I know this or things like this has been
brought up in previous threads, but still
I decided to post a new topic...
You see, I have a huge breathing problem
that is interfering with every aspect of
my life and right now im just desperate
for any kind of help or understanding...
Let me describe my problem: it feels like
when I breath, im not getting enough air
into my lungs and I have to take a really
deep breath to (what it feels like)
prevent suffocation, sometimes that deep
breath wont go down either..
This is the second time I feel like this.
Last time was during november-05. It
started out on a regular day, and I wasnt
anxious or stressed out at the time at
all.. It was just so weird. Naturally I
panicked and went to the er, where I got
an astmha test and an ecg. All came out
clear...I did have an immense pain in the
throat and chest though so exhaling was
unbelivably painful, this was probably
from the tension hyperventilating.
The doctor thought I had vcd (vocal cord
dysfunction) I went to an ear throat and
nose doctor who concluded that I didnt
have it...
After almost a week of hell I was
prescribed diazepam to help me sleep (i
would be awake for several nights in a
row)
this helped greatly and my problem eased
before vanishing in the following weeks.
I had been totally symptomfree for several
months when the problem resurfaced nearly
a week ago. I have suffered paralyzing
anxiety with this and I feel that the
problem is totally out of hand!! I take
diazepam, but I know that I cant go on for
long with that..The meds doesnt take away
the breathing issue in itself, it only
dozes me off enough to make me ignore it..
I only take it to sleep.. In the daytime
its apparent all the time..
Hopefully it will go away soon again, like
last time but im still so baffled by
this!! I mean I do not have anxiety or
depression, a well functioning social life
and I really do consider myself happy! Im
only 16 for christ´s sake and I shouldnt
have to worry about this, I dont have any
form of disorders or conditions and I am
defiantely not overweight..This is just
killing me, I cant do my normal activities
like I should and this makes me so
depressed, the feeling of not getting
enough air I so scary..
Has any of you heard of something like
this?? Please give me something to help
me feel better my heart goes out to all of
you who suffer any form of breathing or
anxiety discomfort!! /sam
|
Chesterfan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Chester, UK
Posted: 02-14-06 11:16am
Hey sam, i'm 20 and have suffered from
panic attacks for a couple of years now.
I also get them on and off but its
impossible to say what causes them. For
me it could be the trauma of my parents
splitting up that has hidden itself deep
down for nigh on 11 years now. A
accident I was in about 3 years back or
the fact I smoked quite a bit of weed for
a while. Really think what it may be and
if you want to talk to someone but can't
face your parents or friends then give
samaritans a ring (swedish equivilent.
Basically someone you can talk to
confidentially). I did and it helped no
end.
Regarding your symptoms. Does your
throat feel tight? If so that may be a
condition called globus where the throat
expands due to anxiety but fear not, it
will not close and although your breathing
feels heavier, its not the case. Simply
stop what you are doing, a concentrate on
deep breaths, in through the nose for
about 3 seconds then out the mouth for
about 6. This will expel any excess
oxygen in your system which is making your
heart beat faster. I'm not a doctor but
i's pretty sure thats the theory!
Make sure you breath infrom your stomach,
not your throat so to ensure your whole
body is feeling the benefit. After about
5 minutes or so, you should feel ok.
I know I can't understand your symptoms
exactly but remember, no one has ever died
from a panic attack and its just your mind
being mean! Talking to someone and
taking pro active steps to make your mind
happier will help alleviate your symptoms.
Best wishes and good luck, I hope my
incessant ramblings are of some help!
|
Grungeprincess
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 19 Location: Sweden
Posted: 02-14-06 11:34am
Im so happy that someone replied, I only
posted a minute ago, it makes you feel not
so alone anymore..
Thank you very much, I dont feel like
having a lump or something like that in my
throat and im pretty sure I dont
hyperventilate either :?
|
Chesterfan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Chester, UK
Posted: 02-14-06 11:36am
Do you feel like you can't control your
breathing?
