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Can't take a full breath, tightness in chest. PLEASE HELP.

Posted , 9 users are following.

deja18555
deja18555

I am 19 years old. A week or so ago I started having trouble taking a full breath and sometimes my chest feels tight, sometimes even mild chest pain. I went to the doctor and he told me it was just my anxiety, although I feel symptoms even if I am completely relaxed. I felt reassured for the moment being, but the very next day I continue to feel these symptoms. I feel the need to yawn or constantly try to take a deep breath, but 9/10 I'm not relieved. When I DO get a full breath, my symptoms are only relieved for the time being. This is what causes me to panic. I went to the hospital today and they took blood test, chest/lung x-ray, and ECG. Everything came back normal, but they gave me no explanation as to what could be going on. They told me to follow up with my primary doctor if the symptoms are still here in a week. I'm going on vacation in 16 days with my boyfriend and I don't want to be feeling this way the whole time. I want to be able to enjoy my life and have no worries. Can someone please tell me how to go about this?

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • mack17317
    mack17317 deja18555

    Posted

    Hi I am around your age (18) and I had/have symptoms very similar to yours but I figured out mine was acid reflux and gas because acid and go up your esophagus and constrict your airways making you feel as though you can't get a deep breath and gas pushes up on your diaphragm so that can also make it hard to breathe what I would recommend trying is either drink a lot of water and try burping up the gas or take an antacid and see if that helps . Hope you are okay,

    • SaberWolf
      SaberWolf mack17317

      Posted

      Hey mack how long have you been having these symptoms with shortness of breath ? Did you find anything to relief your symptoms. ?

    • mack17317
      mack17317 SaberWolf

      Posted

      Well I've had GERD for about a year and a half and the shortness of breath was a common symptom but wasn't chronic (I didn't have shortness of breath every day) but once I could feel the gas I would drink water which would cause me to burp but I think stress caused the GERD because once I changed what was causing the stress (I moved) my GERD symptoms improved

    • jeff98112
      jeff98112 mack17317

      Posted

      When you say that your symptoms were similar, just how consistent and persistent was the struggle to take a full breath?

      I ask because I’m 46 and the same thing started for me when I was 18 and a half

  • SaberWolf
    SaberWolf deja18555

    Posted

    I may be able to I've you good advice. I'm going through the same thing you are going through in my case I'm 25 years old I've been having shortness of breath 2 months now but first you need a clear diagnoses before anything else. I strongly recommend suggesting to your doctor you get a pulmonary function test or Spirometry is a common office test used to assess how well your lungs work by measuring how much air you inhale, how much you exhale and how quickly you exhale. Spirometry is used to diagnose asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other conditions that affect breathing if everything comes out normal its most likely anxiety. And there's medicine to treat the condition. Think positive and do this so you can have piece of mind that its nothing serious..

  • GerardCB
    GerardCB deja18555

    Posted

    Hi, this seems like a very tough situation for you.  I remember the first time I had anxiety and panic i was so confused.  I had multiple tests done to just rule out by the doctor that it is anxiety.  Has your doctor recommended you to see a therapist?

    I suggest you try to calm your worries in the meantime.  What I read in a very helpful anxiety book is to just allow your anxiety to happen.  So basically to accept that you can't breath fully and just be comfortable being uncomfortable.  It does so much wonder.  

    Basically, anxiety is caused by worry and negative emotions.  If you can get your worrying under control, your breath will go back to normal eventually.  But it is like an endless loop because if you keep worrying about it then you will keep feeling that tightness, if it is just anxiety."

    I guarantee it will get better.  It's just a matter of time and how you approach this.

    • jeff98112
      jeff98112 GerardCB

      Posted

      I’ve had this problem non-stop for 28 years, starring when I was 18
  • jan34534
    jan34534 deja18555

    Posted

    Deja

     when you feel shortness of breath coming on, go to YouTube and search for "five minute breathing meditation". They guide you through the proper way  to breathe and relieve anxiety and shortness of breath. There are several to choose from. Or you can go to YouTube and search for "panic attack emergency" they will take you through the steps  to calm you down. 

     for general peace and relaxation for anxiety, search for guided meditation for anxiety. Hope you feel better 🌸🌸🌸

  • deja18555
    deja18555

    Posted

    I wanted to make it clear that I feel this EVERYDAY, ALL DAY.
  • Guest
    Guest deja18555

    Posted

    Hi just came across this post. I have constant heart/ breathing issues at the moment and just wondered how you are 10 months down the line ? Xxx
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