Shortness of breath

Bagster said:

For the past 5 months I have had a shortness of breath, getting breathless walking up stairs etc.

I recently got diagnosed with T2 and the doc is now saying it's the additional weight I put on.

I play American football and was lifting/training 5 days, have always been heavier cause of my sport and never had an issue with breathing, so why now, I can't get my head round it!!

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When your blood sugars are too high, lots of things go awry including both the ability and desire to exercise, getting hot on exertion, shortness of breath. and generally feeling much older than you did before. Luckily all of that is resolvable by getting the glucose back down. its possible to d that fairly easily by adopting a low carb way of life. There is a program on here which shows you exactly how to d that. If you give that try you should find you feel better and slimmer in no time!

Hello Bagster
Difficulty breathing can be a side effect of Metformin
I have copied this paragraph for you from here https://www.medicinenet.com/metformin-oral/article.htm

Stop taking metformin and get medical help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis: unusual tiredness, dizziness, severe drowsiness, chills, blue/cold skin, muscle pain, fast/difficult breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat, stomach pain with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
I think another visit to your Dr would be a good idea, maybe stop the metformin for a while see if the breathing improves

Bagster said:

Hi, thanks for the advice, I have only been on Metformin for 2 weeks.

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Ok not the Metformin then. I would still get back to the Dr's because breathing problems can be the symptom of other serious conditions and need checking out
Here's a few links that may help you to get your glucose levels down and drop some of extra weight

https://www.ditchthecarbs.com/howtostart/
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb
https://www.marksdailyapple.com/diabetes/#axzz3zVHeBphx

My doctors have always told me that my weight was the reason for anything troubling me. Even when I had a 24 inch waist - it never made any sense to me, and always proved to be something real when I got someone to pay attention.
Breathlessness when you are exercising and fairly fit - particularly if it came on rather suddenly, is not a symptom of diabetes. I think you need to go back to your doctor.
You might feel better if you can lower your blood glucose levels - which I do by eating low carb foods so I don't need medication - the Metformin and statins I was prescribed made me feel very ill, so I gave up taking them and felt that life was probably worth living once more.

We are all different. I'm in the same boat @Bagster .
I was told due to added weight I gained on insulin. Ive lost the weight and still experiencing water tummy which squashes my lungs and makes my breathing problem worse. Give the metformin a few months to kick in and see if any enlarged tummy fat (if you have any) reduces.
I too have never had asthma but thats what im being treated for now. The inhalers are a huge help.
See your gp and ask for a breathing test.
Let us know how you get on.

Bagster said:

Thanks for the replies guys, the thing that annoys me its the fact I aint put on 4 or 5 st in the last year but probably 1st, so its defo something other than my T2

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In my experience I was only breathless in the past with extremely high bgs or extremely lows and they were only for a few minutes not days, like my asthma before treatment.

Bagster said:

Thanks for the replies guys, the thing that annoys me its the fact I aint put on 4 or 5 st in the last year but probably 1st, so its defo something other than my T2

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Are you an ex smoker?

Sounds to me like your doc should be running a few extra tests on you to rule out other things that could be causing breathlessness, even if that is a few more blood tests, or one of those stress tests on a treadmill. I'm no doctor, but I know that breathlessness can be caused by a lot of things.

Could you go back and ask for further investigation?

I've no idea how old you are, but you sound as if you are in good physical shape.
Sometimes once we have a diabetes diagnosis, doctors assume that everything is automatically related to diabetes, when if fact we are also likely to get all the other stuff that non-diabetics get too!

Tannith said:

Are you an ex smoker?

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Me neither. When I was diagnosed with asthma I was sooo angry as I've never smoked. Friends don't smoke in my home or cars. In fact only one of my friends smoke.
That's what made my diagnosis so bizarre. However my betablocker and another blood pressure tablet lists breathlessness as a side effect.

Bagster said:

Was up the hospital today, in total I had an ECG, chest x-ray, bloods taken and it ruled out a blood clot they suspected I had in my leg, bot a further appointment with the respiratory people but they are convinced my breathing issues is down to the additional eight I have put on in the last couple of years.

But no clot so well happy

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I guess the advice was loose more weight?
Come and join our friday weigh-in thread. Make a start today. Go buy as much low carb foods you can stock your kitchen with and eat your way to a slimmer you. When your ready weigh-in and you'll be surprised the weight loss you'll see. Little and often has made a huge difference to me. And could help you too.
Ive never been unfit but my breathing problem is telling me something has to change. Im so slow now because of my bad back and walking is like trying to conquer everest but i do it most days.
Im willing but my back has other ideas. Its been bad lately but ive forced myself out, even in the rain. (Woke with sore throat this morning )
Ive pulled shopping along at a stressful pace as my helper is a longlegged 6ft man who still doesnt get i cannot do what i used to do. (Work in progress too). Mr ickihun does his half share but i cannot do mine, humf.
We can only make ourselves better alone. No one can do it for us.
However, i have no doubts you can turn this around. Its never too late @Bagster .
You can do this!!!