Can anxiety feel like asthma??

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi,

I feel like I have all the symptoms of asthma. The only thing is that the rescue inhaler/puffer doesn't seem to help. I get very short of breath and panicky after exercise, like I can't get enough air into my lungs. Last night, I even woke up at 4am unable to breathe. I took my puffer, but it did nothing. The only thing I can do is wait for 20-30 minutes, and then usually the shortness of breath gets better. The breathing issues are always there, but more mild. Only when I exercise it gets worse. I feel like I have some rare type of asthma that doesn't respond to inhalers, and I have to live this awful life forever. I'm sad as this is going on for 6 weeks, and right before my husband and I started trying for a baby. I'm 36, and feel like because of this stupid condition, I can't even get pregnant. Please help 😦:(

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    A lot of people Who have anxiety, including myself, say that when they exercise they are really out of breath and don’t have energy. Or they say their heart beats much faster than normal when exercising. I have experienced that many times. I just slow down a little bit.maybe that’s what’s going on with you. this shouldn’t stop you from having a baby. Just get a thorough check up with your doctor regarding the asthma and anxiety. Find out how you are doing with the asthma. It may have nothing to do with feeling out of breath with exercise. It could just be the anxiety.see if your doctor gives you the green light to go ahead and try for a baby!

    • Posted

      i know exactly how this feels i too have a range of issues with my anxiety when I work out when im having it it will feel like I am short of breath and my heart is faster than it should be. I have asthma also and inhalers don't help either. Even right now I have a sort of tingle or irritation in my lung that i feel like I can cough out but it goes nowhere. I think you are just having anxiety issues for sure. It's not a good habit but sometimes ill go outside and have a beer and try to relax. I am 47 and have dealt with so many different symptoms. I wouldn't let it get in the way of trying to have a baby. This forum is a good place to go when you have symptoms also. You aren't alone 😃

    • Posted

      thank you so much for the reply! ❤️ When you say you have experienced shortness of breath after exercise, what does that feel like for you? For me it feels different from regular SOB that one would get from being out of shape. It's like my throat is closed, chest is tight, and I can't suck enough air in. It's so scary. Thank you for your encouraging words.

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for! This helped so much 😃 What does it feel like for you when exercising and after exercise? Like I mentioned in my other reply, it's not a normal being out of shape short of breath. It's like my throat is closing, and chest is tight, and I just can't get enough air in. But the puffers don't help at all. It's so scary. Do you get these symptoms even when not anxious, because I don't feel anxious? I'm so frustrated going from super healthy and active to this overnight. I'm scared if I do get pregnant, the baby wont get enough air in. Thank you again for your reply!

    • Posted

      Well, for me it can happen just randomly. Ill start to get tight in my chest and when I take a deep breath it feels like i cant go all the way in . Anxiety can hit you and you don't think you are having it. one thing you can do that might put you at ease is one of those oxygen sensors you out on your finger. You can see that your getting enough oxygen and it might put you at ease. I had Covid a while back and to really not be able to breathe feels way different actually. Oxygen is key not the actual amount of air. I would just go talk to your Doc to help ease your stress. Also, does it happen always? like as soon as you wake up? Or does it come on at different times? If it was a real problem I would think it would be constant. If not then i might lean towards the anxiety acting up perhaps.

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