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What Causes Shortness Of Breath After Lifting Heaving Objects?
Question: Time to fill you in. I went up north, held together around the family of the deceased. Went home alone. As I unloaded the truck with the things I brought up I really ran out of breath. Not like you get when you have a great workout but breathing where I could not get a full breath but a partial. I will not go into great detail but talking to the pulminologist we have set up for a pft Monday and a chest X-ray. The idea or thoughts are considering the events of a couple years ago were the beginning of lung problems the mid flow rate is what is in question and now the fev1 is to be looked at.
Brief Answer:
Private Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX I hope this message finds you well.
I'm glad you were able to get through the funeral. This was undoubtedly a very difficult time for you. You should be congratulated for successfully making it through this difficult encounter.
What is your understanding of this episode of shortness of breath you describe while unloading the truck? Do you believe this is something wrong with your lungs, or do you believe this is anxiety related to the funeral experience and/or thoughts about events a couple years ago? Do you think the PFTs/X-ray will really help you?
Dr. Sheppe
Private Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX I hope this message finds you well.
I'm glad you were able to get through the funeral. This was undoubtedly a very difficult time for you. You should be congratulated for successfully making it through this difficult encounter.
What is your understanding of this episode of shortness of breath you describe while unloading the truck? Do you believe this is something wrong with your lungs, or do you believe this is anxiety related to the funeral experience and/or thoughts about events a couple years ago? Do you think the PFTs/X-ray will really help you?
Dr. Sheppe
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
I tried responding on another machine. Failed. Try it again.
I am getting this resolved tomorrow , my brain has me going everywhere mostly because of symptoms that are too much to ignore. I find all exertion to cause breathing issues. Just standing up and walking to door does me in. I know I read to much into this and that I fret too much on this but I need to know What recently started came on very fast when I look into information I find that the symptoms I have are well into stages beyond the mild stage of copd. (That is the stage that the tests have all reported). I looked back at events since 2013 when my first issue began and I wonder if that was the onset of a progressive lung disease. Did I quit in time to just begin the long slow progression of copd. Did it finally start three years ago. I have an obstruction that has been confirmed in PFTs.
If this is not actual lung disease I need to understand what is causing these sensations or changes. In the meantime my ex wife is awaiting my return to South XXXXXXX and she believes in all opinions to date. But did say she would go through whatever the outcome along side me. I started with shortness of breath on physical strenuous activity, then on activity now on simple movements and now speaking.
Time for resolve. And if it is bad I will be on my way back home to SD
Since I sent you my last follow up, I did what I do best and looked up more info to back up my worries. But at this time I found some interesting graphs. Numerous graphs from a number of different sources The graph I stumbled on was under lung function decline. I was looking for general info not copd specific The charts diagramed lung function at age 25 at 100% then the decline in function of smokers and of quitters at 45, 65 and non smokers. Every chart had he same info. Smokers who never quit were declining and gone by 75 those who quit at 65 died at 78 and those who quit at 45 were in severe copd by 80s I quit at 40-41 the decline in a non smoker is graphically similar to mine in numerical ratings of fev1. I would assume if I am not in normal but not in the severe range that I will fall in between.
This is something to consider but I still find an obstruction so now I must pray that it's just the signs of aging and some peculiarities of anxiety that I can't come to grip with. Moor row we shall know more. I am planning on giving my best
To an anxious mind and heart, I will pray to my lord for comfort and for healthy outcome.
I am getting this resolved tomorrow , my brain has me going everywhere mostly because of symptoms that are too much to ignore. I find all exertion to cause breathing issues. Just standing up and walking to door does me in. I know I read to much into this and that I fret too much on this but I need to know What recently started came on very fast when I look into information I find that the symptoms I have are well into stages beyond the mild stage of copd. (That is the stage that the tests have all reported). I looked back at events since 2013 when my first issue began and I wonder if that was the onset of a progressive lung disease. Did I quit in time to just begin the long slow progression of copd. Did it finally start three years ago. I have an obstruction that has been confirmed in PFTs.
If this is not actual lung disease I need to understand what is causing these sensations or changes. In the meantime my ex wife is awaiting my return to South XXXXXXX and she believes in all opinions to date. But did say she would go through whatever the outcome along side me. I started with shortness of breath on physical strenuous activity, then on activity now on simple movements and now speaking.
Time for resolve. And if it is bad I will be on my way back home to SD
Since I sent you my last follow up, I did what I do best and looked up more info to back up my worries. But at this time I found some interesting graphs. Numerous graphs from a number of different sources The graph I stumbled on was under lung function decline. I was looking for general info not copd specific The charts diagramed lung function at age 25 at 100% then the decline in function of smokers and of quitters at 45, 65 and non smokers. Every chart had he same info. Smokers who never quit were declining and gone by 75 those who quit at 65 died at 78 and those who quit at 45 were in severe copd by 80s I quit at 40-41 the decline in a non smoker is graphically similar to mine in numerical ratings of fev1. I would assume if I am not in normal but not in the severe range that I will fall in between.
This is something to consider but I still find an obstruction so now I must pray that it's just the signs of aging and some peculiarities of anxiety that I can't come to grip with. Moor row we shall know more. I am planning on giving my best
To an anxious mind and heart, I will pray to my lord for comfort and for healthy outcome.
