Fibromyalgia and Breathing Problems: Causes and Management

Fibromyalgia and Difficulty Breathing: Causes and Relief

Shortness of breath can be a disabling and frightening fibromyalgia symptom. Understanding what triggers breathing issues and learning effective management strategies are key to regaining comfort and control.

Fibromyalgia and Breathing Challenges

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain condition. In addition to body aches and tender points, many people with fibromyalgia also deal with respiratory problems like shortness of breath and difficulty taking deep breaths.

Estimates show between 10% to 30% of fibromyalgia patients experience pronounced breathing issues and breathlessness.

Difficult or labored breathing ranks among the most troubling fibromyalgia symptoms. It can significantly impact quality of life by limiting activity, energy levels, and emotional well-being.

Common Causes of Shortness of Breath

What aspects of fibromyalgia cause or contribute to worrisome breathing problems and air hunger?

Research points to several potential triggering factors:

• Chronic pain - Your brain diverts effort away from involuntary tasks like breathing to cope.
• Anxiety and stress - Tense muscles and mental distraction impair breathing.
• Low lung capacity - Muscle weakness limits ability to fully expand lungs.
• Chronic fatigue - Insufficient energy to sustain deeper breaths.
• Medications - Some drugs used to treat fibro symptoms depress respiratory function.

Other Contributing Respiratory Conditions

Fibromyalgia rarely occurs in isolation. Many fibromyalgia patients also live with overlapping chronic health issues that can independently or collectively impact breathing abilities, like:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma
• Sleep apnea
• Allergies
• Acid reflux
• Heart disease

Diagnosing and properly managing any co-existing lung or breathing disorders is an important part of relieving fibro-related respiratory distress.

Symptoms of Shortness of Breath in Fibromyalgia

What does difficulty breathing feel like for those living with fibromyalgia? Some hallmark signs include:

Labored or Heavy Breathing

A noticeable sensation of intense effort and work required to inhale and exhale normally. Ragged, strenuous breathing. Feeling smothered or starved for air even at rest.

Shallow Breathing

Inability to take slow, full, deep breaths. Rapid, short breaths using only chest area without diaphragm involvement. Frequent sighing.

Air Hunger

An unsatisfied urge and perceived need for more oxygen. Gasping involuntarily. A feeling of suffocating or drowning.

Chest Tightness

Constriction sensation around chest. Tension, heaviness, squeezing, or crushing feelings impeding breathing.

Hyperventilation

Rapid, uncontrolled overbreathing as body tries to compensate for perceived lack of oxygen. Lightheadedness, spasms, tingling extremities.

Any pronounced change in typical breathing patterns or new onset of respiratory symptoms warrants medical evaluation to determine the cause and best treatment options.

Medical Testing for Shortness of Breath with Fibromyalgia

To diagnose why someone with fibromyalgia might be struggling to breathe comfortably, doctors may conduct tests like:

Physical Exam

Checking vitals, lung sounds, heart rate, muscle strength, chest wall mobility to assess respiratory function.

Pulmonary Function Test

Spirometry and body plethysmography measure lung capacity and airflow limitations.

Chest X-ray

Radiologic imaging identifies abnormalities in lung tissues and structures.

CT Scan

Advanced 3D scanned pictures of chest provide greater detail of lungs, airways, blood vessels.

Arterial Blood Gas

Analyzes oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in bloodstream.

Sleep Study

Monitors breathing patterns, heart rate, oxygen levels during sleep to diagnose disorders like sleep apnea.

These tests help pinpoint underlying causes contributing to breathing challenges like asthma, COPD, cardiovascular issues, muscle weakness, physical lung changes, sleep disturbances, and more.

Treatments to Improve Shortness of Breath in Fibromyalgia

Getting anxious, worried breathing under control is crucial for improving everyday quality of life with fibromyalgia. Explore these strategies for relief:

Paced Breathing Exercises

Slow, purposeful inhale/exhale breathing helps override the body’s stress response. Try counting breaths, equal inhale/exhale ratios, breathing through pursed lips.

Relaxation and Stress Relief Techniques

Gentle stretching, restorative yoga, mindfulness meditation, calming music lower tension that restricts breathing muscles.

Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise

Gentle cardio like walking helps strengthen respiratory muscles and gives a sense of control over breathing.

Supportive Devices and Accessories

Chest braces, room air purifiers with supplemental oxygen canmake breathing easier during activity or sleep.

Medications and Supplements

Bronchodilators open airways. Low dose anti-anxiety meds relieve panic affecting breathing. Some supplements like magnesium help muscles relax.

Ask your doctor about designing a multimodal management plan customized to your individual respiratory triggers and needs.

The Link Between Fibromyalgia and Sleep Apnea

One hidden breathing disorder that often coexists with fibromyalgia is obstructive sleep apnea. Research confirms a high correlation between the two conditions.

Studies estimate anywhere from 30% to 70% percent of people with fibromyalgia also unknowingly have sleep apnea as an overlapping health problem.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is characterized by:

• Interrupted breathing patterns during sleep
• Physical airway blockages preventing normal inhales/exhales
• Decreased blood oxygen levels
• Frequent sleep disruptions to gasp for air

These breathing abnormalities negatively impact sleep quality and daytime energy. Recent science also links untreated sleep apnea to increased fibromyalgia pain, fatigue, depression, and disability.

Risk Factors and Screening

Fibromyalgia patients more prone to concurrent sleep apnea include those who are older, overweight, or postmenopausal.

Telltale symptoms are chronic loud snoring, gasping awake to catch your breath, morning headaches, unrefreshing sleep, and constant sleepiness.

Ask your doctor for a screening so any underlying sleep disordered breathing can be promptly diagnosed and managed for better fibromyalgia outcomes.

The Outlook for Breathing Problems in Fibromyalgia

Shortness of breath, chest tightness, air hunger, and other breathing abnormalities can be extremely troublesome fibromyalgia symptoms for many.

Managing comorbid conditions, practicing relaxations techniques, increasing physical activity tolerance, and finding helpful medical interventions can together restore more comfortable, confident breathing.

Staying vigilant about any respiratory declines and communicating openly with your healthcare providers allows for quicker corrections to keep difficult breathing under control.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.