Excessive Yawning and Constant Need to Breathe Deep

My situation is identical to yours Janet.  If I forget it Iam okay, if not I have to think about breathing!!  Could be stress or certain medications you might be on.

I do pass through the same thing. Mine happen only when I worried myself to much or just remember something that once put a fear in me. This time I'm trying to overcome issues like panic attack which is like it has cause something like convulsion inside my heart that brought me to this state. I think the solution should one need is to be fearless and be friendly at the same time. All be happy

I have to breath fast because I can't breath slow  I dont know why but I cant

 

Hi Will,

Sent you a PM on this.

Would like to know more about how you handled this issue. Thanks.

Hi stopyawning,

After about a year of feeling the constant need to yawn to get a deep breath, I was at the point where I was basically totally freaking out. I would feel like I couldn't get that sort of "satisfying" deep breath, which was baffling, because to my knowledge I had changed nothing in my overall behavior. It was like it just suddenly started happening more. Even more confusing, is that sometimes it would be happening, and I would think to my self , "Huh, I'm not doing that weird breathing thing anymore" and then I would immediately have breathing trouble, right after I noticed this! It was so confusing and nightmarish. So after going to multiple doctors, getting breath tests, and having them say, very nicely, that there was nothing physically wrong with me and that it was likely just anxiety, I did some research on my own. I discovered something called the Buteyko Method online, and found a local 4-day course to take in my neighborhood. It literally changed my life. I hesitate to describe the method in detail, because I am not licenses or anything. But basically, here is the premise in a nut shell:

The reason I was having trouble breathing, was because I was breathing TOO MUCH! I was not aware of this at all, let me assure you. As Human Beings on this planet, when we encouter any kind of stressor in our environment, the breathing center in our brain speeds up. Evolutionarily, this is quite handy -- if a caveman sees a tiger, he us going to need to either kill the damn thing or run for his life. He (or she for that matter) will need access to lots and lots of immediate oxygen. So the breathing naturally speeds up. When the danger is gone, in other words if the tiger is dead or the cave person has out-run it, the breathing naturally slows. Have you every been to a dog park and seen dogs playing and then one of them gets in a fight? Afterwards, the dog usually does this "shake" to shake off excess enerygy. The he or she just goes back to playing like nothing happened. I think it is the same principle: all of a suddent the body is flooded with energy and needs more breath, but when the activity is over, it very quickly re-establishes it self back to basline. 

So now here's the problem: in our Modern world, as wonderful as it can be sometimes, there are so many damned stressors that our Human minds can't really every calm down and go back to that "baseline" resting place. There is ISIS and the threat of Global Terror; there is Ebola that will come and wipe us all out; there are Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Recessions, Bankruptcy, school shootings, all kinds of things that, while not necessarily likely to happen to us, are still there in the mind. Its like the mind is always on "Red Alert". There are some people who believe that this is largely due to the media, and I think there is some truth to this: just turn on the TV. All the news is basically telling us that there is the "Impending Disaster", this methaphorical Tiger coming to get us and no one know when or how but its coming. 

My point is, and sorry for the rant, but our minds are on a constant of hightened anxiety. What happens? Our breathing speeds up. This happens automatically, is happens over months and years, and it happens totally without our knowledge of it happening. Suddenly one day you wake up, like I did, and you can't breath and you don't know why. The reality is that it comes from years of living in our modern world with all its problems. So, what to do?

Have you ever seen Buddhist monks mediate? One thing to note is that they do not take these huge, deep, heaving breaths. This is a bit of a misnomer. When I used to work in the emergency room, I was told to take a few deep, cleansing breaths before a stressful situation, to calm myself. This makes sense, to pay attention to the breathe, but they had it backwards: what I should have done was to slow slow slow down my breaht and intentionally make it shallow, almost imperceptible, just like the monks. There are some monks who only take in one breathe every couple of minutes it is so slow and light. There belly hardly moves at all. 

So what is happening here? All it is simply the relationship between CO2 and Oxygen. If you google the "Bohr" effect, a well-known medically observed occurence, this will help to make this clear. When an animal, and a human, starts breathing too heavily, the balance of CO2 and Oygen shifts. Suddenly there is too much oxygen and not enough CO2. Like I said, this is helpful in an emergecny, but if it becomes chronic, the balance is shifted too much and for too long, and when it becomes out of balance, Oxygen actually decreases in the body. So when you intentionally slow down the breathing, expelling less CO2, the CO2 levels normalize, and thus the Oxygen levels normalize as well. I really hope you google this because as I am writing this I know I don't have a very solid grasp on how it works. But you will learn all of this if you take a Buteyko class, which I strongly suggest you do! Speaking of which, we come to the solution: the intentional, progressive slowing down of the breath, until the Oxygen/Co2 balance is restored. I.E Buteyko breathing. Thats all there is to it. I have found several things to be quite important, which I wil list below, but please take a damned course so you know this for yourself!

