Sooo...I have been dealing with respiratory issues for a month and a half. I was diagnosed with a mild form of pneumonia which set off my asthma. No doctor ever treated the two issues together, so I would be treated for one and the other would flare up. After three urgent care visits, an ER visit, one GP visit and a lung doctor/internist who said it wasn’t pneumonia at all, I finally got it treated with the right antibiotics and a nebulizer. I also got a rib injury from the severe coughing. Of course my anxiety heightened my symptoms. The medical symptoms, except for some minor rib pain are gone, however I have the sensation of shortness of breath. Due to my anxiety I bought and oxidation monitor. My O2 levels are fine. Breathing is not effortful but I feel like at a certain point my lungs are restricted and can’t take in more air. I keep breathing deeply because I want to see if it’s easier but when it feels restricted I panic. Tonight I used my nebulizer with no relief. My husband thinks it’s anxiety and that I am so focused on uncomfortable breathing that I am making it worse. However with my recent symptomology it’s hard to tell if it’s anxiety, residual difficulties from the extended lung infection and asthma attacks, a new disorder, or a combination of all of the above. It feels very similar to the shortness of breath I experienced while pregnant. Of course my mind goes everywhere and I’m thinking the doctors missed something or there is really something seriously wrong with my heart. I’m in bed shaking about it. To add to my anxiety, my husband works nights so I am home alone with my infant son. I’m terrified that I will stop breathing or pass out and there will be no one here to help me or something will happen to me and there is no one to take care of my five month old son. I was under treatment for anxiety for years using medication and therapy. I have been doing really well and haven’t needed either. But i’m wondering if this illness brought bubbling anxiety to the surface and it’s manifesting in new ways. When I was actually sick and uncomfortable, I would cry at night because I wasn’t getting better and thought there was something more serious. I was convinced I would die in the middle of the night. I am feeling a bit better as I type this, so I am leaning toward anxiety, even though I have never had this physical symptom, but I’ve been obsessing over my breathing for days trying to determine if I’m ok. It’s interfering with my work and sleep.
Shortness of Breath
- Thread starter Foxtrot
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