Its alrite, i've just found this forum and
have found it to be incredibly helpful
just thru reading past topics! Stress and
anxiety attacks happen to most people in
their life, we are certainly not alone!
|
scrdat20
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 90
Posted: 02-14-06 11:43am
Hi sam:
i have this exact same thing!!! It is
definitely frustrating huh? My anxiety
happened when I had a really strong heart
palpitation (skipped heart beat that feels
kinda wierd, I guess everyone gets them
every now and then, especially with a
panic attack), anyways, I was just sure I
was going to have a heart attack or
something which doesn't make sense at all
being that I am a healthy, active, 20 year
old female. A couple days after that I
started having shortness of breath just as
you are describing. The need to take a
deep breath, but that sometimes I can't
even do that. So I really thought I was
having a heart attack (damn internet, you
type those symptoms in and it tells you
that you're going to have a heart
attack)... Anyways, I had a panic attack,
my throat got tight and I couldn't breath,
hearts racing, in a cold sweat... Now I
know that it is just my anxiety about it..
Anxiety can do some weird stuff to you.
Now if I feel that shortness of breath, I
just relax, try not to think about it, and
as soon as i'm relaxed, its not a problem.
Just make a conscious effort not to
think about it... Its really tough at
first, but it'll get easier. If you have
been to the doctor and they haven't found
anything... I wouldn't worry about it!
Best wishes!!... Keep us posted..
~mk
|
Grungeprincess
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 19 Location: Sweden
Posted: 02-15-06 08:54am
Once again, thanks for replying!!
Well, I try to keep calm but during this
"episode" (that has lasted now,
approximately a week) I havent really felt
better when I have tried to wind down and
relax.. I should probably just try and
let it go until it subsides...
It can only get better from here, I didnt
think it would pass last time, but hey, it
did! Hard to keep a positive attitude at
all times though, my family and friends
just think im weird cause I feel like
this, like im imagining it, but im surely
not!
It feels so good to not be alone having
this!!! Anyone know how to prevent this
in the future, or is it totally
uncontrolled??
|
scrdat20
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 90
Posted: 02-15-06 11:21am
I know what you mean about the family and
friends thing!! My husband gets really
frustrated. He tells me to just stop
thinking about it and to forget it....
But he doesn't understand how truely hard
it really is. I now see how upset it
makes him so I really try not to bring it
up anymore. This forum has helped a lot
for that because the stuff gets
overwhelming sometimes and I always felt
like I needed to talk to someone about it
and I couldn't to him or my mom, so this
was a wonderful place to do it...
The only thing I haven't got figured out
is that some days are worse than others
for some reason. Some days I will feel
completely normal and not really have to
think about any of it, but other days are
bad... I just have to figure out what is
triggering these bad days,and that is what
is making prevention so tough for me, but
the bad days are happening less and less
so maybe this will just take some time and
some will power to go away. I am just
trying to stay positive, alleviate any
stress that I am having, and not think
about it. I think that the worse thing
that you can do is shut yourself off from
the world. I know that I went out with
my husband and friends this last weekend
and had a great time and I felt so much
better. Good luck, I hope that some of
what I have said might be helpful to you!
Keep us posted. :)
|
Grungeprincess
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 19 Location: Sweden
Posted: 02-15-06 13:34pm
How long have you been experiencing this?
Last time I had it, it went on for about
three weeks, right now im up at one week
of pretty intense troubles..
Have you tried any form of stress
treatment or anything like that? I dont
know if you belive in that kinda thing but
im just asking, I sort of feel like if the
conventional healthcare doenst have
anything to say, maybe there is somewhere
else where you could be met with
understanding, I sure have had my share of
insensitive doctors...
I read a lot of people found comfort in
the fact that they werent sick in anyway,
but that conclusion actually made me even
more anxious, like there is no aid for me!
Im all alone with a problem thats not
visibly existant!
I can truly relate to the feeling of it
just vanishing when im being occupied with
other people like on a party or that kinda
thing
i really hope and I know that the both of
us, and all others with this "issue" will
get better!! I wish u my best, you will
be in my evening prayer :wink:
|
Grungeprincess
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 19 Location: Sweden
Posted: 07-24-06 10:23am
Hello everybody....Hoping to get some new
replies ;)
last time I had breathing troubles in
february, when I last posted, I think the
problems just went away in a few weeks. A
huge relief. Now I hadent felt a thing
for over 5 months.
