Shortness of Breath

[lan01]

Since a few months I've had the urge to breathe heavily due to the feeling of not having enough air. The first time it happened I was in a theater and I had to leave because I was getting nervous for not being able to breathe. I've been to several doctors and they tell me I'm fine. Most of the time I yawn a lot so I can try to regain air.

Anyone know if this is something that is psychological or is there some physically wrong with me?

[tke5768]

are these your only symptoms. I have the same problems, and I have anxiety, however, it is hard to distinguish between, asthma, heart cond, or something else. My suggestion is to atleast to have it checked out. Do you have anxiety often and this is just a new symtom, or have you never had anxiety, and this just came up.

[lan01]

Yes, I sometimes have a lot of anxiety due to a lot of school work. And this is the only symptom I have. I also had an xray taken of my chest and everything looks fine. I'm going to have some other tests next week to see what might be wrong with me.

[tke5768]

I think it sounds like anxiety, go over to that forum you will find that many people have the same thing you do, they are a great bunch of people. I am glad that your x-ray came back normal. I am an ex smoker and I always fear that I am going to get cancer. I have health anxiety though. If this anxiety has just started for you find a great counselor to help you the sooner you deal with the stress and anxiety the less sever it will be, and you will be able to handle it without medication. best of luck

[crystalfresh]

First I am not a doctor so what I say is just options not a diagnosis. When I hear that people are "unsure" of the cause I recommend getting tested for real problems to rule out. It sounds like anxiety is there but no way I could tell if anxiety is the cause or result of a real problem. It is understandable to be scared if you are indeed having a a real problem. And most definitely can be having anxiety from being scared.

I would suggest testing for asthma is a good start. For people that don't show symptoms from a regular PFT test, asthma doctors can do a methacholine challenge test to see if they can bring asthma on just a tiny bit. If you don't have asthma nothing will happen. If that fails, you could be tested for allergies. Maybe something you are breathing in is causing slight discomfort making you aware of your breathing. Once aware of breathing everything changes. I would talk to your doctor about all possibilities. If you still don't feel right, get a second opinion. If it turns out to be just anxiety, many people after they learn it was just anxiety never have a symptom again. I hope it goes that well for you.