A question about breathing problems (I am having them)

[Hyperion]

Yesterday I really started having issues breathing. The air feels dense and heavy, it feels harder to breathe than it normally is, and my energy is just plain gone. It feels as if I am running on only one lung.

Right now my family and I are trying to see if it is the "allergies" that have been plagueing me this year by getting Claaritin, so far after 2 hours there is no effect. I do not have a cold or a sinus infection either.

Periodically it feels like something is 'jammed' in my lower chest and I have to inhale very deep, which is of course uncomfortable on 2 accounts, 1) it is hard to breathe, and 2) it pushes against the ridgid bone plate that makes up the center of my lower ribcage (I do not have cartilidge in my chest, I used to but something got damaged and it changed to a ridged plate of bone, I do know that is not the problem.) What does have me somewhat concerned is that the frequency of my having to do this is increasing, and my rate of breathing is noticably decreased from my normal.

This is still not to a point where I am deeming it a critical situation, but I am closely watching it if it changes for the worse and will go to the ER if something does change.

But what I am wondering is if you guys have any realistic ideas of what may be going on.

[Dorsk 81]

Yesterday I really started having issues breathing. The air feels dense and heavy, it feels harder to breathe than it normally is, and my energy is just plain gone. It feels as if I am running on only one lung.

Right now my family and I are trying to see if it is the "allergies" that have been plagueing me this year by getting Claaritin, so far after 2 hours there is no effect. I do not have a cold or a sinus infection either.

Periodically it feels like something is 'jammed' in my lower chest and I have to inhale very deep, which is of course uncomfortable on 2 accounts, 1) it is hard to breathe, and 2) it pushes against the ridgid bone plate that makes up the center of my lower ribcage (I do not have cartilidge in my chest, I used to but something got damaged and it changed to a ridged plate of bone, I do know that is not the problem.) What does have me somewhat concerned is that the frequency of my having to do this is increasing, and my rate of breathing is noticably decreased from my normal.

This is still not to a point where I am deeming it a critical situation, but I am closely watching it if it changes for the worse and will go to the ER if something does change.

But what I am wondering is if you guys have any realistic ideas of what may be going on.

I'd put my money on it being asthma from your description of feeling something being "jammed" in you lower chest, but I'm no doctor so I suggest you go to one.

I love the English Claaritin ad "when you need help feeling yourself" I can be so childish.

[Johonebesus]

Anxiety can also cause shortness of breath. I believe at times it can be confused for a type of asthma if the patient is not diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

[Hyperion]

No anxiety. Do startup asthema attacks last almost 3 days with only slow worsening?

Btw, that damned bone plate in my chest removing the flexibility of it during my breathing is starting to hurt from all the deep breathing I keep being forced to do to keep everything working...

[Faram]

If you are unsure get to a hospital ASAP, that means NOW.

I almost lost my father to asthma, had to drive like a maniac through the rushhour, luckely we had a car phone so I got a police escort about halfway (this was in 93)

ASTHMA ATTACK: EARLY SIGNS
Prof. O.P.Jaggi
What early changes develop in a patient before an asthma attack?
The following symptoms occur hours or days before audible wheezing, or before an attack is fully in progress; these early symptoms vary a great deal among individuals.

Mood Changes: Aggressive, overactive, grouchy, tired, easily upset.
Change in facial features: Dark circles under eyes, pale face, flared nostrils.
Verbal Complaints: Fatigue, tight chest, chest filling up, chest hurts, dry mouth.
Breathing changes: Coughing, taking deep breaths, breathing through the mouth.
Other Changes: Listlessness, voice change, swollen face, quickening pulse.
Becoming aware of these symptoms helps patients use self-management techniques as soon as possible. This early action may ward off a severe attack

Linky

[Johonebesus]

It probably isn't anxiety, but I have been told that an anxiety attack can occur with no emotional feeling of anxiety at all.

If you have a deformity in your ribcage, you should probably go ahead to the hospital. If it won't bankrupt you, it's better to be safe than sorry. Your family might be pissed to find you dead tomorrow morning.

[lux]

That sounds kinda like Asthma, like said above.

I've been having breathing problems too recently. But not as frequent as you say you are having it. I feel like at first I can't get enough air, and then I feel like I can't control how much air I'm getting. It's really weird. Only get it when I'm lying down though. I have strange problems.

Hope you find out what's up though. I'm with Faram, go to the hospital just to make sure.

[Faram]

It probably isn't anxiety, but I have been told that an anxiety attack can occur with no emotional feeling of anxiety at all.

If you have a deformity in your ribcage, you should probably go ahead to the hospital. If it won't bankrupt you, it's better to be safe than sorry. Your family might be pissed to find you dead tomorrow morning.

Forgot about the costs to go to a hospital for you yanks.

I really do find it tragic that the matter of cash is a factor when it comes to health.