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shortness of breath and sore arms

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Posted 1/15/2015 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning everyone. I'm having a rough morning. Sorry to sound like a broken record. I was having so much trouble breathing this morning. I thought for sure something was wrong. Which of course just makes everything worse. I was running late for class and I keep thinking about the NINE courses I have this semester and how much I have to learn and I can't breathe. Seriously, It feels like I'm being smothered. I just don't know how I can do this and I can't get out of it.

The other thing is my arms are sore. Does anyone get this? They are sore like I have been lifting weights (which I haven't ). When I lift my arms I can feel it. I was drying my hair this morning and I could do it, but my arms are so sore. Is it from the tension that I hold in my shoulders? Is it from holding my arms in a weird position and typing all day on my laptop? What is going on? I feel like my body is always against me. :(
Posted 1/15/2015 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning Miss Gigi!

What a tough morning. Breathing troubles are always the worst! I was having trouble getting a deep breath last week, so I really feel your pain here. You probably don't have much time for small talk, but what are you studying this semester? Anything interesting?

As for your arms, my arms get really sore after what seems like minimal exercise. So lets say that I rake the yard for like 20 minutes, the next day my arms feel like I just lifted weights for two hours straight. Was there anything you carried recently? Did you have anything in your hands when you were doing your 5 flight of stairs walking the other day?

It sounds like your anxiety levels are really high right now. I'm so sorry for this. :( :( :( Wish I could study some for you. Studying is one of my favorite things to do!! :D
Posted 1/15/2015 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
You love to study TMA??? Oh my gosh, I wish I were you!! I love to learn and know things, but I HATE to study. I think it is part of my not liking to sit still. :)

I'm studying veterinary medicine. It's crazy- we average 25 credits/semester. It has really elevated and exacerbated my anxiety. I did do some accupressure-yoga last night and it did help some of my back pain/tension.
Posted 1/15/2015 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Gi,

I get both those symptoms. I never knew what caused the arm tiredness, but just assumed it was another horrible anxiety side effect. It makes a lot of sense that it could be contributed to neck and back pain!!
Posted 1/15/2015 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Breathing troubles will definitely cause full upper body pain, including in your arms. Welcome to my daily life! I feel ya. Try some of the belly breathing exercises when you get a break or in bed at night. When I actually do them, I find them relaxing!
Posted 1/15/2015 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Ohhhh veterinary medicine. Crazy enough, I never really took in the idea that such a field existed, but makes complete sense that it does. Dogs and cats have bodies too, and surely they need their meds! :D My sister is a vet tech, and simply loves animals. Me, not so much. :D All the animals are going to love you for this though!

I do love to study, and truly wish I could do it for you. My husband tends to think I am crazy, but I seriously can't get enough of school. I've been out for 5 years now, and always dream of going back. Too bad you can't make a career out of studying! LOL.

The way that I see studying is like the words are painting a whirlwind of color on the open slate of your imagination. Depending on the class, the colors usually mix and create a logical painting, and the words grow into knowledge. Other times the colors will mix into a beautiful and meaningless mess (such as the Ebonics class I took in college!) I'm not sure what good can come from that, but hey, whatever!

Anyway.... my encouragement to you today, is to embrace those words and have fun reading them. Easier said than done I am sure! Especially with so many credit hours. Soooo many words, can you get any books on audio? Anyway, I'll be quiet now!!!

:D

I've never heard of acupressure yoga, but am glad it relieved some of your tension. Epsom salt baths are really wonderful at relieving muscle tension too!
Posted 1/15/2015 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Oh and yoga! That can actually hurt too! I had yoga for the first time in ages yesterday and feel like I was hit by a bus today!
Posted 1/15/2015 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
That's an interesting way to look at studying, TMA. I'll try that approach!!

Veterinary medicine is where veterinarians come from. :)
Posted 1/15/2015 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Park! The yoga was after the arm soreness started.
Posted 1/15/2015 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Oh gotcha! Well then I stand by the bad breathing giving you body aches and pains! :-)
Posted 1/15/2015 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty sure it's anxiety too! My anxiety returned recently after a thankfully very long reprieve. I tend to carry it in my neck, shoulders and back which causes pains like what you're describing. It also causes tightness in my chest muscles and therefore, shortness of breath sometimes. That causes me to concentrate on my breathing, then lightheadedness from overbreathing. Anxiety is no fun!
Posted 1/15/2015 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry to hear your anxiety is back MSP. Yep, that sounds like me too! Thanks, hope you're back to feeling better soon!
Posted 1/15/2015 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
MG,

Anxious breathing/overbreathing/hyperventiliation...it basically boils down to the same thing, and resulting symtpoms...

I agree with Park. Pay attention to your breathing and slow in down, with deep steady breaths.

It is amazing how dramtically different I feel when I take the time to do this!!

Well wishes!

S.C.
Posted 1/16/2015 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I'm a classic shallow breather when I've got a lot going on and feel overwhelmed. Thanks SC
Posted 1/16/2015 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
That's a heavy load of classes! I know you'll figure it all out :) I loved being in school, like the other poster mentioned. I graduated last year and want to go back.
Posted 1/16/2015 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
Gigi,

Sorry to hear about your troubles! Don't apologize. I think everyone here has had repeat problems, definitely myself included. I've had some breathing issues before when I've woken up, but I think I was just looking into it too much and doing it to myself subconsciously.

Hope you feel better!
Posted 1/16/2015 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Zack. It helps to know others get it too.

It's here again this morning. I think it starts immediately when I get up. Especially when I get up late. I start rushing around like a maniac and breathing really shallow. Then my eyesight gets weird and then the panic that something is wrong sets in and I think my next stop is the ER. Ugh, It's a continual cycle. It's weird though, I never used to concentrate so much on my breathing. This is a new one. That's another reason that I think it's something serious.
Posted 1/16/2015 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
I wake up with bad breathing almost every morning lately. I'm still on pretty regular xanax, so that's how I start my mornings. For years I worried that it was something worse, but since it's been going on for years, I've finally accepted that it really is just minor hyperventilating. It stinks. I feel ya.
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