shortness of breath/frequent yawning

[kellb]

I am a 41 year old female with a 2 year old, in good health other than being about 10 pounds overweight. Two months ago I began experiencing shortness of breath. I yawn constantly in an attempt to get air. The doctor thought asthma, especially given my family history of lung problems, so though my lungs sounded clear I tried advair/albuterol.  No change in condition.
I had a ct scan to check for a pulmonary embolism and everything looked good. I have been taking previcid for 2 weeks to treat possible acid reflux, but there has been no change in my condition. I feel better when I sleep and wake up feeling great, only to have the sob return within a few hours.
A possibly relevant fact: the day before this started I was at yoga doing a twist when I felt a very, very sharp pain in my right side under my rib, along with a feeling as if a rubber band had been snapped in the same place. The pain was excruciating and traveled through my breast and shoulder, but was gone in a few minutes and I was able to continue class. Also, I was in the desert for a few days and it went away but returned about a week later. I fairly certain it isn't stress/anxiety as the trip out of town was not relaxing. The breathing seems better when I stand/worsens sitting down, and I may have been standing more than usual on the trip. I am feeling so frustrated, scared, and depressed.

[lorisnails]

I posted a comment last night, but I don't see it here, so I'll try again.  I have had this for years on and off.  It seems like I have had every test out there and everything points to anxiety.  I feel that it has to be more than that as it gets worse with exercise.  I do not have anything wrong with my lungs...I've had several tests.  I am scheduled for an echocardiagram (picture of the heart), so we'll see.  I am not one who likes to complain or go to the doctor, but I have decided that I must pursue this to get to the bottom of it.  I should mention that I do have bouts with anxiety and depression, but I have been on meds for years and I still have this problem.  Once in awhile I take Ativan and it seems to help the SOB(but very little).  Just knowing that I am not the only one out there is comforting to know.  Any advice?  Thanks!!!

[kmhanson]

These symptoms all sound so familiar.  In August I started having shortness of breath.  I'm 46.  I had a CT scan done on my lungs and found out I had a small clot in one lung.  After some blood thinners they said the clot is totally gone but I continue to have shortness of breath.  I’ve been to an endocrinologist, pulmonary specialist, rheumatologist, had numerous scans on my lungs, etc.  Nobody knows what is wrong and everyone wants to blame anxiety.  It seems worse when I sit, doesn't cause me issues during sleep, makes me yawn, my neck muscles are sore from yawning all the time.  It seems like if my mind is totally engrossed in a project the SOB doesn't bother me.  I'm so frustrated.  I have been dealing with this since August and wish I knew what to do.

[lorisnails]

I am getting pretty convinced that it is anxiety related.  I am now taking Ativan as needed, but sometimes, I need it a little more than others.  I exercise quite a bit and I notice I get symptoms if I am doing cardio sometimes.  What am I supposed to do? Sit quietly and never do anything?!  I've downloaded relxation cd's onto my ipod and I really have to be tired for them to work.  I just can't all of a sudden listen to them and expect to breathe perfectly!  It's so frustrating.  I am going to try eliminating certain foods out of my diet...like sugars, white flours, etc. and see how that works.  I know that sugar really affects me and being the holidays, it's pretty bad.  Feel free to respond. I could always use a friend who can really understand this maddness!!!

[uhart]

I'm a 25 year old female. For the last week or so I've been yawning excessively so that I can breath. I've had shortness or breath and some joint discomfort. I've also been experiencing fatigue.

A doctor prescribed Prednisone for the joint pain. Maybe I'm reacting to that.

I exercise regularly and do not have a cough. Any ideas of what could be causing this problem.

[ladibarnes]

I am a 22 year old college student who has been dealing with exactly what you are all describing since I was very young. It comes and goes but for weeks at a time I will be struggling for breath, to the point of nervous breakdown. It used to get so bad that I would just start to cry, which makes the breathing worse. When I was a child I was mis-diagnosed with ashthma and used inhalers for years (which didn't help at all). I've had several ashthma tests since then but I'm always told its just anxiety. I admit that I do have increased symptoms during times a stress, like the weeks preceding important exams and such. But then at times when I feel completely de-stressed I will have weeks at a time when I just can't seem to get my lungs full of air. I try so hard to inhale and eventually all my muscles just get sore and it becomes painful. Tell me that's not stressful in itself? I've tried yoga but its distracting to yawn all the time. I have also tried therapy for anxiety but my therapist told me I didn't really need it that much. Is there absolutely nothing that can be done? I am so glad to hear that I am not the only person alive with these symptoms, no one ever seems to be able to relate. I sincerely hope that we can find some sort of treatment.

I do consume an average amt. of caffeine, but they don't seem to be related unless I'm already experiencing the symptoms.

Any advice?

[britt-ney]

[britt-ney]

I am 19 years old and i had brochitus about 2 months ago and it came back because i went back to smoking cigerettes. I quit once i felt the syptoms (symptoms) again and went to the doctor. My doctor gave me an inhaler and ive stopped smoking for a month or more now. The inhaler doesnt seem to be helping at all, and i constantly yawn to even feel like im getting enough oxygen into my lungs. I have shortness of breath alot and my lungs kinda hurt when i take deep breaths, and sometimes i get a pain in my shoulder blades but im not sure if that has anything to do with it. I do get anxiety and work myself up when i feel like im not breathing right because i want to feel a nice breath of air into my lungs so bad i get scared. It does not feel right, and then I go on google and read all these syptoms (symptoms) like lungs disease and so on and gets me even more scared. I am worried, i also never was diagnosed with asthma before so i dont know why my doctor gave me an inhaler. I want to get a lung x-ray or something I dont know what I should do. Wish someone could help me figure it out, i know your not all doctors if you have any advise that could help i would appreciate it.

