Can we talk shortness of breath?

[sk8man121]

So as a general aside, I had quit smoking cigarettes for years and now issue with breathing problems. About a year ago, I started smoking again. I'm a singer, and after a few months of smoking daily (not a lot maybe 5 or 6 a day), I started feeling short of breath when I would sing on stage.

Now that I'd switched to vaping, it feels like it hasn't gotten better, but maybe even worse? I vape 100% VG Johnson Creek, and it just seems like I'm winded after walking up a flight of stairs and even just going through my day. It seems like it's been especially noticeable this week since I've started thinking about it (which makes me think there is a big "anxiety factor" here)

I was at the doctor the other day for something different and he listened to my lungs, saying they were "pretty clear." I casually mentioned that when I was smoking cigs that I'd be out of breath and that it wasn't good, and he was like "yea, it's not." He didn't seem to make a case for this being a big problem though.

My question here though is this. I'm 27; not old. Is shortness of breathe a serious lung kind of thing, or is it just a reaction to smoking? IE lets say I quit smoking analogs and maybe even just stop vaping; is this the kind of thing that is expected to improve because of that? Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[sk8man121]

Also how can you tell when shortness of breath is a real physical thing and not just an anxiety response? I've had the "can't catch my breathe" thing for years off and on due to anxiety, and I can't tell if this is that or something else.

 

[sk8man121]

I should also note that while i'm not "fat" at 158 lbs 5'11, i'm very out of shape. I get basically no exercise because I work at a desk and don't go to the gym enough. Could this be the reason? I used to get a lot more exercise than i do now. Could it just be that I'm out of shape?

 

[Clovery]

How many years and packs a day were you a smoker?

 

[Tanti]

I would say (not a dr or anything) you maybe having an effect from changing from smoking to vaping. There is an adjustment period. It could also be an anxiety thing also. I know for me I had that before I quit smoking, felt like I couldnt catch my breath and was winded after climbing stairs. It went away after about 3 weeks of vaping. My lungs are doing so much better now.

You might try using a 50/50 blend maybe the VG is to much for you, or try less VG and more PG. Drink plenty of water!

 

[sk8man121]

I smoked from 16-20, maybe close to a pack a day. Then I stopped for probably 4 years, then off and on I'd smoke, then not, then last year I started smoking daily maybe 5 a day or so. Now I vape.

 

[MorpheusPA]

It sounds like your doctor has ruled out any actual lung problems, yes? If not, further investigation might be smart. I'm certainly not a doctor and don't play one on TV.

Anxiety's a nightmare, I have it myself and I'm on some nice medications for it which work beautifully. I've been at the can't catch my breath phase. It's awful.

It's hard--really, impossible--to tell if the very real physical symptoms are anxiety or something else. If you're under care for your anxiety, I'd check in with that doctor to see about rebalancing your medications. That stroke I thought I was having? Anxiety, which fed on itself.

If you're not under a doctor's care for it, you may wish to consider doing so.

Physical exercise, even as simple as walking around the block a few times, can really help with anxiety. It also improves your cardiovascular function.

 

[sk8man121]

i'm sitting here thinking i have cancer at 27 years old. i'm terrified.

 

[denali_41]

I started vaping 100% VG because i couldn't handle PG ,but the VG was too heavy and thick and made my chest feel heavy,so i forced myself to get use to higher PG juice and it worked .

if i try to vape 100% VG now i feel it before the day is over,something to try

 

[sk8man121]

i've been off and on meds for anxiety for years. off at the moment and trying to keep it that way. right now though i feel like i need to be zonked out. i'm just super scared.

 

[sk8man121]

my lungs are definitely not congested though. does that make a difference here???

 

[denali_41]

First off ! you need to calm down,,worry causes stress and stress can kill you !!

try some 50\50 juice and report back the results

 

[Gr8Scott]

Well definitely don't worry about it. Just go have a lung function test. Odds are greatly in your favor that you don't have cancer.
Odds are greatly in your favor that you don't have cancer.
Odds are greatly in your favor that you don't have cancer.
Odds are greatly in your favor that you don't have cancer.
Odds are greatly in your favor that you don't have cancer.
Odds are greatly in your favor that you don't have cancer.
Odds are greatly in your favor that you don't have cancer.
Odds are greatly in your favor that you don't have cancer.

So there. Relax!

Just go get it looked at, You will deal with it as effectively as the other situations that came up in your life which you stressed out about for no reason.

 

[sk8man121]

so i'm probably not dying here...?

 

[sk8man121]

oh trust me i stress out about practically everything. i'm thinking this is just another one.

can someone explain why it is that smoking/vaping causes shortness of breath? i know at least a few smokers who are singers that have reported this same issue, and i'm sure at our age that they don't all have cancer. what is it?

 

[denali_41]

oh trust me i stress out about practically everything. i'm thinking this is just another one.

can someone explain why it is that smoking/vaping causes shortness of breath? i know at least a few smokers who are singers that have reported this same issue, and i'm sure at our age that they don't all have cancer. what is it?

again..........STRESS !!!!!!!!!

 

[MorpheusPA]

so i'm probably not dying here...?

That sounds likely.

As a casual singer (slightly trained, I never bother to use my voice any more), I noticed my range and breath increased. On the other hand, I smoked 2 1/2 packs a day for years. Anything short of sitting in a burning house would have resulted in better lungs.

Re: fogged out on the meds. Wrong meds. Just saying. I had to thrash a bit and change doctors until I found one (well, both a doctor and a med) that worked for me.

 

[sk8man121]

This is my band, and the idea that I won't be able to sing anymore because of this has me severely upset right now.

"Limbo" by Rural Ghosts - BTR Hear There [ep71] - YouTube

 

[DJ RyckRak]

If your lungs are not congested, and the doctor says your breathing is ok...I would say to listen to your doctor !- Your OK !!!

Doctors are trained to 'listen' to your heart, lung function, etc. I am not a doctor- but I have two brothers in law that are.
You would not believe the 'training to listen' classes...It was like 8 CDs of 'sounds'-(hours and hours) and a couple of lectures and tests- and that was just for the heart !
Smoking is going to congest the lungs- the tar and the clay in burning ciggys are the real culprits- also the Carbon Monoxide in cigs constricts the small blood vessels...

Was a 40+ year, 1-2 PAD 'burro red' man.
Can't tell you how great I feel...breathing deeply, sleeping well and no more heavyness in the legs and feet...Vaping saved me !
I actually think the PG in vaping is good for breathing problems. It's hydroscoptic and is used in nebulizers.

So, If you are concerned- see your doctor-
Otherwise- believe Him or Her !

 

[sk8man121]

Yea. I mean like I said I went to the doc NOT FOR THIS (for a back issue that i thought could be lung cause it's near there) but he did listen to my lungs to check things out and he said "well they sound pretty clear." then i told him about the smoking/shortness of breathe and he was just like "yup bad ....," basically. I'm assuming he would've said "let's get this checked out" if there was a real concern?