I have never smoked at all, but my dad smoked when I was growing up, and except when I lived by myself, I have been married to someone who smokes a lot; so I have second-hand smoke , and I am sure that does not help my breathing problems either. Before they started all of the campaigns against smoking, most restaurants allowed smoking, too; and even though they had a non-smoking section, my husband would never have sat in any part of the restaurant where he could not smoke. Thankfully only one of my children (Michael) smokes, so even though they also grew up with cigarette smoke in the home, they do not have it around them now.
Besides my mom I was the only smoker in the family, nobody else smoked. I didn't start til I was 26 though which is even dumber. Well, at least it was after my kids were born but I did smoke around them. After my mom quit smoking in 1970 I was the only smoker in the entire family and that includes in laws too.
I "smoked" two cigars once, those little "Tiparillos" with the wooden tip. During a poker game with the guys. My friend, Russ, smoked quite a bit, but Ted, George, and I did not. The smoke burned my mouth and throat, even though I did not inhale it. Seriously! Next morning I had the worst sickening taste in my mouth ever. Vowed never again! Frank
In retrospect, Russ, 4 years younger than I, suffered an attack of bacterial encephalitis two years ago. On kidney dialysis since. He had given up drinking early in his adult life. It troubles me that some of the ones without constraint, (me), continued through life ignoring reason, ignoring common sense, refusing to listen, drinking, but not any other drugs, have prevailed unscathed. Bothers my inner sense of rest, I guess. Is it "in the deal of the cards"? Frank
About 2 years ago, already living here in AZ, experiencing an already familiar inability to exhale, short of breath, I asked my wife to take me to the ER. I'd had it before, doctored to the hilt, no resolution. They stuck the fingernail thingy (oximeter?) on my index finger. They freaked when it showed 80%! Shot Albuterol into me, I knew my bronchial tubes had been constricted, similar experience years before. They sent me home after the "episode" ended. No diagnosis. No wonder. This happens every so many years. Resolves itself, no meds. The docs specializing in respiratory trouble have no answer. Occasional "broncho-spasm", leading to inability to exhale. I inhale just fine. Free of symptoms now quite awhile, ~ 2 years. Doctors? Well, I know they are essential. Exercise has no effect. If anything, the pipes open up more than usual when we walk briskly. Can walk, exercise, to any limit without breathlessness. What can I say? Frank
Did you check out if it's a panic attack? In 1996 I had a panic attack out of the blue but didn't know it. I was hyperventilating and as the day wore on it felt like I was drowning ..finally went to ER. They did all sorts of tests with nothing wrong then they did a blood gas test or whatever it's called and that showed I had hyperventilated. Gave me a shot to relax me but after that horrid experience I was always conscience of how I was breathing and would hyperventilate. Had to get xanax and see my dr every week...it was a year of hell for me but I had a great dr And after I year I weaned off the xanax and was okay.