Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: dulciana on July 09, 2018, 04:02:22 PM

Title: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on July 09, 2018, 04:02:22 PM
I'm sometimes finding it difficult to get right to the "top" of my breath, either when I am/have been stressed or moving around a lot.   It makes me cough a bit, too.  Lavender seems to help.  I had this a few days ago and then just now. Does this ring a bell with anyone?   :-\
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Shadyglade on July 09, 2018, 04:10:46 PM
I get this when stress and also in hot weather. Am beginning to think pollen is playing a role.

If you are concerned get your GP to do a breath test. That way you will know if you are in the normal range.
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: jillydoll on July 09, 2018, 04:20:06 PM
This is how my anxiety affects me, I just can't take a full
deep breath. Only if I bend over slightly and then draw in breath like that.
But when it's really bad, it takes a few goes, the more I try to do it the more
I can't....

Maybe you've got hay fever? You can develop that at any time of your life..

Jd x
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on July 09, 2018, 05:13:57 PM
This is how my anxiety affects me, I just can't take a full
deep breath. Only if I bend over slightly and then draw in breath like that.
But when it's really bad, it takes a few goes, the more I try to do it the more
I can't....

Maybe you've got hay fever? You can develop that at any time of your life..

Jd x

This is very like what I'm having, Jillydoll.  It seems to help when my airways are "straightened out", either by bending over (which I discovered by accident) or when I'm lying on my back.  I'm going on a course in a couple of weeks and I don't want to come over all "funny" there.  It's in London.
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: CLKD on July 09, 2018, 08:25:11 PM
Yep.  Noticed a lot when I had regular periods.  Almost like my body was filled with fluid so that I was unable to draw a deep breath.  I get it sometimes now if my bowel is slow  >:(.

Singing might help?
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: jillydoll on July 10, 2018, 02:20:59 PM
The only thing I can suggest Dulciana is when you bend to ‘fill your lungs up'
as it were, is hold onto to that breath for a few seconds, then release it slowly
through your mouth. That's what I do, do that a few times, until it's calmed down.
Try NOT to panic, this makes it worse. Then when your over ‘the episode ‘
try some 4.7.8 breathing.
And when it's settled down, distraction works.....gets your mind off it..

Really hope this works for you, and is helpful....take care.

Jd xx
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: CLKD on July 10, 2018, 02:54:45 PM
Of course - when I read this thread I try a deep breath  ::) a bit like when 1 yawns everyone else does.
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dahliagirl on July 10, 2018, 03:47:58 PM
Ah yes this rings bells.  I am not sure if it is hay fever or tension in the diaphragm but gentle moving and relaxation help, especially around the neck and shoulders.
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on July 10, 2018, 04:15:28 PM
Thanks everyone.  I'm feeling quite reassured.  I went out today but without any breathing difficulties.  I was focused on what I had to do and not at all anxious or "in" on myself.   Hopefully, this will have been good practice for when I'm down in London in a few weeks' time, on an intensive organ-study course, going from one church to another in London's city centre, among loads of people and on those horrible underground trains in the heat.   (Glutton for punishment, or what!  ::))    I think it's tension around my shoulders and chest that gives rise to this.  And with any extra luck, the heatwave will be over..... 8) 8)
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: CLKD on July 11, 2018, 10:33:01 AM
Maybe walk between venues?   No way would I consider the Tube these days  :'(.  Last time I was in London was 1988. 
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on July 11, 2018, 12:59:39 PM
Hmmm, I see............thanks CLKD - will give this some thought.
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: CLKD on July 11, 2018, 01:01:12 PM
GOOGLE maps is a good go-to guide initially.  My friend went to the Capital 2 weeks ago and walked everywhere rather than going underground.  She saw buildings she had only read about.
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Woodlands on July 12, 2018, 09:21:48 AM
Hi there.
I developed Asthma as part of this menopause journey, five years with it not often chest infections or exacerbation....never smoked, I did Google it as as our hormones drop .. inflammatory conditions can present.
So, if it continues, see the doc for a spirometry test......I'm just off a five day steroid course now inhalers twice daily... usually when my chest is going down hill I get a sore throat.
Hope it helps
Woodlands x
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Annie0710 on July 12, 2018, 10:41:14 AM
I too developed asthma during menopause and your symptoms sound like mine.  I use daily preventive and reliever combined and it helps so much.  I get worse during humid conditions and when I have a cold or hayfever x
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on July 12, 2018, 11:55:24 AM
Ho hum....thanks folks. 
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Shadyglade on July 12, 2018, 05:49:14 PM
Just had a thought. It's not got anything to do with those dusty organ lofts you frequent has it.??
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on July 13, 2018, 07:44:32 PM
Well...............it might!  ::).......no, to be honest, Shadyglade, where I play it's all down at ground level.  Funnily enough, I haven't ever had this business when I've been playing.  It's probably because I'm absorbed and not thinking about "me" at the time. 
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Shadyglade on July 13, 2018, 07:55:56 PM
Oh well, cross that one off the list then.  ::)
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on July 14, 2018, 05:25:42 AM
Mind you, it's something to think about for whenever I do have to play in an organ loft that's dusty - and some are - so thank you for suggesting that.
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on August 17, 2018, 07:53:54 PM
Update............I do have asthma.  Just found out today.  Oh well, at least I know now and to be honest, it doesn't surprise me.
I've got to see my GP next week and she'll sort out my medication.  Ho hum, tiddley pom, as Winney the Pooh says......(at least i think he does....)  ::)
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: jillydoll on August 17, 2018, 09:40:04 PM
Sorry to hear that Dulciana.
But at least you know now what it is.
And because you thought it was similar to mine ,
Next time I go to docs I will ask her for a test, I too sometimes cough at night.
Sometimes as well, it does feel ‘different ‘ to my anxiety breathing, if you know what I mean.
Hope everything goes well for you, and thanx for letting us know.

