I don’t know if this is the right place to ask but I’ll give it a shot.
For the past two or so weeks I’ve really been struggling to breathe properly. I become really breathless but it’s hard to take deep breaths and even when I manage, it doesn’t really help. Every few breaths I have to attempt to breathe deeply.
It’s still a struggle to get a doctors appointment at my local doctors, we’re looking at a few weeks for an appointment.
I was just seeing if anyone knew what this could be or how to help?
Just some further info - I’m 21, female, don’t smoke or drink alcohol and I’m relatively fit.
Several options, all of which need proper diagnosis. You really need an earlier appointment. Anything from allergy, asthma, anxiety, anaemia... and that's just the "a"s. Can you get an econsult, or try 111, out of hours, if it is bad.
Have you tried breathing in and out of a paper bag for 2 mins, just to rule out hyperventilating? Obviously, if you try and it's making things worse, just stop x
Sqad, mine was many months, possibly over a year, I couldn't breathe properly. Occasionally even now. I just forget how to- and deep breaths don't make any difference. I agree, physical causes need to be checked, chest infections etc- but this one is safe and easy to check. But she is young and healthy. As I was.
Hyperventilating might sound too dramatic tbf, but technically, I mean breathing too quick and shallow- anxiety.
Please don't... lol. You're the doctor- I just have personal experience of that.
I wonder if you had covid without realising, but now have the breathlessness associated with long covid. In which case you tested too late for a positive. Have you had any of the other symptoms, loss of sense of taste, or smell etc. The only reason I am asking is the sort breathlessness you describe is similar to mine although I am an older woman I had covid before routine testing.
If you are not unwell with a temperature it is manageable. Getting exercise is the best way the body looks after itself, if you go for long walks the body will control your breathing, even if it is hard at first and you need to rest. Then your doctor can advise you more.