shortness of breath. : my husband is... - PSP Association

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shortness of breath.

7 Replies

my husband is experiencing shortness of breath. They X-ray his lungs. And did blood work. They couldn’t find anything. Has anyone else experienced this for no reason?

7 Replies
AJK2001 profile image
AJK2001

My Mum used to get short of breath and then actually pant to get her breath. It was explained to me that she was only breathing into the top of her lungs and this was leaving her short of oxygen, which is when she panted to try and get more air into her lungs.Luckily it didn't appear to cause her much discomfort but was disconcerting until we got used to it like so many other PSP norms.

Maybe some breathing exercises could help? Have you a Speech & Language Therapist you could ask about it?

Runner333 profile image
Runner333

My husband has been diagnosed with Psp in Jan. 2021. Shortness of breath was one of his first symptoms. He describes it as not being able to get a full deep breath. He also finds that he forgets to breathe and then has to pant to get oxygen. We go to a pulmonologist regularly to get a breathing functions test to monitor this symptom. We are in our second round of speech therapy and have been using breathing devices she suggested to exercise my husband’s exhale and inhale. These devices are EMST and IMT. I monitor my husband’s oxygen level with one of those finger monitors everyday. He also uses an inhaler before exercising.

daddyt profile image
daddyt

The disease can affect the muscles required for respiration - mine are. A pulmonary function test will determine this.

Seeker_12 profile image
Seeker_12

Hi Laurel,

If he can make him do simple breathing exercises, like deep inhalation, deep exhalation, try making small to big size paper balls and ask him blow, try asking him to blow on paper of different thickness holding it at different length, so that the paper can flutter. If he can you could try a simple respirometer or spirometer. All these exercises will slowly increase his vital lung capacity.

Kayelless profile image
Kayelless

I run out of breath and start yawning when I’m not “breathing big enough.”

I find it happens when my sitting posture has my shoulders slightly rolled forward, even just a little bit.

To fix it I roll my shoulders back and move my arms to make my elbows tucked slightly back to open my lungs up and breathe “bigger.”

It works.

in reply to Kayelless

Thank you! ☺️♥️

mjtogether profile image
mjtogether

My husband has S.O.B. but he is bed bound. There are simple hand held breathing devices he can use daily to help expand the lungs. He also uses oxygen at night. I try to reposition him multiple times per day.

Unfortunately, I cannot get him up by myself any longer, but, when I could even just sitting up in a chair a few hrs a day would help.

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