Short of Breath, Asthma?

[Tiffany05]

I have had shortness of breath since I was about 14 years old. The doctor did that spirometer test that I never could pass, but they said that was alright. Eventually it became more uncommon to be short of breath until I became pregnant the first time. The shortness of breath came rushing back to me e worse ever and began at the beginning of the 2nd trimester. It only got worse from there often leaving me gasping for air and almost passing out. I had to leave my college classes a few times or else I would have passed out sitting down. The worst times are in the morning and night time, although I will wake up out of breath, too. Once I get about 26ish weeks, it just seems bad all day long. My first OBGYN prescribed me an inhaler to try, but it never seemed to work. Instead I would drink about 25-30 8oz glasses of water every day hoping it would help.

Well, anyways I went through two pregnancies that way (and have two adorable children) and now am on my third, short of breath right from 4 weeks (actually that is why I took the pregnancy test). I'm 16weeks pregnant right now and will be seeing my OBGYN for the first time in a couple of weeks and I would not like to go through this again. I want an answer. I hate feeling like I'm oxygen starved and am always afraid that the baby is feeling the same way. The doctors assure me otherwise and both my kids are healthy, but I can't help to think otherwise. Does this sound like asthma? My doula heard me breathing during labor with my second one and seemed convinced that is what I have.

 

[Native_gurl]

Im having serious breathing issues as well..however mine is because I had a large tumor on my lung that was removed in June this year. I am now 21 weeks and am struggling to breath as well..they assured me that the baby is getting enough oxygen although I am getting 90% oxygen in my blood. The OB said that during pregnancy your body works in overdrive anyway to compensate for the fact that we have a higer percentage of blood to get around our body and thats just one more reason why we get short of breath quickly. Also the pressure on the diaphram from the baby also cause breathing issues. You probably do have athsma considering you have it even when your not pregnant but seems to get worse when your pregnant..that makes sense. Maybe the type of inhaler is not right for you..you may have to try another kind or perhaps pure oxygen would work better in your case. However i wish you luck and I hope you can find some relief..i wouldnt wish the feeling of breathlessness on my worse enemy!

 

[Tiffany05]

Yeah, being short of breath is not fun at all. I can deal with pain, but feeling like I can't catch my breath is awful. I can't even spend 10 min in the morning trying to get ready without almost passing out several times. It is difficult falling asleep at night since all I can focus on is trying to get some oxygen. But the end result is totally worth it! I love my two little ones more than anything and excited to add another one to the family! Maybe my doctor will be able to help me this time with a different inhaler. Is there a test that I can take to say for sure that I have asthma? Hopefully things will get better for you!

 

[rory83coyotes]

yes it sounds like asthma. Sometimes it goes into flare when pregnant. I would ask for a rescue inhaler and a maintance inhaler that you take daily. There are more than one kind of each catagory so if it is not working call them back and make them give you a different one. So far as I know, water does not help asthma but it can't hurt since you need it to stay hydrated.

 

[Native_gurl]

Yeah, being short of breath is not fun at all. I can deal with pain, but feeling like I can't catch my breath is awful. I can't even spend 10 min in the morning trying to get ready without almost passing out several times. It is difficult falling asleep at night since all I can focus on is trying to get some oxygen. But the end result is totally worth it! I love my two little ones more than anything and excited to add another one to the family! Maybe my doctor will be able to help me this time with a different inhaler. Is there a test that I can take to say for sure that I have asthma? Hopefully things will get better for you!

Actually if you could suggest a lung function test to your doc that would be good. That way they can see how well they are working and maybe give you an explanitation of why your always out of breath.

 

[Tiffany05]

Thanks for the replies! I'll have him do a lung function test, then. And if asthma does show, then I can try some different inhalers. That would be so awesome if I could get this figured out! Two more weeks till my appointment!

 

[Aoitori]

I have mild asthma and had shortness of breath in my pregnancy third tri but when did tests it turned out to not be asthma related. Just baby taking up a lot of room in my belly and stress ;-)

 

[mommysurpriss]

My asthma is worse and so is that shortness of breath during pregnancy. I think being anemic complicates it, too. It's a pain to live with