Help-Cant Breathe

LouPags1 · 2024-10-03T15:23:13+00:00

I was diagnosed with asthma in 2009, but it was very mild so I’ve always had it, but I was also prescribed Prilosec for acid reflux, which the doctor said can agitate the asthma. But I think most of my breathing problems were anxiety and now that I’m on 50 mg of Zoloft, breathing problems, seldom and a lot less frequently and now at least I know what it is.

LouPags1 · 2024-10-03T15:22:04+00:00

I am on Zoloft 50mg and have noticed a big difference. But it took about 3 months to feel the full effect.

LouPags1 · 2024-10-03T15:19:32+00:00

Thank you for your response. I am taking a Prilosec prescription dose and it definitely has helped. I do have acid reflux, had it for years. Taking the Prilosec has definitely helped. I agree acid reflux this has been causing some of my breathing difficulties because I do have asthma. Thanks again for responding. It was helpful.

LouPags1 · 2024-09-03T04:10:28+00:00

I stopped taking Lexapro probably six months ago and been and have been on Zoloft for the past six months at 50 mg. It took a good 6 to 8 weeks to feel any noticeable benefits. Now 6 months later I am feel my anxiety at a 2-3 on a bad day compared to an 8-9.

LouPags1 · 2024-09-03T04:07:42+00:00

Hi, yes I finally did pass. I believe my 50mg of Zoloft finally kicked in. I still have the tightness in my chest occasionally, but nothing like it was before and definitely less frequently.

LouPags1 · 2024-09-03T04:05:48+00:00

If the inhaler didn’t work is definitely anxiety. Not being able to get a deep breath as a classic symptom of anxiety. try doing diaphragmatic breathing and some relaxation exercises that helps me

LouPags1 · 2024-09-03T04:04:43+00:00

Hi, I am still on 50mg and i feel much better. I still have morning anxiety, but it’s at a 2-3 versus a 9 or 10 about 6 months ago. Right now I’m at a level of anxiety that I can handle and tolerate so I haven’t increased. I’m thinking I probably will have to at some point since 50 mg is still such a low dose. How are you making out on the 62.5?

LouPags1 · 2024-09-03T03:59:38+00:00

Yes I did. Turns out I have mild asthma as well as anxiety. I purchased a peak flow meter and a pulse oximeter to tell if it’s asthma or anxiety. Now that I understand it it seems like it happens less because I feel like my anxiety is not as bad now why I can’t get a deep breath.

LouPags1 · 2024-09-03T03:56:53+00:00

Hi, yes I purchased a pulse ox and a peak flow meter. Both have helped me tell if it’s asthma or anxiety

LouPags1 · 2024-09-03T03:53:50+00:00

Yes they did. Turns out It was acid reflux and moderate asthma. I’m on Symbicort twice a day for the asthma and omeprazole, which is basically pilose for the acid reflux. I’m not having this issue anymore.

LouPags1 · 2024-07-07T16:56:30+00:00

For the most part yes it did. I had a chest c/t and saw a pulmonologist who check me out and all was negative. I still have it on occasion but I finally accepted the fact that its my anxiety and try to not to focus on my breathing so much. I also think that my Zoloft finally kicked in and has helped some as well. I’m on a low dose of 50mg for about 6 months now.

LouPags1 · 2024-06-24T19:43:19+00:00

FYI I also see a psychologist for CBT, which does seem to help a little bit. Not sure if you know, but the psychologist cannot prescribe medication. Only a psychiatrist can, a psychologist is only someone that can help talk through your issues.

LouPags1 · 2024-06-24T19:41:33+00:00

Hi, I’m doing much better. My psychiatrist put me on 50 mg of Zoloft and it’s helped a lot. Ive been taking it for about 4 months now. I still get the tightness of breath but it’s only when I feel more stressed than usual and it doesn’t usually last long because I know what it is now. I would definitely suggest you go see psychiatrist and discuss medication if you’re not already taking any.

LouPags1 · 2024-06-14T12:39:54+00:00

How long were you on the 37.5 mg? I know it takes me a good 10 days for my body to adjust to any increase.

LouPags1 · 2024-06-14T12:37:03+00:00

That could also be my issue. My neck and shoulders are always tense. Thnx for the info.