But this friday I started noticing my
breathing...Made me anxious since I know
how bad I have felt when having this
problem in the past. Like the other times
I wasnt stressed out or emotionally upset
when it first occured.
Then it has gotten gradually worse for a
few days now...Im struggeling every day
not to panic and trying not to mind it.
What I could use know is some comfort from
you guys...To break my negative thinking
patterns.
If it went away the other times then it
must go away this time too right?? Im
trying to keep my mind on this...Cause I
lost hope completely last time and thought
about suicide...Then it left me...Right
know, what should I do?
Remain calm, patient and confident that it
will go away in a matter of days to weeks
like before?
I take diazepam before going to sleep,
since I find it better than for example
alcohol. Last time this worked out fine
and I went down in dose before going of it
completely. Why is this happening....I
just cry cause its so depressing and it
makes me so emotional all the time...Like
I have this scary feeling it will never be
ok again...Though I know that it will...
|
Jschultz
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Canada
It's All Good ;) @grungeprincess Posted: 05-15-07 21:52pm
Hey I'm a 15 year old male, ive been
reading the topic from before since page
one, and this one. All today. I have the
exact same problem. I had it really bad 3
years ago for a month or two when i was on
a vacation. I have extreme fears of
flying, im guessing thats what caused it.
And recently, it's the end of the school
year, behind on homework, Parents
fighting, with themselves and me. Lots of
things to be stressed about. and im having
the EXACT same thing as you. I had it 3
years back. I thought it was all kinds of
things. But you forget about it and it
just goes away. It did for years for me.
Then one day i think about it. And realize
that it was the same as before. I read all
this, simply calmed myself and told myself
it was all in my head. And said w.e if
there is something wrong why would i want
to worry? and if there isn't, then we're
all good.
Your probably not getting any of this
cause you have been gone for a while, But
i can relate. I turned to weed for a
while...Kind of helped took the edge off,
but drugs are worse for you then
this....It's never been a huge problem.
Just lately ive been really looking at it.
Just keep on given'er and it gets better.
Worry about it and it will get worse.
Reading this forum more and more will
actually make it worse, because you will
find it hard to take your mind off it.
Eventually you will realize your fine...
Our problem is very similar to laughing
when someone tell you not to..Breathing is
an involuntary action, you shouldn't have
to think about it. This is a problem that
will make you feel depressed. Just smile.
Its as simple as being happy, you get to
choose what you do, and a simple little
thing like this can dominate you. Never
let that happen. I don't give a rats ass
if i have a hard time breathing as long as
i know its all in my head.
I wish you the best, If you read this
please reply, I'd like to know if you've
seen this
Best wishes, Be happy
Jordan
|
metatroninme
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 1
Posted: 05-27-07 09:23am
i have been having the same problem for
two months now. i also have the urge to
yawn all the time, but i cant! its so
annoying. i have days when it doesnt
bother me as much and days when i feel
like i just cant breath. the most
frustrating thing is feeling like there is
nothing i can do about it. there is no
magic medicine that will make this go
away. i have to do it myself.
|
Jschultz
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Canada
Posted: 06-01-07 19:56pm
No, just don't worry about it. Mine lasted
a week. Its just stress and your body is
reacting to it. Just chill.
Try to breath normally, slowly. And you
will see your lungs are filling up fine
and you are not strained. Just take it
easy and it goes away. Thats stress
|
louieann34
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 95 Location: Philippines
Posted: 06-08-07 10:42am
I use to have problems on my breathing...I
just suddenly felt pain on my chest and
then I just couldn't breath.
Have you tried any kind of breathing
therapy? You may be able to learn to
control it and once you can do that it
will go away.
One word of warning: You will often read
advice about "deep breathing exercises".
Avoid these like the plague. Most of the
people that give breathing instructions
don't know anything about breathing and
anxiety. They just learned some yoga or
meditation and they think it will cure
everything.
Deep breathing causes hyperventilation and
anxiety, even panic. What you need to
learn is slow and gentle breathing. That's
what calms your heart and nerves and "may"
help your symptoms.
|
castlesinthesky
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Jun 2007 Posts: 12 Location: united states
Thanks: 0
Thanked:2
Anxiety Posted: 06-19-07 21:39pm
i also have a hard time with my
breathing.one night i went to the er and
they rans all kinds of tests and they said
everything was fine. so i just went home
and started taking my ativan. it help a
little but i still have shortness of
breath.i wake up at night like im choking
for me it all adds up to my anxiety and
panic attacks
|
BurlesqueBarbie
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Posts: 1 Location: columbus, ga
Posted: 06-22-07 01:45am
Man, I was having the same symptoms. So, I
went to the er. I was having a panic
attack combined with acute myalgia.
