Shortness of Breath and brain damage

[person309]

I've had frequent episodes where I experience shortness of breath. Usually, it's triggered by something requiring air to be released (talking, laughing, etc.)I can't help but wonder at times, am I getting enough oxygen, and if not, am I starving my brain, causing brain damage? This thought fuels the anxiety I have about shortness of breath. It's a vicious cycle. If I could just be reassured with some medical explanation that the brain remains unharmed from panic induced shortness of breath, it would comfort me greatly.

[summg]

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I HAVE BEEN TAKING ZOLOFT FOR SOME TIME NOW--IT SEEMED TO SAVE MY LIFE...BUT NOW I AM TRYING TO GET OFF, OR AT LEAST CUT DOWN AND IT IS NOT!!! EASY---AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH, SINKING FEELINGS IN MY HEART AND CHEST ARE JUST A FEW OF THE REALLY BAD WITHDRAWALS I AM EXPERIENCING...I OFTEN FEEL LIKE I WILL SUFFOCATE OR SOMETHING! IT IS MISERABLE---SO IF YOU ARE ON OR TRYING TO GET OFF ANY OF THESE DRUGS DO NOT BE SURPRISED IF YOU FEEL LIKE DYING---THEY ARE TERRIBLY ADDICTING AND DANGEROUS

[KEV78]

Hi EVERYONE...I'm new to the forum.  Ive got tons on my mind and many questions to ask.  Seems as if my probs started one day when i used cocaine.  Just that morning I suddenly freaked out and was afradi my heart was going to explode cause of how it was beating etc.  Had used the stuff for two months on weekedns with no probs.  EMT's told me everything seemed fine and that it was prolly a panic attack.  But deep inside i thought for sure i may have screwed up my heart or something.  Few weeks later i tried it again and a few times after that and each time i freaked out swore I was gonna die.  Anyhow i stayed clean and didnt mess with the stuff anymore. However then i starteed to get thesee weird episodes like I had trouble breathing like a smothering feeling and concentrated alot on my breathing cause thought if i didnt i would stop also a slight abnormal feeling or i guess sense of sight was weird or seomthing not sure how to explain it.  Suddenly one day i had a panic attack i guess again and that was the end of that afterwards i think i fell into depression.  Then started to get these weird heart skips..alot everyday for about a month and a half all day long really scarey.  Bad thing is i was afradi i messed up my heart and now it was doing all that weird stuff.  got my heart checked out and doc said everything came back normal maybe just stress.  Ive got alot of symptoms including sleep disturbances like i wake up suddenly in a panic i guess doesnt last too long and i go right back to bed easily but very scarey.  I still worry about my health alot..just wondering if something is being overlooked etc.  get tons of muscle twitches all over my body..in the mornings when i wake up i feel shaky inside and out..i also kinda feel off balance like i feel like i sway alot when standing straight up or light my head or body rocks back and forth when i am at rest kinda goes along with my heavy pulse rate.  I am taking paxil 37.5mg CR.  I am alot better than I was but still have tons of doubts.  Can somebody help me with my questions or have any responses..please email me at ***@****  THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!

P.S.  also a little more depth about my history..previous to this all the only thing I can think of that has some importance is i ised to take alot of Ephedra dieting pills also drank lots of coffe and smoke cigarettes...and did have a bit of a stressfull realtionship too...dont know i was thinking maybe all that had to do with it too...who knows?

[lucylucy]

My guess would be that you are having panic, and that you are short of breath as a result, maybe even hyperventilating.  Have u tried breathing into a paper bag? this apparently can help.  Check with your doctor to rule out breathing problems, s/he can do a check to make sure u are breathing ok.  If all is ok, then try relaxation etc, the paper bag thing, yoga, etc. :)

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You can be assured that medically it is impossible to starve your brain.  There are strong biological mechanisms that would make you faint before that could happen, and your automatic breathing who then be restarted outside your conscious control.