HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Gasping for air w/ bad pain?

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/16/2008 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
I'm wondering if anyone else has breathing problems when your pain is bad? For me, the pain rarely ever gets to a tolerable level. I've literally been gasping for air for the past 4+ years. I know that may sound impossible, but I'm being totally honest. I no longer go out to places, like church or visiting, should I be invited, b/c it's actually embarrassing. People have wanted to call ambulances for me or take me to the ER. My chest & back area have actually gotten bigger, I guess b/c of the strain on the surrounding muscles. I don't know... My Dr. is aware of this as are the therapists that I've seen in the past 4+ years. My mom & sdad see me struggling for air constantly, but they stopped acknowledging me long ago. No one seems to care. Thank God I found HW and all of you! I guess it could be anxiety, but then I don't understand why no Dr. or therapist would help me. The shortness of breath scares me & I'm just worn out. Also, when the pain is bad I have profuse sweating...also very uncomfortable & embarrassing. Does anyone else have thses symptoms? Any feedback, advice or support would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Willow
Posted 10/16/2008 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Willow,

I also have problems with sweating when the pain is bad. I have lost my breath a few times when it got extreme but I usually landed in the ER shortly after. One of my odd coping mechinism is panting, like lamase breathing, when I need to control the pain and the meds are not doing it so I know about the odd looks people give!
Posted 10/16/2008 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Willow,
I don't have these symptoms but I think there could be a lot of possible causes. Pain can certainly make you grab for air at times, but I wonder if this could be related either to your asthma or anxiety or both? Have you ever had panic attacks? I'm NOT trying to tell you this is all in your head, but the body and mind are not separate. If you've got a history of panic attacks, something like an asthma attack or muscle spasm which make you gasp for air may precipitate a full blown panic attack. Believe it or not, sweating can also be a symptoms of a panic attack. But this oculd be a lot of things. If it is asthma or panic attacks, those need to be treated appropriately. If it's pain issues, that needs more exploration. And of course, all of them interact together.

Don't know if any of this helps.

PaLady
Posted 10/16/2008 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for your replies. I have had panic in the past. 20 years ago I had one panic attack after another & received the Dx of "Panic Disorder". I was working in a busy ER at the time & don't know how I made it through! PA's are the worst things I've ever felt in my life...they were terrifying! I don't get them since starting menopause. Maybe the severe shortness of breath is one huge panic attack that never stops? (lol!)

I wish I could get some help for the shortness of breath/gasping & the profuse sweating problems. If I had health insurance or a large sum of money, I'd have gone from doctors to specialists, etc...to get these problems checked into a long time ago, in additition to searching for much better pain relief, and I'd have my own private, safe place to live. Maybe I'd even find hope again!

Thx SO much!
God Bless;
Willow
Posted 10/16/2008 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
So I take it you don't think it's anxiety related. How about asthma? I'm just noticing from reading your signature.

I know you know I understand many, tho' not all, of the stresses you're under re: being alone (even though you don't live alone), in pain and poverty, etc., and I know there are night I can't sleep because of the anxiety over money and my future. Guess I'm just trying to figure out what might be causing your probems by process of elimination. Do you think it's a muscle spasm, for example, that won't quit?

I don't mean to ask so many questions, and understand completely if you don't feel like answering. Just know I'm thinking of you and sending hugs.

Sometimes I think those of us who are alone need real gentle hugs from people and that would help a lot. Virtual hugs are better than nothing, but not the same as the feel of someone's arms holding you who really cares. And I don't mean that in a sexual or romantic way - just having a friend or family member to literally lean on.

PaLady
Posted 10/17/2008 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
PAlady, Thank you SO much for your kind words and for caring so much! I do have a lot of anxiety (UNDERSTATEMENT). I'm sure everyone here has a lot of stresses & worries. My greatest worry is that I'll soon find myself homeless and/or too weak from the pain & other health issues to be able to get out to find a place of my own. I know I'm an emotional burden to my mom & sdad. Sadly, their health is not good and I find myself feeling sorry for them and there is just no rest. I can't keep on doing all things to meet their needs, when my own health is failing so miserably and so fast. I still find myself being afraid of my sdad, stemming from past & present abuses. Bottom line is that he doesn't like me & is emotionally abusive. Yet he flips when I talk of getting a place of my own. He's always felt as though he owns me and even now that I'm 47, he's still so domineering, cruel & emotionally abusive toward me. My mom gets very angry w/ me if I say anything. I'm basically a prisoner here in this house & I can't see a way out. I've moved several times (when I was younger & healthy), even out of State 3 times, to get away & try to find peace, but always seem to end up back here. I don't mean to complain...I am greatful I'm not on the streets. I pray hard for peace, privacy, pain control and hope & pray for help and friends.

Sorry I rambled so much! My thoughts & prayers are with you all.

Willow
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply