Is this a sx of MS? I wouldn't call it "shortness" of breath. I'm not having trouble breathing. It just seems like I can't get a deep, full, satisfying breath of air. Eventually I do but it takes a few tries. And I'm not exerting myself or doing anything strenuous (as if ). And it's even harder if I'm laying down. I don't feel like I'm experiencing the hug. I've had that and it's very recognizable. Anyone else have this sx?

yep! me!!! there are many times I cant get to the top of my breath. its like my lungs are just not deep enough, or if they are, I cant reach the bottom. Frustrating.

Hmmm...I occasionally get this. It's usually from humidity or if I'm overheated. I have been dxd with exercise induced asthma. Happens when I get overheated from exercise. Maybe a connection?
Keep notating this, Kel, and call the doc if it continues...hope you can breathe deep real soon

I get that way Kelly. But I also deal with the hug, to varying degrees, everyday. Many times I have to put my arms over my head to get a good deep breath.

As Debbie mentioned, keep track of it and don't hesitate to call the dr. While it may be MS it also may be something else that needs more immediate attention.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Me too, I was told I had activity induced asthma as a kid but it has always been well under control. And not feeling like I can get a deep breath is completely different from an asthma attack for me.

I see a pulmonolgist now and he put me through a lot of lung function testing. Everything was normal except for the test that is for strength in breathing. My strength for breathing in is 60% of normal and for breathing out is 12% of normal. But we're just keeping an eye on it.

It is probably something you should at least let your doctor know is going on. I hope it goes away soon.

I've had that, Kell and it is usually when my sinuses are acting up. It can be totally MS related, though. I believe a well placed lesion in your brain stem can do it.

Call your Doc!!

Yep, Jim's had this too. I read somewhere that MS can mess with your lungs. I knew a vet with ms that was on a respirator but his case was rare. It's more likely the heat, humidity and storms playing havoc on your respiratory. Jim could never live in areas where the heat and humidity was so bad. Illinois is bad enough.

Hope it gets better but be sure to keep an eye on it and call the doctor if it continues because some of us just play doctors on here, in real life we're just normal peepers. LOL

In all seriousness, Jim was dx'd with blood clots in his lungs when he went through kidney failure. We had no clue he even had them. The pulmonary doctor said his was the kind that start out small and clump together to cause respiratory failure. He said people with that can die in an instant. Scared the bejeezers out of us. Almost made us thankful he got sick so that was found by chance. He now takes a 81mg aspirin daily to keep them at bay after two years on Cumidin.

I get this when I'm stressed. It started way back in college and completely freaked me out at first. I finally figured out that I was hyperventilating. Not the dramatic kind where you have to grab a paper bag, but more subtle - just can't take that deep breath. The more I'd try, the more I couldn't. Then I got obsessed with taking a deep breath and on it went...... until finally, success. Then it would start all over.....

Obviously, this may not be your problem, but try to distract yourself and see if it gets better. I also find it does NOT get worse with exertion. Probably because when you're exerting yourself, you're kind of distracted doing whatever it is you're doing and not focussing on breathing.

It hardly ever bothers me now, because I recognize it and try to unstress but you know how that can go. Sometimes I'm not even aware that I'm stressed until I start to hyperventilate.

I hope you get to the bottom of it soon. Whatever the cause, it can be frustrating and scary while it's happenning.

C

Lots of good advice. I usually have this as a symptom of anxiety, which may or may not be part of MS.

But I vote with the folks that said "call your doctor". Anything to do with breathing, why take a chance?

I had this about a month ago and it was the beginning of bronchitis. I got some antiobiotics and took guafenex (sp?) for a couple weeks and drank lots of water. It cleared up finally. My doctor also offered to give me a bronchial dilator (sp?) but I passed on that. I hope it's just an upper respiratory thing.