Gasping for breath because its "too hot"

Good points keeping quiet. I live in the same area and have asthma and struggle with breathing especially at this time. Also swelling of left ankle.

I wonder if you could get him an albutrin inhaler from the pharmacy as it could just be seasonal allergies as someone suggested.

A bit off topic but my DH refuses to go to a doctor anymore too. Why do they do this ?? I told him, that's fine. I'll just call an ambulance instead.

But the OP said that her DH will not see a doctor.

Those canisters are supposed to be for athletes. I considered buying one for my DH but got him in to the doctor instead. They found he had blood clot in his lung. He is on blood thinners now. Also his lung later collapsed. He has an oxygen tank now which helps with breathlessness in hot weather and he loves it because not being able to catch your breath is very scary. If you want to buy something on Amazon to help your DH buy an oximeter. Every home should have one because when your oxygen levels are too low you are getting permanent brain damage.

Waiting for my chemotherapy to start I became very anaemic and although my iron levels were very very high my haemoglobin was dangerously low. Extreme fatigue, a constant dry cough, weight loss and breathlessness with a high heart rate were symptoms. But I expect he has had blood tests so I expect anaemia has been ruled out.

Flexiblefriend, your experience is common. Auto immune conditions often lie unknown but causing all manner of odd symptoms

I had something similar about 10 years ago. I did go and see my GP repeatedly and I really like my GP but like yours I was sent for all sort of tests on my heart and lungs all showed nothing. I knew it wasn't my heart etc. My GP persevered and performed lots of blood tests. Apparently although my haemoglobin levels appeared fine, my ferritin levels were not. I still don't fully understand the difference between my circulating levels and my whatever it was but I'm no longer suffering, we got to the bottom of it and in the process discovered I had an autoimmune condition that I was completely unaware of and still receiving treatment for.

I think you will have to accept that you are a powerless observer in this situation and to retain your sanity you will have to tell yourself, like the partner of an alcoholic must do, you didn't cause it, can't control it and can't cure it. Much sympathy, but step back and don't buy an oxygen cylinder. He probably won't use it and it could cause harm.

Yes, this is an accurate summary but to redress the balance it sounds like the O2 cylinders on-line are very small and sound pretty much useless.

Calipso

You say on the one hand that his 'heart and lungs are strong' but on the other hand he has had many cardiac investigations and 3 x cardioversions. If he is 'gasping for breath' rather than just being a bit short breath then it rules out most of the above suggestions.
Its important to realise that 100% oxygen shouldn't be given randomly - its dangerous to give it to those with COPD for example as their stimulus to breathe is triggered by the CO2 level in the bloodstream.
If your DH won't engage with a doctor there's really not much you can do but I can appreciate how frustrating that must be.

Sorry, that's not quite accurate, random 'C' crept in there. This explains it better

"Supplemental O2 removes a COPD patient's hypoxic (low level of oxygen) respiratory drive causing hypoventilation which causes higher carbon dioxide levels, apnea (pauses in breathing), and ultimately respiratory failure"

You say on the one hand that his 'heart and lungs are strong' but on the other hand he has had many cardiac investigations and 3 x cardioversions. If he is 'gasping for breath' rather than just being a bit short breath then it rules out most of the above suggestions.
Its important to realise that 100% oxygen shouldn't be given randomly - its dangerous to give it to those with COPD for example as their stimulus to breathe is triggered by the CO2 level in the bloodstream.
If your DH won't engage with a doctor there's really not much you can do but I can appreciate how frustrating that must be.

Others have mentioned the finger oximeters that tell how much oxygen is in his blood can buy in pharmacy. At least that way you could tell if he's really not getting enough oxygen. Could he be extremely unfit?

OK, OK, I won't persue that idea.
I won't buy one.
Surely, though, these canisters can't be as evil and even life threatening as some of you are suggesting?
As there's no way (and I mean that) he'll go back to his GP it looks as though all I can do is watch him struggling to breathe until he dies.
Please, please don't anyone say 'get him to the doctor's.
Please don't say it again.
And please don't suggest I talk to his doctor, I have tried, although I have written a letter to the surgery so it's at least on record.
It really doesn't help to keep saying MAKE him see a doctor. You've heard of 'taking a horse to water ....'?

Your dh needs to see doc/respiratory team but I can't offer any suggestions as to how you get him there I'm afraid.

