Breathlessness

I had my surgery 18 months ago and have been doing fine apart from breathlessness when I exert myself . I.ve also been diagnosed with some compressed back fractures so I don't know if the breathlessness is from these or from surgery does anyone else suffer breathlessness after oesphagectomy and if so does it get better . Thanks

[Mauser1905]

I am 19 months post the oesophagectomy and live daily with Out of Breathe (OOB) or breathlessness.

In my case it is mainly due to dumping Syndrome related issues as well anatomical inflexibility in the thoracic chamber after meals. Physical strain does affect this as exertion on the Heart rate is related to the OOB.

In your case, assuming your bone have suffered brittleness in the thoracic spine and this will be a definite cause for your feeling of breathlessness asa reaction to the exertion in combination with body's natural reaction to the pain caused by the thoracic spinal nerves and reflected by adjoining muscle tissues, thats my non-certified view only.

Also lung scarring is an issue for patients if they had suffered ARDS or even pneumonia to certain extent.

Having said that you know your body better than anybody else. What other actions you do not only physical, but food, drinks, medications, activities etc provide the same breathlessness?

Does it get better, its a subjective question. With due consideration to underlying causes, possibly the lung capacity may be improved in the current form with exercises. There are exceptions in all cases, meaning some people have gone to do professional sports after oesophagectomy.

Suggest get an oximeter, which you can easily buy online or local pharmacies or boots etc. With this you can find what happening to your blood oxygen saturation SPO2. Take some readings when normal and during your episodes of breathlessness. note down the readings for comparing and sharing with your GP.

[Hidden in reply to Mauser1905]

Thanks for your reply i.ve also noticed that if I get up to soon after eating it brings on the breathlessness so I try to relax for at least half an hour after snacks etc. It's very difficult to see a doctor at the moment although I am seeing an orthopedic doctor at the end of the month regarding the back fractures I did wonder if I could have asmtha as I have a lot of mucus as well as hayfever .

[Janashlin]

I’m 21 months and still get breathless quite easily. I too suffer from dumping syndrome daily.

I did realise this morning that taking a deep breath in does not hurt my lungs anymore but sneezing is still a killer!

I had lots of complications so my recovery has been slower.

[Hidden in reply to Janashlin]

I know what you mean regarding sneezing I have to brace myself but like you I can take deep breaths without pain and no cough or wheezing . It's just the breathlessness on doing anything physical.

[Billings]

Hi

6 years for me and get breathless when doing any exercise except normal walking, especially after eating as I guess the stomach when full reduces capacity for the right lung to expand, also my O2 stats are rarely above 94 at any time

[Hidden]

Hi yes it is worse when I,ve eaten and what you say about reduced capacity makes sense thanks