Persistent shortness of breath with normal blood ox Posted: 02-10-08 21:15pm
For the past 4 months or so I've had these
episodes of persistent shortness of breath
that last for days/weeks at a time. I'm a
23 year old male.
I've had 4 EKGs and a chest X-Ray
recently, all came back normal. Thyroid
and blood work came back normal as well.
The doc said my heart and lungs sounded
good. Three years ago I had an
echocardiogram done, which came back
normal.
I went to an asthma doctor who did a
pulmonary function test which came back
normal. Whenever I go to the doctors and
I have to put my finger on that blood
oxygen meter I normally score 98-100%.
Even when I'm short of breath I typically
hit 600-650 in my peak flow readings.
So that's my problem, I have mild
persistent shortness of breath throughout
the day and as far as I can tell it's not
my heart or lungs. Blood work suggests
it's not my Iron or red blood cell count
either. I'm at my wits end trying to get
to the bottom of this...
|
mominashoe
Supporter
Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 1774 Location: , KS USA
Thanks: 40
Thanked:24
Posted: 02-11-08 19:54pm
Your shortness of breath is most likely
anxiety related and this isn't something
that is going to show up on a lab result.
The best thing to do when you feel short
of breath is to realize that you are doing
it and take control of it by first
relaxing and taking long deep breaths.
Sometimes we just get caught up in the
whirlwind of things we have to do and it
gets to be too much. Take a few moments
in your take to take a time out, sit down
and close your eyes and breath deeply.
I've heard about breathing techniques
before they seem like limited relief for
me. I'm curious, how long does it
normally take to get your breathing under
control using deep breathing techniques?
|
mominashoe
Supporter
Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 1774 Location: , KS USA
Thanks: 40
Thanked:24
Posted: 02-12-08 14:56pm
I don't know. It depends on the person
I'd think. For short term, it depends on
how badly you are off kilter and how long
you've been breathing incorrectly...I
guess about 5 minutes average. For the
long term, you may get into the habit of
controlling your breathing and you might
not: it depends on how bad the anxiety is.
