Ive been diagnosed with lymes disease about 2 months ago. I have alot of trouble breathing! Does anyone else have this problem with lymes too?? i go see a specialist in a week. Does anyone know what I can do in the meantime to actually breathe right??
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
Hi! I hope things work out with your specialist.
What we call 'air hunger' is the feeling of not being able to take a deep enough breath, or needing to yawn a lot, or having a panic attack, or feeling like you're drowning a bit . Is that what happens for you?
You can get more than just Lyme alone from ticks. Some of those diseases, like babesia (or babesiosis), can cause lung problems, or infections in general can cause 'air hunger' which might be more of a neurological condition. It usually gets better with treatment of either Lyme or the other infections.
If it's 'just' air hunger (rather than a serious congestion or infection in the lungs, somethiung 'physical' that a doctor will hear when listening to you breathe with a stethoscope), it's kind of hard to find a solution for it. Do some searches here (see the search link at the top of the page?) for 'air hunger' if that is what you think your problem seems like. I personally couldn't find answers to it, but other people have found some solutions similar to managing panic attacks, I believe.
Posted by lgirl29 (Member # 25158) on :
Hi and thank you for your response. I do believe I have Air hunger. I have had chest xrays and they were all normal. Went to my family doctor and he listened to my lungs and said they were clear as a bell. They why the heck cant i breathe right I asked him??? Ive had heart egos and EKGs and cat scans. All normal. I feel like I always have to take deep breathes and yes I do yawn alot and feel like im drowning at times. Im goin to do some research with the links you sent me. Thanks for your help!
Posted by MorningSong (Member # 19989) on :
When I first became ill I had great difficulty breathing as well. It was like I need an oxygen mask or needed to call the paramedics at any time.
ER Chest Xray showed normal as did oxygen meter test.
Did not know about Lyme Literate doctors at the time - Infectious Disease and Family Physician put me on IV antibiotics for 28 days and cleared up the breathing.
Babesia can cause air hunger and, according to the CDC, Ehrlichia can cause respiratory problems. These are pathogens (called co-infections) that ticks also transmit.
It is good you are seeing a specialist in a week. Is this a Lyme Literate doctor (LLMD)? I know a week can seem like eternity when having problems breathing. Hang on. You are heading in the right direction.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- What kind of specialist are you seeing next week? Some lung doctors use steroids and that can be very bad for those who have infections.
I see that you just posted on 3/31 in "seeking doctor" to find a LLMD. By the way, you can save one keystroke as lyme is just lyme, no "s" -
I hope you find what you need. In the meantime, a gluten-free and dairy-free diet may help. Eating foods seasoned with ginger or curry is good.
Curry in the morning, Curry in the evening - curry at anytime!
Ginger capsules and magnesium may offer a bit more help for now, too. Allicin capsules can be excellent, but start with just one capsule after a meal, say with lunch, and see how you do.
Cordyceps, one of the supplements on Dr. B's list, is excellent support for the lungs but works in a different way than allicin/garlic (which opens up airways, lowers inflammation). Together, they are a good team.
Good luck.
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This is included in Burrascano's Guidelines, but you may want to be able to refer to it separately, too:
Im goin to a LLMD next week! Ive never been more excited to see a doctor in my life! lol...i can take all the other symptoms of lyme but not being able to breathe is the hardest and is taking over my life! Keebler ginger capsules and magnesium help with breathing?? Thank you everyone for your help! Its comforting knowing other people know how I feel!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Q: ginger capsules and magnesium help with breathing?
Yep. Helps address inflammation. Ginger also helps increase circulation to help remove "stagnation"
Cutting out gluten and dairy can also help tremendously to lessen inflammation, mucous buildup, "stagnation" and pain. -
Posted by lgirl29 (Member # 25158) on :
Great thanks! One more question garlic pills are good to take too??
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Look very carefully at HOW it works.
Posted by Dawn in VA (Member # 9693) on :
I agree with the magnesium. When I've gone to the ER in the past with asthma issues, they've often given me IV mag. Orals (NOT the Mg-Ca combo, just straight MG- like Perque brand, Natural Calm, etc.) might help you out. As was said by another member, calms down the inflammation.
If you have a cold, post-nasal drip, bronchitis, etc. I agree with Marnie about taking Muciniex- NOT the one with the decongestant though as it can irritate heart palps (if you have a tendency towards them), but the other "plain" type.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
I had many sudden allergies to everything from staw to brazil nuts causing asthma like symptoms and
lung nodules. Darrel Hall of Hall and Oates described the same thing. So that may be part of