You could be retaining CO2. It can skew your O2 numbers to look better than they are. Dr. will explain it all to you when you get your PFT's done. Tell him you want a copy of them. In the mean time try blowing out as long as you can & I mean til you feel like you're gonna keel. Dr. told me you are still exhaling air (CO2) even after it feels like nothing is coming out. I find blowing in & out on a harmonica helpful. Wouldn't do that at work though:>)

There are any number of things that could cause this, Linda. I'm the same way. In fact, last fall when I was in the hospital with a serious lung infection, my O2 levels were still in the mid 90s most of the time.

A call to the doctor might be in order for you. It could be anxiety, as you mentioned, but it could also be the beginning of an exacerbation or infection. If the trees are blooming where you live, it could be allergies (even if you've never been allergic before) or asthma. Spring time can be a tricky time for us COPDers. Also, kaput mentioned a very important reason we can feel this way. Don't forget your pursed lip breathing.

If it keeps up, see your doctor. Also, you might want to ask about having a nebulizer handy, since that will allow the medication to get deeper into the lungs. Also, keep in mind that difficulty breathing, for whatever reason, is always a "good enough" reason to go to the ER. They can give you a breathing treatment there, even if they don't need to admit you.

I hope you feel better really soon!
Hugs, Sue

Hi Linda

So sorry for your recent difficulty. I agree entirely with what Sue has advised.

Allergy triggers are common this time of year so take whatever precautions you can to help manage the breathing difficulty, but do discuss this episode with your doc..

Hope tomorrow is a better breathing day for you.

Take good care
Peta x

I was diagnosed with severe (and it is) emphysema (COPD) several years ago. My oxygen level were in the upper 90's. I was out of breathe most of the time, expecially when I did activity. A couple of years ago my levels started dropping when I exercised and they slowly continue to drop. I need to rely on oxygen more and more now. I was told this disease is progressive.

It seems some folks have low levels to begin with and others of us are not bothered (for a while anyway) with low levels. I would think that the damage to our lungs effects many different areas and it would depend on what part(s) of our lungs are affected. Mind you, this is my truly unqualified answer and I am open to feedback. This is a great question.

If your airways are restricted you chest and lungs can feel tight, nor will you cough up much in the way of mucus. This has happened to me, too. The doctor once told me it was better to hear wheezing...that way you know air is getting through.

Like Kaput and Sue said, you may also be retaining CO2. Do you smoke? If so, your Pulse Ox readings will not accurately reflect what your true oxygen levels are - they will read higher, due to the higher concentration of CO2 from the cigarette smoke (I'm kinda of a broken record on the smoking bit, but discovered many don't realize this will affect their readings,) It will raise your heart rate, too.

I hope you get to the doctor to get checked out. Certainly won't hurt and if nothing is wrong, it can go a long way to ease your mind.

Hope you feel better!

wow! sorry for the miss spelled words... I was in a hurry this mornning. what do you mean when you say, I could be retaining CO2? I wonder if it was better to here yr self whezzing, all I do know is ... I haven't been able to breath right for almost a month now! I have forgotten what taken a deep breath feels like ........... SO DEPRESSING, I WISH I WOULD STOP FEELING THAT WAY! I still can work, all tho at times I WONDER when that will stop..I have a bad anxiety disorder already dont need to add to it. but what IM feeling is no ANXIETY! This is real and I just dom't know how to except it!

Linda hope your feeling better today.
Dont rule out heart problems. Many women do not experience the same symptoms of heart attacks as do men. Not to alarm you but I had back pain between shoulder blades when I had a heart attack.
Just always a good rule to mention this to your Doctor. If this persist and your not getting any relief and your appt with Doc is not soon I would call the office and talk to him or the nurse.

It's pretty difficult (nor advisable) for any of us to diagnose exactly what is wrong with you. Like others have said, there are so many things it could be, that all we can do is guess and tell you our experiences. The very best advice is to seek help from your doctor. If your breathing is really restricted, causing you great anxiety, I'd say the wisest thing would be go to emergency, if you can't get in to see your doctor soon enough.

And if possible, try to relax as much as possible...this may help you breath easier.

Hope you get some answers and some help really soon!!!

perhaps you should quit smoking.

perhaps jamesmt you could be nicer. Did not see that she was still smoking. She needs help.

Best to you linda50 you have gotten some good advice. Think a lot of my trouble is CO retention and when I can get it all out seems to be a bit better.

Best to you all...

Curt

THANKS CURT.......mostt people on here are nice some or not I have no time for rude people....... I see dr 2morrow......:)

Good luck with your visit tomorrow Linda. Let us know how you get on.

be honest with your doc and try to relax, I know how hard that is when you haver anxiety issues. You may benefit from a mild antidepressant. If it weren't for mine I'd be in panic most of the time and I understand how scary it is when you feel like you can't breathe at those kinds of stats. You feel like you are suffucating but they tell you, oh well your O2 saturation is fine. Well if it were fine we wouldn't be feeling like we can't breathe, am I right? Just please tell your doc about the smoking (my doc knows I still smoke he's not happy about it but neither am I :)

I sure hope you get to feeling better soon, Don't beat yourself up too much qutting is hard to do even when you have success you can backslide and no one here (with the exception of some) will not judge you, as we have all been in your shoes. Take care of yourself,
Big Hugs,
Rosey

Well i guess that you (rosey and curt0 were refering ti my comment. Im sorry but im being totally honest here and really have nothing to lose. So here it is
First of all, first of all Nobody has any reason to complain about breathing or not breathing if you are smoking cigarettes still! if all this isnt enough to scare you and throw them away and take your health into your own hands then you must really hate yourself.
As for the advise about drugs. xanax and anti depressant pills are almost as bad as smoking. If the smoking dont kill you then the pils eventually will. That is the truth like it or not!

James, I have no problem with what you are saying. Sooner or later everyone hears those words. I did and more than once.

Linda,I know you have tried to quit and I will never minimize anyone's effort to stop smoking but there is a time when you have to choose, is it breathing or is it smoking.

I am a serious C02 retainer. There is no way at this point that I can change that fact. PLB helps but is not a magic pill when you can't exhale the bad air effeciently. I feel like I have a dead weight around my chest most of the days. I believe that if I smoked a cigarette today, I just may not see tomorrow.

I am 74 and so short of breath unless I am totally motionless. This is a hard way to live your life.

I have so much empathy for everyone that comes to this forum after being diagnosed with COPD. I want everyone to have a chance to get it right as soon as possible so that maybe when they get to my age life won't be as difficult.

As far as the drugs, I chose to use an anxiety med and it allows me to get a more rested night. Like all the meds we use, just use wisely.

I hope no one gets hurt by what I have written but facts are facts and you can not dress them up and make them pretty.

Linda, the very best to you and working with your doctor. I am sure you will get this figured out. Take real good care of yourself because you are very very important to the people in your life.

Breathe well,