Being typically forgetful, i've come to work without my inhaler, and now my chest is really tight and constricted. Would be really grateful if anyone has any ideas/suggestions on what to do to make the next few hours a bit more bearable/comfortable?

Any help'd be really appreciated.

Thanks,

Andrew

Andrew,
I would suggest drinking coffee or Mountain Dew. Caffeine is a bronchial dialator and this may give you some relief.

Thanks MS. Got a big ol' cup now, only a few hours til home time! :)

I'm sure you're home by now, but here's what I do....yes to the coffee! Not just the caffeine but also hot liquids help. Also I do deep breathing that involves counting in as I inhale and then exhaling more slowly counting at least 2-3 numbers past what I inhaled. I read that it is supposed to improve oxygen intake and release more CO2. I don't know if that's true, but it does seem to help me.

Hi,

reader1's suggestion of the slow breathing and exhaling is helpful, but for the opposite reason. To keep more of the CO2 in the body, not more oxygen. This isn't for people who are oxygen starved or who have emphysema or anything like that...

When I'm nice and cozy in bed reading and realise I'm getting a bit tighter (but not coughing), I'm sometimes too lazy to get out of bed to get my inhaler..the thought becomes a bit obsessive -- that I'm having a difficult time breathing and it's going to get worse and my breathing pattern changes and the thoughts can increase sometimes leading for the need to automatically reach for my inhaler to relieve the symptoms and ultimately my thought cycle.

The thought of not having the inhaler handy can also create the illusion (as well as it being a possible reality) that an attack will happen and what will one do without an inhaler. It's anxiety starting which can also be the same feelings as the start of tightening in an asthma attack which can for some lead to an actual asthma attack because of the increased and somewhat quicker deeper breathing.

The quicker shallower breathing itself can increase the amount of oxygen in the body and in the lungs and lower amount of CO2. The point is to relax the muscles/lungs and the only way to do that is to keep more of the CO2 in the body -- NOT oxygen. The slow breath and holding it and then slow release will help with that and at times alleviate an attack.

So, what I do is take in a breath, slowly through the nose at a count of 5. I hold it for 5 and then slowly through pursed "whistle" lips I let it out at a count of 5. Doing this a few times has lowered the anxiety level and in turn the tight feelings in my chest and then the NEED to have my inhaler.

The coffee/tea/mountain dew for caffeine will help as well to relax the bronchial tubes.

So, you need to increase the Co2, not the oxygen. Basically, it's the same as what we've all seen when people hyperventilate (when anxious) and breathe into a paper bag......

Try it. If you need more info on it, I can find the book it came from. I didn't believe it when I first read it, but remembered it when I needed relief and it did work.

I've tried it as well when I've started coughing (how my asthma attacks usually start) and it as well calmed the attack.

I suppose that's why they also suggest in conjunction with meds to work on proper breathing techniques.

Hope this helps for when the need arises,
quincy

Remembered it today, but thanks for your suggestions. Definitely something to bear in mind for the future.

Thanks again,

Andrew