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Speaking of masks - chest tightness anyone?

klpca

klpca

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
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When I am wearing my fabric mask and I try to any physical exertion - even walking up a flight of stairs - my chest hurts. If I remove the mask the tightness is relieved almost immediately. I am fairly healthy - BMI around 20 and a regular exerciser - although moderate exercise not strenuous - and I have never had this issue before. Are others experiencing it and if so is there anything that I can do to lessen the tightness other that just removing the mask?

Btw, it is most likely not my heart. I had to go through a bunch of tests when I had an anxiety attack and heart issues were ruled out. My heart is very healthy and there is little history of heart disease in my family, so I think that it is just the mask that is causing my symptoms. But it is very annoying!
 
Do you have a pulse oximeter?
 
It fits on your finger and measures the percentage of oxygenation of the blood. You used to be able to get them for ~$25 - $50. Nowadays, who knows what price.

Now, they are a good thing to have along with a thermometer in you medicine kit.
 
DrQ said:
It fits on your finger and measures the percentage of oxygenation of the blood. You used to be able to get them for ~$25 - $50. Nowadays, who knows what price.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I just put one in my Amazon cart. It's backordered (they all are) but hopefully it won't take too long for delivery.
 
Those meters run $40 - $60 on Amazon. Saw one on Facebook for $18, but seemed to be too cheap. That's a symptom I had when I was admitted, and my O2 was low, they put me on oxygen because my lungs were congested with pneumonia. Do you hear any wheezing when you exhale?
 
DrQ said:
It fits on your finger and measures the percentage of oxygenation of the blood. You used to be able to get them for ~$25 - $50. Nowadays, who knows what price.

Now, they are a good thing to have along with a thermometer in you medicine kit.
Click to expand...
Dh got one as part of a "kit" from his doctor. The kit also includes a blood pressure monitor. Dh can relay the results to his doctor and it keeps a history. I can also use the devices, he just needs to be sure the tracking is off.
 
klpca said:
When I am wearing my fabric mask and I try to any physical exertion - even walking up a flight of stairs - my chest hurts. If I remove the mask the tightness is relieved almost immediately. I am fairly healthy - BMI around 20 and a regular exerciser - although moderate exercise not strenuous - and I have never had this issue before. Are others experiencing it and if so is there anything that I can do to lessen the tightness other that just removing the mask?

Btw, it is most likely not my heart. I had to go through a bunch of tests when I had an anxiety attack and heart issues were ruled out. My heart is very healthy and there is little history of heart disease in my family, so I think that it is just the mask that is causing my symptoms. But it is very annoying!
Click to expand...
I would go get it checked out by a doctor. It could be your oxygen level. Make sure you are taking in deep breathes when wearing the mask.
 
klpca said:
When I am wearing my fabric mask and I try to any physical exertion - even walking up a flight of stairs - my chest hurts. If I remove the mask the tightness is relieved almost immediately. I am fairly healthy - BMI around 20 and a regular exerciser - although moderate exercise not strenuous - and I have never had this issue before. Are others experiencing it and if so is there anything that I can do to lessen the tightness other that just removing the mask?

Btw, it is most likely not my heart. I had to go through a bunch of tests when I had an anxiety attack and heart issues were ruled out. My heart is very healthy and there is little history of heart disease in my family, so I think that it is just the mask that is causing my symptoms. But it is very annoying!
Click to expand...
There an App for that for your iPhone.
The World's Only Digital Solution
Pulse-Oximeter image
The Pulse Oximeter app for Fitness measures both Heart Rate and Oxygen Saturation

digiDoc Technologies

digiDoc Technologies
www.digidoctech.no www.digidoctech.no
Download in the App Store

NBC News Kate Snow Used this for her husband until she could get an actual pulse Ox machine.
www.today.com

Kate Snow shares update on husband — and offers 3 tips for caregivers

Snow said her husband, Chris Bro, is recovering well and revealed how she's kept him and her family safe during his illness.
www.today.com www.today.com

And of course discuss with your MD
 
I want to get one but the options are overwhelming. SO MANY of these on the market.
 
Do you have absolutely no shortness of breath or tightness if you walk up the stairs WITHOUT the mask?

Can you call your dr. and discuss? My doctor is very into telemedicine, maybe yours is too.
 
wackymother said:
Do you have absolutely no shortness of breath or tightness if you walk up the stairs WITHOUT the mask?

Can you call your dr. and discuss? My doctor is very into telemedicine, maybe yours is too.
Click to expand...
Yep - only with the mask. I just got in from my powerwalk through my hilly neighborhood. No problems. It's only when I wear the mask. My husband asked me if there was any way that it was psychological and that has me wondering. A few years ago I thought that I was having a heart attack and it turned out to be an anxiety attack (after spending 6 hours in the ER). The mind is a powerful thing. I feel like I am suffocating when I wear it. We are going to some kind of a mandatory mask requirement next week but there is no way that I can exercise in one. I am going to hold off calling the doctor at the moment since it only happens when I am wearing the mask which is easily resolved by removing it.

