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200828 tn?1209917975

Breathing problems and chest discomfort. Anxiety or somethng else?

I am experiencing chest tightness or fullness and always feel like I need to take a deep breath.  It's also difficult to take a deep breath at times.  I always have a feeling like I'm suffocating or being smothered. It's the worst in the morning. It's been like this for almost a month now.  I also felt this way in January but it went away in February.  Now it's back.  Does anyone feel this way?
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200828 tn?1209917975
One more thing, anxiety attacks are not constant but I've read about generalized anxiety disorder, which can result in constant anxiety and constant suffering of the various physical symptoms including shortness of breath from what I understand.  I could be mistaken, please do your own research!
Helpful - 0
200828 tn?1209917975
Well, I finally took the Xanax yesterday and it helped a lot.  My breathing and chest discomfort improved 85 to 90% and I felt great.  With the exception of feeling a little sleepy I felt like myself again.  I hadn't felt that way for a long time.

I know that you think I should take an x-ray but if my symptoms continue to improve I am not going to take it.  My doctor and two pulmonary specialists  don't think there's anything wrong with my lungs.  I just need to convince myself of that which is hard at times.  My doctor routinely has healthy patients take chest x-rays.  In my case he needs to cover his ass in case the breathing problems is related to my lungs.  Doctors sometimes order tests for liability reasons.  It's good that he is cautious but you have to think about the radiation involved.  I had a chest x-ray and a ct scan done less than a year ago.    At this point, I'm more afraid of the radiation exposure.  Sometimes it's better to wait and see what happens and save yourself from  unnecessary exposure to radiation. If my symptoms get worse, I will get a chest x-ray.  I just pray that it won't get to that point.

What I would like is to attend a support group for people with anxiety.  Anybody know of any in southern California -  Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove areas?

Thanks for your thoughts, much appreciated
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
First of all, you need to get a chest x-ray done..I know that you are having tremendous anxiety right now, but you have to rule out all physical possibilities first.  Just go and do it and take the Xanax before it.  I have never taken Xanax, but my sister has and it is a very calming medication that works in about 15-20 minutes.  However, see how it effects you before thinking of driving or "operating machinery".  I know that it makes my sister sleepy, where my cousin would just "calm down" but still be fine to go on with daily living.

Please follow all doctor advice and then work on the emotional component to your anxiety.  

You're doctor is correct in saying that "attacks" are not constant.  However, I personally have had constant anxiety that lasted for months before I began medication.  It wasn't full blown attacks, but constant slight shakiness and racing heart and feelings of having to take deep breaths...also a constant feeling of slight dizziness and cloudiness in my head...dull headache....

take it one step at a time and follow doctor's orders.  If you aren't comfortable with a doctor's diagnosis, go to a different one...best to you!
Helpful - 0
200828 tn?1209917975
Thanks for your response.  

Well, I know I am definitely suffering from anxiety and probably depression too.  I gave birth about a year ago and been a stay at home mom.  I had a health scare last summer involving my lungs.  I had an abnormal chest x-ray and a CT scan showed a thickening in my lungs that was most likely caused by a previous illness.   I have had one symptom after another since that chest x-ray.  I had difficulty swallowing, which went away after a few months, acidic feeling in my stomach, crying alot, worrying excessively about my health, tension, irritability, an overwhelming fearful feeling in the mornings.  But this difficulty breathing and chest discomfort scares me because of the problem with my lungs I had last summer.  

I have been to the doctor and he did a blood test which came back okay.  He thinks it's anxiety but he wants me to do another chest x-ray but I refused because I am terrified of what they might find.  He sent me to a pulmonary specialist who suggested I might have asthma.  But he recognized my anxiety and decided to hold off on any further testing until I got it under control.  He said that anxiety comes in attacks and not usually constant.  so he didn't seem to think that the breathing was all due to anxiety.  However, I've read that people can have chronic anxiety and can have this smothering sensation so I was wondering if anybody could identify with what I am going through.  Also, my doctor gave me a prescription of Xanax, should I take it?  Any experiences good or bad?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It most definitely can be anxiety....but you need to check with a doctor.  It could be many things.  I don't want to be an alarmist, but I suggest getting a physical exam to rule out any medical problems...tell the doctor your symptoms and take it from there....If you are physically fine (Which you probably are) then it is anxiety related and then you need to get to a mental health professional who can prescribe medication or other alternatives.  Best to you.
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