Take care, jd xx
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on August 18, 2018, 05:46:52 AM
Jillydoll, yes that would probably be a good move.  I went to my GP a few weeks ago, who then referred me to the hospital outpatients.  I was quite relieved to get it properly checked because I've also had quite a bit of wheezing lately, needing to take the inhaler from the GP more often.  I think this awful hot, humid summer has brought it to a head. 
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on August 18, 2018, 05:46:52 PM
Interesting. Never knew salt was good for breathing.   And I've just found out the only salt cave in Scotland is ten minutes' drive away from our house.  Not sure about the expense of it all, though...... :-\
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: shrosphirelass on August 18, 2018, 06:50:35 PM
I've never hear of salt caves that people sit it for therapeutic reasons. Sounds really interesting
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on August 18, 2018, 07:28:12 PM
Hi Daisydot and thanks for all this very helpful information!  I won't do anything about it yet, as I've got a follow-up appt. this week with my GP to find out what medication I need.  But as I do live near to one of these salt caves, I'll do some digging!  ;D  Sorry.........
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: jillydoll on August 18, 2018, 07:37:13 PM
Never heard of them Daisydot....
My god, your a fountain of information. ;D
Did you go and do it? Was it any good?

I use sea salt in my cooking. Never heard of Himalayan pink salt.  :o
Where you buy that from?
You'll have come and do all my cooking for me..... :P
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: jillydoll on August 18, 2018, 07:52:18 PM
Just googled it daisydot.
It's called halo therapy.
And as for the salt, I'm buying some come Monday.
Jamie Oliver's got one that's a grinder as well. £3
at Sainsbury's.
Just read about what's in our ordinary table salt (which we do use as well as sea salt)
And it's not good.

Just a quick question, do you use it when cooking veg, or boiling potato's?
Does it taste any ‘salter' than ordinary salt, or the same?
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: jillydoll on August 18, 2018, 08:08:50 PM
Should be good for OH then, he has high blood pressure.

Good one babe, really good info..
I've had a quick read about table salt, I knew salt is bad for us, but didn't know
what was in it, so yeah, I will be shopping for the pink one now.

Keep posting honey, I'm learning something new nearly everyday.... :thankyou:
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Annie0710 on August 18, 2018, 10:59:58 PM
Daisydot are you in Milton Keynes ? (MK?) xx
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Annie0710 on August 19, 2018, 07:18:02 AM
Morning Annie yep slap bang in it lol 😘

Love the shopping centre !
I'm in Cambs xx
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Annie0710 on August 19, 2018, 09:12:01 AM
I'd love to be able to move to Spain (and not work!) x
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on August 19, 2018, 02:45:14 PM
I'm going to visit Edinburgh's Salt Caves ASAP and buy one of the salt lamps which they apparently sell.  Can't really afford to go for regular sessions there, so this would seem the next best thing.   ::)
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Annie0710 on August 19, 2018, 05:38:11 PM
I've had a salt lamp as a bedside lamp for a couple of years now but haven't noticed any improvement.  I read on FB this week you're meant to leave them on permanently? X
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Annie0710 on August 20, 2018, 05:26:54 AM
So you are meant to leave them on permanently ? Xx
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on August 20, 2018, 07:01:27 PM
Yes.  I'd read you're meant to leave them on - at the very least, during the day so that their beneficial properties can build up enough to have a lasting effect overnight.  That's if someone finds it too bright to sleep by.   
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Annie0710 on August 20, 2018, 07:03:22 PM
I think I'd worry leaving it on constantly x
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on August 20, 2018, 08:22:13 PM
Well, the healthful properties need time to build up......from what I've read.     :-\
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Annie0710 on August 23, 2018, 08:49:30 AM
I have taken your advice DD and been leaving it on all day and evening and switching off bedtime

I asked hubby if he thought it was safe and his reply :”well you leave lounge lamps on all day whilst we're at work so dogs feel less lonely and they're a brighter bulb so.....”

