Post Concussion syndrome and shortness of breath
 

Question....I have been suffering from PCS from two concussions I recieved last year. Since I have gotten those concussions, I have developed this shortness of breath every once in a while. I have never passed out or hyperventilated from it, but it was never there before the concussions. I have gotten an EKG of my heart and it was fine and a chest X ray that was normal. I have had anxiety and hypochondria my whole life, but I am just curious to know if shortness of breath is a symptom or no?

I have had similar experiences with no abnormal diagnostics. What I do know is that from time to time I catch myself holding my breath for no reason. Once I became aware of this, my out of breath episodes have decreased considerably.

One of the symptoms of PCS is postural rigidity and other muscle spasming. This can include the muscles of the diaphragm.

I know sometimes when my anxiety is really bad I will short of breath. The ekg and chest xray would indicate if there was an abnormality of your heart and lungs. I would say that is very good news. Sometimes I find myself having to take a deep breath and I think like Mark said it's because we hold our breath. I'm not sure why. I wonder if a stressful situation comes on and I hold my breath in anticipation and then realize I'm SOB.

Yeah, for a couple of weeks following my concussion in 2009, I was developing a similiar issue where I felt hypoxic for about 30 seconds, like I wasn't getting enough oxygen, very similar to hiking at high elevation (above 12,000 ft)

I tried to explain this to my posse of neurologists and my naturopathic doc and they looked puzzled. Same deal, had a cardiologist run a full battery of tests, tilt table, EP study, came out clean.

Sounds like more of the same process of elimination with you as well. Good that what they've checked is healthy. I haven't had that problem since late 2009. Call it healing?

Mike

Good
 

Oh in happy u posted muscle twitch on here. My arm has been going crazy for 5 days. The more I look the more I find.

So glad people made this forum for everyone. So much help u always wonder if it's because your injury or another problem. Question answer'd!

This post has really helped me out I think!

It made me think about my own breath.

I remember when I was going to Speech Therapy that the therapist pointed out that I had very shallow breathing which wasn't normal for me - it wasn't the way I breathed before the accident I was in. She mentioned that shallow breathing does not allow enough oxygen to get to the brain. When a person's brain is healing they need more oxygen not less! That's why they recommend physical activity for people recovering from tbi's. (I'm not yet able to be super physically active yet, but I'm able to slowly increase my activity levels.)

Since then, it was really hard for me to remember her advice that I take deeper breaths. She and I worked on so many things! There was so much to keep track of!

I've read about it, and it could be caused by anxiety or stress and it can also be caused by an endocrine dysfunction. I've read that some researchers believe that PCS is caused by an endocrine system type of damage because a lot of the symptoms are so similar - like dizziness and confusion. (Like very minimal damage to the pituitary gland, thalamus or hypothalamus compared to other damage done.)

Anyway, in the past few days I've noticed that my breath has been shallow and when I noticed it, I would start to force myself to take deeper breaths. I think I breathed deeply all night long and I'm feeling better today than I have since the accident! I'm still having to consciously take deep breaths - it's not happening without me thinking about having to do it yet - it's not yet a habit. But I haven't gotten dizzy once yet today!

I just found this thread, since as of late, I have had the shortness of breath thing going on. Just wanted to say how grateful I am for this forum, that I can read that it's not me going crazy, lol.

My scans are normal as well. I never thought about mindful breathing (as I will call it.) Thanks everyone.

Yes!!

I have had extreme shortness of breath and chest pains since the accident twice now, both times have landed me in an ambulance because they thought I was having a heart attack.

Both times my results came back normal. And it wasn't a panic attack because unfortunately, I KNOW what they feel like.

I wonder if I had not been breathing deeply enough which led to lack of oxygen on my already confused brain...

It was a very scary experience both times.

You may be experiencing some upper neck inflammation that can interrupt your brain stems control of your breathing. It is a like you are holding your breath. I have had this problem for 11 years. If I have my neck in the wrong position or in a tensed position, after a while, I will stop breathing or my breathing gets very slow. If I start to move, I get winded very fast.

I know to recognize this and stop and relax and take some deep breaths.

Usually, the brain will recognize this shortness of oxygen in your blood and you will yawn. The inflammation interrupts the proper function. This can be scary until you recognize what is happening.

