Shortness of breath after covid. TMS?

Hello all. A month ago I got covid.

The 2nd week after covid I suddenly couldn't sleep anymore because of shortness of breath and I was in a panic because of the shortness of breath.

Like I'm not getting oxygen when I breathe. I now struggle with shortness of breath all day and night and can't sleep because of it.

My lungs are good according to the doctor after listening my lungs and my oxygen level is also very good 98% average . Blood tests are also good.

10 years ago I got back pain that prevented me from functioning. After reading Dr Sarno's book my back pain was gone.

Can someone help me with my shortness of breath problem? It drives me crazy day and night and I don't sleep. Walking and sitting it doesn't matter. It doesn't go away.

The airway inhalers given by the doctor don't help too.

The doctor said 'maybe it's in your head'. It was easier to eliminate the backpain using the TMS method but eliminate the constant hyperventilation and shortness of breath is so hard for me.

As if i cannot accept it is TMS. Need help.

 

It is me again. Healing backpain with TMS method was easier because the only thing to think about was 'do your thing' and don't worry about your back.

But i can not 'do my thing' with shortness of breath. I read some succes stories of people cured their astma, hyperventilation or shortness of breath with TMS but it is difficult for me. For my backpain it was 'just walk and go!' 'Just step on that bycycle' but breath shortness feels like 'not in control' and difficult because i need my breath every second.

 

Hi, I also had shortness of breath after I got covid last year. Just my opinion of course, but I don’t believe that all “long covid” symptoms are TMS. We simply don’t know enough about the virus to be able to definitively say that. My oxygen levels stayed around 94% for about 2 months afterwards and my normal is 99%. I would have to take frequent breaks after normal activities during that time frame. My husband who is extremely fit and has absolutely zero mind body issues also had shortness of breath. I would try to be patient, and maybe look up breathing exercises for covid online. They helped me a ton. Have you tried sleeping on a wedge? It changed the game for me. Also when I would feel like I wasn’t getting enough air, I would roll up a pillow lengthwise and place it between my shoulder blades, sort of pushing my sternum up and my shoulders back and simply breathe and rest. Try not to push yourself too hard. I did eventually get better but it took several months.

 

Thank you very much for the answer. I aprreciate it. I am happy you recovered. I have a question. My oxygen level is always 98% 99% or 100%. But i experience shortness of breath all the time and also in rest...That's weird and i can walk for hundreds of meters. But 24/7 shortness of breath and it effects my sleep. I sleep 2/3 hours the night.
Hw long did it take that you could 'manage' the symptons..I mean that you felt 50% relief. I would be happy with 50% relief.

 

I find it a little frustrating to see TMS used as a diagnosis, as in "do I have TMS?" We all have mind-body connections. Specifically Sarno talked about the pain caused by oxygen deprivation at the sites of pain, caused by tension of tightening up muscles. Having said that, I would like to know about knee replacement therapy. I have more mobility problems in the Age of Covid, and find walking difficult. I have lost a lot of ground in these two and a half years, butI really don't want to have knee or hip replacements, which my peers are starting to get. I have a lot of osteo arthritis, and would like to psychologize away the pain of crouching and getting up. Is there an epidemic of unnecessary joint replacement surgery, or is this something I really should take of medically, using psychological pain management for recovery.?
I am not imagining the crackling sound my knees make when I stretch and extend my legs. Oddly, I can do a modern dance class once a week. I used to do much more, but the age of covid has made me a little agoraphobic! Definitely a mind body thing.
Well, I'm rambling, so my real question is--is there a knee replacement industry, or is it something I should really think about.

 

I'm now 66, and the pandemic life has taken a lot of my former energy.

 

No problem! I would say it took at least a month and a half before I felt kind of like myself again (50%). Over 2 months before the shortness of breath went away. It took my husband around 2 months also I believe. Anxiety about shortness of breath will definitely lead to more severe shortness of breath, I can tell you that for sure. I bought a fingertip oxygen meter, if you don’t have one I would purchase one. That way you know to go to the doctor if your oxygen drops. Breathing exercises also helped a ton. I began improving rapidly once I started doing them. And do try sleeping sitting up on pillows or on a wedge and see if that helps at night. Shortness of breath is really scary, I totally understand. Try to do as much self-care as you can. Don’t push yourself too hard, especially if you’ve been really sick. I also believe that TMS can and will take advantage of a physical issue if it can. I had the dreaded “covid headache” while I was sick and you know where my thoughts went?….directly to “What if I’m one of the people who has the headache for months?” I then had anxiety about the headache in addition to the actual headache…..thats how TMS works. It saw an opportunity and jumped on it. Try to stay as calm as you can and know that you’ll recover, it’ll just take time . I just now got my sense of smell and taste back and it’s been over 6 months.

