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What Causes Rapid Shallow Breathing?

Posted on Wed, 18 Jan 2017

Question: I have been to a PM & R dictor, pulmonologist, family doctor. I have had a CT scan, xrays, ultrasounds, stress tests for labored breathing. I have to stop often to rest. My PT says I am weaker on my right side. My breathing is labored even at rest. I am a former smoker but quit in 2000. Was told I no longer have asthma. Doctors always assume its panic but it isnt, I know the difference. It has been going on since May. They can't find anything wrong with my heart or lungs and my oxygen is always good. PT also says the top of my chest doesn't move a lot when I breathe

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Regular morning walk is the key

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. I have the following suggestions for you:
* Walk regularly in the morning. Brisk walking help in physiological conditioning of the heart and makes it more competent. This progressively increases your compliance and would help in reducing your laboured breathing.
* Get a pulmonary function test done. It will help in identifying the nature of the problem that you have.
* Get your thyroid profile as well as fasting blood sugar level checked.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (12 minutes later)

I forgot to say I have had a pulmonary function test. My thyroid numbers have recently been found in good standing. I already exercise 30 minutes 5 days a week, I also go to rehab. I forgot to say I take Synthroid, clonazepan and rozerem on top of the other meds I told you about. So sorry. I have also had an ultrasound of my heart, ct scan of chest and belly, xrays of chest, asthma test, stress test, pulmonary/ cardio stress test. I have tried xenopex in a neb with no effect. My oxygen level is always normal. Could it be caused from a muscle disease?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please upload the reports

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the updates. Could you please upload the echocardiogram report, if that has been done? Furthermore, could you please give me the exact level of TSH?

I do not think that it is due to some muscle disease. You would have to train your body to deal with the ongoing situation.

Feel free to write back.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar