Have you ever hyperventilated?

[Susan BAV]

Do you know what causes it? Does it tend to become a worsening experience or does it tend to weaken the lungs or does it come on weak lungs more often than healthy lungs or is there any connection whatsoever to pneumonia? What do you know about it?

It's very possibly no big deal; but I think this happened to me yesterday, for the first time in my 46 years. I've had excessive physical and emotional stress over the past several weeks and I unfortunately reached a very unusual state of hysterically crying. When the breathing problem started, I was pretty sure I was just hyperventilating. But it kind of scared me because it's never happened before.

I guess I'm kind of worried that my lungs might be a little weak. Recently I've regularly been around a few people with some contagious form of pneumonia, and although I've been feeling a bit weak, I think I've managed to dodge that bullet. But I've had a bit of a mild burning sensation, in my chest just near my left shoulder, off and on recently and also in the past couple of days I've had two strange moments where I briefly felt like I could faint. I haven't felt something like that since my valve was deteriorating; but my heart is beating a nice healthy thump-thump and not the pre-op slosh and gurgle, so I think my heart is okay and I don't see my cardio for another six months or so anyway.

But I was also kind of worried because my dad's lungs suffered recurring collapses several years before he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which reportedly can be genetic.

Anyway, I know practically nothing about lungs and this is all pretty unusual for me. I realize this is probably a pretty whiney post. Sorry. I may just get embarrassed and delete the whole thing . But until I do, do you have any knowledge/experience you can offer? Thank you very much.

 

[Ross]

I do on a daily basis, but then with my lungs, I guess I should expect it. You don't even realize it's happening until it's full blown happening, then your scared and it gets worse.

I don't know. I think it's more mind controlled then bodily, but lets find out.

 

[Nancy]

Susan it happened to my grandson a couple of times when he got quite upset over something. One time he even passed out. He had all kinds of tests and it was just stress, for him anyway. He's a big strapping young man, very healthy. He was also consuming a lot of soda and drinks with caffeine which he had to modify. They were panic attacks, in his case. He's trying to handle stress better now.

So, it can happen to us all under the right conditions.

But because of your heart history, it warrants at least a call to your doctor to check things out.

Some people with certain mitral problems are prone to panic attacks for some reason. I didn't look at your history, but just thought I'd mention that in case.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

I would have panic attacks consistently (prior to surgery). They would come out of left field. During a week where stress was high. Have only had one since surgery. Sitting at the first stop light near my home. It's not like I was stressing over traffic as I just got behind the wheel.

 

[catwoman]

I've hyperventillated at least several times, mostly pre-op. One time stands out: the day after we signed a contract to build our current home. I'd say that was from stress!
I've learned how to handle stress better and have had fewer attacks.

I've noticed that when I am in situations like the above, that I also have some PVCs.

 

[Bina]

Sometimes its a good idea to have a mild sedative/anti anxiety on hand.
Ativan or Xanax comes to mind.

 

[Karlynn]

Were you gasping for breath or feeling like you couldn't get a full breath?

If you're under a lot of stress, I'm guessing that is a lot of the explanation for you.

My son has asthma that is allergy and stress induced. He goes through periods where he feels he can't get a deep breath. He was given albuterol for it.

 

[witzkeyman]

Sometimes its a good idea to have a mild sedative/anti anxiety on hand.
Ativan or Xanax comes to mind.

sorry, but this post makes me laugh.

 

[Susan BAV]

Thanks, very much, for the replies. It sounds like it's probably not any big deal. Good!!! But Ross, I sure wouldn't want to do that every day; you certainly have my empathy. It was highly unnerving.

As soon as I could catch my breath, through deep breathing, I felt completely fine; and at least the whole thing was shocking enough that it stopped my crying . It was really a strange episode. There was no panic as I might define it but I think the crying was embarrassingly in a category I would call hysterical. So maybe that is kind of panicky. It made me think of a scene from the Legally Blonde movie where the actress does this strange little shrieking thing when her boyfriend dumps her in a restaurant. Only I'm not young or thin or blonde, and wasn't getting dumped and happily it didn't happen in public!

My stress should hopefully soon be reduced.

Thank you all again for your replies. They really settled down my worries .

 

[Ross]

Susan that's where I have my problem mainly, in public. It's so damn embarrassing. Like I said, I hate it because before you realize it, your into it full blown and there is nothing you can do but ride it out.

 

[Dennis S]

I think there may be several different experiences noted in this thread. I don't necessarily associate hyperventilating with a panic attack. True hyperventilating comes from breathing to deeply too quickly, resulting in too much oxygen and too little carbon dioxide in the blood. I believe there is an easy remedy you could try for simple hyperventilating--fold a paper bag around your mouth so you are breathing in and out of the bag. If your problem is merely too much oxygen and too little carbon dioxide this may well help.

 

[Bina]

Sometimes its a good idea to have a mild sedative/anti anxiety on hand.
Ativan or Xanax comes to mind.

To clarify: these meds are only useful in a stressful or panic situation.
Hyperventilation is another can of worms.....

 

[Ross]

I think there may be several different experiences noted in this thread. I don't necessarily associate hyperventilating with a panic attack. True hyperventilating comes from breathing to deeply too quickly, resulting in too much oxygen and too little carbon dioxide in the blood. I believe there is an easy remedy you could try for simple hyperventilating--fold a paper bag around your mouth so you are breathing in and out of the bag. If your problem is merely too much oxygen and too little carbon dioxide this may well help.

It should help most people, though it doesn't do much for me. Once upon a time it did!

 

[Bad Mad]

Don't be embarrassed Susan.

I remember after both my surgeries, whilst in HDU, I got panic attacks which I found really frightening, especially because I couldn't get out of the bed at that stage

I'm sure about the hyper ventalating. I guess the more worked up you get, the harder it is to breathe.

Hopefully it's just a one-off