Hi ladies,

well, here I am again, with yet something new! Last night, I awoke about 5am, with something of a breathing problem. I wasn't gasping for air, but it was labored breathing. It was harder to push the air out, than take it in, which sounds like asthma, but when I called my gyn, she said that can also be hormonally triggered at my age, and doesn't have to be asthma, although it may mimic it. Now, let me say here, that I had to have a Martini, just to relax, and it eventually did help to some degree. It calmed me down, and seemed to open up the passage ways. What this feels like is as if there is a ton of cotton balls packed in tightly in my bronchial tubes...and my chest felt "tight" (not badly), and I noticed I had to help my exhaling, I had to sort of push it out, which was scary. I did have a bit of a cough, and coughed up some little tiny pieces of whitish mucos. But, for the most part, it's just hard to get a good breath down deep into my bronchial tubes, or lungs. I eventually fell asleep, and slept well. Upon awakening this morn. I felt fine, and the breathing was normal. UNTIL, I started thinking about all the problems that are asailing this household latley, and then it started up again. So, it may be anxiety too. I've had similiar things like this over the years. My gyn said that due to the stress at home, this could have triggered it, and add to that the hormonal changes now in my body, this could be menopausal related. Today is better, somewhat. I still find it hard to breathe in deeply, I do get a few good deep breaths in there though, and I still have to help with the exhaling, but not much. I don't know...I don't want this to be true ashtma darn it! I"m not seeing my gyn till Friday, the earliest she had. I'm nervous to go to bed for pete sake, afraid it'll start. I took Benedryl today, and it did help. It relaxed me, and seemed to open the passage ways. But, that was hrs. ago, and now, it seems to be creeping back in. I also noticed that the air in my nose is very dry! So, when I go to take a breath through my nose, it almost makes you want to gasp a little, a little breathless.
Ok, well, if anyone has had anything like this, would you please post it here...if it WAS menopausal, please let me know. I remember, my own mother, had so many unbelieveable symptoms while in menopause, and I know that hormones can do so much. Thanks ladies!!!! Sincerely, my darling

Hi mydarling

I have this symptom too and have had it on and off for the last few years. When I'm all shakey inside and out I have a hard time breathing. It feels like my diaphragm locks up on me and I can't take a deep breath. And then when I try to do something I run out of air. This is a really scary symptom but I am quite used to it now. In my case I know it's anxiety and hormones. On shake-free days I am just fine.

When this hits me I just try to take it easy. I concentrate on my breathing and force my diaphragm to "unlock". This is so hard sometimes....the mind is willing but the body won't cooperate.

You definitely are not alone. I get this too. Sometimes I have it with the shakey feeling, or with anxiety, but sometimes it comes alone. It certainly adds another challenge to coping with all of the crud that comes with this time of life.

Like Tots, I try to take it easy and concentrate on my breathing. If it's just awful and I absolutely have to go someplace or get something done, then I'll take a small dose of Xanax. It does seem to help some. The main "therapy" I use for myself, though, is to keep in mind that this is just another symptom that will go away.

Hope You feel better!!!

my darling,

I also get this sometimes, particularly this summer during the hot humid weather. I have found a steamy bath reduces my panic. (The relief may be psycosymatic as I know it helps breathing difficulties caused by asthma or infection so my subconscious believes it is helping me!) I also have a steamer-cup that I put over my nose/moth for when a bath is not convenient.