Struggling to Breathe Properly
I wanted to express my intention to schedule a doctor's appointment tomorrow due to some troubling symptoms I'm experiencing. I’m 19, assigned female at birth, 5'8" tall, and weigh 154 lbs. For the last week, I’ve been encountering episodes—though I’m unsure what the appropriate term is—throughout the day and night where I feel a notable difficulty in breathing. It feels as though I'm not getting enough air, and I find myself needing to take deep breaths to feel satisfied. I do have an inhaler, and I've been told I have asthma, but I’ve only used it once during my childhood when I had a severe cough. At that time, I didn’t use the inhaler because it was left at home while I was staying elsewhere. However, since around 5 or 6 PM today, I’ve experienced this sensation of breathlessness for approximately four to five hours, which is longer than I’ve ever dealt with before. I even took two puffs from my inhaler about two hours ago, but unfortunately, it hasn’t alleviated the issue. I'm also acutely aware of my heartbeat, which is unusual for me, and I feel somewhat disoriented or detached. While I can comprehend conversations, there’s a strange sense of not being fully present. I’ve consulted Google and the 111 health site, but the only suggestion from 111 was to seek an out-of-hours or emergency GP appointment. Currently, I can't go as I don't have access to a vehicle, and I don’t believe my situation warrants a trip to the emergency department. Any guidance or advice would be immensely helpful! :)
Answers (1)
3/30/2025, 10:10:35 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing significant difficulty with your breathing, which, combined with feelings of disorientation and awareness of your heartbeat, can be concerning. Given your history of asthma and the duration of your symptoms now (four to five hours), it’s important to approach this situation carefully.
Explanation:
Breathlessness, especially in someone with a history of asthma, can be caused by factors like anxiety, asthma exacerbation, or other respiratory issues. It's concerning that your inhaler hasn't provided relief, as it suggests your symptoms may be more than just an asthma flare-up. The awareness of your heartbeat and feelings of disconnection can sometimes occur with breathing difficulties or anxiety.
Next Steps:
- Stay Calm: Try to remain as calm as possible, as anxiety can exacerbate feelings of shortness of breath.
- Reassess Your Position:
- Sit in an upright position to help open your airways.
- Try pursed-lip breathing: inhale slowly through your nose for two counts, then exhale slowly through pursed lips for four counts. This can help you feel more relaxed and improve air exchange.
- Use Your Inhaler: If you haven't already, take 1–2 puffs from your inhaler again. Wait for about 10 minutes to see if your symptoms improve.
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of how you feel. If your breathlessness gets worse, you develop chest pain, bluish lips or face, severe dizziness, or if you feel faint, it's important to seek immediate medical help (even if that means contacting someone to take you to a clinic).
- Plan for Emergency Help: Have a plan to access help if necessary. This could mean calling a friend or family member to assist you in getting medical attention if the need arises.
- Prepare for Your Doctor's Appointment: Once you see your doctor, mention all your current symptoms, your asthma history, and how the inhaler has or hasn’t worked for you. This information is critical in determining the next steps for your health.
Your health is important, and while the situation may feel overwhelming, taking systematic steps can help you manage your symptoms. If at any point you feel things are worsening, don’t hesitate to seek emergency care.
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