It is possible there is something in the outside air that is irritating your lungs that isn't present around the pool or in the badminton area. Could be an allergy or something your lungs are just more sensative to now ...

I find that the cold affects me double while walking or working in it. Takes a lot of energy and air to keep warm.

When You are walking, are you talking at the same time. You could be overbreathing, try and walk with your mouth closed, breathing through your nose and see if this helps. Are you on warfaring still.

I get breathlessness at odd times too, I can walk a couple of miles and be okish yet can sit watching the tv and become really breathless, very strange!

I can also get a bit breathless when my husband and I are walking Molly (my big bernese puppy) and also talking. Are the dogs a pulling on the leach which could be causing you more exertion? I find the cold, outdoor air helps my breathing and I usually feel invigorated after a long walk. Humid air does not feel good though.

My chest sometimes gets tight when I am on the phone or even talking to a friend face to face. I just try to take a few deep breathes and that seems to help.

PUPPY!

I can teach an hour-long class and feel just fine. I can walk up the stairs from the basement after changing the laundry and feel like someone squeezed all the air out of my lungs. It's usually crazy freezing in the basement though so who knows?

I'm in a similar situation Annie.

I have an multiple (and considerable) bi-lateral clots back in in the summer. I swim twice a week, run once a week and am generally active (skiing, surfing, kayaking, etc).

When I'm active, my breathlessness doesn't seem to bother me- or seem to be presenet as much. But I will get breathless at odd times. Sitting at my desk at work or after cooking dinner for example. I too get the pain in my throat. It's more like the burning you get before coming down with a cold. And it usually effects me more when I'm tired.

I've had a Pulmonary Function Test and all came back normal, I've also had another CT scan and I've been told that the clots are pretty much disolved. I'm still on Warfarin until next month though.

My pulmonary doctor thinks I've developed asthma but I told him that I only get breathless when I'm NOT active. I do have a puffer and take it when I need it. It seems to help a bit.

I've read somewhere that many PE sufferers have a hard time breathing even several months after their initial diagnosis because they kinda forget how to breathe (or they think too hard about breathing and overbreathe). I don't know if that's true or not but I've signed up for a Buteyko breathing class (I start tomorrow). It's supposed to retrain you how to breathe. I figure it can't hurt to give it a try. Will let you know how it goes...

I agree completely with the theory that after the PE we are hyper aware of our breathing, over compensate and over breath. I don't even think we know that we're doing it but I suspect that contributes to this breathless feeling.

When I had symptoms of the PE, they actually subsided during cardio exercise and then once I'd stop, the symptoms would come back. I think the endorphins kicked in during exercise so that I didn't feel the discomfort and labored breathing.

Exercise or walking does not make me feel winded now, post PE. But stupid stuff, like singing in the car, does. Go figure.

Yes, singing in the car. I get that one too. I just thought it was a higher power suggesting that I'm butchering the song and to cut it out.

@RMB -- That's funny about singing in the car. We went to a concert this weekend and I felt myself holding my breath. I was purposely forcing myself NOT to sing, but didn't realize I was holding my breath. So second half of the concert I had to say to myself - "BREATHE!! but don't sing!!"

Oh yeah, I'm sure it's the universe's way of saying to me, shut your cake hole.

My number one song to belt out in the car is Guns N' Roses "Sweet Child O Mine." Those days are long gone. It's been over 3 years since my PEs and I just can't get enough breath to keep up with Axl Rose. My husband is eternally grateful for that because it often involved me singing into his ear as he's driving. Well, it's safer than texting while driving but probably not much.

I have the same issues with breathlessness. Some days I'll just be laying around relaxing, like today, and be breathless for no reason....I won't be doing anything to cause it. Other days I too have trouble singing to some songs on the radio. It hits me at really odd times and comes out of nowhere.

I can hoof it on the eliptical for half an hour and my lungs feel clearer than ever, however I can't walk half a mile without feeling like my ribs are caving in....boy I'm glad this group is here!!!

@RMB - We saw Korn and Disturbed. Don't worry, if you are scheduled to go to a GNR concert Axl probably wouldn't show up so you wouldn't be at risk for SOB at the concert for singing Sweet Child O Mine. LOL

HA, you got that right. Axl is a great front man, but a bit of an a-hole, no?

I saw my first concert when I was 15 years old. I'm 46 years old now and still love concerts. Hate crowds now that I'm older, so that's an issue, but love seeing a band live. Ah, I long for the old GNR!

At least now, most indoor shows are smoke free, so at least you're not contending with SOB and some dude standing next to you blowing smoke in your face. Makes me want to get in a fist fight.