Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with breathing

Is it safe to fly with (mystery) reflux?

bitterkitten — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:20:53 -0800

Safe to fly with (mystery) reflux? I'm not sure that's what I have, but I'm definitely not ill (cold/flu) wise. I don't have (the feeling of) heartburn and have rarely had it. I've been checked out by a ton of doctors over the last year, including a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona for a slowly worsening stomach condition that feels like it just keeps getting bigger - all they've found so far via endoscopy a couple months ago is "it's red and irritated, but we can't see anything else". It's like this 24/7 regardless of what I eat or do not eat. Or even if I eat nothing (maybe 24+ hours of no food from the capsule study wasn't enough time for it to quiet down, if it can). And I've been scoped and scanned and xrayed all over and every which way. Pleasant, eh?

This past weekend, it seemed to have worsened, making breathing more difficult than it was previously, and now I feel like I'm clearing my throat all the time, feel like my throat is perpetually full of gunk, which is typically a symptom of some kind of stomach/gerd/throat thing. I've already done trials of prilosec, nexium, and prescription zantac, and none of them did anything, and have been attempting cpap but have not been successful (strangely, my doc decided on this last visit to take away the machine, and wants me to try to sleep better on 'safe' non-benzo sleep meds before trying the machine again). I've also been working with a psychiatrist on getting a new anti-depressant to help ( i was on Zoloft a few years ago) , but haven't found a good new one yet.

I have been treated for allergies/asthma/Hashimoto's/IBS for years, and drainage out the wazoo - I'm pretty sure this is not those. My nose feels pretty darn clear and I think my chest is ok... it really feels like the throat. I also have a list of all the things this thing might be (and I was going to post it as a 'mysterious-diagnosis-me, mefites' in the next couple of days) - I even wrote a letter to this guy a couple days ago, but the thing right now is, after seeing 4 different docs in the last few days, none of whom said "we must get into an er right now to look at you again", but instead "ok, we'll scope you again in a few weeks as soon as you can get in there", I am supposed to get on a plane tomorrow morning and fly my ass to New York to visit the family.

The answer is probably the obvious one "if you don't feel up to it, don't get on a plane, dumbass". Still, outside of possibly catching something from somebody out there with flu or a cold, which I feel would end up with me needing serious help, is there any reason why just going on the plane, change in pressure, etc, should make any difference? I mean, there could be heat, change in humidity, etc... or perhaps me perceiving that I'm having more difficulty breathing just from making myself do this, rather than an actual problem.

So while I'm not asking for a diagnosis here, unless you feel like it, I'm just wondering if this is a really stupid idea. I have already flown twice in the past year feeling the big stomach pressure, but was not having as much trouble breathing then as I've had the last couple of days. Normally I fly with my little pillbox of tricks in case of whatever might happen, but for this, nothing seems to be making a difference.

Sometimes I forget to breathe...

semp — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:04:43 -0800

Is it normal to forget you are breathing while exercising? I want to start off by saying that I'm not in bad shape. I can't run mini-marathons like I used to, but going for a small jog isn't what I would call difficult either. I would attribute my problem to poor fitness, but it just doesn't make sense.

Recently I decided I wanted to get back into running. Soon after I started I plateaued well below the distance I was hoping to reach. I changed up my exercises a bit hoping some different types of cardio would help, but I still couldn't get past that point. Analyzing my problem I realized that breathing was my major downfall. I would start off with a nice breathing pattern and then about a half a mile in either drop the breathing pattern in favor of a quicker pant (mind you, I'm not really "tired" yet) or just stop breathing all together. It's not asthmatic or anything like that. The best description I can give is I just... forget. I do this with weight lifting as well, although there I find it more normal because of the shorter spurts involved. Reading/asking around I've found some people who claim this is normal and some people who think I'm nuts. Is this normal? And, related, is breathing a full time job when running? I don't remember it being a problem before...

Nose-Breathing

zenja72 — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:03:02 -0800

I have been a mouth-breather for my entire life (eighteen years to be precise). I would like to change this. What is the best way to switch? Also, I have recently started running. Should I not even attempt to breathe through my nose while running, or should it be a long term goal?

