Tuesday, April 07, 2009 momof3inon asks

Q: Constant Shortness of Breath from Asthma?

I have constant shortness of breath which goes on for days & weeks at a time. I have had lung function tests as well as Inhalation Challenge Test with methacholine (which I failed). So, my dr. thinks it's asthma, have been using my rescue inhaler daily as well as Flovent 2x day with no relief. I don't have "attacks". I have no allergies. Excercise does not make it worse, it's just a constant shortness of breath from waking up in the am, till I go to bed at night (can't get a satisfying breath, have to yawn to try to get a deep breath). It just feels like I don't have enough oxygen, but my oxygen is always at 100% at the dr. when they check it as well.

Is also worse around my period, my dr. said this is normal for females with asthma though.

Just frustrated.

Anyone else with anything similar?

I'm 32, female, in good shape, non smoker (but I used to smoke).

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Answers (4)

anonymous67

1/ 7/10 12:27pm

I have started doing the same exact thing! I am so glad you mentioned having to yawn to get a deep breath becasue I do that too. I have been hospitalized twice in the last month due to this and they have found that my potassium levels were critically low. I have read that it can cause asthma attacks. I am on Advair twice a day and Singulair at night but I still have been having more bad days than good. My doctor has also mentioned anxiety to me as well but I don't agree with him. I am going to have allergy testing and a breathing assessment done by a specialist soon and hope to find out more. They seem to think they can help. It all started so suddenly I cannot explain it!

asthmatique

4/ 9/09 6:43pm

I have something that is almost exactly what you describe. My asthma has been in control since I started on Advair and Spiriva last September. Some time since then-I wish I knew when-this horrible shortness of breath began and only stops, as you mentioned, when I am resting. My oxygen is at 96%. I have also developed an intense itching from head to toe in the past 2 1/2 weeks which medicine has not yet relieved. My doctor said that both my shortness of breath and the itching are from...anxiety? Can this be possible?

Keen

7/ 3/10 7:16pm

I had my first asthma attack when I was 4 yrs old. I am now 31 and for the past few years I have had increasing difficults. My previous experience with asthma consisted of the classic signs of chest tightness, wheezing, and sob. These attacks always respond to a rescue inhaler. Recently a have just this annoying minor sob. Like I just can't get a completely full breath. There is no wheezing or chest tightness and doesnt respond to the rescue inhaler. The sob last all day but actually seems to get better with exercise. (I run a 5k 4 times a week). I just started with advair hoping it will help. But I sympathize with the rest of you. I find it strange that this disease can just change at anytime with no discernable reason.

lopandia

11/ 6/10 2:43pm

WOW - I'm a 28 year old female and I've had allergy induced asthma for about 12 years or so. It's usually well controlled but the last 2 months have been a nightmare. I am short of breath all day everyday. It only goes away when I'm resting or exercising. I've been to my pulmonologist twice, the ER once and each time my oxygen levels are good and there isn't any wheezing. I just feel like I cannot get a full breath and it's terrible. My dr. also mentioned anxiety.... I agree with him to an extent b/c I do panic when I feel that I cannot breathe.. I think most asthmatics panic when they feel they cannot breathe. I've had my meds switched several times in the last two months... I was on Singulair & Asmanex, I then figured out that Singulair was causing panic attacks and severe mood changes.. then I got switched to Advair which also gave me terrible anxiety. I felt like I was having a heart attack for at least half the day. Now I'm on Asmanex alone. I'm still short of breath but no panic attacks to fume the breathing issue and no wheezing. It's been a little over a week and I'm hoping that the breathing will start to get better in the next week or so. I'm so glad I read these posts. I literally felt like I was going insane. No wheezing, just tight chest & sob. Has anyone on here found a combo of meds that works for them? Hope you're all doing better since you posted these!!

Q: Constant Shortness of Breath from Asthma?

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