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Constant Urge to take Deep Breath without satisfaction!!
Hi, im 24 years old. One day when i was 16 i got to urge to take a deep breath and couldnt get that last little hair to get that sense of satisfaction. Ive been to every doctor, and they all dont have an explanation of why im having these symptoms. I constantly get the urge to yawn and sigh, and the only time i could get satisfaction is when i could complete a yawn. Ive had 3 PFT, ct scans, spirometry test, xrays, arterial blood gas tests,ekg, stress tests and that all come back normal. It went away a few years ago and returned after i smoked a cigarette. After since then its been an ongoing battle. I cant work or do anything for that matter because of this. Ive been on xanax and antidepressent for the past 6 years and they dont do anything. One thing i notice is that my chest doesnt expand much. Ive read on another forum page that this might be caused by lung muscle restriction and chest muscle restriction, and because these dont move or expand enough i get this sensation. is this possible? if so can i do anything to munipulate these muscles to epand more.
Ive also heard of something called Chronic hyperventilation syndrome? is this possible and what can be done for this?
Thanks
Ive also heard of something called Chronic hyperventilation syndrome? is this possible and what can be done for this?
Thanks
Hi, I wish i was feeling better i have felt better in 8 years. WE arent alone and this these forums are shocking to me becuase i cany believe how mnay people are dealing with this. How do you cope with it. Does anything help?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The symptoms you describe are consistent with one or another variant of the hyperventilation syndrome. You state the following: Ive had 3 PFT, ct scans, spirometry test, xrays, arterial blood gas tests,ekg, stress tests and that all come back normal.
The fact that all of these tests are normal, strongly suggests that your symptoms are not a reflection of any serious physical disease and that is good news.
The urge to yawn and sigh, associated with the feeling that you are unable to experience a truly deep breath is characteristic of what is called psychogenic hyperventilation. Another feature of this, in some instances, is shortness of breath at rest but not during exercise. While it is true that there are many, sometimes serious, physical diseases that are associated with hyperventilation, the occurrence of your symptoms over an 8 year period, with no abnormalities on the comprehensive testing you have had, effectively excludes any consideration of such disease.
Much research in recent years has established a link between psychogenic hyperventilation and panic disorder, the latter an effectively treatable disease. In this regard, it is surprising that your symptoms have seemingly not responded to anxiolytic and anti-depressant drugs. Perhaps a trial of other drugs, within those classes, maybe at higher doses than those previously prescribed, would be reasonable. I suggest that you discuss this consideration and its treatment with your doctor.
You also asked about “manipulation” of the respiratory muscles. The most effective way of doing this would be to engage in a regular, aerobic exercise program, with gradual increase in intensity and duration of the exercise to consistently high levels. I strongly suggest that type of exercise, along with your engaging in mental activities that challenge your mind and, in the process, serve as a distraction from your focus on your breathing.
Good luck
The fact that all of these tests are normal, strongly suggests that your symptoms are not a reflection of any serious physical disease and that is good news.
The urge to yawn and sigh, associated with the feeling that you are unable to experience a truly deep breath is characteristic of what is called psychogenic hyperventilation. Another feature of this, in some instances, is shortness of breath at rest but not during exercise. While it is true that there are many, sometimes serious, physical diseases that are associated with hyperventilation, the occurrence of your symptoms over an 8 year period, with no abnormalities on the comprehensive testing you have had, effectively excludes any consideration of such disease.
Much research in recent years has established a link between psychogenic hyperventilation and panic disorder, the latter an effectively treatable disease. In this regard, it is surprising that your symptoms have seemingly not responded to anxiolytic and anti-depressant drugs. Perhaps a trial of other drugs, within those classes, maybe at higher doses than those previously prescribed, would be reasonable. I suggest that you discuss this consideration and its treatment with your doctor.
You also asked about “manipulation” of the respiratory muscles. The most effective way of doing this would be to engage in a regular, aerobic exercise program, with gradual increase in intensity and duration of the exercise to consistently high levels. I strongly suggest that type of exercise, along with your engaging in mental activities that challenge your mind and, in the process, serve as a distraction from your focus on your breathing.
Good luck
Haven't heard from you about how you are feeling.
Hope you are feeling better.
Karen
Hope you are feeling better.
Karen
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