How to solve a medical mystery involving insomnia, chemical sensitivity, and an air purifier that seems to be an accomplice?

bross12 — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:46:04 -0800

Does anyone have recommendations for dealing with wicked, terrible insomnia that seems to be caused by something I'm breathing in (judging by my racing heartbeat, constriction in my chest, and burning eyes)? Multiple Chemical Sensitivities are a part of this, so anyone with this who has learned a trick for controlling indoor air quality - please help me!!! Here's what I think are the most likely causes:

- Formaldehyde gas exposure. I live near a plastics factory that produces a fair amount of this, so that could be one source of exposure. I've lived in this apartment for a year, though, and have had insomnia only off and on. So maybe it's happening when the factory is churning up their goodies? I know I react to clothing treated with formaldehyde, so there's no question I'm sensitive. But I pray it's not the factory, because what then could I really do about it, short of getting a really expensive industrial quality air filter?

- Possibly allergens in the air right now. But I don't have any sneezing or runny nose or itchy eye things going on, which I'd think I would if it was a regular allergy. This would be great, though, because it would be easier to address.

- Mold. We recently had a new roommate move in who had lived in a house with a fair amount of mold that she reacted to. She cleaned everything she owned before moving in, and isn't reacting now, but maybe she brought in some mold and I'm reacting to that? In the past, my reactions to mold have been a heightening of fatigue rather than a racing heartbeat, though.

A wrinkle to consider:

- I recently bought an expensive air purifier from a company called Blue Air. This purifier is supposed to be great at getting rid of mold, allergens, and tiny dust particles, has a HEPA filter, and is supposed to not off-gas anything weird (such as ozone or gases from plastic). It does not address gas exposure though. I ran it in my room about a week ago and then things got MUCH worse. I am scratching my head over this one. Any thoughts?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

It felt great until the tingly.

The Biggest Dreamer — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:11:41 -0800

After ~20 minutes in a hot tub, I get an intensely uncomfortable tingling feeling in my arms and my face and feel very... woozy and unbalanced. What is going on, and is this normal? After I surfaced and enjoyed some cooler air for a bit I felt better. Strangely enough, I'd felt this exact same feeling in one other situation- while having sex with someone. I thought maybe I was just hyperventilating then? lol, young inexperienced people. I kind of felt like I was going to pass out, but I've never passed out before so I don't know if that's actually what was happening. I don't know what exactly my body is doing. And I'd really like to know.

Am a young female with normally lowish blood pressure but in good health.

Loud pug!

floam — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:52:35 -0800

PugFilter: Should we be worried about a Pug sounding like this? Video below. He's done this since my parents got him as a puglet, he's around 5 years old now. I know pugs often have breathing problems, and we've always just assumed this is par the course. But I'm curious if maybe this is completely whack and he needs some sort of surgery before he honks himself to death.

video.

I have a weird breathing problem, I feel like I only take half breaths. Maybe anxiety..

0217174 — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:23:02 -0800

I have a weird breathing problem, I feel like I only take half breaths. Maybe anxiety.. Well I really believe it's psychological.. it's similar to anticipatory anxiety, like when you hold your breath on a game winning free throw..

Only I tend to do that a lot, and I'll catch myself.. It's become a pretty consistent thing during the whole day, but worst time is at work on the computer all day.

I'm always adjusting my belt, because it feels like I'm full, and the pressure against my stomach makes it feel like it stops me from inhaling all the way. What I don't like is my chest muscles tighten up, and being that they're over my heart.. gives me some bad ideas...

If I literally grab my chest muscles with my fingers, and consciously make myself breath normal, it feels fine briefly.

One time I let out a lot of (gross ;p) gas, (you get the picture) and I felt good for a few days.

Could it be that? But I've felt this way for months, maybe a year. And I feel fine on weekends, when I'm free, happy, and not locked down to a sitting position.

I cannot burp or blow up balloons. No, really. Is this weird?

angryjellybean — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:38:14 -0800

I cannot burp or blow up balloons. No, really. Is this weird? When it comes up (not that it often does, of course), people are always quite surprised - sometimes to the point of disbelief - that I cannot burp or blow up balloons.

I think they think I am saying the burping part because I'm female and want to portray some kind of innocent girly image.

I'm not talking about burping on demand, by the way. I just never ever burp. If I drink a coke or a beer, I just feel uncomfortable and bloated but the air seems to like staying where it is.

Also, I cannot blow up balloons. The air sticks in my cheeks until it hurts, and I seem to be unable to force it into the balloon.