Im worried :( i think i mentioned that quite a bit

-Brittney

[bevvie10]

I'm a 54 yr old female, three weeks ago I went to an urgent care with a migraine and chest pain. I was given a pain shot and migraine meds. I went to my regular physician the next day and she
x-ray-ed my chest and told me I had a Bronchial infection, but the next day when I called to say the headache just kept coming back I was told I had pneumonia (pockets, nothing much to worry about).I went for another visit and she kept wanting to give me pain shots and put me on 750 mg LEVIQEN for 5 days, it's very harsh. Three weeks later I'm still  having  headache, nausea, and my chest hurts. Any activity causes heavy sweating and shortness of breath, and the chest pains have me worried to death. My head hurts behind my right eye and feels like a pounding in the top of my head. It's not typical of migraines I've had before. I'm  tired of meds and refused pain shots due to the fact that I believe they might mask any real symptoms of something else. I also worry that the pneumonia might be a secondary infection due to something she is unaware of. Needless to say, we really have to take care of ourselves and doctors are so busy I'm afraid they brush us off as soon as we leave. I've had 2 ct's of my head, and 3 chest x-rays and am told my lungs are clear and my head is ok. I feel like a hypochondriac and a much poorer one after all these visits.AND I"M STILL SICK !!!!  How long does it take to recover from pneumonia and what can I do to hasten the process? Thanks anyone, bevvie

[britt-ney]

why isnt any one anwering me :(

[eva65]

thanks to everyone for their input..I too am experiencing this sob. It started recently when my boyfriend and I strted having serious problems and alot of what I am reading  from everyone they mention anxiety attacks..so I'm thinking thats it. I told my doc and he did an ekg right away. I do smoke a pack a day but I have been doing that for 25 years (now I am 42) I have quit all other vices and I am ot ready yet to give up this one. Could it possibly be some type of an infection I wonder ? thanks again to everyone Eva

[December1978]

28Male here,

I had the same complaints , and i went to Doctor with pain in my heart ? so everyone panics..which i really thought i was going down this time..but they did all types of tests and everything actually it was not my heart it was the Acid Reflux popping up!!!...I changed my Food to white meats , salads and stuff no more taco bell nor similars never again !! lost 30 pounds , i feel much better on breathing etc. Good luck to everyone

[dina188]

i'm a 24yr old female in great shape and I too have been experiencing SOB and  frequent yawning for the past month or so...when i look back i think it started  in the last couple months but i didn't really pay attention to it until about a month ago when i was out clubbing, having a smoke (i'm only a casual smoker..when partying) and as i came back inside the club after the cigarette, all of a sudden i couldn't breath...like i would try and cath my breath but it would take quite some effort to get a full satisfying breath...and while at home or work i will yawn A LOT and that seems the best way for me to get that full breath...sometimes it's even hard to exercise which is kind of depressing as i loooove jogging...i also noticed when i do get a full breath i feel a kinda pressure or tingly feelng/numbness at the bottom of my left foot or sometimes my left palm..it's weird...i remember noticing that even before my full blown SOB episodes became really noticable...i went to the dr. and all the tests so far seem normal...i hate when they say it's anxiety or stress when i know exactly what symtoms of anxiety/pannic attacks feel like and this is definitely not it...i know my body and this happens to me all the time and last for hrs and has nothing to do with me being anxious...also inhalers that help open up your lungs don't seem to help...they only make me all messed up; irritated, jittery etc...i don't know what to do...i guess i'll go see my dr. again soon and see about doing more tests...it's frustrating that docors dont know what it is ...it seems like only ppl on these boards get what i'm going through...if only i knew what it is....sooo annoying to have to deal with this...i hope it goes away

[dina188]

hey guys just wanted to say that i have been doing quite a bit of research and while i do think some of us may have some undiagnosed medical condtition, i think that many of us have what's called "chronic hyperventilation syndrome"...the symtoms really do match what a lot of us have complained about and one of the 1st symptoms listed (if you were to look up this condition) is shortness of breath for no apparent reason and frequent yawning...which would mean we are overbreathing without being aware of it...it's subconscious...while i do think most of us should get as many tests are necessary to be absolutely certain that it isn't some sort of other serious medical condition....i think that for those of us who find out that all test results keep coming back completely normal...it only makes sense to discuss chronic hyperventilation syndrome with our doctors...i really hope that's what it is bc for one it's not like it's some sort of life threatenning ilness and two we would finally know what's been bothering us this whole time..hope this helped

[verk]

I am a 50 year old female.  I have been reading everyone's comments about shortness of breath and can't believe how many people like me are out there with these symptoms.  I have had this feeling of air hunger that has been going on now for ten years.  It has been very debilitating and zaps my energy.  I've been to my doctor complaining of this - had lots of tests.  Pulmonary function (revealed normal lung function) and have undergone, on two separate occasions, heart tests as I also have been experiencing mysterious chest pain for the last four years.  Nothing came of the heart tests and my doctor is guessing the chest pain may be variant angina.  He did not indicate it was related to my air hunger.  It seems to come and go without any pattern.  I've had a very stressful life and sress and anxiety has been suggested however exercise (which is supposed to reduce stress) makes it worse.  Lately when I exercise, it wipes me out for days and will often bring on symptoms of air hunger if I have not been experiencing them.  I occasionally use Lorazapam (Ativan) which sometimes helps.  I looked up hyperventilation in a medical journal and a strategy suggested was breathing into a brown paper bag.  Didn't help - besides who can do that all day.  When I'm having a really bad go of the air hunger, I feel sick, my eyes hurt and I have chest tightness.  I am beginning to suspect it plagues me during sleep because sometimes I will wake up and my face will be vibrating.  At least that is my perception.  By reading everyone elses comments it seems that this is fairly common and there is no cure.  Are we that susceptible to stress.

