Problem with deep breathing

[Marianic]

I have been experiencing difficult taking a deep breath. I feel like if I cannot fill completely my lungs and the only relieve I get is if I yawn. Then I can fill my lungs full. It takes two or tree tries to yawn. I felt the same symptoms about a year and a half ago for about a month, then I have another episode some 8 months ago. This last one has already lasted a month and is more severe. I was checked by I cardiologist and everything is OK. Also, 8 months ago I visited a neumologist and took xrays and said I was ok. She even hinted it was stress. I am sure it is not stress or panic attack. It is a real thing.  Need advice please....

[Determined13]

I get it! I've been through every test, heart, pulmonary, allergy,GI and now I'm going in for a colonoscopy (this is mostly b/c of family history).... mine started with problems taking a deep breath, I've had "episodes" over the years but this last episode lasted longer than the rest. Now I see a corroation between what I'm eating (eg spicy foods, acidic etc... ) and also what time I'm eating them. I never felt like I had acid reflux because I didn't have the burning or the taste in my mouth but they are telling me that this is what it is. All of a sudden I have acid Reflx? Why? I eat good, I haven't changed how I eat or what I eat, I exercise, I am not a candidate for gastric reflux , my BMI is normal, blood pressure low, cholesterol perfect... I think GR is yet another symptom, but there is something else causing it. With this last episode came a lack of appetite (I've lost 8 lbs in a month and this never happened before , I ALWAYS ate) and no let up in the breathing problem (the longest episode before this lasted a week, this one a month ) although my breathing is better during the day now with the following regime, but it still wakes me up at night. My gastro told me to take Nexium 30 mins before breakfast and 30 mins before dinner and I'm taking xanax at night as needed b/c it will relax the esophogas (making it easier to breathe) and relax me! No I do not have anxiety nor do I think that anxiety is causing this! I am a fitness instructor who is happily married with two great kids...I'm 40 years old , weigh 105 lbs at 5'1", I run 6 miles a few times a week and am in great shape... life has gotten easier for us in the last few years rather than harder and I am a pretty happy, outgoing person when this isn't going on. But people DO get freaked out when they can't breathe so there is another good reason for xanax. HERE"S my theory.... first check if you are allergic to mold. Mold is one of the worse allergy's to have because mold is everywhere and it really settles in and becomes a respiratory problem, frequently! Next go to gastro and see if you have GERD, look it up , the symptoms will surprise you (one being that some gerd symptoms mimic asthma) third... and I know this sounds crazy... check that your gall bladder is working. Fist thing a doc will tell you is that "you'd have pain"... well that's only true if you have gall stones. A diseased gall bladder could work/ not work or be sluggish for years before it finally stops working all together. When it's not working it could kick bile back into your stomach and you may be feeling lack of air if the stomach acid goes into the esophogas.(although trust me you can and will get air) so try to stay calm when it happens. My sister had similar symptoms for two years, went through all the tests... symptoms got worse till they FINally tested the gallbladder during an "episode" it was "sluggish" but that was enough for her Doc... they took it out and it was COMPLETELY diseased. She has had no problems since. I'm begging to have mine out but I have to (and right they are to do this) rule out every other possibility first. TRY THIS... take the Nexium (20 mg) before breakfast (20) mg before dinner... see if it helps... if your doctor will agree see if you can get a few xanax and take during an episode (make sue your not taking any other meds and DON'T drink alcohol while taking it) and see if this helps you breathe (Don't stay on xanax for more than a few days and take as little as possible , I take only 1/2, it's addictive and a controlled substance so it's only a short term band aid not a solution . Eat small bland meals 6 times a day, small portions, nothing spicy or fried,,,,, If this works beg for a HITAL scan while you are having an attack . Good luck!

[cant_catch_breath]

Sorry, I didn't finish what i wanted to say.  I think you should give anxiety meds a shot.  I was put on them a few years ago and NEVER had these kind of problems.  I am actually considering talking to my doctor about getting back on them because I can't do anything without feeling like I am out of breath.  As I sit here now and type I am struggling to breathe.  Give it a shot, it just might be the problem....have to rule out everything.

[cant_catch_breath]

I have the EXACT same symptoms as you.  I too can only feel like i can get a full lung of air if I yawn and I can't always make myself.  I am being treated for asthma but my meds don't seem to fase me.  I have always had asthma but it has never been this bad.  Mine was onset in February of this year and has not stopped.  It is constant and never ceases.  I am currently on Advair and Singular and nothing seems to help.  Its so bad now and has been inthe last few months that it is affecting my sleep.  It takes me hours to fall asleep and its all because I can't breathe!  I think i am actually afraid that if I fall asleep taht I will stop breathing because its so bad.  Im glad to know that I am not the only one out there in this world that does the weird yawn thing!