I have learned the neck positions that cause this problem. At night, it caused Central Sleep Apnea and I have stressful dreams. When I wake up, I usually have a miserable day until I can take a good nap with good breathing.

Hopefully, your MRI will should if you have a neck issue that can be treated. Usually, you can only treat you neck carefully while it heals.

My best to you.

2 Concussions
 

I also have the same problems. I have had them for about 8 years, since my last concussion. My breathing is not painful, it is just short, as if I need to yawn but end up gasping. I will have these symptoms for months at a time, varying day to day on severity. I have a tight feeling in my upper chest from my sternum to my upper throat.

I have had two concussions, one when I was a baby, the other 8 years ago when I was hit by a car.

When I went to find out what my breathing problem was, we found that I had no allergies, I did not have asthma, and they assumed I have VCD (Vocal Cord Dysfunction). However none of the treatments I have been given to make the breathing problems go away have been working. In all honesty the more I think about them the more often it happen, so yay Mr. Brain.

I have noticed that humidity, or just rapid weather changes, can trigger an episode. Where as cold air calms my breathing. I have been searching the internet tonight just to see if there were any better reasons I may be having these symptoms from, and found this report. I will bring it up with my physician thank you for all of your reports helping me find out my problem.

Breathing,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Please feel free to introduce yourself and tell us more about yourself and your condition. Do you have any other symptoms? What other injuries did you suffer when you were hit?

You can start your own thread with the New Topic button at the top left of the main index at
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html

shortness of breath...
 

This is interesting, I too have and still have shortness of breath as if i am having to take a deep breath to regain my normal breathing rate - I didnt think to attribute to neck problems. I have a very messed up neck since the accident but docs havent made much of a corelation other than radiculopthies

Thank you. I have no other symptoms that I can think of, if I have some then they are not nearly as bothersome, I do however have some short-term memory loss, and memory retaining is troublesome.

I drown when I was 13 months, and that was what caused my first concussion, causing memory loss and the ability to retain things difficult. When I was 12, I was hit by a car, I got the concussion and road burn, nothing else was reported to have been wrong, that was when my problem started however.

I do have frequent headaches, but rarely migraines.

With the breathing problems however, comes the shortness of breath, tight chest and throat. No difficulty swallowing, and no pain occurs when any of this happens, just the tightness.

I am an SLP by profession, but now have my second concussion. This one was on concrete...huge hematoma on orbital..thought I would lose my sight and my front teeth but they are ok. Now one week later, I have shortness of breath today with any exertion...I have had either a friend or relative with me around the clock until today. I am 73 and this is my first day home. I have seen all my docs this week...had EKG and CTs..I do have bipolar disorder..all my life, panic and anxiety. I have asthma also. My asthma was ok today...used the rescue inhaler this a.m. and my peak flow is good. Only change, is I have no one here now..(housekeeper here for few hours)...I am guessing that since I stay on top of my cardio health, this is anxiety/depression as part of the PCS. I see my neuro today at 5 p.m. So will talk to him about it too. I am sleeping like the dead I am so tired. Have some nausea, had a few procedural memory issues (standing in front of microwave puzzled how to increase time) and find it hard to multitask...so will be checking back to see if anyone else here had the shortness of breath....day after the concussion when my whole face was torn up and hematoma the size of an egg, I went from Doctor to Doctor without shortness of breath, but I am guessing shock...and that takes awhile to wear off.

tmgrl4,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

You are experiencing the frustration of concussions and how they can cause all kinds of odd symptoms. My guess is your shortness of breath is anxiety. That is common. But, it could something else. I had a problem with shortness of breath but it turned out I was not breathing then would sense a shortness of breath. The anxiety after a concussion can cause muscle tension in the chest and diaphragm that interrupts normal relaxed breathing.

Memory issues can be anxiety or concussion. Nobody can say without testing. Many of us find we have to 'stop to think' after a concussion. I would not be surprised if you learned to stop to think, you will do much better. Age related thought processes often require learning to stop to think. That means learning to shut out other stimuli and thoughts. We get used to acting at a subconscious level but after a concussion, those efforts may need more of a purposed thought and action.

Falling can often be a result of trying to move about with instinctual movements rather than stop and think purposeful movements.

I have not been able to move instinctually for over a decade. But, it does not stop me.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Just know, few neuros are good at these concussion issues.

My best to you.