[hava]

Do this exercise everyday and it will help all of you.Start with 5 minutes and increase gradually to the maximum.Come back to report how you are doing.
Anulom Vilom - Deep Breath-in through left nostril keeping right nostril closed
then - Breath-out through right nostril keeping left nostril closed
then -Deep Breath-in through right nostril keeping left nostril closed
then - Breath-out through left nostril keeping right nostril closed
and repeat this cycle for upto 30  minutes twice a day(maximum 60 min/day).

[irishfiddler]

I am 32 years old, a mom and an RN. I just wrote a very long comment here but lost it somehow on the computer. Pretty much it said that for some of you, you should look into heart problems as your cause.
I have SOB and was diagnosed with
Neurocardiogenic Syncopy
POTS
and had a heart ablation for an SVT (fast heart rate) of 250beats per min.
Once I had the heart ablation, i still have have SOB but it is much better.
I do get SOB still pretty severly after I drink alcohol or coffee. Write to me if you want to know more
Sara Irvine, Pennsylvania
PS, the breathing excercizes above are mostly to get your mind off of the problem. it very possibly will work.

[irishfiddler]

Forgot to mention: You may not even know that you are having a heart palpitation or racing heart rate. My symptoms I thought were respiratory related but come to find out that they were not.
These were my symptoms:
While standing still for more than a few minutes, I would get irritable, short of breath, yawned,restless, nervous, and sometimes feel my heart going fast. While exercising, my heart rate would sky rocket and I would feel faint and dizzy and really short of breath.
I had a friend who had similar symptoms and was a sports/exercise major in college. She was in turn diagnosed with Neurocardiogenic syncopy but not the other two diagnoses I mentioned. LOOK into IT! Only the heart Drs were able to really help me.

[not_so_old]

As a non-smoking 43 year old woman I have struggled with the very frequent yawning and feeling of shortness of breath for over 20 years.  When first experiencing it all those years ago I, too, went to doctors and had all kinds of repiratory tests which showed that in fact I had "great" lung function.  All the emotions decribed above are all too familiar. In my case the "episodes" will come and go and I will get reprieves of months or sometimes years without a spell. The episodes last usually 1-2 months and wax and wane a bit in terms of severity. I'm undergoing a difficult episode these days which is why I am back searching for answers. Here are some thoughts:

1. sometimes getting up if sitting or going outside if inside can relieve an acute "attack"
2. distract, distract, distract yourself---seems to help when its really bad and you think you are losing your mind.
3. a suggestion from a forum several years back was to eliminate carbs in the diet. I have found this to definitely help but I have had to be really rigorous about it---cut out all the sweets, breads, rice etc. etc. you know the drill.  WHY this works I don't know. It seems to take a week or sometimes a little less before I see results but this has been the ONLY thing that has made a significant difference.  
4. milk seems to trigger it for me sometimes----or it might be coffee--anyway a latte can spell trouble if I've recently been having difficulty. Note: when not having an spell, latte's pose no problem.

So I hope some or all of these suggestions help SOMEONE out there. I know I was so grateful to learn about the no carbs thing years ago. I wish the medical community would look at the common threads here and take this disorder seriously.  It seems too simple to just attribute it to anxiety. For myself I've had spells during very relaxing periods of my life and no spells during periods of mild, moderate and extremely high stress and vice versa. Though I can appreciate that anxiety is an easy method to explain this away it simply doesn't ring true for me.

[Schusi]

I just turned 60 yrs. old and started having the shortness of breath and yawning symptoms about 2 months ago.  I went to the ER and was admitted, having had numerous heart tests, cat scans, blood work done.  All doctors concluded it was due to chiropractic treatments that I had for my back.  The chiropractor manipulated my stomach muscles during each treatment to where it caused discomfort but said it was necessary to facilitate my weak stomach muscles. They all said it would take awhile for my stomach muscles to heal and that I had to be patient.  So I was sent home not feeling any better than when I was admitted.  Had an endoscopy done to check for hiatal hernia, ulcer but all came back normal.  Was given medication for acid reflux, which I felt I didn't have, and that didn't help, either.  I feel so much better when I sleep, but after awakening within an hour I'm feeling the shortness of breath.  I have mitral valve prolapse and thinking my problem might be related to MVP, took medication which didn't help, either.  I am frustrated like everyone else and am happy to know it's not "all in my head".  Our dog died in October and I am missing him terribly, so my husband thinks it's the anxiety of losing Nicky. Sometimes I think it can be anxiety because like someone else stated, when I am engrossed in a project, I feel fine.  Maybe talking to a therapist might help.  There may be some underlying situation that we are not aware of that is bothering us and we are feeling the effects of it through the shortness of breath.   I hope there is someone out there who can give us more solutions to this very frustrating problem.  

[laura13222]

I am so glad to hear I am not crazy.  All these comments are exacty what is happening to me.  Sometimes I feel that I can not take anymore.  I have had every test and everything is working fine but yet I can not breathe.  Coffee and eating cause my breathing to get worse.  Has anyone out there found out what all this is?  I have been taking Valium because even though I can not breathe it makes me not worry about it as much.  

[balou1]

Hello everyone i also have all of the above i am 25 years old and up untill 2 years ago i was really into my football and sports, i am a non smoker and weigh about 12 stone (6feet 2 inches high). Its like i cant get to the bottom of my breath and when exercising it gets so bad i have had to stop. Eating also seems to bring it on worse but generally its there all the time from the minute i get up to the minute i go to bed. I was told by the doctor that i could have reflux disease so went on a series of tests and found out i had. I have now had reflux surgery and the problem is still there just as bad if not worse. If so many of us have this problem why do none of the doctors know what it is. All i want to do is get back on with my life but i cant because this restricts me from doing so much. If ANYONE has any info i would be very gratefull to hear from you thanks Joe.