 

Thank you very much for your answer. The shortness of breath is indeed scary and especially because the shortness of breath occurs also at rest. That makes me anxious. I start thinking why it all takes so long, when will it end. It also seems like I am stirring up other feelings of fear and sadness that makes me even more unhappy and anxious. For example, my mother's cancer diagnosis is mingling in this thoughts. I am weak because of the low energylevel that shortness of breath causes and because i don't sleep much.
I do indeed believe that what you say is true and that TMS is taking advantage of a physical problem. I will try to be patient and to be calmer because someday it will pass but it is difficult.

 

I really appreciate this conversation, and I think your recovery Skylark is a great example of not pouring fuel on the fire, yet finding ways to physically feel better and address fears. Thank you.

 

Omg!
Since 2.5 weeks i have 38.5 degrees fever and cough and enormous fatigue! The doctor checked my lungs it was ok. Influenza test, no influenza. Covid antigen test, no covid. And anti biotics also didn't help!

I don't understand. I did bravely my breathing execises each day and tried to do things and suddenly this came up??? I am much worse than in the beginning. The doctor doesn't know wht causes the fever. O help, wanna die.

 

I wish dr Sarno was still alive in this covid period to advice and help me!!

 

https://www.thismighthurtfilm.com/long-covid (Long Covid — Neuroplastic & Mind-Body Resources — This Might Hurt)

 

Hi, sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this. I’m so sorry your feeling so terrible. I actually recently had covid again and used the same techniques with much success. I didn’t get as bad of a fever this time but I remember having an on/off fever for several weeks the first time also. I believe I quarantined for like a month because of it. Have you been referred to a “long covid” specialist? I know here in the U.S. there are clinics specializing in this now. There’s a regimen of medications/supplements that are helping people. That may be something you could look into if you’re still not feeling better. Do remember that the unconscious mind can create ANY symptom and if you’re scared and distracted, it’s got you exactly where it wants you. Try not to be afraid, and tell yourself “it’s gonna be okay”. Acceptance of our circumstances, in my opinion, takes away much of tms’s power. If indeed your “long covid” symptoms have a mind/body component then accepting that your current situation is just how things are going to be for awhile might help alleviate some of your fear.

 

Shortness of breath has been a problem for me for 6 months, I have long covid induced by the vaccine according to my doctor. You might want to check /r/covidlonghaulers

 

No problem. Thanks. The doctor want to send me to a 'covid revalidation' but i have no strength so they start in september if i am hopely a little bit stronger. Covid revalidation is just fitness within your bounderies....Accepting is very important and every day i am saying to myself; 'accept it and have faight it will be better in the future'..

 

If i check/listen to covid long haulers i get depressed. It is like listening to chronic pain long haulers unaware of TMS knowledge and they are stick for so long with their symptons. Dr Schubiner threated some covid long haulers with succes i think.
What is your cause of your shortness of breath? Is there not a little bit relief of your shortness of breath comparing to the beginning?

 

This is one of those situations where I must confirm that I am not a medical professional, nor do I have firsthand experience with COVID-19 causing these symptoms. I've had shortness of breath caused by the mind-body connection, but I did not have COVID-19. This happened in late 2020 while COVID-19 was simply running rampant, leading me to believe that these symptoms were the result of my opportunistic brain dealing emotional stress and being aware of the virus' most common effects.

It's totally possible that some long COVID cases include varying degrees of mind-body components (as with any condition, this is not a one-size-fits-all or completely black and white issue). At the same time, long COVID is still a newer phenomenon and I'm uncomfortable pretending to have special knowledge about it when I do not. I agree with Skylark's advice RE: acceptance of our circumstances and addressing fear. While it's important for us all to be aware of long COVID, it's just as critical for us to maintain a sense of balance and remember that there are different experiences, including those that involve varying degrees of mind-body responses. It bears some similarities to my previous antidepressant withdrawal journey: yes, it's real, but emotional stress can make anything and everything worse. And some people just aren't going to get better because of that. I can't always tell who is dealing with "the real deal" versus mind-body symptoms or a combination of both - always keep that in mind.

Has your doctor worked with long COVID patients? It's certainly hopeful that your oxygen levels, lungs, and blood tests are good. That's very positive!

From an emotional perspective, consider what's going on in your life right now. How are you managing your daily emotions? What has helped you deal with fear in the past? Are you still engaging in activities that you enjoy during the day (e.g., reading, time with pets, etc.)?

 

Was your shortness of breath present 24/7? And how did you get rid of it? The day i got infected i had much stres in my life. physical and emotional.....I accept that i have shortness of breath and hope it will be better in the future but it is not easy to deal with sob.

 

After 6 months it's started to get better. I have other symptoms, too.

 

I hope they will vanish too.