Night time breathless attacks

[emmo]

Now my copd is worsening I am often awake at night fighting to breathe. I know it will be better after a while but it would be good to have a friendly voice to talk to. what do you do, any help

appreciated.

Emmo

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Think you might find this forum of more use..

healthunlocked.com/copd-fri...

This one covers PMR and GCA, and although many are awake at night, the one linked might be more useful to you.

[MrsNails]

Hi Emmo

It’s really not a nice feeling, night time is the worst time for anyone with COPD - are you in the U.K?

MrsN

[emmo in reply to MrsNails]

Yes, Mrs Nails I am in Bucks and live alone.

[MrsNails]

Ah, DorsetLady has sent you the info l was about to suggest....Do you have PMR/GCA too? As often our US/Canadian Contingent are around during our night time.

Hope you find some good suggestions on the COPD Site.

Best Wishes

MrsN

[emmo in reply to MrsNails]

Many thanks

[SheffieldJane]

I don’t know if this will be any good to you emmo but I have sent for a lung exerciser because of my own breathlessness. You blow into it to make a big ball bearing dance around. I have not been diagnosed with anything yet. I am assuming that it is a drug side effect or sleep Apnea, or weight gain around the neck area.I am having a chest X Ray this week. I know what it’s like to be awake and scared in the small hours, propped up and breathless. Check with your doctor before investing.

[tangocharlie]

You might have sleep apnea. I was waking up all breathless and heart racing and when tested by wearing a monitor overnight I discovered it was sleep apnea, common in autoimmune conditions - it was my rhematologist who suggested it. I was waking every few mintues without realising. I now use a CPAP machne at night and all is well.

[emmo in reply to tangocharlie]

Many thanks, I do think I have sleep apnea, as I do sleep between attacks. hope you manage to get some sleep soon.

[Sally001]

Hi Emmo, I know how you feel as I too have COPD and mine has been worsening lately as well. When I feel like that I first take 2 hits of my rescue inhaler then make a cup of tea and while waiting for the kettle to boil I do breathing exercises. Inhale through your nose to the count of 3 then slowly exhale through your mouth to the count of 4, repeat 4 to 5 times; it also helps you relax. The heat from the tea helps to loosen the phlegm and makes it easier to cough it up. It sounds gross but it works. I also have a humidifier on all the time and I put eucalyptus oil in it, it really helps with breathing as it opens the airways. I am on the COPD Forum as well as this one as I have GCA and PMR as well, so please feel free to contact me and hopefully I will be able to help you. I know how scary it can be and the best thing to do when it happens is to try to stay calm, I find that the more upset I become the more difficult it is to breathe, and I do know sometimes it is easier said than done. I hope this well help you.

[MrsNails in reply to Sally001]

Sally, that’s kind of you to get in touch with emmo & offer her some support!

Thank You 🙏🏼

[Sally001 in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you Mrs.Nails. I know how scary it can be when I am having trouble breathing. I'm grateful to everyone for helping me along the way with my questions with COPD, GCA and PMR as well. I hope my suggestions helped her.

[MrsNails in reply to Sally001]

Night Time is the worst but good plan getting up for a Cuppa Tea, l think having the light on is also helpful. My Mum was a Chronic Asthmatic & Night Time was the worst.

Hope you are doing as well as possible.

MrsN

[Sally001 in reply to MrsNails]

Yes, night time seems to be the worst time for this. I agree that having the light on helps as well for some reason. You've been through it with your Mum so you know how difficult it can be. I am doing well, thanks MrsNails; I hope you are as well.

[MrsNails in reply to Sally001]

Yes doing OK - Thank You - the Methotrexate has ‘kicked in’ fully & am reducing my Prednisolone, so all very positive at the moment! 🤞🏻

[Sally001 in reply to MrsNails]

I'm glad to hear that you are doing well too.

[emmo in reply to Sally001]

Many thanks for you reply Sallyoo1. Yes I do all those things and they do help I have been dealing with this for many years. My problem is human contact would be so helpful, a helpline of some sort in the middle of the night. stay werll, Emmo

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to emmo]

You'll find someone around on here 24/7!

[Karenjaninaz in reply to Sally001]

Be careful about eucalyptus oil. My brothers’s pulmonary doc said the lungs cannot handle oil. If you are vaporizing it you are breathing it. I use distilled water in my humidifier; it us purest for breathing. Well/public water has chlorine and other minerals not meant for fragile lungs.

[Sally001 in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Thank you for letting me know. I have been using eucalyptus oil in my humidifier for the past couple of years and I find that it really helps open my airways. I will check with my pulmonary doc to see what he has to say. I don't want to give advice if it is wrong but it does work for me. Also simmering cloves on the stove in a bit of water helps with inflammation and opens airways as well.

[Sally001]

You are welcome. I was about to say the same thing that PMRpro said, you will find someone on the Forum 24/7 to talk to. I am awake at all hours too so please feel free to message me anytime and hopefully I will be able to help you through it. Take care emmo.