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Excessive Yawning and Constant Need to Breathe Deep

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FlutterbyPie
FlutterbyPie

For the past few days, I've been yawning a lot, much more than average (once every few minutes I feel the need). If I'm not yawning I'm breathing in as deep as I can to get similar "satisfaction". Often I cannot get the "satisfaction" from these and so the urge grows and grows, meaning it can get quite uncomfortable. When I do manage it, the urge is back a few seconds later. This is whether I'm tired or not, almost all day. 

I'm not particularly anxious about anything in particular, and get the same amount of sleep as before this started. 

This also happened at some point within the past year which continued for a month or two if I remember correctly. 

Does anyone have any idea what it is or how to make it a bit better? 

Thanks.

27 likes, 1426 replies

1426 Replies

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  • bob71029
    bob71029 FlutterbyPie

    Posted

    For me too it's ABSOLUTELY NOT GERD. I've been on Prilosec for months and months and I still suffer from this dreaded, insane, uncanny breathing issue. However, I surmise for some it is a GERD issue and anti-acid meds work. But for many of us a psychological factor does play into it. It's irrefutable. I've had this for about 11 years now, and it's so bad my doctor had to place me on disability. I have good days and bad, but mostly bad. I've been to every doctor under the sun and NONE OF THEM HAVE A CLUE. I even tried to have one doctor sit down with me at the computer and I wanted to show him this site and say, "Look, how many other people have what I have!" They all say it's anxeity related. What does work are the breathing methods Steve posted and acceptance. Why and what bought this on is a mystery to me. I'm 48 years old now and back in my 20's and 30's I NEVER HAD THIS. In fact, I worked liked a bull on my hands and knees installing carpet and lifting furniture. I could lift a fricken house. Now, the quality of my life has gone down at least 80%. I started meditation and looking into Buddhism. Life is suffering, there's no way around it. But there are ways to deal with it. In Buddhism they teach you this and you need not refer to any special God. 

    • jwarner75
      jwarner75 bob71029

      Posted

      How long have you been on disability?  You started having these symptoms 11 years ago?  My breathing problem symtoms started about 5-6 years ago and I first went to a Pulmonary lung doctors.  He performed some tests and said I was 100% fine.  I had a very bad episode while on vacation about 2 years ago and went to the emergency room because I felt like I could not take a deep breath.  When I returned home, I saw a cardiologist and lung specialist.  While performing the stress test and the lung tests I was having the breathing issues but passed both tests.  It was a struggle but I managed to get through the tests.  I know my lungs are working when I am having these issues, but I certainly feel like my breathing is restricted. 
  • sandy53319
    sandy53319 FlutterbyPie

    Posted

    I have been struggling with this for 20 years on and off I just read that it could possibly be caused by GERD. I DO notice that it eases a little when I take an antacid. Hope this helps
  • steve91931
    steve91931 FlutterbyPie

    Posted

    Everyone please join this f.b. grp called (search for it) "Constantly Needing to Take a Deep Breath / Excessive Yawning Support Group" so we can discuss.

    • steve91931
      steve91931

      Posted

      We already have two members and having a GREAT discussion about this, the more people that join we can take polls and try to get to any similar root causes. Please join, all posts and members are private to the public.
  • jwarner75
    jwarner75 FlutterbyPie

    Posted

    For exveryone having the breathing issues, what line of work are you in?  Are you around a lot of dust or things that could be harmful to your lungs?  Also, do you ever feel extremely bloated?  When I have having the breathing problems a lot I was always feeling very bloated and a bit gassy. 
    • kris100466
      kris100466 jwarner75

      Posted

      I work inside-office setting.  When I am having issues they become more challenging when my belly or bladder is full.  I do not feel bloated though.

