Fear that I will! stop breathing!

Holly J · Post by **Holly J** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:20 pm

I have written posts about this before a while ago when I as struggling with this issue and I thought I had gotten over this but now It has come back with a vengeance! ! ! When I try to fall asleep I get this weird feeling like I need more air and I am gasping for air but not getting enough . . is what it feels like. . who knows if i really am or not. . . Than throughout the day I have this uneasiness that I will stop breathing. . Like each breath is my last . . and its lasting all day!! Even when I distract myself It's still in the back of my mind! My breathing is all out of wack too because I am thinking about it all day I sometimes feel like i am over breathing because I am not breathing enough. . I feel like i hold my breath a lot. This is SOOO scary and I feel like it'll never go away!! You know when you're swimming under water and you're holing your breath (obviously) and when you get up from the water you gasp for air kinda because you were under water holding your breath for so long that you need air. . well that how I feel all the time. . its terrible. I feel like I am not breathing through my nose good enough or enough. . How can anxiety actually make you feel physically bad like this? And I am worried that because I am thinking of this SO much that I will stop breathing because of my thoughts. Does this make sense? I know my thoughts are making my breathing not good at all and even when I am sleeping it wakes me up gasping for air. . so can it make me stop breathing? will i always be this way? I see No light or hope. I fear I will always be this way and feel this way. A constant struggle for a breath. . and I am only 23. What is wrong with me. i cannot even enjoy my One yr anniversary with my boyfriend today because I am constantly thinking of my breathing. Has anyone felt this way and recovered? I thought i recovered from this. It just comes back in different forms I guess. How do I get rid of this )-: When I used to get this I was more panicky and had panic attacks and would just pop an Ativan. Now I dont have a panic attack but I feel extreme anxiety and depression from this because it's ruining my life. Whats a good session for this problem? I am on session 6. Thank you all for reading

Frank in Japan · Post by **Frank in Japan** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:34 pm

Holly, I have been reading your posts often and I truly am sorry you are going through all of this. I really think you are suffering form major anxiety and either OCD thoughts or GAD. You need to go and see a doctor, someone who specializes in treating anxiety. I know you have tried meds and dont like them, but there has to be other options or other meds that can help you get your life back. You need to talk to a therapist and if you do so already I think you need to go more often. YOU and YOUR THOUGHTS are making your self sick, get help ASAP.

You WILL get through this. You will not stop breathing, you will be fine. But I think you need to make getting yourself healthy your number one priority right now. Remebr there is nothing to fear in life but fear itself and the things we worry the most about never seem to happen.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:04 pm

I do see help. I go to my therapist once a week and I am taking herbal supplements right now for my hormonal imbalances and anxiety. Just started last week so I see no difference yet. It takes time. This is just how i am feeling right now. The only person who seems to help is my therapist. I cannot see him more than once a week because i cannot afford it. He understands that anti-depressants do not work for everyone and all I really need is some reassurance. and I have seen more drs in the past 3 months than most see in 5 years. The only solution they give me for my anxiety are SSRI's. They don't understand those don't work for everyone. It helps like 5o% of people. . If my numbers are wrong its fine but i know it is not a cure all medicine at all and it doesn't help me. . Sorry if i sound crazy to you, but really I would just like to know if anyone is going through this or has gone through this. . I know you prob have good intentions but saying I need help ASAP makes me more anxious. What kind of help ? i don't ignore my condition. . Iv been to many doctors but i just find that most of them want to use me as a guinea pig with all these medicines. .I wish ssri's worked for me Nole. You have no idea. But they dont and the people that do get relief from them are lucky in my book.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:32 pm

Hi Holly, I too experienced these feeling of not breathing correctly. I went to my MD numerous times saying I feel like I can't breath. He'd check my lungs and sent me for lung volume tests, all normal. I didn't know it was anxiety then, and I would also wake myself up out of a deep sleep gasping and would jump out of bed. This only happend a few times, but enough to scare me and especially when thinking about it and really tired. I thought I had sleep apnea and also thought I would just stop breathing one nite and that would be the end of me. But remember breathing is an involuntary action, we control it somewhat with our anxiety but we will never stop breathing. Sometimes people pass out so the body can take over and restore normal breathing patterns. So please, I know it is hard as I still get that sensation often, like I have to force myself to breath, try to put it out of your mind. You will not stop breathing, your body won't let you. Good luck, I hope this helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:33 pm

Hey Holly,

I experience breathing issues sometimes. I feel like I am not getting enough air, to just that my regular breathing pattern is off. Sometimes it lasts all day and sometimes it lasts 10 minutes. Everytime I feel that way I say to myself that it's just my anxiety at work but it still scares me.

Also, regarding your breathing while sleeping, do you have sleep apenia? One of my old boyfriends had it and he would stop breathing sometimes and he would wake up gasping for air. It doesn't hurt you but it's scary. Also, people who have constant sinus infections sometimes have the same issues with their breathing and wake up after a few seconds of not breathing. I would also find with my old boyfriend that when he was sleeping on his back is when he would have those breathing issues.

I know these issues stink and it always seems like it will never go away. But I think you can rest assure that you will not stop breathing just because you think you will.

I am also beginning session 6 this week. Keep working on the program, seeing your therapist, and work through these symptoms and you will be fine soon. Good Luck

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 4:05 pm

Thank you Lyon. . your post helped . . No i dont think i have sleep apnea, G. . think its anxiety getting the best of me

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 4:37 pm

Hi Holly,
What you are describing sounds a bit like asthma, but I'm assuming your docs have ruled that out. I have had asthma since 2 yrs old, but have it under control with Advair, and a rescue inhaler if necessary. Bad thing about those, however, is they actually have a side effect of anxiety, so then it is "which came first, the asthma or the anxiety?" Anyway, just thought I would mention that. Hope you feel better soon. I really feel for you.
Darb

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:01 pm

Holly

I have been reading "An End to Panic" by Elke Zuercher-White. This book has a large amount of material devoted to breathing/breathing techniques. How to retrain your breathing. Scientific evidence relating to the issue and tests you do to see if you are an overbreather or not. He says that a large amount of overbreathers suffer with panics, they are overbreathers but actually think they aren't getting enough air. I really think this book could help you. It is very imformative and gives you exercises you do daily to start retraining your breathing so your body will do it naturally. The tests will show you whether you are not getting enough air or actually an overbreather and just feel that way. This is an awesome book.

Carolyn Dickman · Post by **Carolyn Dickman** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:01 pm

cool thank you frances I am def going to look for that book tomorrow for sure!!!! And Darb i dont have asthma. . But yes I do feel like with all my symptoms what came first the symptoms or the anxiety??

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 2:57 am

I didnt mean to make you more nervous that was not my intention, I was just tryig to help, sorry. I did not know if you saw a therapist or have seen doctors.

I say continue with the program, read some books on healing from anxiety and I am sure with time you will start to feel better.