Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Helpful Tips Breathing problems again

Three night's and 2 day's now, I am struggling to get a full breath. I know it is the A.S. What do you guy's do? I do my stretches and that help's. It is miserable. Have any of you been to the hospital over this? What do you tell them and what do they do?

Pea - IF this is struggling and 'with' pain, then get thee to a hospital as 'may' be pleurisy!

Struggling and pain - check it out.

The pain Molly is right above the shoulder blades right on the spine. The breathing seem's to be the lack of expansion in the front rib cage. If I lay on two pillow's with my arms over my head then I get some relief but usually end up in the fetal position in the morning, struggling for air. I have my Rheumatologist appt. on Monday. I will see what he say's.

Good note! Since I had my Remicade infusion on Tues., I don't have any shoulder pain and I am not quite as stiff in the morning. Don't know if it is the dose of steroid he put in the i.v. before hand or the Remicade! I'll take what I can ya'know?

So...maybe the fact I have trouble at times expanding my lungs or catching my breath (especially after high starch foods) could also be AS?

That sounds highly suspicious. The fact that high starch foods have an effect makes it sound like AS rather than lung problems such as pneumonia or asthma. Rib stiffness is a common problem... I've experienced it too, when my inflammation was quite high. Happily I haven't lost any more chest expansion after getting inflammation more under control (nowadays through a very low-starch diet).

Trouble 'expanding' lungs and catching breath can be a part of AS. ASers do tend to loose chest/lung expansion. Why it is necessary to stretch and do deep breathing exercises, keep the intercostals expanded. I lost a whole lot of chest expansion, but with the physio concentrating deep breathing exercises, have regained a lot of what I had lost. Though did not stop the recent inflammatory attack: went right back to being unable to expand rib cage/intercostals - but back on target again now. AS sure is a right wierd condition <(:(

Well here it is, yet another morning waking up breathless. Getting up and stretching has not helped nor has taking a bath. It is very tiring. I just can't get a full breath in. If this keep's up I'm heading to the e.r. I'm tired!

Hi Pea,

A sense/symptom of breathlessness can have different causes, so I think seeing your doc would be wise. It may very well be from AS although with restriction in rib cage expansion, you should still be able to expand your abdomen in order to take a breath. Since heart issues can be one possible cause of this symptom, I'd see your doc or head to the ER if the symptom is scaring you.

Hope you are feeling better soon!

Thanks Mig. I went to the Rheumatologist today. He did 6 x-ray's to see if he can find something.

Oh good. That makes me feel better, knowing you saw your rheumy. Now let's hope the doc can find a way to make You feel better!