anxiety constricted breathing - any help will do!

Well this all started about 6 days ago, I started to notice my breathing was shortened and i couldnt get all my deep breaths.  The same night this came to me i started to panic, tingling fingers/feet.. So I went to my local Emergency Room where they took chest x-rays, took blood.  The ER doctor told me i had Anxiety and put me on 1 mg of Lorazepam.  Now this medication calms me down.. but it doesn't seem to help with the breathing (of course my breathing isnt as bad when im concentrated on something enough and not thinking about my breathing (which makes it worse)and yes, i do try to keep my mind occupied at all times to help me with this.. its just, when im breathing i can't help but think about it and it worsens.  My question for any of you is.. How should i go about treating this, seeing as the lorazepam doesn't help much. I went to my local Dr. the next day and he drew some blood out again thinking it might be a Thyroid problem, but to no avail it IS anxiety.  So please, anyone with any information that might be able to help me with this constricted breathing would be much appreciated.

- brad

[hypnotik200]

i have the exact same problem cept i have chest pain and my heart beats weird on top of all of that. ur ok i promise u relax and dont breath from your chest take slow short breaths form ur abdomin (abdomen) if ur chest moves up when your breathing ur prob not breathing right and that can contribute to not being able to brdeath rite so my advice is try that and u will feel alot better and quit worrying!! iv put about 3 qs on this forum and they hav helped me alot so dont wrry ur fine anxiety cant hurt u its jus uncomfortable.

[Raine9]

I have shortness of breath for months now.  I hate it.  I do have anxiety but i went to see a pulmonary specialist to make sure.  So far chest x-ray and blood work fine.  However, I still need to do pulmonary function tests.  The pulm spec said that sometimes people have asthma which causes shortness of breath which causes people to panic.  If the shortness of breath continues, I advise you to go see a pulmonary specialist just to make sure everything is okay.

Best wishes.

[396SS]

Yes, chest pains, heart palps, tingling fingers and toes.  The tingling is from hyperventilation, so breathe into a bag or make sure you do slow deap breathes.  I took 2mg of Lorazepam and it knocks me out, so I don't know about your dosage, but I always take in conjunction with Zoloft or another antidepressant.  Make sure you see a psychiatrist/psychologist who will actually talk to you and/or may have special interest in anxiety disorders.  Counseling is a must for me.

[azqtpies]

Panic attacks and disorder will cause shortness of breath not to mention axiety and stress. I have been dealing with all that for 20 years and many many  times I have had chest tightening and the feeling that I cant take a deep enough breath to get enough air. it was streee an daxiety, found I was subconsciouly controling my breathing.. so basically like hyperventalating.  Good luck to you , you will be fine =) I would say try relaxing.. easier said then done I know =)

K~

[Raine9]

Do you have prob w/ shortness of breath?  Can you describe it?  How long have you had it?  How often?  Thanks!

[hatgal]

Thought I'd chime in here as I have that anxiety symptom as well.  It has been kinda bad the past few weeks, but like said above, if I keep my mind off of it, it is fine.

It's just like you can't get a deep breath and you are so conscious of breathing, which makes you want a deep breath even more - vicious cycle!

Just breath from your abdomen and take slow breaths - it will get better and then you'll be on another anxiety symptom - sucks doesn't it??!!

Best to you........

[jcu]

I feel the same, I feel like I can't take deep breaths then I feel as if I'm constantly trying to take deep breaths & can't do it.  I'm scared that there is something wrong with my breathing.  Is this a normal symptom of anxiety?  I try to think about something else but in the back of my mind I'm still thinking my breathing.  Does this ever stop, is there anything I can do.

[krista]

I have the same thing!  and I have an added symptom of pressure in my neck or front of throat...it sounds like anxiety, but its always easier to say it when its not you

[SUNSHINE145]

YOUR OKAY, I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY FOR 15 YEARS, I HAVE EVERY TEST RAN ON HEART, LUNGS, AND ALL SORTS OF OTHER TEST. JUST TAKE DEEP BREATHS, YOU MIGHT HAVE GAD GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER, WHICH IS WHEN ONE CARRIES ANXIETY WITH THEM ALL THE TIME, SUCH AS SHORTNESS OF BREATH, DIZZINESS ETC, I WILL SAY A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR YOU, GOOD LUCK

[silverfox_412]

very similar thing going on with me ...My anxiety problem started with headaches and breathing problem. I did so many blood works and tests and finally pulmonary specialist told me that's anxiety. To me, it looks like asthma. Sometimes it feels like I am inhaling cold air, sometimes like discomfort in my chest...
Now, I am trying to use abdominal breathing....
Any suggestions how to self help?