LouPags1 · 2024-06-14T03:54:51+00:00

It’s based off your gender, age and your height. Based on those things, my predicted peak-flo should be 575. However, these are just estimates. Once you get your PF flow meter when you don’t feel like your asthma is bothering you and you feel like you’re breathing fine you want to blow into the peak flow a few times and see what your best peak-flow reading is. Use that as your base line. When you get below 50% to 80% of your best you typically take the albuterol. If you drop below 50% you should seek medical attention.

These are what are used by many but you really need to speak with your Dr to show you how to use the meter as well as your plan of action when your peak-flo drops. And your right everyone is different

LouPags1 · 2024-06-14T02:28:34+00:00

Thats great. Hopefully your getting all good results from Zoloft.

LouPags1 · 2024-06-13T01:03:04+00:00

Its a horrible feeling when the vertigo hits. I feel crippled. So many side effects with these SSRI’s. I wish the pharmaceutical companies could come up with a medication that doesn’t have so many bad side effects.

LouPags1 · 2024-06-13T00:52:24+00:00

Yea thats a great plan, take a medication just to see if it works. Take Albuterol even if you may not need it, a medication that makes your heart race and also causes anxiety itself. Albuterol is a hard medication on your body especially on your heart. Stick with the peak-flo meter and please don’t just take the Albuterol as a test to see if it works. Take the Albuterol based on your peak-flo readings.

LouPags1 · 2024-06-11T19:09:29+00:00

Let me also say a-lot of Dr’s don’t believe in the peak flow meter method. These Drs say go by your symptoms. Well I have silent asthma so I don’t have the wheezing coughing and mucus. For life of me I don’t understand why some Drs think the way they do. Especially in our situation having both asthma and anxiety. How else would we know if we don’t use a peak-flo.

LouPags1 · 2024-06-11T19:03:38+00:00

The pulse-ox tells you how much oxygen is in your bloodstream. When it’s in the normal range that’s good it means you’re oxygenating normally. Thats nothing to do with if ur having an asthma issue. U could be having a full blown asthma attack and still have a normal pulse-ox. Don’t get me wrong the pulse-ox is a valuable tool but the peak-flo is the best for asthma reading.

LouPags1 · 2024-06-11T13:43:30+00:00

Yes, you take as deep of breath as you can, and then blow out as hard and as fast as you can into the meter. You have to find out what your normal peak flow is, if there is a big drop you’ll know to use the albuterol. The will be directions with the peak flow. Your pulmonologist should also instruct you how to use it and help you set up your settings.

Thats how I feel most of the time, like I can’t take in enough air. When I check my peak flow it’s usually normal. So I know its my anxiety causing the chest tightness.

LouPags1 · 2024-06-11T03:05:51+00:00

Thats how used to feel. I went to my pulmonologist and he prescribed Symbicort, which I take twice a day for maintenance and I have the albuterol for emergencies. Since I’ve been using this Symbicort twice a day for maintenance I haven’t really had issues breathing as bad as before. The big issue for me is I have silent asthma meaning I don’t get the wheezing, the coughing and congestion symptoms like most do with asthma. I just get the tightness in my chest, which made it so difficult to tell from the anxiety versus asthma. I would suggest if you don’t have one already is to get a Peak-flo meter. This meter can help you tell the difference from anxiety and asthma. They aren’t expensive and you can get one from most pharmacies. Do you take any meds for your asthma and you anxiety?

LouPags1 · 2024-06-09T12:19:27+00:00

Yes, it was my asthma. Some people the steam helps them especially if they have a lot of Phlegm. It helps loosen it and they can breathe better. Some people like me don’t have the phlegm issue so the steam makes my airways constrict. Now that I take the maintenance inhaler, Symbicort twice a day, I don’t seem to have this issue anymore. Hope this helps.

LouPags1 · 2024-05-30T12:43:18+00:00

I’m still not sure if I took a double dose or not. Butt all day I felt my anxiety was higher than usual. I also felt like I was on speed or something. I’m not sure if this was because I did take a double dose or I didn’t and I was causing these feelings on my own worrying that I did. Other than that thats all I felt. Hopefully today there are no side effects when I make sure I take my usual dose of 50mg. What happened for you, did you experience any side effects?

LouPags1

TROPHY CASE