The feeling that you are not able to get a good breath or are not getting enough oxygen can be alarming and uncomfortable. Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, may be a result of several underlying problems.  In patients with MDS, anemia may predispose you to feeling short of breath with activity.  Deconditioning due to inactivity may also predispose you to shortness of breath with activity.

Things you can do:

1. Keep a log of symptoms that you are concerned about. These can be tracked in the MDS Manager Symptom Tracker.  Discuss these with your health care team.
2. Track your blood counts using MDS Manager. Discuss when a transfusion may be of benefit to you if you are anemic with your health care team.
3. Keep all your appointments as scheduled.
4. If you experience shortness of breath suddenly and this does not resolve with rest, there may be a more severe problem and this will need to be reported immediately to your healthcare provider.
5. Stay active.
6. Get enough rest.
7. Practice deep breathing exercises.

Additional Resources:

MDS Foundation:  multisite-demo.com      www.BuildingBlocksofHope.com

Cancer.net:   Shortness of Breath or Dyspnea

http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/side-effects/shortness-breath-or-dyspnea

American Cancer Society:  Shortness of Breath

https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/shortness-of-breath.html

Oncolink: Shortness of Breath  https://www.oncolink.org/support/side-effects/shortness-of-breath-dyspnea