Gasping

[Jake25]

I have COPD and gave up smoking 17 months ago. I'm on Trimbow twice a day and salamol when required, I have different levels of breathlessness some days are really good and other days I can be gasping, does anyone know why this is? I've just had results of a xray from when I had exacerbation in Feb / March and there is no changes to my lungs from last xray where I have scaring. This breathlessness really gets me down especially when I'm at work.

[Lynnetp]

Hi Jane,I empathise with you completely and share your frustration.

I can only speak for me but there are so many different influences that impact my breathing. Air quality, weather/humidity, how much water I’ve drank, my salt intake for the day, how much I’ve moved or of I’ve sat still too long. There sometimes seems like there is no rhyme or reason, I just have a rubbish day.

I’ve recently completed a pulmonary rehabilitation course and that has made a big difference to a more consistent daily lung function due to improved muscle strength. Id definitely recommend that if it’s appropriate for you.

It’s also kind of nice to know we’re not alone…..we all have rubbish days and it’s good to share and care.

Sorry I have no solution, but I certainly know how you feel

Love Lynne xx

[Jake25 in reply to Lynnetp]

Aww hi LynneThanks for your reply, yeah it's frustrating. I'm keeping active and walking when I can. And it could be the air quality today. Your so kind for replying and I feel better already that you know where I'm coming from experiencing similar situations. Thank you Lynne. ❤️

[jackdup in reply to Lynnetp]

I am just curious if your lung function (FEV1) improved after your rehab? It seems it does for some and not for others but if your breathing is better or better controlled that is great.

[Lynnetp in reply to jackdup]

Hi Jackdup,In all honesty I dont know if my FEV1 has improved as Ive not had it retaken. However, I doubt it, or if it has it would be marginal. I just know my muscles are stronger and continue to gain strength with exercise and so need less oxygen to perform their function.

It’s made a big difference to me and I feel fitter than I have in years 😊

[jackdup in reply to Lynnetp]

That is great to hear. I’m glad you got that benefit from rehab and hopefully you can maintain the strength.

[Patk1]

Read up on ' controlled breathing" and practise it as often as poss so it become natural to slip into it whn breathless etc.also,do u cough mucous up?

[Jake25 in reply to Patk1]

No I don't have mucus

[CDPO16]

Hi, I can empathise with days when breathing is a struggle. Sometimes I haven't been able to figure out why I was like that. I was advised years ago by my practice nurse and again at pulmonary rehab, to use my ventolin (in your case salamol)15 minutes before my long acting inhaler. It is supposed to open up the airways so that the long acting inhaler gets deeper into the lungs. I wonder if it might help you. I always use a spacer too with both inhalers and have a compact one which would easily fit in a handbag.

[gardenalan]

I have COPD and I find the thing that effects me more than anything else is the weather that awful tiredness so sorry for you trying to work on them days as you are putting double the pressure on yourself I worked all my life now retired but I definitely couldn’t go to work on my bad days when there is black clouds and times before it rains are my worst times you will feel loads better for the summer God willing if you could take your holidays in the winter and just go to Spain or Portugal the weather there for me is perfect and other people I know say the same I would suggest when you get home lie down for about 15minutes I do that regularly give yourself time to do stuff and lie down where you can even after you have your shower hope this helps xx

[Jake25 in reply to gardenalan]

Aww thanks for the reply Alan. If only I could live abroad in the winter that would be great. Yeah work is a real struggle when I feel like I can't breathe, plus my job also requires me to wear a mask, which makes it even worse.

[Alice70]

Hi Jake ,I know where you are coming from I'm the same ,I blame atmosphere, if it cold affects my breathing ,heat makes it worse ,I dread central heating on in winter,I'm also on trim Bow and ventilin ,I've asked to be taken of trimbow to try another inhailer, all I get from doctor is I'm on the best ,take care

[Karenanne61]

Most of us can empathise I think. What is frustrating for me is there never seems any rhyme or reason for a bad day/hour/minute. Of course certain things trigger coughing and/or shortness of breath and I avoid them if possible but other times I haven't a clue.🤷‍♀️

[gardenalan in reply to Karenanne61]

I know what you mean just when you think you have cracked it the worst bit is now because of Covid you are frightened to cough air conditioning drives my cough mad and so many pubs and restaurants have it on so high I hate going somewhere different take care x

[Lizzab]

Try eating easily digested foods. If you're going to have bread buy a really good sourdough. Eat simple foods. If it gives you wind stop eating it.Learn to breathe with the belly and only through the nose.

I could expand but I'll leave it with you to research and take what suits you.

I cannot tell you what a huge difference it has made.

I have asthma and bronchiectasis.

[Jayneh13]

Hi Jake I am the same I put my breathlessness and tiredness down to stress. Any stress even leading up to a holiday or Christmas or a worry about one of the family or work. It always becomes worse. I try to control it but it’s hard you don’t always know your getting stressed.