First of all, exercise is a must!! Every time you get aerobic exercise, you are helping to correct the problem. Just remember: breathe through your nose only. This is crucial. If you are breathing through your mouth, at any time, you are definitely taking in TOO MUCH oxygen. You are exacerbating the problem. This is why yawning is really, really bad. Its counter-intuitive; it feels like the only time you get a really good breath is when you take a deep, yawn. But this is the whole problem. You have to stop yawning with you moouth open. You have to stop doing everything for that matter with you mouth open (except eating, talking and kissing...have I forgotten anything?)

Also, one thing you can do right now, is find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying on your side (never on your back! you will naturally breath too deep  and too much in this position). Now intentionally slow down your breathing and also make it very shallow. I am not saying to breathe high in your chest: this is completly wrong. Breathe with your abdomen ONLY. But don't breathe deeply; breathe lightly and slowly. At first, you are guaranteed to feel an increase in breathlessness. It is an awful feeling, I won't lie. Don't make yourself uncomfortable!! If you feel like you need to take a deep breath, then do so. But gradually gradually gradually, patiently and persistently, for 10 minutes, try to breath less and less, just like the Buddhist monks. See how you feel. 

Sorry for this epic-length reply. It is just so important that you do this for yourself, because you will feel so much better!! After practicing this, you won't need any more convincing, because it works so well and you feel so good that it becomes totally natural. Nowm when I go for a jog, or I am driving, or even giving a presentation at work, I am aware that my breathing is very slow and peaceful, and that my mouth is closed at almost all times. It feels so wonderful, so peaceful, so calming. I hope this helps. Good luck. Will

Thanks, Will. I tested the theory right after coming upon this forum and seeing your post on the topic, and I know it's effective.

Funny, the problem has subsided a bit since then and I think just knowing that I wasn't going looney and there were others in the same boat was a big help. I emailed my doctor a link to the thread.

This is the worst episode of this problem I've ever had since I first noticed it years ago, and I'm praying that it's not signaling a change of any kind.

Keeping the mouth completely closed will be a challenge. No doubt I've been a "mouth breather" from childhood. However, it's worth the effort to try. I'm curious to see if I can do that during my exercise which, at times, gets pretty intense.

The other benefit is that I know there is quick relief, at least to a manageable state, just by employing the Buteyko method. The night before I found the forum and messaged you, I had the worst of it and really thought I had a serious case. I went to bed very early and began to breathe through my nose in a calm and repetitive manner just because I didn't know what else to try.

Though it was a bit uncomfortable and I sucked down a few yawning breaths in between, I found those came pretty easily and without struggle once I was relaxed. A few minutes into this pattern, I feel asleep. On the whole, that's reassuring.

So, I'll give what you suggest a good try and I'm sure it will be effective.

Thanks again for the reply. It's a big help.

 

I’ve been practicing Buteyko breathing ever since it was first mentioned on the forum a few months ago. It’s pretty amazing.

I only have mild COPD but even so, my breathing has improved tremendously. Most importantly .. I don’t panic any more.

 

The hardest thing for me was keeping my mouth closed and breathing through my nose .. mainly because one or other of my nasal passages always seemed to be permanently blocked. But I soon discovered that the very act of Buteyko breathing in itself, cleared them (something to do with CO2 in the blood breaking down mucus). Even so, It took quite a lot of practice and determination to rid myself of the habit of perpetual mouth-breathing because after decades of being ‘slack-jawed it felt so odd keeping me damn mouth closed all the time  But I persevered, and now .. for the first time in years and years .. I can breath through my nose normally, steadily, and calmly.

 

An added bonus, is that it’s changing the shape of my face! My jaw-line is firmer, the jowls are receding, and the dreaded ‘lizard-neck’ which can tend to creep up on we ladies of a ‘certain age’, is much much less pronounced.

 

As Will said, the technique has to be learnt, (there are plenty of instruction videos on Youtube) and I would also advise taking it very gently at first .. the need for oxygen and the urge to gasp in huge mouthfuls of it, is strong and overwhelming at times .. but with practice and patience the results are SO worth it.

 

As I said above .. it’s pretty amazing. It’s changed my life too.

Jo

 

 

I wanted to thank you for your post. I've had this problem for 15 years and did not know what it was. I've been to doctor that have either diagnosed me with asthma or given me Xanax and sent me on my way. I would yawn until my jaw would hurt giving me a headache. It was also embarrassing when around other people. It would last from 1 day or even as long as month.

I did what you said, I layed down on my left side and for 10 mins I slowed down my breathing down. Ever since yesterday I've stopped yawning and have become more aware of my breathing . Needles to say this definitely has everything to do with what is going on presently in my life (wedding, bills, kids, spouse and running a business ).

I can't thank you enough for you post that has truly changed the way I think. I really thought I was like some type of hypochondriac, when in reality I rarely get sick. I will definitely look into Buteyko breathing so I can continue this long term.

Anyone who has this problem please please give this a try!!!! It is truly a blessing!!!!

Thank you for taking the time to post this.

Will, how long did it take u to create the habit and stop yawning and struggling to get that satisfying breath? I know it works but I haven't been able to retrain myself long term. I go maybe a few hours at the most before I'm back to the struggle. How did u cure this once and for all? Was it the 4day class u took? What if I'm not able to find a class like that? Am I doomed to this horribleness??

Um I smoke weed so can I still do that or no?

i really need help pls. kpew at outlookcom

I'm desperate, I few like I'm going crazy and it hurts really bad.

I can even concentrate enough to read simple instructions. please help me

I will try this. I had an initial back injury and started yawning and breathing deaply to releive the back pain. Now it has become somewhat of a habit and I can stop it. Extremely frustrating. Highly doubt it's anxiety. Have researched the symptoms of lung cancer as I have quite a few of them. Hope not. Will try this. Thanks

Will. I have had this for 7 years and it's gotten slowly worse over those years. It's killing my quality of life. Please help me!  I live in  USA, New Jersey 

Hi Bob, I'm sorry to hear you have had this for so long. When it was at its worst for me, I could barely function. First of all, I am not in any way trained in any breathing technique. I am not a Doctor. So please take what I am saying with a large grain of salt. That being said, the problem has vanished for me; and I feel so much better that I want to scream the solution from the proverbial roof top. So, you're having trouble breathing. Please stop reading this and youtube/google "Buteyko Breathing" -- anything by Patrick Mckowen is best. Please do this right now. Then return to this forum. So, you've watched the videos or read the article. You now know the problem; the reason you cannot cathch your breathe is because you are breathing TOO MUCH. Its so simple; it sound ludicrous. But its true. All you need to convince yourself of this, is to implement the techniques. You will feel better, the problem with improve, and you will need no further evidence. So what to do?

Always, always, always, from this moment forward, breathe through your nose. Do not breathe through your mouth. Ever. When you are walking, perform the "Breath Holds" described by Patrick and other practioners. If you can locate a trained Buteyko teacher/class, then all the better. Try something right now; find a comfortable chair or couch, and sit comfortably. Try your best to relex. Notice how you are breathing; it is heavy, noisy, through the mouth? Is it high in your chest or low in your abdomen. Allow yourself to breathe naturally, and then gently, gently, attempt to slow your breathe, making it quiet, and breathing with you abdomen. Your chest should rise a slight amount but almost not at all. Breathe with your diaphragm, with your belly. The belly should fill with the in breathe. It should fall with the out breathe. Breathe with your mouth closed. If at first you feel some "air hunger" this is a good thing -- in fact it is the very cure, but we will get to that later. Don't make your self panicky; if you need to take a deep breathe, then do so. But gradually, gradually, patiently and persistently, attempt to reduce the volume of air you are breathing. Do this for ten minutes. See you how you feel. Please reply to this forum with what happened and I wil try and get back to you. Will

thanks will for getting back to me, I deeply appreciate it. Actually, I know many of the things you have told me because I have researched this many times. But I guess just reaching out to other people who have this helps anyway. Yes, I've looked into the Buteyko method, and I've tried some of the exercises, but it's so hard to do them when you can barely catch your breath and you feel like you're always hyperventilating. I understand the whole burning up co2 and so forth. The problem for me is not being able to get that satisfying breath each time I try. & I know the more you try for it the worse it is and it just becomes a maddening vicious circle. of course some days are better than others today was not so bad yesterday was very bad. And I noticed for me this slowly progressed into getting worse and worse over time. I can remember when I would have bad episodes maybe twice a week then I'd be OK for the rest of the week and then sure enough the following week on the on the same two days it would come back. anyway I'm going to do my breathing exercises more and try to calm down I do take xanax but honestly I'm not a benzodiazepine person and it makes me sleepy but I do feel it helps sometimes, and sometimes I feel like it doesn't help at all. Plus, I don't want to get addicted to benzodiazepines. And what's really interesting is when you reach out on the internet you find so many people have this problem but when you go out to a shopping mall or to the local supermarket you look around and everybody seems so damn f****** normal and here you are breathing like a crazy idiot lol if you know what I mean?this has impacted my life so much like you stated with yours it's getting to the point where I can barely function its it's not so bad when I sit but even when I sit it becomes unbearable. I can't even take a walk around the block with my girlfriend, having sex also is a struggle. After 7 years of battling this Italia, I'm working on sheer sheer willpower just to make it through the day. okay I don't want to sound like a nut case again I appreciate your reaching out to me and I'll keep in touch all the best Bob