Myalgia is when your muscles tighten and
hurt after a viral infection or excerising
too hard and stuff like that. I had a moth
long sinus infection and that's what
caused it. Get you some Flexeril, a muscle
relaxer.
|
Deimos
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Posts: 16 Location: Antioch, IL
Posted: 06-22-07 11:32am
You may have apnea, which is nothing to
serious, just means having smaller
breathing canals or something. I have
apnea, just tell your doctor about it and
stuff.
For second thoughts look this up
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apnea
|
Klane
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 5
Posted: 06-23-07 04:58am
I'm having similar problems, i suddenly
find my self having trouble breathing, and
then start getting hot flushes and feeling
like i'm going to pass out and get very
sweaty, and also feel like im going to
have an heart attack. and in the last week
or so my left hand has been numb none stop
only 2 of my fingers and half of my palm
and my entire arm has felt weak. i've had
the panic/anxiety attacks before, but this
numbness like this i haven't. and it's
really starting to bother me, it also
seems to get worse at night. anyone have
any ideas?
*Edit* I'd also like to add i'm also
constipated, which i've recently learned
can be brought on by stress
|
Arei
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Texas
Posted: 06-30-07 19:38pm
I've had that problem before too!! Exact
same thing... After not being able to
breathe well for a few years, its gone
down alot, I don't have it near as bad as
I did even though my stress, anxeity, and
depression have worsened, this was
probably at the time I was beginning to
have depression.
At the end of the week (this was 3 years
ago) when I was rehearsing I started to
get this severe constricting pain all over
my midsection. I could barely breathe and
moving was painful. The medicine I got
from the doctor that day helped it be gone
by the next day, but the next night during
our final preformance, I had a reaction to
the medicine and began to overheat
considerably, so I had to drop out (they
wanted to kill me xD but i probably
would've passed out on stage) After that
when I got home I had an extreme anxeity
attack where I could hardly breath at all,
and I did the breathe in boiling water
thing to help relax/clear out my lungs and
that worked, for awhile after that when I
got anxious and couldn't breathe I'd do
that, but I haven't had to shortly after
that.
2 weeks later the pain came BACK and I
went to a different doctor (I think the
medicines I had been taking ended and
immediately wore off) I waited 4 hours and
45 minutes and he diagnosed me in less
then 10. He said it was growing pains O-o
I dont beleive I was anxious at the time
so I didn't say anything XDD I took some
Mobic along with Nexium and I was on cloud
9 for those 2 weeks, that stuff is freakin
MAGIC.
Since then I haven't had that problem.
I went to allergy doctors and specialists
to see why I couldn't breathe but they had
no idea, now I know its anxiety, stress,
and depression.
Hopefully it will go away on its own with
time, I can't say you have the same
problem, but it sounds almost exactly the
same.
|
judz
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 3
Similar.... Posted: 07-02-07 14:14pm
I have suffered wtih tightness of the
throat, like im beeing choked or I have a
frog in my throat. I either cough or gag..
When certain ppl were around, I felt my
throat tighten, to the point of having a
tight chest.. And breathing became harder.
There was no regualr pattern.. Wen I went
home..After a couple of days it would go
away. But then started to come back more
regulary. I see this as a panic attack or
anxiety. But.. I feel for me.. That
because I have alot of repressed emotions,
that this is my bodies way of saying
enough is enough, deal with it already.
This last week has been realy bad. Im not
sure why.. Im not pms-ing.. These attacks
were a result of my emotional stuff rising
to the surface. Then comes the attacks,
and hyperventalations..Etc.. I had a puff
on my friends asthma puffa and that helpd
a little with my breathing. I have been to
the drs and they sugges cognitive
therapy.. Wich is fine but I think I need
different guidence. Although I feel like
someone has theyre hands around my throat
constantly, its not at all painful for me.
Just annoying
