Breathing issues due to cervical spine PRE surgery.....?? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

alex12 · 10-26-2007, 06:33 AM

Just wondering if anyone's breathing is aggrivated by their cervical spine problems? I notice when my neck is feeling at it's worse my I find it hard to breathe. I told my neuro this is one reason why I am scared to have surgery because of the chance of damaging larynx or something, he said he would have his ENT in the operating room if it makes me feel better. At any rate I am just wondering if my current breathing could be due to my neck, I have spinal cord compression on C5-C7 plus bone spurs, stenosis, degeneration you name it!

Thank you all

feelbad · 10-27-2007, 09:28 AM

if you have actual spinal cord compression going on,it 'could' be part of the problem.cord compression just affects much more than having a nerve compressed within the spine.considering where your problem is,this could explain what it is you are feeling.the one big thing when you have some level of damage or compression to the actual cord is you will 'feel' or 'percieve" really strange types of things like actual things are being done to certain body parts?do you 'feel' like there is some sort of a 'banding' around your chest area that is responsible for feeling like you cannot breathe properly?if so,this could be just the perceptionary crap that comes along with spinal involvement.if you have been checked out for actual lung issues and everything is fine,this is probably the most likely reason for what you are experiencing right now.it kind of comes with the territory with cord involvement,believe me,i have 'felt' some really incredible indescribable sensations and feelings like someone is actually "doing' certain things to my body parts since my spinal cord was injured.very strange stuff.pain can also cause breathing issues too espescially when it hits you kind of suddenly.it could also be some level of anxiety as well.or a combo of all of this stuff.hopefully once your compression is relieved,alot of things will feel better for you.good luck with the surgery.please let me know how things go,K? Marcia

alex12 · 10-27-2007, 05:58 PM

Marcia, THank you for that great response, it was very informative. I notice that my breathing is definitely worse when my pain is worse. My lungs are clear and that is why it throws me off...its a feeling of not being able to get a full breath in, even though my oxygen level is fine.
I think like you said its just a perception but it's another very annoying and scary side effect of this problem.

Thanks again

RJS301 · 10-29-2007, 04:13 PM

I have been diagnosed exactly as you. C4-C7. Spondylosis, deterioration, the whole works. And, thank God I found someone with breathing problems associated with it. I didn't mean it that way. I'm not glad you're having problems breathing, because believe me, I'm going thru it and it sucks. I meant it's nice to have someone to relate to. I was scheduled for a 2 Level ACDF in Aug. and I backed out. I was scared that with my breathing problems, I'd quit breathing on the table. I've been to a pulmonoligist and had all the test. My oxygen saturation was always at 98%. My lung capacity was always in the normal range. Last time 86%. I know it's related to my spinal problems. The days that my neck bothers me most, my breathing is the worst. It feels as though I can't get a good breath. Sometimes if I force myself to yawn, I can catch a good breath. My neurosurgeon says he doubts if it's related, however, my neurologist says it's very possible. He gave me an example. Christopher Reeves broke his neck at C4-C5 and needed a respirator in order to breathe.That's an extreme example but it does prove that your cervicle spine has an effect on your respiratory system. I wish I could find someone who had the same symptoms that had the surgery. I want to know if their ability to breath normal returned. So, if anyone out there can help, please post. And Alex12, stay in touch and maybe one of us will actually get the nerve to have the procedure done. I wish you well. Any questions, feel free to ask. I have other symptoms, too. lol. Ray

sammyo1 · 11-02-2007, 06:11 AM

alex, I have the same problem, can't seem to take enough air in,or something was sitting on my left side of my chest. but oxy. level always comes back ok. Feels like there is not enough room in there. Very scary, When my problem first started I would break out into a sweat trying to get a deep breath or enough air in, the doc said it was asthma but I could not control it. even with meds, so I have had docs. disagree on that score, I did fail a test for asthma & then after seeing a specialist he said I did not have asthma. It was the most confusing & scary thing I have ever went through. Had some docs. say it was anxiety, which of course it was not, but sure caused anxiety. It just feels like you can't take enough air in. since this problem is reoccuring I was going to put a post up, so thank you. The physical therapist noticed right away that there was a big differance between the left & right side when inhaling in the back rib area(by how it expands during inhalation). Now I know I am very inflammed & I am sure that is causing alot of it, bad thing is nothing seems to keep the inflammation down. I hope you get more responses. Does anything I am saying sound familair to you? Sammy