Finally, I sigh a LOT, without even realising I'm doing it. It's almost like sometimes I think "oh, I haven't taken a breath for a while" so I take one big one, which prompts people to ask me what's wrong (they think it's an upset sigh).

These all seem linked, given that it's to do with air leaving my body (I'm a genius aren't I). Obviously if I was actually worried I'd see a doctor, but I don't think it's a problem. I just wondered if it was common, or whether I'm just doing something (like breathing, for my entire life, maybe) very wrong?

Help us breathe or help us leave

arcticwoman — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 02:12:20 -0800

It's two am on Christmas morning and my wife and I haven't slept because we feel we are suffocating from all the cigarette smoke in my parent's house. This is our first night of four, and my wife is upset, wondering if she can maybe sleep in the car (it's minus twenty outside, so no). How can we make this bearable, or, failing that, how can we explain to my parents that we have to leave already? Additional information that might be relevant:

We are about twelve hours away from home, and only get out to see family once or twice a year, so leaving early is not something we take lightly. We have other family about an hour away who we can stay with, but my dad would be really hurt if instead of four days he got only one.

There are three smokers, four non-smokers, and two little kids staying in a small three bedroom townhouse. I know that the smoking bothers three of us non-smokers, and it makes me upset that everyone is so comfortable smoking in a house with kids, but they aren't my kids and it isn't my house so there's not much I can do.

Since it is winter in Canada, all the windows are covered in plastic and cannot be opened. We have shut the vent in our room and are running a fan, but that's the closest to fresh air that we can get.

We can't afford a hotel and don't know anyone else in town, so can't really stay in town unless we stay with my parents.

Finally, this isn't about any real or perceived long-term health risks of exposure to cigarette smoke. This is about having sore throats, coughing, feelings of suffocation, and a migraine. Regardless of how dangerous or not dangerous second-hand smoke is, it is unbearable to us.

I'm getting this weird anxiety feeling at work..

0217174 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:48:49 -0800

I'm getting this weird anxiety/breathing problem at work.. Hi-
It started a few months ago since I started this new job. I'm pretty sure it's because this job does a lot of repetitive tasks on the computer.. like pasting text over and over, lots of repetitive stuff in photoshop.. also having to do it fast, and a never ending barrage of work coming in..

The problem might be more psychological.. and more to it than just stress.

I used to do web development, I was working for places like yahoo, monster, etc.. It was my goal to work for one of the biggies, but after being there, I came to realize I hate something about it. The people, the vibe, culture, I dunno. But I hated it so much, I decided to do a career change and do something I like.

I want to do something art/design related, but I don't have the experience to work for a major place yet. But I found a smaller company that does some post production work and other stuff, they had an opening for this odd position.. not really a standard industry position, it requires me to translate menus and motion for DVD's across multiple languages. It's usually pretty slow, but then everything comes all at once.

I took it because I like this company and industry way better, and it's a foot in the door so to speak. It's not a BAD position, it's just that it does require a bit of tedious work.

I don't want to quit, I like this place, but lately, I notice at the end of each day (starting around lunch) I find myself taking really short breaths, it feels like I'm almost holding my breath, it feels really unnatural, like my stomach feels 'full' as if I ate too much.. but worse I feel like it's putting some major pressure on my heart, I can imagine this CAN'T be a good thing for my heart. It just doesn't feel right.

I really don't want to quit. I kinda got my little niche here. Hopefully in the next few years I'll get into a position that better suits me. I just don't know what to do about this breathing problem in the meantime.

Has anyone had this problem before?? You know any ways to deal with it? I'm trying to stay away from meds, like xanax.. cause I know I'd use it everyday if I did. I'm seriously considering using medical marijuana for it cause I know that'll relax me.. and oddly it's a legit reason. And I do stop, take deep breaths, go outside, etc. But I'm looking more for a long-term cure.. not just behavior changes. I'm already trying to be as calm as possible. Thanks..

my blood pressure lowers when i breath through my nose, why? and what can i do?

learninguntilidie — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:16:23 -0800

28 yr old male borderline hypertensive. a question about breathing. - so my bp numbers border on hypertensive. and i routinely check my blood pressure. the numbers are consistently int he systolic 130s range EXCEPT when i do this one thing: - breath through my nose then my bp systolic lowers by about 10 pts. here's the thing. my nose ALWASY gets clogged and it makes breathing regularly through my nose difficult - anyone else heard how breathing thorugh the nose, and then taking less breaths lowers blood pressure? i could see how they are connectd

Cat just starting Lasix - how long before I should see effects?

giddygirlie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:55:42 -0800

Cat just starting Lasix - how long before I should see effects? My 9 year old cat developed allergies about 3 months ago and the vet treated him with antihistimines and a round of antibiotics (the x-rays showed some spots on his lungs that she thought could be bronchitis) and he got much better.