All day/evening it is then lol xxx
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: dulciana on August 23, 2018, 01:09:35 PM
Cats can see in the dark!  ;)
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: QueenOfCamelot on September 14, 2018, 05:32:47 PM
This is what I am going through today, right now and I'm asthmatic and the menopause appears to be making me even worse.
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: jillydoll on September 14, 2018, 07:54:26 PM
I still haven't been tested for asthma, even though today my lungs won't fill up,
It doesn't happen everyday, so I don't know if it's a dip in oestrogen.If it was asthma,
Wouldn't it be everyday? Or maybe it's my anxiety, that plays around with my breathing, although, this does feel different than the breathing that I experience when my anxiety is high. Tomorrow, it probably will be gone..
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Annie0710 on September 14, 2018, 08:07:47 PM
My asthma is allergy induced and initially I was only suffering at home.  Turned out to be the pets, but within a year or so it literally can happen anywhere.  Some days I don't need my pump (apart from using it morning and night as it's also a preventative) other days I may need it once or twice as a reliever

Don't assume it can't be asthma just because your breathing is different day to day.  The best thing is to get a peak flow chart and puffer thing from gp and record your best of 3 puffs twice a day and say what you were going or what you were around on low readings x
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: jillydoll on September 14, 2018, 09:11:06 PM
Ok,Annie, thanx.
I will if it doesn't get any better, I'm trying out new eostragel at the mo, see if that
makes any difference. And also hopefully, my GP will be back , she's been off sick for a
few weeks. I hate seeing the other one, stupid I know, but I will get it sorted...

Take care
Jd xx
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Annie0710 on September 14, 2018, 11:59:59 PM
I have favourite gps so totally understand x
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: QueenOfCamelot on September 15, 2018, 04:15:56 PM
Ye asthma varies from day to day sometimes you're fine and wouldn't know you had it other times you're wheezing like an old man in the woodbines.  Need a preventer now I think my inhaler isn't working.
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: CLKD on September 15, 2018, 04:54:44 PM
What on earth would a salt lamp do  :-X

I had to take a deep breath whilst reading this thread, it's a bit like yawning  :D

Sing Girls Sing! one cannot breath incorrectly whilst singing.

Pre-menstrually I would find it difficult to draw a proper breath  :-\
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: CLKD on September 25, 2018, 06:25:08 PM
I found it difficult to breath prior to a walk yesterday, I had to stop several times to draw a breath.  After half an hour I felt better.  No idea why!
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: jillydoll on September 25, 2018, 10:10:08 PM
Was it warm though CLKD,
Some people suffer with an autumn hay fever, could it be anything like that?
I know you like your gardening, could you have inhaled something whilst doing that?

Don't know, these things sometimes are sent to try us...
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: CLKD on September 25, 2018, 10:25:02 PM
I've had it previously, intermittently over the years.  Probably lack of exercise!
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: jillydoll on September 25, 2018, 10:48:24 PM
Get on that bike girl!
Get peddling, get that heart going!  :gym:

Or, get yourself one of those kids trampolines in your garden, jumping up n down on that would give you a good workout....lol

Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: CLKD on September 25, 2018, 10:50:45 PM
We have a treadmill  :-X ..........  :P. I think I know where it is  :D

We have  :vibe: too, that counts  :whist:
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: jillydoll on September 25, 2018, 11:10:50 PM
Lucky you.......lol
I couldn't even raise a smile never mind anything else....lol

I love treadmills. I used to love them at the gym.
I'd like to go back to the gym, but just can't be arsed...tbh.
My son jogs, he asked me to go with him, 4/5mile run.
No thanks, I'm not that athletic......
Don't miss it that much....lol
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Annie0710 on September 25, 2018, 11:46:18 PM
We had an exercise bike and it got more use as a coat hook x
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Ju Ju on September 26, 2018, 05:41:09 AM
DH has got a Fitbit watch thingy. He keeps being told to do so many steps and now he's threatening to buy one for me............ :o He is even using the exercise bike, which previously was exercised by our grandson who loved making the wheels spin when he was younger.
Title: Re: Breathing
Post by: Robin on September 26, 2018, 07:04:27 AM
I switched off the vibrate part of my Fitbit. I got fed up of it nagging me to move  ;D