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Let me quote something you said in a recent thread:
"So I have no Lung Disease, I have no COPD. I Have GAD/Panic/Stress, the overstimulation is creating a fig newton in my imagination that my lungs cant expand anymore. That like pavlovs dog, I have repeated a stimulus so often that the thought triggers the response of breathing problems. That age brings changes in breathing, and walking up stairs only 4 -8 times a day is not exercise to condition the body enough to become fit and not get winded.
That all sound Correct. Oh and when I relax, it is to go away."
And this too:
"I have two options. Believe that I have a lung issue.
Or
Listen to 4 pulminologists. 3 psychiatrists, 2 physicians and one respiratory therapist. They can't be wrong. So I must conclude that there are certain triggers that mess me up and I must get by them."
I think given the stresses of returning home to SD, your concerns about your breathing have again amplified. This is despite our progress thus far in understanding that your PFTs have been essentially normal, that your symptoms are not consistent with even mild COPD, and that anxiety/panic is a clear major problem for you.
There is nothing inherently wrong in visiting a doctor for PFTs or chest X-ray -- but I think this is feeding into your anxious concerns about COPD which we have already established you do not have. I think in these situations it would be more productive for you to try to relax, using music or a shower or deep breathing or meditating, or which might include talking to me for support, as the anxiety passes.
Let me know your thoughts on this, and also how your doctor appointment goes -- I suspect you will come away with yet another clean XXXXXXX of health.
Dr. Sheppe
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Let me quote something you said in a recent thread:
"So I have no Lung Disease, I have no COPD. I Have GAD/Panic/Stress, the overstimulation is creating a fig newton in my imagination that my lungs cant expand anymore. That like pavlovs dog, I have repeated a stimulus so often that the thought triggers the response of breathing problems. That age brings changes in breathing, and walking up stairs only 4 -8 times a day is not exercise to condition the body enough to become fit and not get winded.
That all sound Correct. Oh and when I relax, it is to go away."
And this too:
"I have two options. Believe that I have a lung issue.
Or
Listen to 4 pulminologists. 3 psychiatrists, 2 physicians and one respiratory therapist. They can't be wrong. So I must conclude that there are certain triggers that mess me up and I must get by them."
I think given the stresses of returning home to SD, your concerns about your breathing have again amplified. This is despite our progress thus far in understanding that your PFTs have been essentially normal, that your symptoms are not consistent with even mild COPD, and that anxiety/panic is a clear major problem for you.
There is nothing inherently wrong in visiting a doctor for PFTs or chest X-ray -- but I think this is feeding into your anxious concerns about COPD which we have already established you do not have. I think in these situations it would be more productive for you to try to relax, using music or a shower or deep breathing or meditating, or which might include talking to me for support, as the anxiety passes.
Let me know your thoughts on this, and also how your doctor appointment goes -- I suspect you will come away with yet another clean XXXXXXX of health.
Dr. Sheppe
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
You won, but I did too. I only said that to save a little face. The test today was worth more than just reassurance to cover my dis belief. It clarified an lung issue I felt I had and now know what I can do to help. I do have a form of asthma. The results pre bronchodilator test showed no copd. Post seriously improved some areas that were low. Over all I have good lungs and a good life outlook. Now I am to work on the anxiety and to get a light exercise program going. I also will spend more time with musicians to do that which relaxes me
So now you can say I told you........ But you aren't that type thank goodness. Now we have the new job to reinforce this and eliminate all the bad issues that keep me from going back to making you have to remind me of my previous statements.
So now you can say I told you........ But you aren't that type thank goodness. Now we have the new job to reinforce this and eliminate all the bad issues that keep me from going back to making you have to remind me of my previous statements.
Brief Answer:
Private Followup
Detailed Answer:
Not a winning or losing issue! We're both on the same team. Hey, I'm all for doing things that will secure your peace of mind. And I'm glad that this clarified that you have a form of asthma and might benefit from a bronchodilator. I do hope this helps to further put to rest the idea that you have COPD, though.
The reason I asked you to think this through is that you will be tempted to spend money, resources, and time in the future doing diagnostic workups that may not be necessary. You can buy as many as PFTs as you want, but now we have many that do not show COPD, so I hope this is building evidence in your mind to use when you are panicking and tempted to believe you have COPD. It's all a balance.
When you were back in South XXXXXXX did you meet up with any friends who don't stress you too much and help you feel yourself? Any musicians for example?
Dr. Sheppe
Private Followup
Detailed Answer:
Not a winning or losing issue! We're both on the same team. Hey, I'm all for doing things that will secure your peace of mind. And I'm glad that this clarified that you have a form of asthma and might benefit from a bronchodilator. I do hope this helps to further put to rest the idea that you have COPD, though.
The reason I asked you to think this through is that you will be tempted to spend money, resources, and time in the future doing diagnostic workups that may not be necessary. You can buy as many as PFTs as you want, but now we have many that do not show COPD, so I hope this is building evidence in your mind to use when you are panicking and tempted to believe you have COPD. It's all a balance.
When you were back in South XXXXXXX did you meet up with any friends who don't stress you too much and help you feel yourself? Any musicians for example?
Dr. Sheppe
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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