I also have seen all the videos on YouTube and I know the guy you're mentioning Patrick McGowan he has some good videos and I reached out to him but I never heard anything back but I understand people are busy and things move on and so forth but yes there are some decent videos on hyperventilation but this form of hyperventilation that we have and that what I'm talking about is different than the typical hyperventilation doctors and people think of when one says the word hyperventilation, follow what I'm saying?most people when they think of hyperventilation or when you talk to doctors about hyperventilation they get a picture of breathing heavy like a dog would be panting constantly like taking a deep breath one after the other one after the other. No, this is not the kind of hyperventilation I have I forgot the name of this but there is a particular name for this sort of hyperventilation but the name escapes me right now

I can vouch for what Will has written above.

It's a vicous circle. You can't get that deep, satisfying breath, so you keep trying and trying to get it and your lungs become 'saturated' because you're breathing too deeply and too much!

I had this problem for years, it drove me nuts!

Just calm down, beath from your belly .. and follow Wills advice.

It WORKS. 

thanks Josephine for reaching out and yes, I will take wills advice. I'm 47 years old now and I've been battling this for at least 7 years and it does feel like you're losing your mind, it really, really does. But I'm hopeful and I'm going to hang in there. Thank you everyone for your support. by the way, I notice a lot of people who have this hyperventilation problem are from the UK which I find very interesting. I live right here in America, New Jersey. Yet, I can't find anybody around this area who goes through the same predicament. I just find that interesting.

Will71922 would just like to say thank you so much for your advise, I woke up a few hours ago feeling like I couldn't breath properly, this has never happened to me before tonight which made it all the more scary and panicking made it worse but your advise was spot on and I now feel so much better and relieved. I recommend anyone with the same problem to defiantly try this as it 100% works. Thank you again.

Hi Will.

Just curious how you found out about this technique?? And how were you coping before?

Hi Bob71029,

I just joined the group. I live in Phoenix AZ and I've had this problem for 4months. It is becoming very obtrusive to my life. I do think mine is anxiety related. I also feel crazy and scared. It seems to get worse when I exert myself. I am going to try the breathing techniques that Will mentioned above. I'll post my results. I'm glad I found this site. It's nice to know I'm not alone. 

I failed to mention earlier, I am 53 years old, trim and do cardio and strength training. I've never had this problem before now. 

Please explain it in detail that in which posture should i breathe...as i am suffering from this stupid disease since 3-4 years....

Hi, i have been having the same issues. It only started about a month ago. I want to find something to help but i dont know that this will work. I havnt been able to breathe through my nose since i was a child i was in a car wreck and smashed my face crushing my nose and therfore making it almost impossible to breath through my nose only my mouth. But i am in desperate need to find something doctors say im fine and theres nothing wrong, but i dont feel right. I cant keep deeling with this. Can you please email me if you have any suggestions i do take xanax for anxiety but its different and i think if its anxiety issues the xanax would help but it dosnt

Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

Hi Heather, I think you can still find relief without breathing through your nose.  The key to fixing the problem for me was realizing that I was taking in TOO MUCH air rather than too little.  As I'm observing my own normal breathing right now, I see that I'm taking in very little air over a long period of time.  After I exhale, I unconsciously wait a little before inhaling just a little bit of air.  Try slowing down your breathing and only intaking a little oxygen.  For me, that is my normal breathing pattern.

Over the past week, I feel almost total relief.  Before, I was yawning every few minutes to try to get more air.  But that was counterproductive.  I replied to another post about chronic hyperventilation.  I think that's what we're suffering from, so we need to re-train our bodies how to breathe correctly again.  Although it feels like we're not getting enough oxygen, we're actually getting too much, and yawning to get those full satisfying breaths only exacerbates our problem.   Try long, shallow breathing through your mouth and see if it helps.  I was also prescribed Xanax and Zoloft, but it worked for me most of the time.

will please help me out in this

Will, Thank you so much for your invaluable info on the Buteyko method. Your post may very well have saved my sanity. Cheers

Thank you for taking the time to post your reply, it's really appreciated and I'm going to give it a go

 

I just quit smoking and am having this issue.  The only relief I get is doing what you describe.  However, I pretty much need to breath shallow and slow all the time to be omewhat comfortable.  You sure it is frim breathing too much? I am not sold on that

Hi Will, Can teach me your Buteyko method?

Will! I read your story and I am the same!! last 6 months OMG I feel so relieved just seeing I am not crazy like everyone said I am

I've even been admitted in the hospital, I felt crazy!!

I am goig to try your method but I have to ask..how can I do this when I'm an athete? I lift heavy and breath heavy when I do sports and I'm afraid I will need to give up sports for that?

