Yes, I often get light-headed and short of breath while eating. I think the body directs more blood to the digestive process and leaves the brain a bit short of oxygen. Holding the arms in a higher than normal position could also contribute.
> Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2007 16:44:53 -0700> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: > [email protected]> Subject: [QUAD-L] Quads and breathing issues> > Like > Hec and Greg .... I vaguely remember that happening on occasion> when I lived > in the Northeast (what I consider home although I can't> see myself moving > back because of that terrible cold weather)> Anyway, this seems logical for > many quads because you have to> concentrate on eating and swallowing and > therefore you do not breathe> in as well as you normally would or you could > easily aspirate.> > Anyway, I can't even sit up without my abdominal Binder > on AND having> it snug to push in on my diaphragm muscles to be able to take > care> into my lungs. I get very lightheaded, can't find the air to talk,> and > sometimes blackout when I do try to talk. In other words...> whether I am in > bed or in the wheelchair... I cannot breathe to do> anything without firm > abdominal support.> > And many times a week, or whenever, I feel like I don't > have the> energy or air to talk for longer than five minutes to someone on > the> phone. It just takes too much energy and air to do so. If I get much> > more abdominal support it is easier but I can't make anything tighter> than > it is without other problems.> > People have to have a good set of lungs to > sing or play an instrument> that requires the use of breath so I do not know > how that one> quadriplegic (onstage singer that someone mentioned not long > ago and> seeing on youtube.com) can do so.> > Lori Michaelson> C4/5 complete > quad, 28 years post> Tucson, AZ> > > On Nov 6, 2007 10:06 AM, Hec <[EMAIL > PROTECTED]> wrote:> Does anyone else feel out of breath when eating?... I do > really bad.> > Hec> _________________________________________________________________ Help yourself to FREE treats served up daily at the Messenger Café. Stop by today. http://www.cafemessenger.com/info/info_sweetstuff2.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_OctWLtagline