[mykhel]

im a 24 y/o male, i felt the symptoms lately....exessive yawn and shortness of breath...i think drinking alcohol also comtributes to it..not to mention eating too much fatty foods....anyways, may we all overcome this....]

                                                                                                             mykhel - Philippines

[nighean]

I have these exact same problems with breathing, air hunger and trouble taking in a full breath.  I have been checked out with every possible test and they tell me I am as healthy as a horse - its all anxiety.  Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.  HVS (hyperventilation syndrome) sounds like the most plausible cause and the TREATMENT is EDB (effortless diaphragmatic breathing).  There are therapists at most big hospitals that will teach this. Check out www.behavioral-medicine.com and read the article on effortless diaphragmatic breathing.  Hope this helps someone!!

[heatherrb]

HI I'M 29, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE BECAUSE OF STRESS BUT NOT QUITE SO CONSISTANT, THIS TIME IT'S ALL DAY.  IT STARTED SUNDAY (IT'S FRIDAY NOW).
I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND I'M FINE - TOTALLY FINE AT NIGHT AS WELL - BUT A COUPLE HOURS IN TO MY MORNING IT COMES BACK... SOMETIMES I WONDER IF BECAUSE I THINK ABOUT IT.  I CAN HEAR MY THROAT WEEZE WHEN I'M INHALING... I THINK IT'S STRESS. BUT IT'S HARD TO CHILL WHEN YOU CAN'T !#@&ING BREATH.

[eronski]

Breathing, Breathing, Breathing - it's so easy to worry about.  I have the same symptoms that you all have been talking about.  It's particularly hard to deal with because it should come naturally right?  We shouldn't have to remind ourselves to do it or even think about it!  I fought and fought with this issue - the more I thought about it the more I would loose my breath!  

After seeing Dr's, reading etc.  I have come to the conclusion that we must think about our breathing - that we need to do it correctly and when we are working on it we are living in the present sort of like meditating.  Does that make any sense?  Thinking about and controlling your breathing can be a good thing -it is learned and healthy breathing doesn't always come naturally.   Working out does make it harder because I am always struggling to catch my breath when exercising and that feeling can bring on those "can't breath" feelings and fears.

I have worked on this for months and am more comfortable with it now.  When I think about my breathing I instantly get short of breath or I start yawning.  Then I get anxious -and sometimes panic.  If I stop and for 5 minuets or so breath in my nose to the count of 4 and out my nose to the count of 4 I calm way down.  Sometimes I really struggle with the first couple minuets then it gets much easier.  I know how hard it is but this may give you some comfort.  Try to turn your focusing on your breathing into a positive experience if possible.  

I too had to go the route of the medical tests - this is such a good idea because it can lesson your anxiety allot by knowing it's nothing serious.  Take Care, Erin

[hava]

Do the breathing exercise I suggested on december 2007(in this post) and all of you will start to feel better. I will suggest a second breathing technique after someone has started doing the first exercise.

[frustrated158]

Yawning to get a good breath.  That has been my problem for about 3 years.  Unfortunately, it has been a problem my father suffered with for most of his life.  I was born with Asthma so when I first started complaining of this the doctors constantly were trying to treat my Asthma, I kept telling them it wasn't my Asthma.  I know what an attack feels like and this was not it.  I has chest Xrays, blood tests, heart stress tests, stomach, pancreas, gall bladder scans.  Apparently there is nothing wrong.  These symptoms for me were brought on when my daughters left for college and I became depressed.  I refused Depression medicine I just do not want to go down that road and I recovered several months later.  I am no longer depressed but the symptoms do return.  I have been suffering again for about 3 months.  I sleep great, I wake up feeling fine and as many of you have mentioned it will often return a few hours later.  I have noticed that when I am really involved in something I must be breathing fine because I don't notice it.  I'm truly starting to believe this is some kind of anxiety triggered by my depression.  I also went to a naturalist, I was also told to avoid anything with gluten in it.  I started to follow the diet and then fell off the wagon, but I think I am going to try again.  Also for me this also seems to be weather related.  I live in Chicago and the constant long cloudy days really get to me and bring me down.  Symptoms started second week of January. My father no longer suffers from the problem.  He takes a lot of vitamins and really does not let any stress get to him, but he's retired and golfs all the time.  I also started taking 5HTP a natural vitamin.  It really seems to work.  It helps bring up your serotin levels.   It seems to be a good alternative to Xanax which I keep just in case.  I think this could be a heredity problem my daughter has also mentioned to me she has a problem once in a while.

[Annoyed1112]

Wow! It's amazing to find people who are experiencing the shortness of breath and yawning. I'm 25 work 9-5, and go to school full time (night classes) and i've been experiencing symptoms for a couple of months now, only took notice in Feb.  sometime.  The first time I remember I was sitting at my desk at work and I had trouble grasping "enough" of air, bad to the point where my co-worker was like "you alright?".  I was fine, knew that I wasn't dying.  Call my doctor and told the receptionist the symptoms and she told me to go to the ER!!  The receptionist!!!  I was mad to date I haven't gone to the doctor and the symptoms have calmed done they come and go but never as bad as the day/weekend I had it before.  It's weird, and I don't like taking meds b/c of 'side effects" but I hope this disappears once I graduate, this BS degree better be worth it.