Can you give your insight?

Hi my name is Holly and I have been having the same problem for over a year now on and off but it seems to be getting worse over time!... I have seen specialists after specialists.. Test after test.. I was hoping you could help me understand this better.. I would love to chat with you...

Thanks Holly

Thanks for posting this comment Will. just when i was thinking i needed to breath more, turns out i was breathing too much.  who  knew? lol  i am so glad you took the time to post your advice here.  

Hello Will I hope you read this and return with a reply. I've experienced my first panic attack maybe a month ago while smoking weed I've been abusing it for a year and a half and used it for a lot of stress I'm only 19 but been living under a lot of lies with my parents. After the panic attack I had I went sober and now is my 25th day I believe and started to feel the same way HARD TO TAKE DEEP BREATHS AND LOTS OF YAWNING. I thought they were withdrawal symptoms but I think it's something else. I've felt beginnings of panic attacks coming on maybe twice these past few days but manage to kinda stop them so they won't elevate even worker. My doctor prescribed me Zoloft. Tonight will be my first time to take them which is once a day right before I go to bed. Can this Buteyko Method help me ?! I'm so anxious to recover and get back on my feet ! I feel like I'm just not into life anymore knowing I feel this way. I live in Dallas,Tx, US and believe there are practitioners for this method to take classes. I love to lift weights and Play basketball and run. And somehow get so tired and my heart beat starts pumping very rapidly. I feel aggravated knowing I can't get those satisfying deep breaths in. I do get your point when the problem is that I'm doing TOO MUCH breathing as I would smoke marijuana daily maybe 3x a day. So is Zoloft the way to go? Will it make things better or worse. I just need help.

Will,

Thank you SO much for posting this. This weird breathing thing just started happening to me this past week, but I tried the technique you described and it worked immediately. I had no idea a complete stranger on the internet could give me this much relief! There's a lot of things going on in my life right now, but I didn't even realize how stressed out I was until I read this. I just started bawling (in a good way). Everything you said was exactly what I needed to hear right in this moment, and I just had to say thank you for taking the time to post this! 

Grace

Hi. I've been struggling with this for years and have come to the conclusion that is it anxiety related... I started taking GABA and 5HTP and other supplements that helped a little bit. I also started doing yoga  which also helped.. but the constant need to take a deep breath continued. This whole breathing through your nose thing makes a ton of sense because If I'm totally honest, when things got super bad and I couldn't breath to the point of just laying down in fetal position feeling completly helpless I started to breath through my nose and slowly. I normally breath through my mouth.( I know it sounds silly).. I'm going to try that Bohr,Buteyko breathing thing (cause I'm not gonna suck my thumb haha) I am so relieved to know other people struggle with this as well.. I'm not alone!

God Bless.

I am going to try this... I don't have the yawning part, just the I CAN'T BREATH part!!! 

 

I've search for a year and a half trying to work out what is wrong with me! After lots of trips to doctors telling me I have anxiety. I am very stressed at times but there are time where I'm 100% fine and happy. But still can't breath which made me do more research (Google my best friend lead me here) I'm SO grateful i found this post from you will71922. I have been breathing through my nose and not my mouth for 2 days now and I have to say it's slowly disappearing!!! It's taken some practice but I'm getting there! I found this came on when I started a stressful job on doing eyelashe extensions and having to concentrate for hours on end. I've worked out if I'm on my phone or concentrating very hard I forget to breath!!!! Then I have trouble catching up to normal breath. Now I breath slowly through my nose and am aware of every breath!! Life changing now I can enjoy my life again!!!

Thanks again will

Thank you so much for posting this, I do believe this is my problem. How crazy is it that dr's don't recognize this issue and lead you in the right direction? Thanks again!

Sherri

Will71922,

  First I want to say THANK YOU! For taking the time and sharing your experience with everyone. I have been dealing with this for sometime. An was horrified to research it. I thought that if I had tryed to research my systems, it was going to to tell me something like ( cancer, diabetes, etc) An make everything worse. An I did not want to go to the doctors because never have they ever taken the time to listen and do the work to help treat a common cold. It's always a pill that solves everything and I refuse to be put on pills for the rest of my life. But today I finally built up the nerve and typed in my symptoms and found this page. As I started reading all the comments before yours I could literally relate to them all.  Then I reached yours. An what a blessing it was.Number one  I feel better just  knowing that other people have this and I'm not crazy. I had talked to people in the past and they act like it's in my head etc. I have been watching as many youtube videos that I can find on Buteyko. I even looked for a treatment center like you recomended but couldnt seem to find any here in Chile. But the information i'm finding online is really helping.I have only been breathing through my nose since I found your comment and boy do I already feel better! I hope you feel amazing knowing that your advice really helped alot of people. I even went throught this long process of making this screename on this site just to let you know how much I  appreaciated your response on here. Thank again so much. I'm so happy knowing I can take control of my life again and stop dealing with.

Thank you thank you thank!

Christopher

You know you can do the Buteyko at home without going to a cliinic. Keep us posted on anything you have descovered. 

I totally know what you're about being in the supermarket. You then feel like people are looking at you and I think it makes the problem worse. I've had this problem for a while but the weird thing is when I wake up in the morning and I'm breathing naturally I feel totally fine. As someone on this forum said, it's when I remember I had it that it starts to come on again. Hwne I'm in a social situation and relaxed having a laugh with my mates or something it doesn't seem to be a problem. It's only a problem when I'm thinking about it. Likewise, when I'm busy at work or something it doesn't seem to bother me. It only seems to be when I'm aware of my breathing patterns that it becomes a problem. I haven't seem a doctor about this because it tends to dissappear from time to time. I definitely breathe through my mouth too much and am Lways chasing that satisfying breath. Glad to hear there are other people out there who are also experiencing this. I will try these breathing techniques and hopefully they will make a difference. I'm already trying not to breathe through my mouth at all and it's making me realise just how much I have been doing it.

Also, could it be that the 'satisfying breaths' are the only ones your body actually needs?

Heather try taking a anti allergy tablet such as piriton, I'm not sure how or why it works but it allows me to complete that deep breath. It's cheap and effective

Hello will,I tried this method but still struggling with deep breaths! Anymore methods I could use?

Hi Will.

I've been having this problem the past week. It's terrible. My Dr put me on Paxil (which I haven't taken yet.)  It's such an awful feeling. I'm still exercising everyday. 

This  breathing technique sounds good. Any more info on it? Please help.

Scott 

I have had this problem for several weeks now. I had been diagnosed with a blocked nose and given steroid nose drops just before that.  This constant need to take a deep breath is getting me down but, like you, I seem to be fine when I am in social situations or engrossed in something.  I have been trying hard to keep my mouth shut at all times but as soon as I get momentarily distracted I am gulping for air through my mouth. I went back to the doctor yesterday and was tested for oxygen levels, lungs were checked too and all was fine. I got prescribed four more weeks of steroid drops and that was all she could offer. Living like this is really getting me down.

Thank you very much Will I've been in the same situation for several years. I've tried the Buteyko method it does work.

But it's just the matter of staying positive n forced n training yourself daily I hope I will get better soon.

Will--THANK YOU FOR SUCH A COMPLETE DISCUSSION ON EXCESSIVE YAWING . IT HAS HELPED WITH MY SIMILAR CONDITION.MAY I ASK DID YOU DO BREATHING TECHNIQUES FROM ONLINE? DID YOU ATTEND CALSSES ? IF SO HOW TO REACH THEM? ALSO I USE A DENTAL DEVICE FOR SLEEP APNEA, HAVE YOU HAD AN EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CODITION CONDITION?    THANKS  ..BUDDY

Thank you so much for your post!  I have been suffering with this for years.  This make sense!  I was totally trying to take deeper breaths, and going on walks and taking deep breaths through my mouth.  The worse thing is that I feel like my brain cells are deprived of oxygen and I can't think or remember things anymore!  I have tried so many things.  I am in tears thinking that I have found a solution.  I tried what you said just in the past 10 minutes sitting at my computer at my desk and the desire to take a deep breath has already decreased.  I am hoping this works and am so thankful to you!   I also have sleep apnea and am hoping this helps.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Your suggestion has given me back my sanity. I was beginning to go mad with my inability to take a full breath. By practicing controlled shallow breathing for just a few mintues I am nowable to take a full breath.

I had gone for over 5 days of sleepless nights because of this. And I was beginning to lose my enthusiasim for even living.

Now everthing seems rosy again.

You have saved and helped numerous people with your suggestion and time taken to post. Wish you the very best in your life. You have already done what I hope to do - help people at their neediest moments.

Hey Julie, no problem, I'm glad it has helped! I too found someone's post on a similar forum, and I was blown away by how easy it is too fix this. I am so happy now. I was at the point a few years ago where I literally thought I had lost my mind. But, this does absoloutely work. And, it is a great idea IMO to reduce your breathing at every opportunity -- for example, sitting at your desk like you mentioned. The problem has completely vanished for me. I am able to consistently run 7-8 miles a day now. Completely throught my nose. I don't open my mouth once. I went jogging with a buddy of mine from High School recently. I consider him to be the fittest guy I know. Lots of martial arts, weight lifting, etc. Always active. After we had gone a few miles, he stopped and said. "Damn man, you're not even out of breath!" Of course he was right; I hadn't even noticed. The beautiful thing with this is that you really can't get out of breath if you are only breathing through your nose. I felt like I wanted to cry too haha, I was so happy. 

I have read so much about this in the past year. There are so, so many examples of why this works. Its so great. I just read this piece of writing from 100 or more years ago. This explorer went down to South America and found that the tribes people in some rural area had far, far less incidence of sickness and depression. He was surprised to find that none of the people breathed throught their mouths. They all only breathed through their noses. When babies would open their mouths while they slept, their mothers would come by and close their mouths for them.

I also just read an article by an Budhist monk. He signed up for a bourse in Buteyko, and even though he had already spent years paying attention to his breath, once he learned to also reduce the volume of air as well, he noticed a substantil reduction in useless thinking and anxiety. So cool.

I also experienced some of the "cleansing reactions" which are baffling at first but so important. You might google this is you havent heard of them. The Buteyko experts can provide a much better description than I. So happy you are feeling better. 

Hey breathingtolive, you describe perfectly my own feelings. I had lost my enthuiasm for living, for doing anything. It was terrifying. I am so grateful that someone esle on a different forum posted something about Buteyko, because I would never have discovered it other wise. I too feel as though my sanity has returned, all because of the kindness of a random person on a forum, half way across the world no doubt!

I wish you the very best in life too. 

This is so fascinating. I can't wait to try it I really hope that it will work for me. I've had this problem off and on ever since I was 3 years old. I remember feeling like I could never get enough air waiting to go in to dance class. And I've always thought it came from stress or anxiety or eating too close to bedtime. But the problem comes mostly when I'm working on something stressful or when I'm trying to fall asleep (that's what brought me here tonight) the terrible thing is when I can breathe normally and think I've got it under control, I'll hear my neighbors make a loud sound, or see car lights flash through my window and my chest is all tight and it's all gone to hell again. I just need tl breathe that's what I always say to myself. I'm eager to try this method.

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for posting this. I've had the same problem for about a week now and have slept NONE, I was scared I wouldn't be able to breath right during my sleep, I feel so much better knowing I'm not the only one that has felt like this! I will be trying this method immediately. Thank you again for taking the time to post.

Hi bob Im a 26 year old male have had problems with my xontroling my breathing for 4 years now and have had this deep breathing thing of and on its on now for about a month and cant seem to ahake it its all I think about I am a mouth breather so Im trying to change that now and also looking into the above mentioned breathing method I am also for new jersey , usa

Yes, I know this is such a maddening thing. I never would have dreamed I would be going through such a bizzare condition. All the doctors put me through a rigamarole of tests, and they come back fine. "It's anxiety they say, calm down, it's all in your head." We it just may be in my head but that's no sweet consolation when you feel like you can't breath. It's so bad for me that my cardo. doctor wants to put me on short term dissability until we can figure out a soulution or something for me to deal and live with this better. I wish they had support groups for this like they have with AA/ AND NA. You know those meetings. I feel so, so, lost and depressed. I look around me and everyone seems so normal, and here I am like a freak taking these deep breaths all day long. Again, nothing short of maddening. I'm in central Jersey.  

Yes It's horrible may I ask do you ever have moments where you are distracted and your are breathing fine? I believe it's anxiety for me because when I do get distracted I breath perfectly normal. I am in north jersey

Yes, there are times when I do breathe fine and I notice I may be focused on something. But the moment I realize this, I go right back into that vicious  circle of taking deep breaths. I do believe it has a lot to do with the mind, how we think, and of course it's all a result of anxiety. I never EVER used to be like this. How, where, or why this is happening I have no idea.

Also notice how it appears when you wake up. You don't have this issue when you sleep it only affect us as soon as we start thinking about it. In the morning catch yourself that everything was fine before forst thought, after that you have shortness of breath whyle you're noticing it. I have it for over 10 years now, and I just start realizing that I didn't had it when i was not thinking about. Because it affecting me when I think about, i think I have it all the time.

I have never commented on a forum before. I've never even registered for one. I went out of my way to do both for the first time to thank you for opening my eyes to this practice. It's been an hour, maybe two, since I read your comments and researched the Buteyko Method. It's not easy and it was absolutely uncomfortable just like you mentioned it may be- but oh my goodness I cannot believe how different I already feel. The videos are fantastic; the speaker explains hyperventilation at a cellular level and being able to finally understand a possible etiology for this discomfort I've felt off and on for years is incredible-- eye opening to say the very least.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

after using Buteyko method, can you now take deep breaths anytime you want? as i have having this for about 4 months now i can manage without deep breaths, but i'd like to return to my old self,i miss my deep breaths, so after doing buteyko method does deep breathing issue completly vanish?

Will. I am experiencing this right now and would like to know if even when you did the Buteyko method breathing and had the urge to yawn or take a deep breathe, did you give in to the urge or just remaining the slow shallow breathing? Also, it seems like when I try to take this deep breath my shoulder and chest keep going up like it just stops and I get lightheaded when I cant follow through the satisfying breath. I have to either lean on one side or breath slouched forawrd for it to work.

I am going to try this . This is my last hope. I have asthma real bad and have a very hard time breathing through my nose but when i have these attacks i try to breathe in through my nose and out my mouth and that seemed to help but it is hard to breathe with my nose. I have found that almost everytime i have had this happen i have eaten too late so i figured it was that . What has always helped my was using my nebulizer and liquid albuterol but i think that just opened my lungs more so i could get to sleep and then i would breathe through my nose . I hae been to my dr about 20 times for this . I have taken different anti- axiety pills and they do nothing but make me feel like a zombie the next day . I have taken hydroxzine that makes me sleep thus allowing me to breathe since im knoocked out at night but i was still always tired the next day . He thought it was gerd and my esophagus so i did the barium swallowing and no problems there . I have done all the asthma tests to see if i had copd or congestive heart failure. Every time i get this though i can breathe without wheezing so i know its not asthma and it only happens when im sleeping so how could i have anxiety or panic attacks plus im not breathing fast when im sleeping . I just wake up and cant breathe and then i get anxious because i know at a minimum i have to get up for a half hour and do a breathing treatment which usually lets me get back to sleep which makes the yawning go away . This doesnt happen all the time . I may go months without this then it just happens and may happen for a week or two then just disappears . I have also checked my oxygen with the finger meter when this is happening and it is at 98% so i know im getting enough oxygen . I looked this up about a year ago since the doctors were usuless  !! I also came to the conclusion that i was getting too much co2 by the way i was breathing but have been unable to control it. With asthma i cannot hold my breath for more than about 3 seconds. When this happened i kept trying to breath in my mouth and out my nose but just could not get enough and had to try to suck in a breath and im sure making it worse . Im going to look up this thing you mentioned . I have been sitting here typing early in the morning since i have been up after only being able to get 3 hours sleep from this so i am willing to try ANYTHING . This whole time i have been typing i have been breathing only through my nose with just the occasional yawn ( which has been easier)  and so far it is helping . The problem is training myself to do this when i sleep . A lot of times with asthma my nose is clogged up so i cant always use my nose to breathe . I think im going to try a breathe rite strip tomorrow nite and try breathing from my nose . I hope this helps because it appears to not be any medical condition at least none that any doctors can find because all my breathing tests are perfect .

Can you read my symptoms please and tell me if mine sounds like yours. Thank you.

I am 32 years old and have these spells where I cant take a deep

breath in. It is very uncomfortable to know I cant reach the satisfaction I need to get a full breath.  I am about 70lbs over weight, however, before i got these spells, my activity level was fine and i didnt have any other issue.. (So it's not a weight issue.) Also, in the past have had a few panic attacks. So severe at times i had to stop working and going to school. When i had those attacks, it wasnt the same as the trouble breathing i have now... however, the breathing issue did throw me into panic attack once.. it was so bad i cried and shook because I could barely breath....I also experience chest pain once in a while when this happens, seems to be in the middle of my back. Hard to tell if it's from straining to breathe, lungs, or heart. But this dont happen everytime. And if I have a "good day" when my breathing is full and deep, it still feels like their is a fist in my back.   It seems that caffiene gives me panic attacks, and if i drink to much alcohol i feel very sob also. If i eat too much and become full, this also makes my breathing worsen. However, if i eat, that also helps the sob on occasion..   so confusing. I have had about 3 of these spells. Once when I was about 23, 31, and now 32. When it happens, it lasts for like a month or two. It is very uncomfortable. Its like my chest wont allow me to take deep breaths. I can get one in once in a while but rarely. I also have trouble sneezing and yawning due to this. Seems to be ok when laying down. But trying to walk very far, even getting dressed is a task. It is waaaaay worse when showering. I almost hyperventilate in the bath. It is ruining my life. I do have afib.... i really dont think it is that. If i dont think about the breathing it is ok usually. I try to occupy myself to take my mind off of it. I have been to the doctor 3 times. He has no idea. Says could be afib....asthma....stress..... and the hospital said maybe acid reflux... all my xrays and heart evals looked fine...besides mild afib..Sometimes i wonder if im just freaking myself out.... but sometimes it's as real as day. I use albuterol nebulizer every 4 hours. It helps a lot but not 4 long. I also use mucinex nose spray. This is so scary and making my life difficult. Please if anyone has answers let me know. Thank you.

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

Hey cmrrmc, 

Did you ever find a solution and at every you symptom free now? 

Hi cssgregg1,

How are your symptoms now? Mine are getting worse and just can’t take it anymore! I’m

Starting a buteyko course next week and just wondering if you had any luck with it?