multiple sclerosis and trouble inhaling

[Carlrossi94]

does anyone have trouble inhaling taking deep breath. I’m not short of breath it’s like I can’t get deeper air into my lungs, and when I go to yawn it’s like nothing comes out air get stuck in a way. It hard to explain, was just curious if anyone had like symptoms, I’m relatively new to Ms and has these symptoms before my diagnoses then they went away and came back recently.

[goatgal]

Talk to your neurologist first. You may be experiencing a tightness that some call the MS Hug. Others on here have written about it and they may have some answers/advice you'll find helpful.

[Amore55]

I am always saying here that we can’t assume everything is associated with our MS. Perhaps you should also check with your PCP doctor to make sure there’s nothing else going on. Sometimes it’s not associated with MS at all, but something simple. Hopefully you get answers!

[Robsmom]

Yes. I don't have MS hugs, but I have spasticity and sometimes spasms in my respiratory muscles. Sometimes it seems like I'm hyperventilating . I have to constantly practice deep breathing. I had to do speech therapy to learn some strategies. We never think about it but any muscle can get spasticity.

[Carlrossi94 in reply to Robsmom]

thank you for information I was wondering same thing my self. Did you ever try any antispasmodic meds if so any luck?

[erash]

yes, I have this. Mine is due to weak intercostal and diaphragmatic muscles. I use a breathing resistance device called The Breather to exercise those muscles. I also heard Dr Thrower say in people with MS it’s sometimes due to a perception of shortness of breath without actual decreased respirations.

[Carlrossi94 in reply to erash]

Thank you for information

[erash in reply to Carlrossi94]

I did have a full cardio-pulmonary work up before determining it was muscular.

[melack01]

Every once in awhile it's like I've forgotten how to breathe and I actually have to think about it and then I'm OK. It's very short duration so not enough to worry me too badly.

[erash in reply to melack01]

I do that too…often

[Flowerdragon in reply to melack01]

Sometimes, while I'm asleep, I stop breathing and I wake up with a start. My heart will be beating fast and I'm scared and I don't know where I am.

My neurologist said that I'm getting panic attacks while I am sleeping.

[melack01 in reply to Flowerdragon]

That sounds scary! I woke up this morning with vertigo. I hate, hate, hate vertigo! But it's usually a few years between episodes so I guess I'm okay for awhile.

[Flowerdragon in reply to melack01]

It is so scary. It's probably stress related.

I also hate vertigo. It feels like I'm falling. I have noticed that I wake up with vertigo after a night of staring at my phone, playing games.

[melack01 in reply to Flowerdragon]

I haven't found my trigger. It may not be MS related. It could just be an inner ear problem.

[Flowerdragon in reply to melack01]

Could be. Best of luck.

[kdali]

No, but my brain will think I'm not breathing deep enough. I use to only have this issue on the rare occasion that I had to take a narcotic, but for a few years it was a periodic nightly battle. Drift off, wake in a panic, drift off, repeat. I don't have the hug. It's been a few years since I had this issue also 🙏

[Greentime in reply to kdali]

How awful! I think I would be a sleep deprived grump.

[kdali in reply to Greentime]

I was! 😵‍💫

[mrsmike9]

I have had (fortunately) only one MS hug and was diagnosed 10.5 years ago. But just because I was diagnosed then certainly doesn't mean you weren't having symptoms. I know I had symptoms way before my diagnosis.

But check with your neuro before reaching out to different specialists.

[Greentime]

I get into a pattern sometimes whereby when I twist or look way up or lean forward, I feel like I can’t breath, or at least can’t get enough air. Then I have to consciously slow my breathing while relaxing chest muscles and “MS Hug” muscles. I practise deep breathing, so it is different from your situation, but I can’t help but wonder if muscles are your problem as well.

[Flowerdragon]

Yes, sometimes I feel like I can't get enough air into my lungs. I have had the MS hug before, but this is different. It's almost like a panic attack that gets worse because I panic about it. Sometimes it seems that I am dehydrated and I feel better after having some water.

When it happens when I'm in bed, trying to sleep, it helps if I roll over, onto my stomach. It sounds counterintuitive, but it always helps.

[Greentime in reply to Flowerdragon]

You described what happens to me! I guess this is why rolling over helps: "When you're lying on your belly in the prone position, the weight of your heart and abdominal organs rests on your chest instead of your lungs."

[Carlrossi94 in reply to Greentime]

one of the comments above mentioned the breather device I got it off Amazon for $50 been using it for a week seems to be very helpful device. I can see using it long term having benefits.