About 2 weeks ago, he started having difficulty breathing and asthma attacks, so I took him back to the vet. After several additional tests, it was determined that he has heart/lung problems, most likely an early symptom of heart disease (causing fluid to build up in his lungs). He has just started Enalapril and Lasix (Furosemide). These are the same medications used to treat humans as well, so I am hoping someone here might have some experience with how long it takes to see results. The vet said it varies by animal and can take days or weeks. But I am hoping for a few first-hand experiences. And I'm crossing my fingers that the poor guy can breathe easy soon.

Has anyone had success treating sleep apnea without a CPAP (or surgery)?

tastybrains — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:00:04 -0800

Has anyone successfully used non-surgical alternatives to CPAP therapy (oral appliances, special pillows, etc) for treatment of mild-to-moderate sleep apnea, or been able to stop CPAP therapy after losing weight? (Note: Surgery is not an option, I do not have severe apnea, and my doctor even told me it wasn't worth considering.)

I was recently diagnosed with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea after a sleep study. It had actually surprised me, as in the 6 months between when the study was ordered and when it actually happened, I had lost ~25 lbs and according to my husband hadn't been snoring at all anymore (I used to snore like a "chainsaw" apparently). Anyway...

I was given a CPAP machine along with a nasal pillows-style mask. I've tried to use it several times over the past 3 weeks, and I loathe it. I feel like I'm suffocating no matter whether the machine is on, off, or doing it's "ramping up" thing. I've forced myself to keep it on for hours, and I've fallen asleep with it a couple times, but I always wake up within an hour, and always with a tremendous headache. I'm at the point where just thinking about trying to sleep with it again makes me feel like crying.

I am planning to ask about getting a nose & mouth mask to see if it's the fact that I can't breathe through my mouth that makes me feel like I'm suffocating...but in the meantime, I'm just feeling VERY discouraged and miserable about the whole thing. I don't even have severe apnea ... I know there are some alternatives!

But I am having trouble finding first-hand accounts of people successfully using them. Also, I am having trouble finding accounts of people ever stopping CPAP therapy after starting it. Even people who have lost a lot of weight. And I find this really discouraging...

Has anyone here used (or known someone who used) alternatives to CPAP for sleep apnea with success? Has anyone ever been able to stop using CPAP therapy after losing weight (or anything else)?

How can I get myself to breathe regularly like a normal person?

Alligator — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:03:04 -0800

I often find myself tensing muscles in weird ways, generally in my throat/chest/abdomen. It is uncomfortable, and it makes me feel short of breath, but I keep doing it. How do I stop? I keep tightening up my abs, my chest, and my throat. I exhale until my chest hurts, squeeze up my stomach, swallow a lot or just tighten up my throat, and even make this weird humming noise. I tense up other muscles, too, but those urges don't bother me as much. It is the ones in my abs/chest/throat area that are the most disturbing because they are persistent and bothersome, and they leave me short of breath.

When I notice that I'm doing it, I try to stop, but I can't for long because I have to really concentrate and it takes some degree of will power to overcome the urges. It is exhausting. I also usually don't notice I'm doing these things until I've already started.

I feel like I've forgotten what it is to have a relaxed body and just breathe like normal person. I also can't imagine the extreme exhaling/irregular breathing thing can be good for the heart/lungs.

I've been doing these things for a long while now; I'm not really sure how or when they started. It must have been in the past few years. I've been under a lot of stress, having had to deal with some major losses in my life. Sometimes I wonder if the weird tensing thing is related to that, but I'm not sure, and I don't know how that could help me kick the strange, uncomfortable, stressful habit.

How do I stop doing this to myself?

Allergy problems in mid-atlantic region.

