Well, I made an appointment with pulmonary dr. and I'm having a pulmonary function test done tomorrow and chest x-ray for this "can't seem to get a deep breath in" that I've had for almost 2 months now.

I just ask that you include me in your prayers that all comes out okay. I've very frightened and anxious.

Hugs,
Karen

Kar.....I have had that same feeling of not being able to take a full breath of air. I just felt like I was struggling alot to get a full breath of air. I have asthma but when I had my pulmonary test it showed that it was not my asthma acting up and there was nothing wrong with my lungs. It was concluded that it was anxiety that was causing it. It would go away just like it came on....suddenly out of the blue......and then it would come back. I have struggled off and on with it and did seem to happen when I seemed to be very anxious and have alot of stress.

I finally broke down and once again tried ADs and found one that worked. I have not had the breathing problem now for 3 months. Maybe what you are experiencing is the same. The anxiety is there and before you know it you are working at trying to get enough air and then the more you try the harder and worse it gets.

I will keep you in my thoughts and my prayers and I'm sure it is nothing serious and they will find a way to help you get though this.

Lots of hugs coming your way,

Gramz

Karen,
Praying for you
Glen

Thanks for sharing that Gramz...this is my 3rd bout of this and 3rd pulmonary function test, one in 1998, one on 2/1/05 and again tomorrow. I smoked for a lot of years so it's distressing when this happens. This time it's lasting longer than the other times.

Hugs,
Karen

Thanks Glen...I just ask for prayers....the power of prayer is amazing.

Hugs,
Karen

(((Kar)))

I will be praying for you. Please don't let yourself get worked up, it probably is, like Gramz said, due to anxiety. You have been through a few things this last year. It's going to be fine, I'm sure.

Please check in and let us know how things went.

Love,
Steph

Thanks Steph - I take anxiety medication too and it doesn't help me really.

Hugs,
Karen

(((karen))) Pls don't worry too much...I'll bet it's anxiety doing this. You will be fine, I just know it. -rr.

Thanks Robin...just say a prayer...

Hugs,
Karen

Karen,
Sending you prayers and positive thoughts as you go through this test. I pray for a good outcome as well. Take it easy and TRY to relax!

(((Healing Hugs)))
Di

(((Karen))))
You know I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. You've been through so much this year and I really believe that you're feeling the strain of all that. I'm glad you're having the tests, it will put your mind at ease -

Talk to you soon,
X0X0X0X0X0X0X

I'll be thinking of you Kar and I pray all tests come out just fine to put your mind at ease, just wish I was as brave as you to go through some routine tests to put my worried mind at ease, but I'm not .

Hugs


Rox

Kar,

I will say a prayer for you! I am sure you will be fine, I too have had bouts of not being able to take a big enough breath, but it always went away on its own, and it never disturbed my sleep so I never worried about it too much. I don't get it anymore. Try not to worry yourself, cuz worry will just make it worse.

(((Big Hugs)))
Float

thanks di, EP, rox, Floater....I'm trying not to worry but that's not in my nature unfortunately.....

rox, I have to do this..I'll be in tears tomorrow as I was the last time...but because I smoked heavily for sooooo long (quit 7 years ago) it's all necessary to do.

Hugs,
Karen

Hang in there Kar...we will all be thinking of you. Worrying about this is understandable, tests are just stressful PERIOD. Please try to take some comfort in knowing that you have the support of many people here who will be sending you positive thoughts and prayers...okay? Don't forget to keep us posted on the outcome.

Hugs to you,
Suzanne

Absolutely kar--you 'betcha I've got you in my prayers! And please try to relax, hun. I'm sure all is fine. I had the same thing myself--not being about to catch a deep breath. Had numerous tests and there wasn't a thing wrong with me; praying for the same results for you.