[kasey4]

I am 37, and have suffered on and off since my teen years with this "I can't breathe!" problem.  I too, have been to doctors and run a dozen tests with nothing wrong.  One doctor diagnosed it as anxiety in my teens.  Later, another said asthma, and prescribed Advair which only made it worse.  I have learned to deal with it much better than when I was younger, because getting upset with it only makes it worse.
My symptoms: feeling like I'm not taking a full breath of air, trying to deep breathe does nothing to help, and may even agrivate it more.  I have to wait until I can yawn to get a moment of relief, then it starts in all over again.  When I'm having trouble ( which can last several hrs. to weeks) stress will make it worse.  For example, my children running around silly or arguing will make a worse attack.  I have to lift one of my arms up, with my mouth gaping open trying to yawn.  These "triggers" don't bother me at all when I'm not having trouble.  Sometimes lying down makes it worse, and I have to sit up to breathe (yawn), then lay back down.  We have a wood stove, which makes it worse during the "trouble time", but otherwise it's not a problem.  I think spring, rainy days, and sometimes the dead of winter (I don't know why) are harder, maybe.  It's really hard even after all these years to put my finger on why I can't breathe at times, and under the same conditions (weather, stress, etc.) I can breathe fine.  It is very nice to know there are others like myself, as I have always wondered but never heard of anyone.  And our symptoms are so identical and unique, it's amazing the doctors (at least ours) aren't aware of this as something seperate from anxiety or asthma.
Learning how to breathe better may help during the trouble time, or it may not if the problem is caused by external (weather, humidity, etc.) factors.
I would be interested to hear more from you all.  I thought the low carb diet sounded hopeful.
God bless you all and hope we can all find relief!

[hava]

Learn this breathing exercise and do it everyday, and all of you will benefit, as extra oxygen helps the body to cope the breathing problem.Do not give up, try for at least 6 weeks.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30  minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day).Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

[aceoblues04]

Hey everyone. I'm not saying it is a good thing that so many people have this problem but it is nice to know I am not alone. Im 22 years old and have been experiencing this problem off and on for most of my life, although the last few years have been pretty good. Untill about two weeks ago that is. I worked my normal 12 hour shift that day from 6am to 6 pm and then went home for a little rest before my band I play in went on stage at 9 that night. It was a long day and I was feeling tired but anxious about not sleeping to long and missing the gig that night. I set an alarm to wake me but I just couldn't winde down. I laid down on the couch whitch wasn't very comfortable in hopes that I would fall into too deep of sleep and miss the show. I closed my eyes and the next thing I know I was jolted up like someone fired a gun next to my head. Almost like having one of those falling dreams where you wake up right before you hit but 100 times worse. I was breathing fast and my heart was going 100 mph and I was drenched in sweat. I thought I had overslept but I still had plenty of time to get ready. Anyway long story short, after my breathing and heartrate calmed down I began feeling short of breath and yawning alot. It just wouldn't stop. I am always trying to take a deep breath but my lungs don't feel like they are getting full. What is strange about it is when I do breath in deep I feel like i am hyperventalating. I know you can't be starving for air and getting to much at the same time so tried ignoring it. When I am totally engrossed in a project it dousn't bother me. But the more I think about it, the worse it gets. So then I thought if just thinking about it makes it worse then its probably mantal or anxiety related. So i tried just useing good posture when I breath ( especially when I set down since that seems to make it worse). I started doing it today and immediately noticed a differance. I stopped yawning, I don't take near as many deep breaths which alows me to not worry about it so much which in turn makes it get even better. Bottom line, the more you worry and think about it the worse it gets. Don't let it run away with you. Just set down, set up strait and take and believe that it will get better. Give it a little time.It worked for me.

[robison15]

I've had this breathing problem for 5 years now, I'm 28, in excellent health, I don't smoke, and I have an air purifier at home.  My Dr. says it is allergy related and tells me to take allergy medicine and use an inhaler.  Neither of these help at all.  I will admit that on days when pollen is bad, my breathing is terrible (yawning all day to stay alive).  But today I can't breath well and it's been raining all day, even inside it's bad.  When I do have it (usually lasts for a few days or weeks), caffiene,eating and alcohol make it worse.  I'm getting a Playstation to see if it may be anxiety (distracting myself).  I also am getting pain on my left side, maybe because I've been taking deep breaths all day.  I think I will have some tests run.

[bakermomma]

Oh wow!! I am so encouraged to hear that other people have the same symptoms as me.  I first experienced this about 2 years ago for a 2-3 week episode.   I had an echocardiogram with the first episode and was given a clean bill of heart-health.  I have hypothyroidism, and decided that my symtoms were a side effect of being undermedicated at the time.  So two months ago, my symptoms returned:  that feeling that you can't get a deep enough breath, excessive yawning - an worsening symptoms after eating or large drinks, or with "environmental chaos" such as hectic dinner time with 3 small children....I am a 32 y.o. female and am not overweight.  I am a jogger and jog 3-5 days a week (3-6 miles each run), and I do not see a change in my symptoms with this exercise-for better or worse.  With the return of symptoms last month, I began using advair and Prevacid-but only for 2 weeks, at which point I felt better.  So I stopped taking both just to see what happened.  Episode #3 onset last week.  I con't to have symptoms, so this time I am only adding Prevacid (GERD maybe? I have a history of reflux, but I don't feel like I did historically when reflux was aggravating).  Will give the breathing techniques a try.  I already feel better knowing that I am not alone, and that there are good ideas coming off of this thread...

[Darryl25k]

im 30 years old from canada ive had almost every test done every time i goto sleep i gotta sit up and yawn to catch my breath and lay down over and over gets tireing sometime other times i get shortness of breath and i get this sharp pain under my ribs im thinking on asking to get xrays done for my lungs wish i could solve this issue right now i can barly catch my breath almost tempted to goto the hospital before something happens but me being so stubbern i probbaly wont

[hava]

Do the breathing exercises I suggested on 18th April, in this post, and your problems will gradually disappear.You have tried everything, so it time to try an alternative.You will feel good from day 2.

