Trouble Breathing

Comments and inquiries to share with others. (Questions for Staff can be posted below.)
0124vtd
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:22 pm

Post by 0124vtd » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:02 pm

Hello, my name is Brandon and I am on week 6 of the the program program. I just got back from school in Ohio for my job and I actually had a pretty good week. The only thing that really bothered me was it seemed like someone was sitting on my chest alot of the time and still feels that way at the present moment. I was just wondering if anyone else had these problems. It seems like I can't get a deep breathe when I want it. If i get to doing something I will often forget about it and it does not bother me but as soon as I realize that it was not bothering me I go right back t where I was. Just wondering if anyone else was feeling this way.
This is my first post on here so we will see how it goes.

Guest

Post by Guest » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:17 pm

I'm no expert but I can tell you that I do feel this symptom often. It's one of my scariest symptoms in fact. I have been trying to pin it down as to when and why this happens and it seems to be when I'm anxious but don't even realize it. Only example I can think of is when my husband (or anyone else) wants to go somewhere unknown or that I've never been there, I will get all worked up and not realize it. Once we've been there and are on our way home I feel better. Make sense?

deedee00
Posts: 257
Joined: Sat May 26, 2007 8:19 pm

Post by deedee00 » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:36 pm

wanted to let ya know that i get that symptom..was feelin like that today..i feel like i cant get a deep breath and obviously the more i pay attention to it the worse i feel..

Guest

Post by Guest » Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:34 pm

actually, i think i get the same feeling when i'm trying to do my relaxation exercises...have trouble inhaling deeply...never been a smoker...think it's the fact them i'm that tense inside & not even aware of it...working on it...

Guest

Post by Guest » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:49 am

Thanks for all the help it is nice to know that there are other people out there with these same symptoms.

Guest

Post by Guest » Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:27 pm

hi,
I have had this throughout my life. I get heart flutters and feel lightheaded. If I stop and think about it too much, I begin to feel that I can't breathe correctly. I usually just ignore it now and wait for it to stop. Actually, I guess I just realize that worrying about this won't change it so I occupy my mind with other things.

As you can tell, a lot of people experience this. If you have checked out ok by doctors then just accept that this is your body's way of dealing with stress.

Hope this helps,
Denise

Guest

Post by Guest » Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:24 pm

im right there with u. i too deal with the sittin on the chest symptom. once i feel that i can either panic, or go walk it off. and say, go away go away, ill be fine. its stress. if we dont release it, it has to go somewhere to say "hey, release me" since we dont release our stress and relax our minds, the mind wil make u realize that, and cause a symptom, so u can recongnize ur body needs to release.. think of it as an alarm clock telling u to get moving..im dealing with this myself so im speaking to me too. its easier to share advice then accept it. thats one of our problems, but im trying to change that, i too want to get better. good luck, i hope i was of some help.

Guest

Post by Guest » Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:10 pm

hi i have the same syptom. my scariest symptom is feeling like i cant breathe. ive been to the er only about a million times they always hook me up to that machine which tells me im getting 100 oxygen. but im still really afraid.

bry2023
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Mar 11, 2004 2:00 am

Post by bry2023 » Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:15 pm

Brandon -- Please be assured that the symptom you describe is very common among those of us with clinically diagnosed anxiety and/or panic disorder. It�s typically called hyperventilation syndrome (or overbreathing.)

What happens is this: Breathing is an automatic function which we ordinarily don�t think about. When we�re anxious however, it�s possible to get into this pattern of �gulping� air � to the point we feel we can�t get enough. But breathing faster or deeper than necessary also reduces the carbon dioxide concentration of the blood below normal. This produces the uncomfortable chain reaction of feeling you need more air.

The trick is to restore your breathing back to a normal exchange of gases. You�ve already discovered one of the cures � distracting yourself with other thoughts.

One caveat: I would get checked out by a doctor to eliminate cardio pulmonary disease, asthma, emphysema, angina, etc. I doubt you have any of these, but it will ultimately reduce your level anxiety.

Other things which work for me: Meditation; Trying to breath normally (avoid gulping air); Recognizing that hyperventilation is generally benign; Figuring out the �triggers� for my episodes.

Good Luck. I believe you�ll be fine.

Guest

Post by Guest » Mon Feb 04, 2008 4:07 am

Thanks for all of the replies. I really appreciate the help and support. I had a very good weekend didnt really have trouble breathing and it is going well so far today. Now I just kinda have that kinda uneasy feeling because I am feeling ok.

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