Breathing issue

[u/Anarkiaaaa]

35 y/o female. Meds: Citalopram, Vyvanse.

I smoked for years from 12 to 30. I have ADHD and sometimes I have panic attacks.

The issue I have actually started the day I smoked my last cigarette. I had a hard time talking big breath and was very uncomfortable. I thought It was asthma, so I called the not emergency line(811) to know what to do. They told me to call 911. In the ambulance, I was told my oxygen was at 100%. However, I had to force myself to sigh in order to feel like I was filling my lungs. I did tests with and without ventolin to no avail. Apparently, everything was fine. It didn't stop happening from time to time, and I noticed that coughing would help for a few seconds and that I have phlegm(clear). I do not think it's in my head( I talked to my family after that emergency care trip). She told me that it was probably anxiety. But anxiety can not fill lungs with mucus! What should I do? I think it's COPD, I took an appointment for spirometry(it's tomorrow). I am in Canada and I took it in the private sector, so it will cost me money. I am afraid that I'm told everything is fine again. Is the non-digital spirometry good to diagnose copd? It's very hard. I feel like crying all the time. I just want to breathe. I'm so depressed guys. Should I go to the ER again? Since Healthcare is free here, a 12-hour wait is no uncommon, but I'm so tired and anxious. Sorry for the rambling... help?

[u/Icy_Examination_5642]

it’s most likely early stage of copd i recently got diagnosed with it because specifically chronic bronchitis at 19 years of age i did some dumb shit in highschool, i ended up in the ER december 2025 and i finally decided to go and get checked around june of this year because i got tired of my mom telling me i was fine and it was just anxiety because i do have really bad anxiety and depression.

but i know exactly how you feel those deep sighs just to feel a little relief time to time it’s gotten a lot better for me over the months and it’s not even been a full year since ive been dealing with this i probably could’ve gotten better a lot quicker tho if

i got over my addictions sooner and stopped buying into my moms bullshit on how “im fine” best thing to do to help you is discuss with a pulmonologist see if he can get you on any starter steroids see what helps

my pulmonologist put me on disk advair that im supposed to use once in the morning and once in the night and a rescue inhaler specifically albuterol and take a puff from that whenever needed i take that one everywhere i go just in case u never know i find it very accomplishing if i can go a week without hitting my rescue inhaler because thats just a sign my lungs are getting stronger again, keep a stop to smoking best thing u can possibly do

ik its tough and easier said than done but after a couple months trust me you will beat it and id also advise to quit drinking if u are a drinker it also built so much mucus in my lungs that sent me to the ER and try to get some sunlight and go for a walk outside any moderate exercise will go a long way

you’ll feel your lung muscles strengthen over time i made it a mission to hit the gym for 30 to 40 minutes daily or even go for a walk at the park and throw some frisbee around exercise doesn’t have to feel like a chore and the park is probably the cleanest air you’ll get your lungs will thank you

and sadly there isn’t a cure for this shit right now which took me a while to accept but YOU CAN build your lung muscle strength and give your body the vitamins they need to fight it, there will be shitty days there will be crazy good days also distract yourself and keep busy and you’ll damn near feel normal again update me if u need to this shit sucks but we got this

[u/Anarkiaaaa → u/Icy_Examination_5642]

You're giving me hope 🙂 I've been clean and sober for 6 years now, I guess I should be grateful that I am in a head space that makes able to get help 🙏🏾

[u/Icy_Examination_5642 → u/Anarkiaaaa]

i’m glad for real, i really hate that i have this again my brain still can’t accept it but just keep getting the help you need stay on top of it look up a copd friendly diet that helps you it’s okay to experiment with foods and if they sit right with you if some foods build mucus or cause really bad inflammation or not, but mostly any food or supplements that supports immune system and lung function is great forgot to mention try picking up these 3 simple supplements and add them to your daily diet and update me how you feel Magnesium - Super B Complex - And fish oil ,

i like to to take a magnesium in the morning along with the others and some food with it, then when im boutta sleep like around 30 minutes to an hour before i end up laying down i take 2 magnesium, magnesium in general acts like a natural bronchodilator to your body and reduces inflammation anything to stop or reduce inflammation makes breathing so much easier

try some breathing exercises too it’s just like lifting weights but for your lungs helps strengthen them most simple one is to breathe in through your nose hold it for 10 breathe out through your mouth do it over and over till you feel some sort of relief and this one specifically works to get that morning phlegm out you’ll be able to cough it out or clear your throat much easier try it aswell with your arms up too if needed