posted
what is air hunger? Has anyone ever heard of that....
-------------------- worrying about tomorrow takes its strength away from today Posts: 970 | From Point PLeasant , NJ | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
I don't know, but will be interested to hear what others say. I've told my GP that I feel like I can't breathe. He ordered a echogram and cardi pulmonary test which were both normal. I see Dr. P in Connecticut next week and plan to ask him about it.
Posts: 12 | From Maysville, KY | Registered: Jan 2008
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Air hunger is the feeling that you just can't get a deep or satisfying breathe.
It is most associated with the co-infection babesia.
This was and still is at times one of my worst symptoms.
Nothing like sitting and trying to yawn all day to catch a good breath.
I saw a pulmonologist (one of the many ducks on my road to finding out what
Was wrong with me). He couldn't explain it other than "possible congestive heart failure".
Saw a cardiologist. Had a nuclear stress test done to find out my heart was "perfect".
Air hunger......feeling like you just can't breathe fully.
Worse for me when doing something active.
I am sure if you do a search on this symptom you will find many, many posts
With better, more defining definitions or explanations.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
Geneal, do you also feel like there is an elephant on your chest?
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Sometimes I feel like my diaphragm just doesn't work.
This is better for me since I started with florinef for POTs/NMH, but
Still present every once in a while (along with the night sweats, headaches, etc. )
I've seen people describe it as a heavy weight.
I just feel like I can't move my diaphragm well.
Being that I am a Speech Pathologist, I've developed bad breathing habits.
Ways of trying to pull more air in like trying to pull with my shoulders
Instead of my diaphragm. I do well when I lay flat like to sleep at night.
Oh, and this is weird and gross. I get a good breath when I burp.
I know, not very lady like, but still a relief.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
This was my first major symptom. I don't know how it feels for other people, but this is how it feels for me: I take a deep breath, but I feel like I am getting no oxygen. My heart races, and I feel a "bounding pulse" which is a strong pulse that I can feel throughout my body (my hands, feet, and head). I get light headed from lack of oxygen, feel like I am going to pass out. The first time I had this happen to me I thought I was having a heart attack.
So in short, it is not a pleasant experience. I had this more or less till I started taking mepron/zith about a month and a half ago. I also take artemesia, but I don't know if it helps or hurts, I seem to get pretty bad headaches, and extreme fatigue after taking it. I have only been taking Artemesia for a week so I may be herxing. I will continue to take it for at least another 2 weeks before giving up on it.
If you do have air hunger chances are you have Babesia. I had the west coast version of WA-1. I suggest getting the Igenex FISH exam, it is more definitive than the other tests.
I have had some relief from the shortness of breath in the past couple of weeks, I hope you find some relief soon.
Believe it or not exercise helped me feel better, not worse, I would check with your doctor about exercise before starting.
Sending good energy.
Posts: 158 | From Santa Monica | Registered: May 2007
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posted
The responses have been good. All I would add is that I was told that not getting enough oxygen is because Babesiosis affects the red blood cells.
I've never read this, but it makes sense to me.
[ 20. January 2008, 09:35 PM: Message edited by: cbb ]
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
I had episodes a few times that were really scary, where it almost felt like my breathing muscles were paralyzed, or not connected to my brain, and I just couldn't breathe. My brain was yelling breathe! Breathe! Breathe! I noticed it a few times after taking Quina (the Cowden herb) and Artemesia, so I'm sure it was a babesia herx.
Posts: 929 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Oct 2007
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
My experience is similar to Geneal's without the burping part! Had times when I felt like a deep breath was not satisfying, yawned a lot to try and get enough air in. (I did not hyperventilate.) It went away with Babesia treatment.
-- Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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yes I have had this symptom.....just never head it called air hunger.....
I thought it just meant your hungry all the time......
hope everyone has an ok day!!!
freezing here in NJ.... mtree
-------------------- worrying about tomorrow takes its strength away from today Posts: 970 | From Point PLeasant , NJ | Registered: Jan 2008
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
This is often Babesiosis but it can also be from Lyme partially paralyzing the diaphragm or throat muscles!!!!
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
For those who want to know what air hunger feels like: hold your breath and notice the "need some air" sensation you will get after awhile. That's the sensation those with air hunger experience, even though they are inhaling and exhaling as rapidly as they want. I've been there, done that. Wasn't fun.
Posts: 727 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
For what it is worth I have it too. Do not let anyone tell you it is anxiety...LOL. I will get these air hunger gasps just sitting down watching TV. It is weird but I also think mine is babs related. Mine is better since I have been on the abx...still happens a few times a day though. Monica
Posts: 422 | From CT | Registered: Oct 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
air hunger for me personally is waking up GASPING FOR AIR since I stop breathing when sleeping dueto SLEEP APNEA!
HAVE you ever had a sleep study at hospital done for apnea? i would have never, but a knowledgeable member suggested it, and i did it.
yes, have sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and NO DELTA 4 SLEEP meaning I get NO RESTORATIVE INJURY REPAIRS OR REFRESHING SLEEP vs. getting up with NO SLEEP whatsoever! this had been going on for 30+ years!
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posted
I've never been tested for sleep apnea, but I had similar "nightmares" when sleeping. I would awaken choking & gasping for air. Absolutely horrified my wife! It usually took several minutes before I could breath normally again. It really felt like a physical obstruction, but despite this happening MANY times for years after the tick bites, I was never able to figure out if my tongue actually dropped back, my throat spasmed, or what.
One doctor was convinced it was the Lyme or babesia & another thought it was simply due to acid reflux from eating to close to bedtime. Well, the babesia treatment that cured my night sweats did nothing for the choking & neither did what or when I ate.
After a few months on MP, this symptom completely vanished! I also no longer have any difficulty swallowing!
Posts: 246 | From Grass Valley, CA | Registered: Jun 2007
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
One moment your breathing fine then the next it feels like your lungs are half full of water cant get full breath in.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
i too have had years of no sleep.....no delta 4.........
restless legs....etc. it is awfull to say the least.....
Dr. B in Redbank........resently put me on Lyrica at night....small..small dose.....
it is working so far and getting that sleep is one of his main concerns......
it feels soooooooo good to sleep....
i realy don't like to be put on anything....but I
have always trusted him and so far he has been right on with everything.....
mtree
-------------------- worrying about tomorrow takes its strength away from today Posts: 970 | From Point PLeasant , NJ | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
I slept MUCH better & started dreaming again immediately after I started taking Benicar.
Posts: 246 | From Grass Valley, CA | Registered: Jun 2007
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