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Difficulty breathing and unable to complete a yawn

I have been having a hard time getting a full breath and am unable to complete a full yawn at times, however, I yawn excessively even if not complete.  This inability to get a Breath results in chest pain, throat/jaw tightness, and headache, where my head feels woozy.  I was diagnosed with a mild case of vocal cord dysfunction and went through speech therapy.  I am continuing to have problems and I am unsure if the VCD is what is causing it or something else.  I also have a lump area between my 2nd-3rd ribs (or so) on the right side that is unknown, and I have had a history of neuroma's in the rib area on my posterior side in the past.  My past medical history is that I have complicated migraines, mitral valve prolapse, and was anemic but now I am not.  I had been on Topamax which put me into metabolic acidosis so I am still recuperating from that.  Most recent labs said I was WNL on my metabolic panel, but I still feel horrible and cannot breath well, nor do I have any energy/stamina to do things like I normally do. I just turned 42 yrs. old and have 3 kids, so I have a busy lifestyle typically, but I am having a very hard time doing anything with the difficulty breathing and chest pain issues.  No one can figure out why I cannot YAWN normally and the pulmonologist just feels it is only VCD, but it is not improved since going through therapy.  Any suggestions?
Thank you.
27 Responses
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Avatar universal
Same thing. I'm 12 years old and I'm like in class tryna yawn and tryna get a full breath in. It's really irritating cause then I still feel the urge to yawn but then I try and it just doesn't get out. What I think you should do is try breathing kind slow, kinda helps for me to get my full breath in. For yawning guys Stick your tongue out 4 times then you will get a yawn. Your welcome
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have had this same problem for years and I finally found out what was going on. I (and I imagine everyone in this discussion) have something called "Hyperventilation Syndrome." Basically, over the years, we have learned to stop breathing deep in our bellies, as all newborns do, and learned to breathe in our chest's. Most of the time this is completely unconscious. Anxiety CAN exacerbate this, but most likely would go completely unnoticed.

Before you say "Its not anxiety! I've tried every antidepressant and gotten all of the tests and nothing came back!" I would tell you that I did the same thing, and it all came back clear. Not being able to breathe and not knowing why is probably one of the most terrifying feelings there is and there have been many times where I have just wanted to take a swan dive over a high bridge. But believe me, there is a solution. First of all, realize that you absoloutely are getting enough air. That is not the problem. You will not die from this. The reason you feel like you are constantly out of breathe is because you are expelling too much carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is essential for maintaining oxygen levels; so when you don't have enought CO2, your brain realizes this, and attempts to take in more air, giving you that "air hunger" feeling. All you have to do to cure yourself of this is to relearn how to do belly-breathing. Google "Buteyko Method". It is excellent. Also check out the book Hyperventilation Syndrome by Dinah Bradley. Believe me when I tell you that it works and once you learn how to do this you will be fine. Sorry to everyone who is going through this horrible feeling. When it was at its worst, I literally felt like I was suffocating. If you find yourself panicking, just remember - you're expelling too much CO2. The best way to fix this is to breathe "low and slow". Lie on your back and breathe deep into your belly, as slowly as you can. Your chest shouldn't move at all. At first, it will feel very incomfortable; this is because your brain still feels like it needs more air. But what you are doing is slowly restoring the CO2, which will in turn modulate your oxygen. As I am writing this it sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo, but believe me it works. If you can't trust some random dude posting on this forum, and who would blame you if you couldn't, then just google "Hyperventilation syndrome" and try the deep belly breathing. You should also go for brisk walks and ONLY breathe through your nose. Never your mouth. Every time you breathe through your mouth you are expelling more CO2 and thus receiving less oxygen. I hope this works. It did for me.
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3 Comments
Youre right, its the worst feeling ever. Doctors look at me weird when I tell them, " Yes! I cant complete a breath in and its not my asthma!" I know bc no Prednisone or any asthma meds help. Ive seen gastro and its not gerd or anything else either. But thanks, Ill look up this syndrome.
Youre right, its the worst feeling ever. Doctors look at me weird when I tell them, " Yes! I cant complete a breath in and its not my asthma!" I know bc no Prednisone or any asthma meds help. Ive seen gastro and its not gerd or anything else either. But thanks, Ill look up this syndrome.
I have suffered with this for years and do agree it is down to the way we breath and stress, but what I don't get is, like others have commented .... it does seem to be linked to a change in the weather. All through the hot spell this summer, no problems, but as soon as it changed BANG I had real difficulties in breathing and not being able to yawn. I also think it is psychosomatic, I  find when I am busy and not thinking about it, it is not such a problem.
Avatar universal
I had this frequent yawning thing going on for about 10 months.  I felt like I could never get a satisfying breath or complete a yawn.  Sleep was my only relief.  I also had a lot of tension in my neck, chest & upper back.  I finally figured out what it was.  It is called Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome.  I found a book called "Self Help for Hyperventilation Syndrome".  It is written by Dinah Bradley.  I found it on Amazon.  This was the best $12 I have ever spent.  It has breathing retraining excercises in it that teach you how to re-train yourself to breath from your diaphram.  After one week of doing the breathing retraining, the yawning thing was gone!  I could not believe that's all it took to get rid of this.  I am still dealing with achy muscles due to 10 months of hyperventilating.  It says in the book that you must also do relaxation techniques.  That is what I am working on now.  I hope this helps someone.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
look in to anhedonia
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Can you take a deep breath normally?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have you had an MRI at all? I have a chiari malformation and it can cause this same things you are feeling because the brainstem can be compressed. I'm in the process if more tests
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Avatar universal
difficult breathing and unable to complete a yawn
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Avatar universal
Hi all