[dakee]

I have SOB, was told it was anxiety.  But, I always wonder what I'm anxious about.  I must be more sensitive then I know.  I also get headaches, pains in my shoulders, legs, just from straining to yawn all day to 'catch my breath'.  Lately it's getting bad, and I felt like crying when I read all of everyone elses stories.  I am going to try the nostril thing, WHY NOT.  Also, I read if you breath with pursed lips, while you're having an attack, it might help.  (Like you're blowing out a candle)  Good luck to all and let's detox stress out of our lives.

[AB52]

I am 52 and have had this since i was a teenager.  It comes and goes, somethimes there will be long periods between.  I have been having it badly now for about 2 wks.  I do smoke.   Mine seems exactly like you all describe, the not being able to get a satisfying breath, so yawning feels  good when it works.  I think it may be stress also.  I lost my father in March and have a sick mother.  She has terminal LIP which is a lung disease so  I worry that i may have that.  Like others, If i am totally involved in something it goes away.  That's why i think it is stress.  I am going to try the exercises also.  It helps to know that i am not alone in this.

[O05]

I am a health 28 yo female.  I exercise and try to eat right. My first symptoms of SOB started about 7 years ago.  I initially attributed it to the amount of stress in my life and tried to ignore it, but you can't.  After numerous visits to the doctors office to check heart, CT scan, etc.  I was diagnosed with anxiety.  I have been medicated for it off and on for years, and am much better and funtional while on the meds.  I go off thinking I feel better and it bites me in the butt.  Understand that there are different types of anxiety.  For some people, they just tend to be more anxious and would be more prone to anxiety.  Stress is obviously a huge factor for us anxiety sufferers.  However, the type of anxiety I have is not necessarily brought on by a stressful situation or an aggravating factor, which is why it is so frustrating.  I never know when I am going to have a panic attack, so that causes some stress and anxiety.  I have had to sucom to the fact that I have anxiety and if medicating it helps and makes my life easier, I will do it.  As a side note, I went almost 2 years anxiety/medication free, and when the anxiety kicked up (this time it felt much different than before) they discovered I had low blood sugar.  So making sure you are not eating too much sugars or caffeine and making sure you are eating enough protien and fiber also play a role in how you feel.  I find it strange that my blood sugar was overlooked for all those years.  Unfortunately, we need to be our own advocates with physicians.  Make them run every test imaginable if that is what makes you feel reassured you are not sick.  If you do in fact have anxiety, don't be affraid to get the help you need for it, whether it be medication or other forms of treatment.  

[momofboys3]

I am 37 years old have had breathing problem for almost 5 years, first episode was 2-3 days after I had a tummy tuck(abdominalplasty) was sitting on my sofa when suddenly felt the SOB has to go outside to try to catch a good breath ended up in the ER had chest ct, blood work all normal, at that time concern was blood clot since I had just had surgery. Was diagnosed with Anxiety and I accepted that diagnosis becasue I did feel a  little stressed or anxious for me to be able to  get on with my daily activities and children.  For the first couple years it was every few months for a day or so but for the past 2 months its been every day.  My PCP gave me Ativan for anxiety and sent me to a cardiologist, had a heart and leg vein ultrasound, EKG all normal.  
I forgot to mention that usually when I have an episode I have a pressure like feeling on my mid upper abdomen, I had tested positive for H. Pylori about 6 months ago and was placed on treatment for 14 days. I was placed on prevacid again for a couple of weeks  (not really helping) But because of my symptoms they now want to do a endoscopy just incase we are dealing with an ulcer. Meanwhile I was given Carafate which is for the treatment of ulcers until I have my test done.  This is day # 2 and I am just crossing my fingers that this is the answer.  I feel so frustrated at this point I am willing to do anything.  I am really glad all the test have come out normal but frustrated that we don't have an answer yet.
Any and all suggestions welcomed.

[Jaqq]

I'm so glad I've found this forum!!  I'm a 28 yr old woman and have suffered with SVT's since I was 17yrs old. I had an Ablation when I was 19 which, whilst it was not a complete success (contracted Pericarditis, and they gave me a leaky heart valve), my SVT's and Arrhythmia's stoped for a short while.  Since 2005 they started again and now I'm not on private health care, the NHS are being really slow about sorting me out.  I'm not particularly stressed about this, as I've learnt to deal with it but over a month again, like all of you it seems, I started to get a "shortness of breath" feeling.  Yawning is the only way I can get that one good breath and my neck and jaw constantly aches from straining.  I was not stressed prior to this and at least for 2 weeks of it, but now I'm getting a little aggitated and very down about the whole situation, which of course does not help.  I've had this non stop for weeks, the only release is when I sleep.  As I'm going through various Cardiac Memo's/24hr heart monitors etc, I've been seeing the GP's and Hospital a lot lately and had lots of CT's Xrays for PE and Chest Infections....all came back normal. I have to admit, no one ha mentioned stress or anxiety to me as I've made my point clear at the beginning that I knew this was not the case.  After all no-one can be anxious for 14hrs of the day!!!!! and as having SVT's, have learnt to cope with breathing exercises to help reduce heart rate etc etc.  They are putting it down to my heart condition.....it's easier to blame an exiting problem, so where I don't want others to assume this might also be the reasons for their breathlessness, it's worth while getting checked anyway.  I've made a note of some of the tablets other people have been taking from this Forum and as i'm meeting with my cardiologist on Monday, I will have a chat with them to see if it might help.  I wouldn't say I'm pleased others are having this problem, but it's made me feel like I'm not over-reacting and I have to say I doubt very much that Stress/Anxiety is the sole cause of these problems.

