Hi everyone,
I'm having a problem catching my breath. I can't imagine why unless it's MS related. Have any of you experienced this problem. It's crazy-making trying to catch my breath every few minutes and not being able to half the time. Plus it's tiring. I appreciate any comments or tips on coping with this.
Thank you, Marilyn
This happens to me frequently also. I was surprised that i have read this before on this site some time ago. I will go back and see of i can find it. My dr said i overweight, i am only overweight like 15 pounds so i do believe it is MS.
Sorry your feeling that way. I hope it gets better. Jenny
Hi Jenny, your doctor just said it's because you're overweight??? No other reason? Seems like he would have tried to find the cause.
Thank you for writing and telling me your experience.
That is an absurd explanation. Especially when so many people whose weight is “acceptable “ have the same problem. Rude and uninformed- just the way they are trained to be.😾
Good morning Ikeeptrying I am so sorry about this.
1st off Make Sure That You See Your Health Care Team!!! Especially if it gests any worse!!! Or the ER!!! No is a Dr!!!!
I myself have had the MS Hug. Where it feels like a bear hug that never let's go. All I can do is breathe through it. I know It hurts but focus on that might help. 🤗💕
J
Oh I am so sorry you have the hug. Don't think I have experienced it---yet. Yes, I have found that if I just breath through it it helps. But not being able to catch my breath is horrible. I'll see what my neuro say but not optimistic. Thanks for writing and I hope your hug goes away soon. What a horrible disease this is!
I experience the same thing. It feels like I can’t inhale and exhale fully. I am no Dr., but I KNOW it is related to the MS hug. (What a name right?) The tightness of the ribcage interferes with the ability to breathe deeply and fully. Stress can intensify the effects, it so don’t worry about it.Your Dr is wrong to ignore something that is easily explained by someone who has experienced it.
I heard someone say that their Dr told her that her Symptoms weren’t real because her MRI didn’t show damage in that area of her brain!?!?
My MRI and neurological exam were perfect when I was legally blind in both eyes. My MRI 6 months later showed the huge lesion just prior to the optic chiasm that had taken out my vision. But by then I had had my vision back to normal for 5 months.
The point is that the Drs don’t always have all the information that they should, and symptoms that have been denied for years are finally being recognized.
I hope you feel better soon- Tracy
OMG! How bad can doctors be? My neuro just wrote and said that MS does not produce the breathing problems I've been experiencing. So, that's that. I'll just have to breathe through it.
I'm so sorry you were legally blind and still not getting a reason. Blindness is my biggest fear. if it happens I'm outta here.
Thank you writing TracyBelle (love your name). I appreciate everyone who has helped me with their response.
First thing I think is pulmonary embolism, unless not breathing well is a chronic thing for you. The second is pneumonia. Your primary can check your sat out, maybe shoot a chest film, and go from there.
Gosh I hope it's nothing that serious, I don't think it is. I'm starting to believe it's stress related. I mentioned it to my PCP and she wasn't impressed enough to order any tests. And my oncologist listened to my heart and lungs and said they're fine. Maybe it's episodic and will go away soon, I hope so. Thanks for your reply.
I hope you’re right and I hope it goes away!
Thank you.
I hope you get some real answers. MS hug can be awful, but it’s wise to make sure your symptoms can’t be attributed to anything else.
I hope you get answers and relief quickly.
Thank you. I hope it ends soon.
Yes short of breath
X 3 yrs and many cardio-pulmonary tests and the result is we think it’s spasms in intercostal muscles that limit my ability to take a deep breath. I am using a device to train myself to take deep breaths and expand my ribs, the breather and now a new device called EMST 150. They help a little
I'm able to take deep breaths. I feel for you having to use a device to train yourself to take deep breaths. Did your doctor say the spasms are caused from MS? Good luck to us both. Thanks for the response.
There’s a presentation from this years MS consortium on breathing problems in MS and I will try to find and post. You do need to rule out other things besides ms that can cause.
Ikeeptrying I have no scientific answers for you but: while I was in hospital and rehab with this doggone broken ankle, nurses and doctors told me that I need to breathe more deeply. My best attempts were less than satisfying to them but as my lungs are clear, I won't worry. I suspect that lung capacity is somewhat affected by environment and life experiences. In my case, both my parents were constant smokers, my childhood and youth were spent in environments with polluted air (coal fired furnaces in the midwest, and the heavy killer smogs of Los Angeles). I often struggled for breath as a child, did not participate in strenuous activities, and suffered many bouts of pneumonia before my mid-twenties. All my life I have been hyper sensitive to household dust, any and all pollens, scented cleaners, perfumes, aftershave etc...all and any of which send me into paroxysms of coughing. So I am not surprised to be told I am a shallow breather. In my case, at least, I don't believe it is related to MS but more likely habit and environment.
I was a smoker until I got married in 1990 so I suspect that has influenced my lung capacity. I'm making a conscious effort to breathe through my diaphram. Hoping this will put an end to it. My neuro said that MS doesn't cause this and that's a good thing. I'll just keep practicing deep breathing and hope this gets better. Thanks for your reply.
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