I have had trouble with breathing now for about a week. It has come and gone before in a few days. This is persisting. Is it part of the babs herx? Anyone have experience of this? I have moments through the day when I feel better and then it starts up again and I feel like no matter how deeply I breathe, I cannot get enough air in my lungs. Thoughts anyone?
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
That is exactly how it feels, like you can't get enough air in your lungs. Very annoying!
It went away for me with 2 months of Malarone.
Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :
I wish I could help you.
I've been having the same isues with air hunger the past few weeks.
I just started abx (Doxy), and for a day or so the air hunger backed off, but now it's back again.
Waiting to see if things get better as I take more abx.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Doxy will not get rid of Babesia. You need an anti-malarial medication since Babs is related to Malaria and is not a bacterial infection.
Sometimes it seems when treating Lyme, it brings out the babs symptoms. At least that is what happened in my case.
Posted by kmj (Member # 18400) on :
I find it really frightening and then of course, i start to hyperventilate - panic sets in. I hate this. I'm on mepron and azithromycin. 6/7weeks in to treatment. I already have a dx's vocal cord weakness (rt side) due to damage to vagus nerve - cause unknown. I worry that the other cord is now damaged and that is why i can't breathe well. I have to go see the ENT again and find out.
Posted by dmbfan (Member # 11948) on :
me too. wound up in er once with hit.
my llmd is having me take enula for babs. may want to look into it.
Posted by kmj (Member # 18400) on :
What is enula. I was given cats claw but have not taken it. With all the other meds and supps, i lose track of what to take when and in what combos!
Posted by Niere (Member # 14387) on :
A while back Terry K (I think it was Terry K) had suggested taking lecithin for air hunger.
It really, really worked for me. In about twenty minutes the air hunger was markedly reduced.
You can find lecithin in a powder form at the health food store.
I wish this bit of advice was put up as a sticky, it's such a common symptom. It's horrible to have to struggle with. Good luck!
**Edit**--also, make sure you are very well hydrated. I always noticed a marked difference in that symptom when I was well hydrated versus not having had any water in a while.
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
Its funny you mentioned that "air hunger". As we speak it is very hard for me to breath.
I am taking Mepron along with IV Doxy, Zithro,Levaquin(Bart), and Tindamax.
I think the worst is the coughing then wheezing then fighting to get air.
I know how you feel, it comes in spurts... seems like the afternoons are the worst for me.
I have been treating the Babesia for over a month now and it's finally come to this....
Good Luck, just know that I am going through the same thing, so youre not crazy!!!
Posted by kmj (Member # 18400) on :
Thank you so much to everyone for replying. I literally woke my husband in the night last night and told him I was dying. He held me, calmed me down. The panic induced by not being able to breathe just makes the whole thing worse. This evening it is still there but not as bad. I will get the lecithin tomorrow - thank you to everyone for the replies. It is good to know I am not alone.
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
whoa. what's the action of the lecithin supposed to be?
This is my nastiest remaining symptom (besides relapses of others, which is generally shortlived). I can be feeling wonderful in all kinds of ways and still have air hunger.
Posted by Niere (Member # 14387) on :
You can do a search of the medical forum to get the specifics of the action of the lecithin. If my memory is correct, it has something to do with mitigating lyme toxins. And I know this is supposed to be a babesia symptom but all I can tell you is that it really helped me with the air hunger.
I took whatever it said on the lecithin container--I think it was one full tablespoon of lecithin--I took it in a glass of water, though you could add it to cereal or oatmeal or whatever makes it more palatable.
Hope it helps. Good luck!
**Edit** Here's the link to the thread--Terry K posted a link to a paper on the affects of choline, which can be found in lecithin.