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956150 tn?1248275215

Why Can't I Take a Full Deep Breath?

I have had trouble with taking a 'full' deep breath for a very, very long time and it comes and goes.  I went for a physical Thursday and the EKG came back with an 'abnormality.'  I was sent to the ER where they did their own Ekg and they saw  a slight 'abormality as well.  A check X-ray was done and it came back fine.  I was hooked up to a monitor and my oxygen levels were at 100%.  The blood test for blood oxygen levels came back a 'tad' low so I was sent for a Check/Heart CAT Scan where they injected dye into me (awful feeling) and they came back 'normal.'  I was sent home with a clean bill of health, but for the past few days my panic attacks are severe and I am constantly trying to take a 'full' deep breath.  I am making myself dizzy, and I am afraid I will actually give myself a heart attack.  I am a 60 year old female.
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956150 tn?1248275215
Hi.  Thanks for responding.  I have had these symptoms on and off for 42 years.  The ER Doctor told me to follow up with my own doctor in 1 month.  Although the doc told me I was fine, I am still sure there is a heart problem.  My breathing was awful for a couple of hours yesterday.  I panicked so badly that I wanted to call for an ambulance.  I am taking my klonopin every 4 hours today  5 mgs at a time.  I am going to go back to my psych in a couple of weeks to see if I need some changes in meds.  My meds were changed 1 1/2 years ago when my attacks came back in full force.  I am on zoloft 50mg in am. Buspar 30 mg BID, Imipramine 150 mgs PM.  You would think all these meds would help me sleep, but NOOOOOOO :)  
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Avatar universal
Have you had anxiety problems in the past?  Are you currently experiencing a lot of stress right now?  I am glad your doctors put you through the applicable tests.  Have you followed up with your doctor yet?

Every year that I get my physical, my EKG comes back with abnormalities...in fact last year's said that I had a prior heart attack; of course everything was fine.  EKGs come back with all sorts of abnormalities and what is abnormal to the machine may be perfectly normal for you.  I actually have abnormal resting EKGs because I have a slow heart rate and I do a lot of cardio.  The cardiologist said that I just had an effecient heart.  The point I am trying to make is if I would take what my resting EKG said, I would worry myself sick.

For me, one of the most common 'symptoms' I experience when I am having a panic attack or very nervous is the perceived inability to take a deep breath.  My breathing becomes shallow and fast, which of course can bother me.  For me, learning about the anxiety through counseling allowed me to confront it and deal with it.  It also shed light on a very confusing and scary experience for me as well, which helped tremendously as I learned to deal with it....keep us posted!
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