Raichle — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:56:20 -0800

Is anybody else in the mid-Atlantic, specifically Pittsburgh, area getting massacred by allergies right now? I've always had some allergy problems, but nothing like what I've been going through lately. I'm having a really hard time breathing, for about 2 weeks now, and I feel terrible all day long. I've always had a touch of asthma but it usually only cropped up when I had a cold or went around farm animals and was always easily cured with one puff of albuterol. Now, on my doctor's advice, I am taking a double dose of loratadine (staggered by 12 hours), advair, and albuterol as needed and still having problems. I'm pretty sure it's allergies since it gets much worse when I go outside and seems to improve in air conditioned situations. What's puzzling to me is that I'm not having as many nasal problems as I would expect for how bad the chest congestion is. I've been tracking the pollen/mold counts through the AAAAI Web site and I'm beginning to see a pattern that might indicate a mold problem but tree pollen has been really high in this area as well, so I can't be sure yet.

What I'd like to know is if anybody else has been having more problems than usual. I haven't tracked the counts before so I don't know if these counts are unusual.

why can't i breathe?!

violetk — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:25:37 -0800

SinusFilter: why can i actually breathe when i am walking around or doing housework whereas if i am just sitting on the couch i can't? a couple of months ago, my allergies seemed to have returned despite a several-year absence. on top of this, i have caught some sort of severe head cold several days ago. needless to say, this has caused my sinuses to go haywire. i was snorting afrin for awhile until i realized how bad continued use of it was and went off it cold-turkey. miserable. in my miserable sickness, i have barely been able to breathe through my nose the past couple of days. but i noticed today when i walked to the pharmacy that my sinuses felt clear and i was able to breathe while i was out walking. when i came home and sat back out on the couch again, i was immediately congested again. but then, i just spent the last 30 minutes or so sweeping the floors and emptying the garbage and noticed that while i was doing that, my sinuses cleared again and i could breathe. when i sat back down on the couch again, i immediately became congested yet again.

what's going on? why does this happen?? why can't i sit (or lay down for that matter) and breathe through my nose like i can while i am up and about??

Need running advice!

gregb1007 — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:43:06 -0800

Need running advice! I am in my late 20s and, as I've said in a previous post, I have a hard time with breathing when I run for 10-15 minutes.

Basically, I would like for people who know something about running amateurs to tell me what I should reasonably expect to be able to accomplish.

Now, the thing that I feel good about doing now is running for a 2 or 3 minute stretch, 5 max and then switching to walking. Then rinse and repeat. A bit of running and then a walking break.

This is because I have the intution that my breath won't last me for a 10-15 minute run. I went for just such a run today. I decided to pick a starting point and run around a small sized lake to return to that same starting point. I think that breathing became really hard after 10 minutes, and though I almost made it back to my starting point, I was completely out of breath and absolutely had to stop. (The omelet that I've had had for breakfast before might not have helped, but this is how my 10-15 min runs go whatever I eat.)

Now, I certainly don't have asthma, but does anyone know why breathing gets so difficult for me when I run? Is there something that I can do to condition my lungs for longer endurance? My feet, legs, and body do not get tired. I could walk for hours after stopping my run.

Inhale, Exhale!

goalyeehah — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:45:28 -0800

What pop songs, new or old, are out there about breathing? A friend of mine sent me an MP3 of a song sung by Elmo of Sesame Street entitled "Take a Breath". It's off an album called "Sing: The Songs of Joe Raposo" It makes me wonder if there are were any pop songs about breath or breathing.

How to adjust to high altitude?

foxinthesnow — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 19:11:05 -0800

Will the altitude of Denver have a negative effect on my father's ability to breathe? My father has planned a trip to Denver, and he is worried that he will have trouble breathing while he is there. He has congestive heart failure, and one way or another (it may be some of the medication), this has greatly reduced his lung function. He gets around just fine, but he has trouble breathing after walking longish distances, after climbing stairs, and on very humid days. Does the altitude have a noticeable effect on one's breathing? If so, any tips on how he might adjust to this?

Breathe easier

beezy — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:24:14 -0800

Hive mind: Help me kick my asthma's ass (if that's what the problem is), get off the puffer, and regain my energy! Cold and flu season is coming, and it's not looking good for me. I've just spent the last hour hooked to a nebulizer, because my asthma is on the rampage. Enough's enough, says I - inhalers don't cut the mustard, and steroids are not really an option.

Stuff you should know:

- I never had breathing problems until I got pneumonia 2 years ago. Since then, I wheeze, cough and have trouble breathing. However, I have excellent lung capacity and am getting enough oxygen.

