COPD & Emphysema Support Group

just a guess, but you might be retaining that co2. that makes you super short of breath, even when the oxy level is normalish.

practice the exhales. long ones!
good luck

I'm not on any oxygen at this time. They said I don't need it. And that's what is so puzzling to me.

Yes I will practice exhaling. When I exhale I cough.

Have you had your heart checked? What do you take for your RA & osteoporosis? Deb

Not since last summer. I had EKG, Echo, and Chemical Stress test last summer and they were all really good.

I take Enbrel injs. twice weekly, celebrex 200mg. once daily, 6- 2.5mg methotrexate once weekly, folic acid. I have been on these meds for many years.
Presently I am not on anything for Osteoporosis other than calcium+D. Will probably have to go back on Boniva.
Linda

I forgot to mention that I'm an Alpha-1 AD patient.

T, I thought Alpha 1-AD was something to do with your heart?

I'm sure the lack of protein that is/was missing from my body would endanger the heart. That's why they run all those tests last summer. I haven't seen a cardiologist since that time. But in my case the A1-AD has effected my lungs. Some patients have it effect their liver.

I have been getting weekly infusions of the substance that my body doesn't make. Been getting those for almost a year now.

When was the last time you saw a pulmonary DR. ? Deb

Linda
SOB can be due to various reasons but while O2 can make us feel like were doing something or even feel a bit better doing it, its not always the best thing to use unless our sats are below a certain %.. Frustrating but true.
In Alpha -1, like emphysema shortness of breath is caused by 2 things from what I understand.
1) loss of air sacs leaving less surface area for gas exchanges ( surface area= where air sacs meet blood vessels and oxygen crosses)
2) Loss of air sacs cause the bronchial tubes to lose support and collapse. But they don't collapse when we breath In - they collapse when we breath out due to chest wall coming down on them also. Not all the air escapes and air is then trapped. If the lungs are partially full of trapped air, its hard to get more in and what you do get in is diluted by the stale air left behind.

If your sats are staying "stable" the panic and discomfort of SOB usually is caused more by the significant "work of breathing" not too little oxygen. We do get the air in, but often the tanks are already partially full . That's where Pursed Lip Breathing really helps us as the longer forceful exhale gets more stale air out with less chest muscle involvement.That's another reason that folks with the ephy part of COPD can have more trouble with things like carrying groceries, making beds, etc. things that we use our upper arms for- we already use our chest muscles and accessory muscles more than the other COPD groups just to maintain work of breathing.

BUt, Methotrexate can cause significant SOB. I added a link of some of the side effects. If your having a new problem with this or working between 2 Drs. talk to both the one who prescribed it and your Pulm. Dr ( if their different) Your difficulties might be related to some of the meds your on.
http://doublecheckmd.com/EffectsDet...

Texas,
Listen to idozy, she was a nurse. Pursed lipped breathing helps you to breath out an SOB incident:>) Deb