My partner his just had this problem come on in the last few weeks. It is gradually getting worse. She has had it several times in her distant past in quite isolated instances, say 1-2days intermittently.

We are going to start a diary to see if we can find a correlation. Also we will try and 'train' her diaphram.

Has any one else tried to document their experience in high detail?
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I have had unsatisfactory yawning on and off for months and now I am having difficulty breathing properly and a feeling of congestion. I have a hiatal hernia and wonder if this is contributing to the shortness of breath?
Avatar universal
I have had the same exact symptoms for years. No medication helps! My condition occurs when there is a major change in the weather, such as a change in barometric pressure. Doctors have attributed it to my chronic sinusitis and GERD. I've tried every medication available and nothing helps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've recently developed the inability to complete a yawn regularly. I believe it's partly related to another problem I have. I start to fall asleep and jolt awake trying to breath.My diaphragm loses connect to my brain. I get massive numbness in my lower arms and legs, My vision goes independent and I feel like losing consciousness. I'm sure I was near death 2 weeks ago. I called an ambulance after  3 spells in an hour. Tests all came back negative (EKG,CT scan blood) I saw a good Dr who researched and came back with CCHS
(Ondine's curse) Possibly fatal resp. failure. More Drs and tests coming. I'm terrified I'll die every time I go to sleep. Good luck
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Avatar universal
I also have same problem with me from 2006  I think its because of hormone or emotional things and also sleep disturbance ( sleep late and wake uplate) also the soul is not comcomfortable need some kind of soul resting pure love between you and your lover or you and god ....i mean the problem is in soul ....rest your soul you will bd ok


thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too have had this issue. Both several years ago when i was going through a 'bad-phase' in my life and it kinda just went away, and in just the past few days, along with the shortness of breath i've had a minor tension-headache and constant yawning, i agree with the person above that mentions deep-belly-breathing though as i have been doing such for about an hour now and it does seem to be working

now for the embarrasing part....
i feel like i've been modifying my breathing habits recently cause i've put on some weight and have been embarrased by it so i have been doing some more upper chest breathing that i think did sparked the problem. I've also been under a bit of stress (full-time university and part time work) so i think the combo added together re-ignited this problem. if you can control your breath i'm nearly positive this issue will go away, hope this helps someone and i hope my issue continues to alleviate till it's gone

thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too have had this issue. Both several years ago when i was going through a 'bad-phase' in my life and it kinda just went away, and in just the past few days, along with the shortness of breath i've had a minor tension-headache and constant yawning, i agree with the person above that mentions deep-belly-breathing though as i have been doing such for about an hour now and it does seem to be working

now for the embarrasing part....
i feel like i've been modifying my breathing habits recently cause i've put on some weight and have been embarrased by it so i have been doing some more upper chest breathing that i think did sparked the problem. I've also been under a bit of stress (full-time university and part time work) so i think the combo added together re-ignited this problem. if you can control your breath i'm nearly positive this issue will go away, hope this helps someone and i hope my issue continues to alleviate till it's gone

thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey everyone that has the unexplained unusual never ending yawning that's not always satisfying and complete. Well I used to work at a natural food store and come across a solution that just makes sense. Chloraphylle (check the spelling on that for me), it's kina $$ I mean 12-30$ but it worked for me. Its a heavy concentrated natural medicine for your body. Google and read the specifics, but I tell you that it helps build red blood cells in your body which carry oxygen and really that's why we're yawning, I really noticed a difference in my energy, and all around yawning ordeal. I hope this is refreshing and helps you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm SO relieved to have found this thread.  I quit smoking (switched to e-cigs from half-a-pack a day for 20 years) about 4 months ago and every night since then when I get into bed I have trouble getting a satisfying breath or yawn.  It's almost become a habit - I get into bed, start reading and suddenly remember I have trouble breathing.  It's even worse when I try to sleep because I have nothing else to think about aside from finally getting full, satisfying deep breath.  I've read other places that quitting smoking has brought this on, but in addition to that I've been drinking more (both alcohol and caffeine).  I've never had trouble with anxiety, but do realize that the alcohol & caffeine are definitely giving my body more stress than before - in any case, I'm sure it's not helping.  I'll try to cut down on both and will come back to this thread in a week or so.  Again, I'm really happy to find others with similar situations and, of course, some possible solutions.  Thank you so much.
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Avatar universal
Thank you EVERYONE
In March I noticed this "incomplete yawn" being an ex smoker and losing my mom a yer before to lung cancer I was a wreck, being uninsured I had nowhere to turn.
In April I woke from a dead sleep to difficulty breathing, my significant other called 911,
I had no fever, no congestion but chest xray and white blood count showed I had pneumonia.
Dr didn't do many tests, but I left thinking my incomplete yawn problem is now resolved.
WRONG
after antibiotics were completed I was back to problem again.
it really has been driving me crazy,
I am going to try to kick caffeine because I did limit that after hospital admission.

