what is shortness of breath?

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AnnaM
AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I am wondering about what shortness of breath actually means. I can walk miles and miles with no difficulty. I can go up steps, no problem. What is bothering me more and more is the sense of not being able to take a really deep breath. A satisfying breath. I find myself trying to yawn repeatedly. I try and try to get that deep breath, but it doesn't always work. When it does I feel real relief, almost a sense of accomplishment. I had this same difficulty when I was toward the end of chemo (A/C, then Taxol/Herceptin), but that was more than 2 years ago. Have anyone else felt this, please?

Anna

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  • lizws
    lizws Member Posts: 1,892
    edited August 2009

    I have this problem daily.  I've been told it's anxiety and was given Ativan.  I've recently been told I have a very mild case of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).  I understand your frustration in getting a "breath".  See your doctor for peace of mind. 

    Liz

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2009

    Anna, I CAN'T walk miles and miles. I gasp for breath and have to open my mouth to get enough in. I am being checked for clogged arteries as I've recently had a hospital stay for a perfusion defect to my kidney. Sometimes I have to stop and breathe while I'm talking.

    Years ago I had a HUGE sub-sternal goiter (the size and thickness of the surgeon's hand) and I literally could only say a couple words at a time, stop and gasp for air and continue. That was really different....

    I am very interested in your question. It makes a good point. I know what you mean about not being able to yawn, as I would say, "all the way down". I look forward to see what others post.

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  • delaine
    delaine Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2009

    AnnaM I have been having exactly the same feeling of not being able to get a deep breath. I, too, can walk for miles and up an down steps, faster and more easily than most people. I, think it is anxiety too. I take an Atavan once in a while and try to test out my theory - since my diagnosis and surgery it makes sense that stress could account for it. I agree with the other poster about seeing your doctor for peace of mind.

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited August 2009

    Thank you so much for your responses. I remember that Ativan well. I had a prescription for it when I was getting chemo. I didn't take it often but when I did it made me feel quite serene. I don't really have any reason to feel anxious right now, but I will make an appointment to see my oncologist soon after we get home in September just to set my mind at rest.

    I found a copy of my Dr. Weil breathing CD and listened to part of it today. I think I'll do a little of that each day. Hate that needy feeling.

    Again, thank you!

    Anna

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  • mmm5
    mmm5 Member Posts: 1,470
    edited August 2009

    Anna

    It is so funny that I found your post, I just talked to my Doc about this the other day and then my primary as well. It is very likely anxiety, try to get really involved in something and then look back and notice that you did not have that problem when you were involved in the task. I had this 20 years ago and spent time with Anxiety specialist and it went away. With Anxiety we hold our breath and then it creates a cycle of short breathing. PM me if you want to know more but I have the exact same thing and am fine except for the anxiety.

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited August 2009

    You know, mmmm, you're right about not noticing the problem when I am totally involved in something.

    Funny, I truly have nothing to be anxious about.

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  • WendyK
    WendyK Member Posts: 151
    edited August 2009

    Sounds like anxiety to me too. I get this periodically.....suffer from anxiety issues. I don't want to be on ativan anymore. I'm trying to deal with anxiety in different ways.

    All the best

    Wendy

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  • Jelson
    Jelson Member Posts: 1,535
    edited August 2009

    not being able to take a satisfying...deep breath. what a spot-on description of the feeling I have had periodically, most of my life. It would come mostly in August/September and I associated it with the begining of the school year and assumed it was anxiety-related,  In any event, when I began  sleeping with a fan near my bed - to relieve hot flashes, my "shortness of breath" diminished significantly - even when I am out and about. I adore the sensation of  breathing gently moving air!!  It helps to calm and refresh me and hurray for evaporation!

    Julie 

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2009
    It also keeps the allergens moving Julie....Laughing
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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited August 2009

    You know, I think you all are magic! Now that I told myself it's just anxiety I'm noticing it less and less. It could also be doing those breathing exercises every now and then. No, I think it's knowing there's a place I can come to where others know what I am talking about.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2009
    Laughing
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  • WendyK
    WendyK Member Posts: 151
    edited August 2009

    I like being near windows and having breeze on me too. I can't sleep without a fan blowing on me. It gives me the perception that I have lots of air and makes me calm. When I'm really uptight, I do the yoga breath exercises...hold one nostril breathe in for ten, pinch nose, hold for 10 and then breathe out opposite nostril for ten.

    Wendy

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  • Sukiann
    Sukiann Member Posts: 310
    edited September 2009

    I'm glad I just came across this post.  I have been having this issue for a couple of weeks.  It's at night when I'm almost asleep.  I suddenly stop breathing then I have to force myself to breath.  I most likely have sleep apnea (I've been avoiding going to the doc about this but I finally did yesterday and I have a sleep study scheduled) but this stopping breathing when I'm conscious is a new thing.  I just said to my mother that it may be anxiety.  My final rad is tomorrow and now I'm focusing on the "living my life after cancer" and I'm starting to really loose it.  Now that it may be anxiety and that I have the sleep study scheduled maybe I'll start to relax.  I hope!

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited September 2009

    I'm pretty sure mine was indeed anxiety. Just knowing that helped and I am no longer noticing any real shortness of breath. I hope you post after your sleep study, Sukiann, I too am pretty sure I have sleep apnea. Apparently I can snore like no other. I can also fall alseep anywhere at anytime, and need to take naps every 20 mins or so when driving. Pathetic, no? Congratulations on graduating from rads! As for living your life after cancer, have you checked into support groups through your local hospital? Sharing your concerns with other people face to face can be really helpful. I still check in with my women's support group (not only breast cancer, all cancers) and love to attend a spiritual support group.

    Good luck and again, congratulations!

    Anna

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  • mradf
    mradf Member Posts: 398
    edited September 2009

    Funny thing is I was feeling this just today.  I have problems with anxiety.  I am also having some PMS and am a week out of exchange surgery.   One xanax later and I could breathe again.  I tried to hold off and talk myself through it, knowing what it is, but sometimes we need a little help.  All the weeks and days and moments leading up to the surgery, nothing, fine.  I'm too busy to think about it.  But a week home, feeling pretty good, and here it comes.  Something I learned about anxiety is that you don't necessarily have to be anxious about something.  I also find it comes on after a crisis or a very busy time has passed.  Another thing I realized is that last night was the first night I didn't take a percocet at bedtime.  Maybe a bit of withdrawal, too.  

    Be well,

    Maria

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited September 2009

    I agree with you, Maria, you don't necessarily have to be anxious about something to suffer the effects of anxiety. And yes, anything that helps us get through all the pits and valleys of this journey is worth using. You are just one week out of exchange surgery! It sounds like you are in pretty good control. Good luck,

    Anna

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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited September 2009

    This is classic shallow breathing.  There are exercises you can do (google shallow breathing) but the only thing that worked for me when i had this was going on anti-anxiety meds.  Completely corrected the problem and i felt much more comfortable.

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  • lisamed123
    lisamed123 Member Posts: 186
    edited October 2009

    I had this issue during chemo and am now having it again.  My onc said during chemo it was due to be somewhat anemic (sp?).

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