition, you know your body, but please don't let Endo take over your whole health. We are allowed more than one health issue at once. As women we do tend to think we are not allowed illnesses. So be careful and look after yourself. I am sure you will, (no, I am not, we women are bad being ill)

[BlueMocktail in reply to Stitchrunner1]

Thank you. We really are bad at being ill aren't we, I hate it and try to play it down as much as possible. Had my CT scan today so hopefully won't be too long for results. I use my inhaler with a spacer twice a day but these flareups seem to happen on a monthly basis so will be interesting to see what they say because something clearly isn't right.

[Stitchrunner1]

Go to your doctor! Do not guess. Do not assume that Endo is the problem. You may have asthma. This is an illness that can set its self up at any time. You may have a heart problem or some other issue. Go to your doctor. Breathlessness is an indication not a diagnosis. We can get so bogged down in Endo that we forget we are human people and Endo is not the only thing that can affect our health.

[BloomingMarvellous]

Get yourself really gened up on Diaphragmatic Endo. @endometriosissummit are a good source of info on this subject and it should be tackled by real experts. As it’s cyclical it’s highly likely but that said the effect of endo on the function of the pelvic floor itself can cause less effective breathing that worsens with cycle and flares. That can cause defective breathing patterns and shortness of breath too.

Go back to GP

[Snowwhite2207]

Hi,Please go to your doctor. Anemia can cause you really bad shortness of breath but so as other issues. Don't assume it's endo. Get your diagnosis. Mind yourself. Don't be too anxious either, as anxiety can cause breathing issues to the point of mimicking heart attack. And we all know,how it is with chronic endo pain and being unwell and anxiety - been there done that. Mind yourself and good luck xxx❤️