[Betsy01]

I have posted this comment also under children and cardiac arrest...
ok, here were the symptoms of my now deceased daughter..after going to the hospital 3x and dr were unable to figure out what was wrong with her.. im hoping that someone out there can relate or provide some type of answer..
My dear daughter would wake up in middle of the night and would say, "mom, I cant breathe" then she would sit on the bed and go through this episode and then she would say her ears would pop, followed by dizziness, then she would go limp,(fall over and unable to stand on her own),
her lips would go blue, skin would go clammy, she would clench her fists, kick her legs and eyes would gloss over, looking confused or has seen something strange..she would appear to be in pain, not sure if it was in her chest or her stomach.. the 3 times this happened prior to her death, she would come out of it and would feel chills, then she would be back to herself and wouldnt even know what just happened to her??
the last time this happened the paramedics took her out of our apt and her heart just stopped as he took her down to the ambulance..
Tests that were done were CT scans, seizure tests, echo-cardiogram, asthma, allergies were ruled out and all tests came back normal; few ple i have spoken with say it sounds like a heart attack like symptoms..
She wouldn't be able to walk a short distance and she would gasp for air..I am awaiting for the autopsy results which should be in by end of this week, so Im really hoping that a DR or someone out there can provide me some answers.. this is a serious thing!! This episode happened very suddenly and occurred concurrently on the same day of the week, same time (usu.  between 2am-4am); three weekends in a row..b4 succumbing to her death..
Betsy

[Betsy01]

my daughter was only 8 yrs old and this happened in January of this year..

[jt10]

I'm so glad that I have found this page.  I would never wish what we feel upon anyone at all but it is reassuring to know I'm not in this alone.  
I'm 26 yr old male and I've been struggling with SOB since Feb 07.  It all started while I was sitting on the couch watching TV with my wife and I just felt as though I couldnt breath.  I asked her to take me for a drive and that eventually ended us up in the ER.  I've been to the ER 5 other times for this same issue when I get really worked up.  I've realized in my years experience with this problem that my anxiety over not being able to breath is what has landed me in the ER.  I've been 'diagnosed' with everything from asthma, to anxiety, acid reflux, allergies...and treated for all the above (except anxiety) and not seen any results.  Could it be anxiety?  I find my SOB to be worse often when I'm outside but I'm not sure if maybe there's just more triggers outside.  
I've had all sorts of tests...PFT, ECG, cat scan of sinuses, allergy tests, scope...all have been normal, other than the typical allergies and mild sinusitis.  My pulmonologist has been treating me for acid reflux (GI doctor agrees its reflux).  This treatment hasnt done much and I've been on Nexium, Aciphex and Prilosec.  Interestingly enough, I saw a naturalist last week and he stated that 95% of cases of suspected acid reflux are actually caused by TOO LITTLE acid in the stomach not too much.  He said its caused by too little acid and too little digestive enzymes in your body and the food ends up fermenting in your stomach and thats what refluxes.  I'm on digestive enzymes now and hope that might provide some relief.
Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories here.  It's encouraging to be able to hear that we all are in this together.  Bless you all.

[jr1977]

I have also had a lot of the same issues you guys have had with the SOB and yawning.  It is both aggravating and scary.  Especially when you don't know where to turn.  Some days it is ok and others it is horrible.  I have been to 2 PCP, 3 GI doc, neurologist, Allergen doc, pulmonologist, accupunture, and naturopath.  I have also had every test you can think of and spent all kinds of money and have no idea why this is going on.  

   This firt happened to me 7 years ago.  I was very stressed from work and deppressed that my grandmother passed away.  I flew out for her funeral( which was 3 weeks after 9/11.  Very stressful plane ride).  It all began after the funeral.  The SOB and yawning.  It always got worse after eating so I attributed it to my stomach.  I also began to lose weight because I knew eating made me feel this way.  I was checked out then and got no where.  I began to eat better and exercise more.  Then it just went away after about 2 -3 years of this torture.   I didn't know why.  I was just happy it was gone.  

   I was recently married on September of '06.  Very stressful moment in my life.  I was scared to death.  I stressed out for that whole month.  Then I was taken out by my friends about 2 weeks before the wedding for a small celebration.  I got very drunk and vomitted very badly.  I then passed out.  The next morning I woke up with the SOB and the yawning.  It was horrible.   I was so upset that I cried like a baby.  I prayed it would go away,  but here I am today and still have it. I think it may have done some damage to my stomach from the vomitting.

Some times it goes away for a few days then comes back for a few days.  I don't drink or smoke.  I exercise and try to take care of myself.  I can run and it doesn't bother me anymore than usual.  

The only thing I can seem to relate this too is my stomach.  I sometimes gets worse when I eat worse.  Even when i eat healthy.  I also get weird tastes in my mouth.  Metallic like tastes.  I do also get some chest tightness and mucus.  I have also tried certain diets to see if that helps but no luck.  

The only thing the Docs did see originally was some severe gastritis in my stomach which has cleared up.  I was also tested for gastroparesis which showed up that I did have some delayed stomach emptying.  But SOB isn't a symptom.

Doctors just tell me it is anxiety and stress.

  I know I have a deviated septum but no sure if it could cause all that.  I find myself having to breath more through my mouth than my nose.  It is easier for me.  

I have tried some breathing exercises that help somewhat.  There is a website from someone named Michael White where he sells a CD to help with breathing exercises.  It does seem to help somewhat.  It shows the importance of breathing and how to do it properly.  

I also tried your exercise HAVA and it seemed to help also.

Either way it seems to have to do with eating (stomach) and anxiety.  That's all I can put my finger on.  I just keep trying to be as healthy as possible and hope to GOD it goes away agin.  It truly is a horrible feeling.

If I come up with anything I will let everyone know and hope you all do the same.