How come the Drs look at you like you have three heads when you tell them you can not complete a breath.
Thank you ALL for understanding!

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It happens to me a lot!  cant take a full breath, constant insufficient yawning, waking up in the middle of sleep feeling like dying and out of breath. I did lots of tests and couldnt find the source of the problem. I started to watch what I eat/drink and kinda agree with girl who mentioned the caffaine allergy. I noticed whenever I drink coffee(even decafed coffee), I start to get the symptoms, but still not sure 100% about it. To everyone who has the same problem, please consider this reason and share your experience.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
ive had the same thing for almost 16 years and been to so many differnet doctors in my life  i get to a point in life where i just cant take it any more .  ive had heart tests , asthma tests , breathing tests , chest xrays , head scans , whole body scans to show my nerves and veins .. they put it down to panic attacks and anxiety !!! i get it sometimes for days and days on sudden attacks . i try to yawn get to a deep breathe it can work for a min or so , but trying to do this after a few days my chest really feels like its caving in and my throat and im scared to sleep but sometimes i dont care if i dont wake up as i cant handle it any more .. what really scares me is waking up in middle of night gasping for my breath .. from reading more n more on the internet i think its hyperventilating .   im going back to the dr tomorrow to see how i can finally get some help
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Avatar universal
Simple solution for that... http://pramodayurveda.blogspot.ae/2014/02/right-side-rib-pain-while-breathing-or.html
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Avatar universal
I too suffer from incomplete yawning..I think also that it might be stress related and that your body reacts to feeling anxious etc and the muscles in your chest are not allowing the yawn to complete...its the only answer I can come up with..?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH! I am just relieved to know that I am not alone and I am not crazy. I have also had tests that came back normal though an xray did show an upper respiratory constriction. I have been dealing with this off and on since I was 20, I am now 40. At times it is worse than others but when I relax I feel better. I believe that this is due to fretting which a friend of mine called me out on. I thought I knew the definition of fretting until I looked it up in Webster's and was shocked to discover all the nuances that described my mental state to a T. I believe that this problem is two-fold. There is the obvious physical aspects but I believe it is also rooted spiritually. I have discovered that it is also related to unforgiveness (at least for me) and that unforgiveness is directed toward myself. I am learning to love myself and forgive myself for things past and mistakes made. It is a process and confession is also a part of it (which I am starting on that process too). BTW Psalm 37 is a wonderful antidote to stress and fretting. Hope this helps someone. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had this problem on and off for years.  I went to the Dr. many times where they put me through various tests only to find out "nothing" was wrong or that I was just hyperventilating (but breathing into a brown paper bag would NOT help).  
Needless to say the problem continued.  I started to try to figure this out myself.  
I believe this is an allergy to caffeine.  I have since stopped drinking or taking anything with caffeine in it and I have been free of this problem for a few years now.
I was an every day coffee drinker, so I understand how difficult this can be, but trust me, I feel SO much better now.  I can BREATHE again!!
Helpful - 0
956150 tn?1248275215
I suffer from this since I am 18 and am now 58.  It was horrible until antidepressants were discovered and it went away for several years.  A couple of weeks ago it came back in full force and I am going crazy.  Called 911 already, went to the ER (haven't done that in 30 years) and all tests were fine.  I constantly need to get that deep breath or yawn.  I am now constantly afraid again.  My psych switched my meds to see if I can get some releif and it better come soon.
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Avatar universal
I'm so glad I've found this site. After dealing with the EXACT same symptoms for over 7 years now, I've had enough...I have to do something more. Tightness in chest and can't complete a yawn....cause I feel like I have to yawn to get relief. It is RIDICULOUS. I am currently on a drug similar to Celexa (sp?). for a few years now, it helped at the beginning but never fully. Dr says anxiety disorder. I accepted thats what it was. I might feel anxious often but I don't know that I am stressed when sometimes it acts up badly. I am MISERABLE! It affects the way I am with my wife..not so much my newborn but sometimes I feel embarrassed in the car thinking is something looking at me trying to yawn, making stupid facial expressions to get it out. Sometimes I scream in frustration cause I can't get it out. A lot of sighs.....its either a big sigh or an attempt to yawn to get some relief. I notice it is worse sometimes while eating. I think its related to the diaphram for sure cause thats where the tension is. I take deep deep breath and let it out for excercise (not enough) and it really helps relax. OK, I've got some of it out...now for someone that may help us please?!  TO the poster before, if chronic hyperventilation syndrome is something it could be, how can we fix it?
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