Thanks for all who responded. I didn't think that I would be the only person dealing with this, but between the TUG responses and finding nothing on google, it appears that it's just me. ;)
 
klpca said:
Yep - only with the mask. I just got in from my powerwalk through my hilly neighborhood. No problems. It's only when I wear the mask. My husband asked me if there was any way that it was psychological and that has me wondering. A few years ago I thought that I was having a heart attack and it turned out to be an anxiety attack (after spending 6 hours in the ER). The mind is a powerful thing. I feel like I am suffocating when I wear it. We are going to some kind of a mandatory mask requirement next week but there is no way that I can exercise in one. I am going to hold off calling the doctor at the moment since it only happens when I am wearing the mask which is easily resolved by removing it.

Thanks for all who responded. I didn't think that I would be the only person dealing with this, but between the TUG responses and finding nothing on google, it appears that it's just me. ;)
Click to expand...
I too felt what I would describe as “claustrophobic” when I put on a mask as well as I wear glasses so they fog up.

I found that the masks I was wearing were too tight against my face and that is where my discomfort came from. I purchased some elastic online and remade my straps so they were not as tight. Now it does not bother me.

Suggest you practice wearing your mask around the house once you get one that fits you comfortably.

As for the fogging I made a spray of baby shampoo and water. Just as it does in my snorkel mask, my glasses don’t fog.
 
klpca said:
Yep - only with the mask. I just got in from my powerwalk through my hilly neighborhood. No problems. It's only when I wear the mask. My husband asked me if there was any way that it was psychological and that has me wondering. A few years ago I thought that I was having a heart attack and it turned out to be an anxiety attack (after spending 6 hours in the ER). The mind is a powerful thing. I feel like I am suffocating when I wear it. We are going to some kind of a mandatory mask requirement next week but there is no way that I can exercise in one. I am going to hold off calling the doctor at the moment since it only happens when I am wearing the mask which is easily resolved by removing it.

Thanks for all who responded. I didn't think that I would be the only person dealing with this, but between the TUG responses and finding nothing on google, it appears that it's just me. ;)
Click to expand...
I wear a 3-ply mask when I go out for my brisk/power walk each morning. It makes it harder to breathe but no chest tightness. I can feel that my heart loves the exertion, i.e. pumping harder against my chest, but it is not a feeling of tightness. I read it somewhere the other day about how we get reduced oxygen into our system when wearing a mask and hence not to wear it while driving. Have you had pneumonia in the past which could have reduced lung function somewhat?

We bought a pulse oximeter a month ago on the advice of our PCP. He said to get a thermometer and a pulse oximeter. He said if we don't feel well and get a reading of 85 or below to go to ER, as it would be a sign of COVID-19.
 
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klpca said:
Yep - only with the mask. I just got in from my powerwalk through my hilly neighborhood. No problems. It's only when I wear the mask. My husband asked me if there was any way that it was psychological and that has me wondering. A few years ago I thought that I was having a heart attack and it turned out to be an anxiety attack (after spending 6 hours in the ER). The mind is a powerful thing. I feel like I am suffocating when I wear it. We are going to some kind of a mandatory mask requirement next week but there is no way that I can exercise in one. I am going to hold off calling the doctor at the moment since it only happens when I am wearing the mask which is easily resolved by removing it.

Thanks for all who responded. I didn't think that I would be the only person dealing with this, but between the TUG responses and finding nothing on google, it appears that it's just me. ;)
Click to expand...
I just thought of this, maybe your allergic to the material the mask is made of or a chemical used to wash the mask.
 
GrayFal said:
I too felt what I would describe as “claustrophobic” when I put on a mask as well as I wear glasses so they fog up.

I found that the masks I was wearing were too tight against my face and that is where my discomfort came from. I purchased some elastic online and remade my straps so they were not as tight. Now it does not bother me.

Suggest you practice wearing your mask around the house once you get one that fits you comfortably.

As for the fogging I made a spray of baby shampoo and water. Just as it does in my snorkel mask, my glasses don’t fog.
Click to expand...
Btw if you are buying fabric masks, try getting one that has bendable wire at the nose bridge to prevent your glasses from fogging up. I made mine and used a pipe cleaner at the nose and I just pinch it at the bridge and have no issues with fogging.

And I am wondering if the mask is too tight against my face. I may make something that is lighter and larger to give me more room. Thanks for mentioning the fit - it's a good suggestion!
 
As for the fogging I made a spray of baby shampoo and water. Just as it does in my snorkel mask, my glasses don’t fog.
Click to expand...

A little cleaner than spit. :)

@GrayFal Have you heard from Emmy and Peter? I am very worried because I emailed her a while back because they should have been on Maui for March and hadn't heard from her. She usually is very good about returning emails. It's been weeks. And I understand she cannot post on TUG for some reason. I am very concerned for the two of them.
 
rickandcindy23 said:
@GrayFal Have you heard from Emmy and Peter? I am very worried because I emailed her a while back because they should have been on Maui for March and hadn't heard from her. She usually is very good about returning emails. It's been weeks. And I understand she cannot post on TUG for some reason. I am very concerned for the two of them.
Click to expand...
Not recently. Last fall several of us were concerned and she finally responded to Cathi @Born2Travel But that was in October.
 
Panina said:
I just thought of this, maybe your allergic to the material the mask is made of or a chemical used to wash the mask.
Click to expand...
I was wondering about allergies too. Could be anxiety too. I would discuss everything with your doctor.
 
GrayFal said:
Not recently. Last fall several of us were concerned and she finally responded to Cathi @Born2Travel But that was in October.
Click to expand...
Very worried. Maybe I should call her. I think I have her phone number somewhere in an email.
 
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