What I can say is that these little oxygen cylinders are not designed to relieve breathlessness such as your dh is experiencing. They're primarily for a quick burst of oxygen to re-energize and hold a very small amount of oxygen. A 1ltr can dispensing in 1 sec bursts can be gone in a day if using for medical purposes.

I've recently had experience with oxygen supplementation following a bout of pneumonia. To put it into perspective I was on 2 ltrs per minute when moving around and 1 ltr per minute overnight. Others on the ward were on much higher flows of 8-10ltrs per minute. A fireman friend told me that they use 15ltrs pm if they rescue someone who has inhaled smoke. This will perhaps give you an idea of how little these cans are, you'd be wasting your money and not getting to the root of the problem.

Hope you can persuade your dh to go to the doc, he really needs to be seen by respiratory team.

Thank you all for your replies.

Do not, in any circumstances, buy an O2 canister on-line. Giving people oxygen who don't need it can be very dangerous and even fatal.
You don't say how old he is, but why would he agree to having oxygen if he won't go back to the GP?
You are within your rights to return and ask for a referral, or even change your GP.
I am with others here. It could be anaemia, hiatus hernia or hayfever, which isn't always about streaming eyes.

One thing I have noticed is the increase in humidity this summer- much higher than normal so this could also be a factor.
Also do you live in an area where the air quality is poor? This could also be a factor.
I do hope you get it sorted soon, and please don't buy O2 from the inter-net. I am amazed it is even legal to do so.

Apparently his heart and lungs are strong

When were they last checked?

My DH started becoming more breathless (he does have lung problems) and it was found that he needed to have a pacemaker fitted.

Can you persuade him to go to the GP and go with him so that you can listen to the conversation. It's better to have another person there as it's often possible to miss something if being given a lot of information.

I have similar problems to your husband, with severe breathlessness and fatigue; but no cause found, it was found I have a slight 'heart beat problem' but apparently not enough to be causing problems. I was under my local hospital but discharged, so paid to see someone to try to find out what it is and had lots of additional tests but still no diagnosis but its suggested it could be 'vocal cord dysfunction' and 'hypersensitivity'.

Aldom

Hiatus hernia can cause shortness of breath. Cardiology have given me a thorough investigation, only to find my breathlessness is caused by my hiatus hernia. Perhaps your husband could ask his GP to consider investigating this area.

Very true. I have a hiatus hernia and that can happen to me. Some people get really frightened when they see it happen.

This might sound simplistic but could he be dehydrated, especially during the warmer weather?
This is from a question online:

Does drinking water increase oxygen in the body?
When you drink lots of water, your lungs remain properly hydrated, which improves their ability to oxygenate and expel carbon dioxide. Therefore, the oxygen saturation level of your body gets improved. Also, drinking 2-3 litres of water may improve your blood's oxygen saturation level by up to 5 per cent.

(I'm not belittling his heart problems by the way).

Thanks foxie48. The cardiologist who did my cardioversion advised against a 2nd one because the failure rate is high. He was very clear, no exercise in heat. I was going to Greece with two friends I walk with often in the UK. He said it’s ok for your friends to climb hills in the Greek sun, but not for you . Exercise in heat is no longer an option for you
I was not happy but followed his strict clear advice. It’s stayed with me from 10 years ago, when I found myself uncomfortable when reading in my garden during the very occasional warmth. I came indoors, drank water and lay down to relax. Felt better in mins
Ex Dancer, my experience is men don’t always ask necessary questions or share relevant info x

I have heart failure and find hot weather exacerbates my shortness of breath as does very cold weather or windy weather.
I suggest he sees his GP asap.

I was going to say the same as Iam64 Cardioversions are done because the heart rate is too fast or because it's irregular. Are you sure he's sharing all his information with you? Tachycardia and fibrillation/flutter can all cause a shortness of breath especially in hot weather when the heart has to work harder. Sometimes people go into denial if they are told something about their health that they find worrying. Does he take any tablets on a regular basis? I think a good chat is called for. Good luck.

Good luck. Let us know what happens. I have no different advice to offer, what’s been offered here is all good.

If he’s had 3 cardio versions (stop-restart heart) that suggests atrial fibrillation. That, combined with hot weather can cause breathlessness.
He needs to discuss with his GP as you know. Best of luck making that happen