Out of breath.

[Flosy]

Hi.i know I have ask this before,I am still getting out off breath,I do my in door excises,try and go for a walk,but am frightened too.do you think I should ring gp.and see what they say.sorry if I am a nuisance and a pain,but its worry me.thank you.i find things very helpful on here.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You will get out of breath - I do too. Maybe you are just trying to do too much or walk too fast. PMR doesn't help muscles work as well as usual and that will make you a bit out of breath.

[yogabonnie]

hi. are you worried about PMR or Covid_ or just being out of shape in general... I think getting out of breath when walking is VERY common. I especially feel it up a hill. ...a little hill. worrying could make you feel a bit breathless too. What a catch 22 this disease presents!

[Flosy in reply to yogabonnie]

Hi.yes I do get worried,both,I know its sounds funny,but cant help it.ive never had anything like this before.so thank you very much.

[Kendrew]

Hi Flosys. I'm currently on 15mg and can become out of breath as soon as I simply speed up my walking or walk up a small incline. I have been as low as 2.5mg and although still experienced breathlessness at this dose, it wasn't as pronounced as at higher doses. It's definitely not uncommon to suffer from breathlessness. If you're experiencing pains in your chest, arm and legs that emerge at the same time, or begin to feel dizzy, then this would definitely warrant further investigation. Otherwise, just try and scale down the exercise a little. If all the responses haven't reassured you then obviously the sensible thing to do is have a chat with your GP, just to try and put your mind at rest.

[Flosy in reply to Kendrew]

Hi,thank you all very much for your reply.

[PMRnewbie2017]

Can I just add that even if you were very fit prior to diagnosis, the limitations placed on us by PMR plus advancing years often results in a sharp decline in fitness and muscle tone. Added to this, muscle mass declines too as part of the normal ageing process post 65 years. It's just another thing to come to terms with.......

[Flosy in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

Yes thank you.its slows you down doesnt it.,

[Polymialgia]

I too have suffered shortness of breath for almost 3 years, I’ve had all the tests , scans etc with nothing of any significance showing up. I firmly believe that it’s a reaction to the build up of Prednisone, it started about 6 months in, virtually overnight, I’ve reluctantly learned to live with it, recently however I’ve been experimenting, I am now now down to 1 or 2mg so I decided to take it at night and bingo, I am much improved, not perfect , but I can at least walk further than I have in the last few years and feel much better during the day.

[Pollynolongerinagony]

Hello Flosys, what lovely name, please dont apologise for your post as in sharing your concern you are helping all of us with similar concerns and your post generates lots of interesting experiences, suggestions and the benefit of the official expert sound advice. Breathlessness is terribly scary and naturally its a worry for you. I do agree with DadCue regards an Oximeter, I bought mine from Amazon and its a great help to be able to actually see your oxygen levels and heart beats per minute. It might reassure you to be able to keep a little diary and record your readings, before, during and after a walk for example, after food , on waking, this will give you something concrete to have and you will be able to see if it does get worse, useful to show a record to your Dr. Hopefully it will help you feel in control of the situation and not worry so much. You're not alone and will get lots of kind support on this site. take care, best wishes Polly

[Flosy]

Hi. Polly.thank you ver,that's very interesting.think I will buy one off them.

[anutycrixp]

Hello Flosys, breathlessness can be a symptom of anaemia so ask your g.p surgery gp or nurse for a blood test.Please ,you are not a "nuisance or a pain",your concerns are real and relevant to many other people as well... lots of support and advice here so best wishes1

[Flosy in reply to anutycrixp]

Ok.thanks.

[Uke1]

Hello Flosys. I have read all the replies to your post and all very helpful and interesting. I have posted on here before about being asthmatic all my life and now, with PMR, (8 months in) appear to have become much more breathless. I have had an asthma review with my local surgery (over the phone) and am now doing a daily peak flow measurement (which is apparently good for my age and height, 62 years and 5’10”) and will report back in 10 days time. They seem to think it might not be the asthma but possibly something else. No one suggested that our muscles struggle to work as well with PMR so I find that very interesting. Maybe I will invest in an oximeter as well. My daily dog walks are now on flatter ground if at all possible! I wish you luck and know that there are a lot of us in this together!

[Flosy in reply to Uke1]

Hi.yes it is nice to know you are not the only one.with all sorts of problems.thank you.

[Bcol]

Hi Flosys, nothing to add that's not already been said, but you can buy an Oximeter online for anywhere from about £8.00 to £80.00, most seem to be around the £20-£30 mark. If by any chance you have an up to date modern Samsung mobile, don't know about Apple, then they come with an Oximeter built in.

[Flosy in reply to Bcol]

Ok.thanks very much.take care.