       

  • julia44010
    julia44010 FlutterbyPie

    Posted

    The need to breathe really deeply is very uncomfotable, and the deeper we breathe the worse it gets. It realy feels as though there is no air available.The really quick solution that works every time without fail is to cut off the oxygen supply and breathe carbon dioxide instead. If you are at home breathe into a small paper bag, holding it as close to your face as possible. If you are out of the house cover your mouth and nose with your hand and continue breathing normally. You will find that your air-hunger disappears very quickly. My doctor gave me this tip years ago when I had panic attacks, and it works every time
    • steve91931
      steve91931 julia44010

      Posted

      You might be right - I tried it with a paper bag once and it does seem to help.
    • diana88467
      diana88467 julia44010

      Posted

      that is true if it's gets scary to you it will turn into that type of attack I had that happen to me and it does work

  • kris100466
    kris100466 FlutterbyPie

    Posted

    Oh my gosh I just want to say hi to all of you experiencing this as now I know I am not crazy!!!  I have been experiencing this "can't get a good breath-yawning continuously to get relief" since 2012.  Not continually of course.  My BIG episode hit in 2012.  Mine presented one rushed morning when I felt like I was having a heart attack, went to the ER and after many routine tests was released.  I had a 2nd attack the next week and my doctor diagnosed a panic attack.  After ruling out my heart, lungs, brain, thyroid and asthma he put me on Anxiety meds and I have been on them ever since.  Looking back before that time there were signs that something was going on as I did not understand the breathing issue.  I was jogging up to 3 miles a day and even pushed myself to keep going except the occasional stop to get my breath before I passed out.  Weeks went by as the condition worsened, my ribs became tender, fatigue set in and the week of my first "panic attack" I had finally slowed down and was having my husband or friends running my kids and let chores go.  I did switch to a female doctor who got me on a vitamin regimen that I have since replaced with a Plexus regimen.  The 2012 incident had me down for 2 straight weeks and it took about a year to work itself out of my daily life.  The episodes came and went over the last 3 years and have never been that bad since.  I just recently had an "attack" brought on by a pain under my left shoulder blade.  It has worsened each day over the last 2 weeks.  I yawn so much my jaws ache.  I have to keep my bladder empty and do not overeat at all because even a yawn doesn't get the deep breath I need at those times.  I did go off of Caffeine after the 2012 incident.  There have been a few times that I would drink coffee or soda with caffeine but within a few days my body reminded me that this is a no no.  I do drink coffee half caff half decaf and can tolerate that as long as I do not add any caffeinated bevearages the rest of the day for any perior of time.  I drink lots of water.  I have de-stressed my life as much as possible and live by a don't sweat the small stuff attitude as much as I can...lol.  I feel like I have had all the tests a doctor can order and made all the adjustments I posslibly can to deal with this strange health issue and pretty much decided it is just a part of my life.  I also take levothyroxine with my sertraline.  I take vitamins daily.  I pray and practice positive thinking.  My last episode did scare me enough to go to the doctor but the EKG, oxygenation and blood work were all normal.  No answers just coping.  Good luck.  Live happy, love life.  Kris

    • julia44010
      julia44010 kris100466

      Posted

      I have days when I yawn every few seconds for several hours and it is EXHAUSTING, but caffeine is not the cause in my case. There doesn't seem to be a trigger. But I don't drink tea coffee or soda. At the moment I have been yawn-free for several days!! What bliss, I thought it was yet another symptom that was going to be permanent. Take care

    • CCrossey17
      CCrossey17 julia44010

      Posted

      Julia,

      Were there any other changes that you made to your diet?

      For example, did you eat more vegetables less fruit, or drank less milk or

      Increased protein in diet?

    • julia44010
      julia44010 CCrossey17

      Posted

      No, I don't think so. I am still just as tired, but the excessive yawning has stopped for the moment. I am going to make a note of lifestyle changes so that if it comes back I will have an idea of where to start looking for the culprit. I have had to cut out milk because as soon as I drink milk I get acid reflux. I didn't realise milk was the cause until a few days ago. I suffered with problems of acidity for years, and took a variety of medication for that. Then it stopped but I never realized why. A few days ago I had cereal for breakfast with milk, and for the following 3 days also, and I have had all of the problems of acid reflux. For the past two days I have not touched milk and eveything has calmed down. I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, but not much protein, usually chicken or white fish. I love a good steak but find it difficult to digest. Diet is a problem for me because I don't have much of an appetite anymore, and have to force myself to eat otherwise I feel faint and my head spins. Take care

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