1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Anxiety Disorders

Breathing problems - help!!

Posted , 13 users are following.

clr1166
clr1166

I've had problems with panic attacks since I was about 9, but it wasn't until recently my doctor 'diagnosed' me with a major anxiety problem. The only reason this happened was because I was suffering 2-3 panic attacks a day and anxious thoughts constantly in between. He checked me for thyroid problems but that came back negative, but a few days after my doctor appointment I ended up in A&E, certain I was gonna die. They did a heart trace and a blood test and said everything was fine, it was just anxiety, and I should go home.

Anyway, I've noticed during my anxiety I become overly aware of my body, my breathing, my pulse etc. And it's got to the point I feel I can't breathe automatically and I now have to take each breath myself. I'm not too concerned about this being a health problem because when I'm distracted i know I can breathe by myself without noticing.

However, when I do have these obsessive periods it feels as if I can't have a satisfying breathe. I know that sounds stupid but I can't explain it, I breathe in and I don't feel like it's filling my lungs, then I breathe out and again it doesn't feel like my oxygen levels are balanced. I obsess so much I make myself lightheaded, and I've convinced myself there's something wrong with my heart or lungs.

Please help, I don't know if it's just my anxiety or not, I really need reassurance!

1 like, 24 replies

24 Replies

Next
  • lisa7798
    lisa7798 clr1166

    Posted

    Hi. All your symptoms are panick attacks. Try to get them under control and they will ease. 

    I went to yoga and meditation to help me with my breathing. People often look at me cos I'll let out a big noisy breath! It takes a while to learn breathing but once you e mastered it your laughing. 

    Use a paper bag, also eased mine but I think it's cos I was in control of my brain and actions. 

    Good luck. You can beat them cos I did! X

    • clr1166
      clr1166 lisa7798

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply, and I know when I try to deal with a panic attack in public by taking deep breaths I always get funny looks too! X
  • nellie56694
    nellie56694 clr1166

    Posted

    I dont know how reassuring I can be with so many of my issues going on. I too was diagnosed with anxiety/panic attacks. All my symptoms have been going on for a minimum of 3 years. I have had two drs diagnose me. But I feel like not really much has been done to rule out real health problems. I have had an ekg done, they said it was fine, I have had two blood tests and everything looks ok except low b12 which I take a shot a month of that. this past months I have new added things like tingling on face mainly by my mouth and weird feeling spots in different places on my head like right under the scaplp i think. My chest discomfort is nowhere near as bad as it was for a couple of years but its still awful to have especially whrn it accompanies left arm feeling weird and small pains in my back. Im not haveing a good evening tonight at all, I just worry so. Also right now I have dry mouth and feel a little nausea. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
    • Bri77
      Bri77 nellie56694

      Posted

      I get the pains in my back and arms as well. Sometimes just one arm. Sometimes both. I have gotten nausea many times. I think that's just our worry causing that. If your breathing is increased at all from feeling a little anxious, that could be why your mouth is dry. I find drinking water when I'm feeling bad really helps. I have no idea why but it does. So much that I don't go anywhere without having a bottle of water with me.
    • nellie56694
      nellie56694 Bri77

      Posted

      you mentioning having a water bottle with yu, not only is that a good idea, im thinking even doing small things like that would make a person feel like their taking control, and thats surely got to help people like me who feels like they lose all control, thank you
    • kaitlyn33448
      kaitlyn33448 nellie56694

      Posted

      Sometimes I get shooting pains from the middle of my chest to my right shoulder. Anyone else?
  • Bri77
    Bri77 clr1166

    Posted

    I've been dealing with anxiety and panic for almost 8 years now. I know exactly this feeling you are describing. Feels like you need to take a deep breath but just can't get it? That's how it feels to me. So I keep trying because I feel like I need that deep breath to get enough air. Then it eventually causes pain in my chest and back and shoulders from trying so hard/often to take that deep breath. While doing that I'm taking in so much air that my stomach begins to bloat, giving me that full feeling and makes me feel even more like I can't breath. It really is a vicious cycle. You are certainly not alone. And my episodes with this particular symptom can last a long time. While anxiety attacks come and go, along with other symptoms, this symptom always lasts the longest. I hope you feel better soon.
    • clr1166
      clr1166 Bri77

      Posted

      Thank you for the reply, it's gotten worse tonight and I can't get back to sleep. I'm trying to take in air but it just feels like I'm holding my breath constantly. Ugh, I really hope it subsides soon because it scares me so much, I can't accept that such a scary thing like this can be 'just anxiety'.
    • angel32955
      angel32955 Bri77

      Posted

      OH my God. I have the exact same thing. Ever since I had the flu a few months ago, It’s felt like something has been wrong with me. For the longest time, I thought I had pneumonia or a lung problem. I went to the ER last week and they said my vitals were fine. I have horrible chest and back pain. I’m pretty sure it’s because I can’t breathe. I feel like I can’t get a satisfactory breathe and then after trying to breathe hard all day, I feel boated and it just gets worse. I get scared all day, mostly panicked. It feels like my lungs can’t expand, and it seems when I’m distracted I forgot about it briefly and breath better. I can’t remember how to breathing actually felt before I had the flu. But I do know that after smoking pot for almost a year on and off, I became more and more aware of myself/my body. No doubt the THC was affecting my body and mind. Now that’s I have anxiety on a dangerous level, I’m not sure what to do next. 
    • Helpinator38
      Helpinator38 angel32955

      Posted

      Hello.

      I have experienced all these symptoms and more in varying degrees of severity. I want to offer reassurance to those looking for solutions that they exist. I have learned things to manage my anxieties in the short term, stopping intense bouts of panic, physiological anxiety, or run away ruminations. I've also learned how to deal with them in the long term, where I no longer experience anxiety the same way and if it appears I know how to resolve it within myself to feel better. 

      We often hear that we need to learn to manage our anxieties, or figure it out how. Rarely do we have the tools or the know how in a simple way to figure out how we can accomplish this, all the while fighting that intense feeling in our chest and nursing unhealthy thoughts, pushing us from ever really getting the answers we need. For those who feel encouraged to learn the tools I mentioned, feel free to private message me. I am not a professional, but I do know how to relate what I've learned for those seeking to help themselves. 

    • ben76926
      ben76926 Helpinator38

      Posted

      Hi there 

      It’s about my son , he is going through the same situation meaning all the symptoms that you and everybody else are talking about , he’s getting it.

      But moreover he refused to acknowledge the situation, he’s in denial which make it more difficult to deal with.

      So how to make him understsnd and acknowledge the situation he’s going through? 

      What are the steps to recovery or to deal with anxiety  you are talking about?

      Thanks for helping

  • nathan18857
    nathan18857 clr1166

    Posted

    i have this to for me i forget to breathe sometimes and have to do it by myself its scary and makes me panic alot
    • nellie56694
      nellie56694 nathan18857

      Posted

      I think I know what you guys are talking about,hi with me I feel Im breathing normal but its like its just not quite enough. Like Im not drawing in enough. Also every now and then usually when im in bed all of a sudden I like gasp with an intake of a breath, it always comes out of the blue and it scares me because I think what the heck? is something going on that could close off my breathing? I get so tired of being in fear all the time,
    • clr1166
      clr1166 nellie56694

      Posted

      This is happening to me tonight, I woke up with chest pains and panicked so much I've messed my breathing up again. Whenever I try to fall back asleep I jolt up gasping for air, so I've now resorted to trying to keep myself awake as I'm scared to go to sleep.
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.