Breathing Rehab
I went to the hospital on friday and well, it was pretty mixed. I was going to the falls and syncope clinic to get my heart and blood pressure checked out, and the doctor I saw is pretty sure it's nothing heart-related, which is one thing, and it's a good thing, right? She said there were no outstanding or obvious symptoms, there were a few niggly issues but she could say pretty surely that it isn't a cardio issue.
So.. what is it then?
Basically, she told me that moreso than a heart issue it seemed to be a breathing issue. I'm not sure how many people on LJ will realise since I don't exactly post videos of me breathing here since I'm not a creepy weirdo who mouthbreathes and shares on the internet, but I've had a few problems with my breathing for a few years. Basically, I either don't breathe then have to catch my breath after, or I breathe too fast .. not quite hyperventilation, but faster than average. I've never seen it as a real issue, but it does make me go dizzy or lose my balance now and again. Everyone else sees it as an issue but for me it's not something I can stop or control, else believe me, I would've stopped it a long time ago. Since 6th form friends have reminded me to 'breathe', and I've had a few strangers ask if I'm alright over the years. I know it isn't normal but I only realise I'm doing it when it's happened and unless I conciously think to myself 'breathe in, breathe out' over and over I can't control it either.
Back to the hospital, anyway. I explained my 'symptoms' and such as far as the doctor asked and she seems to think it's more of an issue to do with breathing than my heart. She asked if I'd had any tests previously on my nose, lungs, etc.. no :/ makes me worry my regular doctor is a moron since he's barely even noticed any of these, nevermind asked about tests, and not so long ago he said it was 'attention seeking', rather than a physical problem I had. What kind of 20 year old doesn't breathe for attention? Honestly? ...But anyway, off topic again. I've had a ton of tests for epilepsy, but none on my heart, nor on my lungs, when they're apparently the main issue here.. hmmm. She said she'd never seen anyone with symptoms like mine, but she didn't think it'd be serious or life threatening, so she was going to refer me to the correct ward for a future appointment.
Basically, I'm being referred to a specialist on breathing. Put even more basically, I'm off to "Breathing Rehab". The doctor thinks it's a mental issue that's got me in a habit of breathing like this and going to rehab and in effect, 're-learning' to breathe is going to help my situation. She also said the pains in my chest lately are probably from stressed muscles where my odd breathing is working them overtime. Might be feasible.. I dunno. Personally I find it hard to believe that my muscles are working overtime after 5 years or so of this happening, if it was an issue, why hasn't it happened before? She didn't know what to make of my headaches or nightmares, though.
Boy do I feel like a retard. I can't even do something you learn from birth. Off to breathing rehab I go.
So.. what is it then?
Basically, she told me that moreso than a heart issue it seemed to be a breathing issue. I'm not sure how many people on LJ will realise since I don't exactly post videos of me breathing here since I'm not a creepy weirdo who mouthbreathes and shares on the internet, but I've had a few problems with my breathing for a few years. Basically, I either don't breathe then have to catch my breath after, or I breathe too fast .. not quite hyperventilation, but faster than average. I've never seen it as a real issue, but it does make me go dizzy or lose my balance now and again. Everyone else sees it as an issue but for me it's not something I can stop or control, else believe me, I would've stopped it a long time ago. Since 6th form friends have reminded me to 'breathe', and I've had a few strangers ask if I'm alright over the years. I know it isn't normal but I only realise I'm doing it when it's happened and unless I conciously think to myself 'breathe in, breathe out' over and over I can't control it either.
Back to the hospital, anyway. I explained my 'symptoms' and such as far as the doctor asked and she seems to think it's more of an issue to do with breathing than my heart. She asked if I'd had any tests previously on my nose, lungs, etc.. no :/ makes me worry my regular doctor is a moron since he's barely even noticed any of these, nevermind asked about tests, and not so long ago he said it was 'attention seeking', rather than a physical problem I had. What kind of 20 year old doesn't breathe for attention? Honestly? ...But anyway, off topic again. I've had a ton of tests for epilepsy, but none on my heart, nor on my lungs, when they're apparently the main issue here.. hmmm. She said she'd never seen anyone with symptoms like mine, but she didn't think it'd be serious or life threatening, so she was going to refer me to the correct ward for a future appointment.
Basically, I'm being referred to a specialist on breathing. Put even more basically, I'm off to "Breathing Rehab". The doctor thinks it's a mental issue that's got me in a habit of breathing like this and going to rehab and in effect, 're-learning' to breathe is going to help my situation. She also said the pains in my chest lately are probably from stressed muscles where my odd breathing is working them overtime. Might be feasible.. I dunno. Personally I find it hard to believe that my muscles are working overtime after 5 years or so of this happening, if it was an issue, why hasn't it happened before? She didn't know what to make of my headaches or nightmares, though.
Boy do I feel like a retard. I can't even do something you learn from birth. Off to breathing rehab I go.