oodles of hugs,

~~~angel~~~

Karen honey - hugs to you and prayers on the way - xoxo pooks

((((karen)))),
many good thoughts & prayers being sent your way. having experienced the same thing (breathing difficulties over an extended time), i know how scary it can be. at the time, xanax wasn't helping it or the panic attacks. but it did eventually go away. i rarely have problems with it now - hope that you will be able to say that soon as well.
xo, ellen

{{{Karen}}},

It's natural to be anxious, but you've seen the power that prayers have worked on this board.

I'm saying a huge prayer for you that everything goes well tomorrow. Try to get some rest if you can.

Hugs,
Dearest

Thank you so much Suzanne, Angel...., Pookish, Ellen and Dearest...I do believe in the power of prayer and couldn't ask for more. I'll let you know the outcome.

Hugs,
Karen

((((Kar))))


My heart aches for how anxious you must be feeling right now. Please try to worry as little as possible (that must sound ridiculous coming from ME!), the tests are going to come out NEGATIVE! I had the same pulmonary test, convinced once again that something was terribly wrong. Turns out, I could no longer take a deep breath because the anxiety caused me to be in a state of shallow breathing. Without even realizing just how much anxiety was built-up inside of me, it manifested to the degree that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't take a deep breath. After a few days on Klonopin wouldn't you know it, I could take one deep breath after another.

You are going to be just fine my friend:) By the noon hour you will feel so relieved, and I bet you'll be taking some great, deep breaths

I'll be thinking of you, and please let us know how you're doing.

(((Hugs)))
Karen

Sending prayers, Karen. Hope everything turns out OK for you and you get to feeling better.

LLW

Please let us know your results! all will be well I am sure. I understand your trepidation and fears as I am a former smoker as well. The new CT scan for your lungs can catch many cancers before they become deadly.See if your Dr. will prescribe a test. It can put your fears to rest. I too suffer from the shortness of breath issue but only at times of stress so I know what is happening. It is so common!
Louisa

Big hugs along with thoughts and prayers to you. Try not to stress yourself. Take care of you



Anna

Kar, I send you prayers and good thoughts -- please let us know what the doctor says.

((((((hugs))))))
Barb

Hello, Beautiful (((KAREN))),

My thoughts and loving energy are with you. May it go very well, and you find out that this is nothing more than anxiety. So many women have talked about that "can't-take-a-deep-breath" feeling on P-S, I pray this is what's going on for you, too - something benign that will resolve after this difficult transition is OVER.

I've thought of you many times since we met this summer. Wondering... did you manage to get through your week without coffee? Has your tendency to headaches improved? Hoping so...

(((BIG HUGS))) - and I hope you'll call me next time you come this way. I loved meeting you, Sweetie. Please let us know how your doctor visit goes - we're with you.

Love,
Jacquie

I know the worry over being a former smoker as I used to smoke rather heavily once upon a time and with Emphysema being in our family history it worries me since my dad has recently been diagnosed with this (he smoked most of his adult life). And of course since his diagnosis what do you think I have been having trouble with, yes you got it, the trying to get a deep breath in at times and also the feeling like my body just wants to stop breathing altogether (I'm a breath holder when I'm anxious). My chest gets tight and my upper back muscles are tense to the max.

I'm with you in this Karen, I understand your pain completely......

Kia kaha

Rox

Dear Sweet Karen
Who always has a kind word and support for others.

Please don't forget that the awful breathlesness is often a sign of a Panic Attack.My daughter,who has Social Phobia,suffers the very same symptoms regularly and all Tests have proved negative as I am sure yours will too,dear friend

Please keep the Faith
You are in my Prayers as always

Please keep us posted
Love and very Best wishes
Elizabeth

Thank you all for you love and support. Everything checked out fine with pulmonary function test and x-rays. The doctor had no answers for me as to why this is happening but I know it's now the anxiety. There has been a lot of people passing this past year that I loved and I think I might have had a delayed reaction to the losses...cause it was one after the other.

You are all in my prayers.....especially those that are suffering.

Hugs,
Karen

((((Karen))))

WONDERFUL news, you must feel so relieved I know exactly what you are going through. So many of ours friends have passed over the last few years, a baby, a teen-ager, parents, teachers, and Grandparents. I don't think we realize just how much we are effected, and the emotions manifest in so many different ways. Of course the sadness and feeling of loss is always there, however; the anxiety is not far behind and it hangs around longer then we would like to think.

You'll get through it Karen, we all will, and in the meantime; we are always there to support one another.

I'm so happy for you my friend, now go spoil yourself

Big hugs!
Karen

Kar,

I am so happy you are okay. I figured you were, from suffering the same thing myself. I have also experienced losing several loved ones in a short period of time and it threw me for a loop!! That one can sneak up on you, you think you are handling it fine but your body tells you this is not the case. Allow yourself to grieve for those you have lost.

Hugs

Thanks again everyone.....this is my 3rd bout of this happening to me....10 years ago, 3 1/2 years ago and now. I always had my lungs checked with the pulmonary function test each time too. I would rather be safe than sorry because my mom died of lung cancer at 60 and my dad just passed away from complications of emphysema this past March. Being a heavy ex-smoker I must check this out when it happens because you never ever know.

I can't express how grateful I am to everyone here - thank God for this site.

Hugs,
Karen

No problem Kar...better safe than sorry. We can never be too careful.

Bug hugs
Anna

Kar....I'm so happy it turned out okay.

Lots of hugs to you,
Gramz

karen! so glad that the results were good on the test. you've been dealing with so much & it's so hard to have all these physical complications. hugs & good wishes for many good days ahead.
xo,ellen

I'm so glad everything turned out great Kar (as I knew it would ) now you can put that out of your mind and concentrate on bigger and better things. Now to work on the anxiety Kar, find something you can sink your teeth into that brings you absolute pleasure, I know easier said than done but I think distraction is a key factor to overcoming anxiety.

Now all I need to do is take my own advice and we will both be sweet az........ LMAO

Rox

Jacquie,

I just tried giving up the coffee last week...did it for 3 days and ran out of decaf at work but have it again. I'm gonna try again...

Hugs,
Karen

Thanking all of you for all your support from the bottom of my heart....you're all the best. My heart is filled with gratitude.

Hugs,
Karen

Thanking all of you for all your support from the bottom of my heart....you're all the best. My heart is filled with gratitude.

Hugs,
Karen

((((Kar))))

Keep pushing on. Everyday is one day closer to coming out to the other side of this.

Love you!!
Steph

Dear Karen
Couldn't be more happy and relieved than am at this moment.Well done and thank God for excellent news

All the Best
Elizabeth

I haven't been on Surge for a few days and I have just come across your thread. I am SOOOOOO happy that everything turned out ok for you!!

WIth MEGA HUGS and MUCHO LOVE

Dottie

Karen......I missed your original post, but just wanted to say that I am glad that your test came out ok. I hope that you will be feeling better soon. So sorry to hear about the losses in your life. Wishing you peace. gardenbear