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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Type 2 Diabetic, Difficulty Taking Deep Breath, Dizziness, Diagnosed With Copd. Advise?

I am Type 2 diabetic, but my symptoms have been in check now for about 3 years, through diet & a large weight loss. About 1-1/2 months ago, I started exercising again (60 minutes on treadmill + some weights) 4-5 times/week. Last night while 22 minutes in on the treadmill, I realized I couldn't get a deep breath (my heart rate was good)...I got a bit panicky...had to stop exercise...still couldn't get good deep breaths & had dizziness. I drove home...seems a little fuzzy...ate something quickly, theorizing that I had low blood sugar. The food did help, but for a bit, I continued to have some dizziness & trouble drawing deep breaths. My error...I now realize that yesterday I did not eat much during the day (recently prescribed Phentermine to aid in weight loss) & went straight to exercise...all of which explains the low blood sugar. My question...can this low blood sugar cause the shortness of breath? At two different points last night, I thought I might have to call 911. I have also been diagnosed with COPD (never smoked) but it does not usually bother me - just have to watch my lungs if I take ill. Am at work this morning & feeling fairly well, although honestly, I still seem to be having some trouble drawing the deep breaths...the ones that reach deep into the lungs. Opinion?
posted on Sat, 18 May 2013
Twitter Sat, 18 May 2013 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 20 May 2013 Last reviewed on
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
hello,

You're a diabetics and your diabetes is well controlled by exercise, diet and you're on medication for weight loss.
You have COPD also.
Yesterdays episode may be due to hypoglycemia because you have exercised a lot without food.
Rapid breathing happens in hypoglycemia, but persisting even after glucose correction is unlikely.
This may be due to vasospasm due to your preexisting COPD.
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Type 2 Diabetic, Difficulty Taking Deep Breath, Dizziness, Diagnosed With Copd. Advise?

hello, You re a diabetics and your diabetes is well controlled by exercise, diet and you re on medication for weight loss. You have COPD also. Yesterdays episode may be due to hypoglycemia because you have exercised a lot without food. Rapid breathing happens in hypoglycemia, but persisting even after glucose correction is unlikely. This may be due to vasospasm due to your preexisting COPD.