Wed 18 Jun 2008
Today is the 3rd day that I’ve been having “breathing problems.” I put that in quotes because I’m not sure it’s physical so much as mental. I feel like I can’t get enough air in my lungs when I inhale, so I end up taking deep breaths through my mouth, stretching my lungs as much as possible, and even those breaths don’t feel like they’re filling my lungs with enough oxygen. I imagine this is the sensation if I’m in very high altitude and can’t catch my breath. The reason why I think it’s just a sensation and not actual oxygen starvation, is because I’d take these consecutive deep breaths with my mouth, and after a few seconds I’d feel dizzy and nauseated. That means I’m hyperventillating and losing too much carbon dioxide in the CO2/O2 balance, right? That means I AM getting oxygen. And yet I feel like my diaphragm has problems expanding. I try to tell myself it’s just in my head, so that I wouldn’t panic. The thought of asphyxiating nearly throws me into a panic attack where I gasp for breath even harder, now more convinced that my lungs have stopped working.
I tested the oxygen exchange in a different way today. I had to go from the 3rd floor to the 7th floor, and I took the stairs at a fast pace. I was panting when I got to my destination, but I recovered in a few minutes. I guess that was a good thing, cuz if it turns out I AM having asthmatic symptoms or whatever, I would’ve just passed out or something.
Mr. W asked if I may be having panic attacks. I told him I didn’t think so, since I’m not anxious or panicking. I’ve had short bouts of sensation like this before, usually alleviated by unhooking my bra so that my diaphragm feels less restricted, and in any case, it’d only last for an hour or less. This is the first time it’s been days.
It seems to have started a few days after I started using that new Crest desensitizing toothpaste. Could it be that the toothpaste numbed my throat, tonsils, and uvula so that I no longer have the sensation of cool air going down my pharnyx, so it feels as if oxygen is not being sucked in? I’ve switched back to my old toothpaste starting today.
If it is panic attacks/anixety, try breathing in a paper bag. Although you don’t feel like you are stressed, you mind might be thinking of all the stuff going on – house hunting, wedding and it’s details, renting out your place, and any other stuff that is going on. Sounds like your body is calling for a spa day 😉
It could also be that your body is bored since it used to be entertained by the internet at work and now is finding new things to do with it’s time.
um… OK, my mind has a wild imagination and it’s definitely not that!
Don’t guess they have many pulse oxygen readers in the courthouse but I’d try the toothpaste thing and if it doesn’t clear up in a full week maybe go to the dr. You don’t want to put something like that off. What is the pollen/allergy count right now? Just a thought…
busykitty – My body’s bored! Of course! That’s GOTTA be it! I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. Now I just gotta document that in a written medical complaint and force work to give me internet access or face a wrongful death lawsuit.
Flat Coke – I noticed today that if I inhale sharply through my mouth, there’s a slight wheezing sound as my lungs expand slowly. So maybe it IS allergy-induced asthma. It’s less severe when I wake up in the morning, but it builds throughout the day. This started after we got back from Vegas, so maybe CA has a high allergy issue, like you said. My cat’s scratching his eyes out against table corners and stuff, and I know that he gets itchy eyes due to allergies, and it’s been insanely warm since we got back, so I’m sure that’s it.