- I was told I had asthma, but I was also told I had chronic fatigue syndrome. No one is quite sure what the problem is. I also gained about 45 pounds during the course of the pneumonia (over about 60 days), which no one can quite explain, and will not leave, despite a strictly monitored diet and exercise program (I do have statistics on this). I have a normal thyroid.

- I have tried dietary modifications (more organic, less dairy, more oily fish, less sugar, less wheat), which has helped some. No processed food to speak of.

- I exercise vigorously when the asthma is not flaring up.

- I have a really high 'oh my god you're going to keel over' BMI. (Of course, if I could exercise more often, my weight might be under better control - I'm working on it)

- I've got HEPA filters at home to keep out the dust, and have my house cleaned regularly.

What have you tried? Acupuncture? Weird diets? Yoga?

I'll try anything to get back to being the active, energetic person I was.

Natural remedy or tonic for lungs?

mintchip — Sun, 13 May 2007 22:03:56 -0800

Natural remedy or tonic for lungs? I've noticed that I don't breathe as deeply or fully as I used to. I suspect I've developed a mild case of adult asthma, as my lungs often feel somewhat constricted, especially when I'm exposed to household chemicals or pollution such as car exhust.

I'm going to get this checked out at my next physical. Although I'm not overly concerned, I'm wondering if there might be some sort of natural remedy or tonic (herbal or otherwise) that can be used to help clear the lungs and improve breathing.

How can I run without running out of breath and feeling incredibly tired afterwards?

gregb1007 — Tue, 08 May 2007 00:07:57 -0800

How can I run without running out of breath and feeling incredibly tired afterwards? I've been trying to take up running lately and boy was I in for a surprise. 5 or 10 minutes of a run and I am out of breath. The feeling of being out of breath after I finish running is horrible. My breathing becomes very fast and my heartbeat too. It takes about 10 minutes for my breathing to come back to slow down and be normal again. Even worse: I feel tired for the next 2 hours. I really enjoy running but can you guys give me any tips for doing it without feeling like crap? I don't try that often anymore cause it's been disappointing.

How can I clear my sinus problem?

jackypaper — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 05:36:54 -0800

Help me breathe! The older I get, the more sinus trouble I have. Almost every morning I wake up with a semi-headache because one of my nasal passages is entirely blocked. This isn't a seasonal thing, nor does it seem to be allergy-related. During the day it clears up, but at night, I must depend upon nasal spray (the kind you're not supposed to use too consistently). Should I take the plunge and go see a doctor? Or is there some miracle drug I can get over the counter?

Did stopping smoking break me?

Cat Pie Hurts — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:07:20 -0800

Stopping smoking seems to have broken my body. Today is day 32 sans cigs(if interested, you can read about my experiences in this askme thread. Easy squeezy.

Now, I'm having some big problems. My throat constantly feels like it is being squeezed shut. I have a huge lump in my throat. Swallowing is tough. Breathing can be difficult (tight throat/sometimes I can't breathe in all the way). It's really frustrating and scary at times.

I was coughing up lungmonkeys for a few days in the first week, but nothing since.

There has also been tightness in my chest, but it feels more muscular than anything.

My doc says I have GERD, and put me on Prilosec (which hasn't done anything other than disrupt mah innards). I've been on it for 2 weeks; there has been no abatement. I feel so broken. I'm fat and out of shape already - this makes it feel worse.

Is any of this normal? The stopping smoking part was really easy and I have no urge to smoke, but I feel significantly worse now. Any advice would be appreciated.

Chronic hyperventilation syndrome?

tristeza — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:49:46 -0800

Does anyone have personal experience with chronic hyperventilation syndrome? My boyfriend has what I think (after many minutes of intense Interweb research) might be chronic hyperventilation syndrome. I've read a bunch about it today, so I get the gist of it and its causes and effects, but has anyone here ever had it and found successful treatment?

I was surprised to read that breathing into a bag is now contraindicated, and this is the method he usually uses to deal with it. Other than that I'm not sure what, if any, "home remedies" we can try. He is on beta blockers and anti-anxiety meds already and has been for a long time.

His episodes are usually for several hours each day for a couple three days or so, then not for a few weeks, then back again.

I am going to beg and plead with him to see a doc in the very, very near future, like hopefully this week, but I wanted to give him some good old AskMe input from someone who may be dealing with this. Thanks so much.