[hava]

It is important that you continue the breathing exercises at the maximum time of 30 minutes each for anulom vilom and kapalbhati, twice a day.The extra oxygen helps at the cell level, slowly restoring the body to a healthy state.It may take 3-6 months to see the complete benefit, but the need for medication will decrease.Once you are better,you need to continue the breathing technique for 15 minutes each, for anulon vilom and kapalbhati ,once a day,for rest of life to stay healthy.
Your regular feedback about progress is very important, so others may benefit(specially when you completely recover).All I can say is,that the breathing exercises will bring a complete recovery over 3-6 months  and medicine will not be required.

[jr1977]

Has anyone come up with any answers to their situation?

[Betsy01]

Hi well i received my daughters autospy results and came  up with nothing..all her organs were good, it had nothing to do with gastric, or reflux, thyroidal or anything of the sort..even her lungs were good. the only thing they found was related to her left ventricle but the dr said it couldnt have been the cause of her death..so im figuring that it has to do with stress, fear or nervousness as well could be related to my dad passing 2 months prior to her death.. or it was just her time.. so good luck to all, hope that you find out what the cause or problem is.. Im left with nothing else to hope for.. but at least you still have hope..

[kristi2008]

Hi all, just writing to be another person in this (sadly) long list of people here experiencing these very frustrating and scary symptoms.  I agree that it is interesting that we all experience this and that we're all told that it is related to anxiety/stress.  It is very irritating to have a doctor tell you that when the symptoms occur (for many of us) when we're at rest and we're not feeling anxious.  That's how it is for me, anyway.  
My story is similar to many of you, in that this all started while sitting at my desk at work, involved in a project, when suddenly I noticed that I couldn't take a deep, satisfying breath.  It continued throughout the afternoon.  At the time I was about 27, a marathon runner, a non-smoker, a healthy eater, drinking no caffeine, and not experiencing anything particularly stressful in my life.  Same story as you all: urgent care, unconcerned doctor, recommendation for Prozac, Prilosec, etc.  As the months and years passed, it went from being an occassional inconvenience to, now (at 30) an everyday occurance.  I've recently undergone the battery of tests many of you have had, with similar results--"You're healthy".  I'm planning to run a marathon this fall, but frankly I'm scared to train for it, because of the way exercise has come to exacerbate the symptoms.  Eating, too.  Unlike many of you, drinking alcohol seems to help, but I think that it only helps because it settles my anxiety about not being able to breath properly.  I'm VERY uncomfortable about the fact that alcohol seems to be the only thing available to me when I'm experiencing SOB acutely.  Do you think the doctor would take me more seriously if I came in drunk?  Probably not.
I've wondered if a change of diet might help.  Unfortunately, no carbs + marathon training = impossible.  I'm interested in the breathing exercises recommended here, as well.  Unfortunately, I'm not (yet) the poster with any good answers or suggestions.  
Like all of you, I just want to be NORMAL again!  I'd give anything to just have this problem go away.
To Betsy01, I'm very sorry for the loss of your daughter.    

[remtan]

HI. this really works.

[hava]

I am happy for you, that the breathing techniques worked for you.
I would be interested to know 1) In how many days did you notice the benefit?
2) How long did you do the different breathing techniques?
Any details will help the others very much.Some people can feel the benefits quicker than others, but all benefit (without side effects) in the long run.
Everyone have a go, and comeback to report progress.

[remtan]

It only took a few day to see the difference.
I did it for only about 10 minutes.I began to feel light headed so I.stopped. so thank you for posting this.

[dearanamig]

I'm having the same problems while I'm in US (Maryland) especially summer, I never faced this while I was in my home country. I've been to all kind of medical practices and nothing helped. I feel this is because of lack of oxygen while we breath and I also feel there is lack of good oxygen in the air, since it is very dry. I used a humidifier(warm mist) and it helped for a better breathing. Also I decreased the AC temperature setting and the chil air helped more. I'm doing some breathing based yoga stretches too, that helps more too. I understand nobody else except myself can take care of my own body. SO though I cannot resolve the problem, I'm trying to help myself to reduce it. Just wanted to share.

[Alyna]

I am 29 years old female. I have been yawning for about 5 yeras. Before it was not friquent and occured during my eatings and exercises. Now, after much stress in my life, and with age it is getting crazy. I also have anxiety attacks. And when I feel like I can't grasp air I panick. Also, I cough, similar to clearing a throat. It is also aggrevates when I do cardio.
I am always thinking about it. I am ashamed to do it in public, because it is not just a yawn. It is a severe muscular tention on a throat and funny face expression. I have to open my mouth so wide and do it several times before I have a contact with air.
Currently looking for a doctor...

[hava]

The pranayam breathing exercises  I suggested on 18th April 2008, in this post, has helped everyone on this "shortness of breath/frequent yawning" forum, and is the solution to your problems.Do it as suggested, or for whatever time you can do, and you will not need to see a doctor.The extra oxygen you breathe is all used to energise the cells in the body and make you healthy.Come back to post your progress.

[mjensen75]

I am so glad I found this forum.  I didn't have any idea what was wrong with me.  I have to yawn all the time to get a deep breath and as soon as I yawn, I want another deep breath, so it just goes on and all.  I'm fine when I first wake up, but as soon as I get up and start moving around, the shortness of breath comes back.  I recently went to the movies and got so engrossed in it that my breathing wasn't a problem.  But it returned.  I tried homepathic remedies but they would relax me for only maybe 10 minutes and it would seem better but then it would wear off.  I called my doctor and he prescribed Ativan.  I was excited b/c I thought for sure it was anxiety related and the Ativan would surely help.  But it didn't do anything.  I was less panicky over not being able to get that deep breath, but the shortness of breath wasn't helped by the medication.  I've also tried meditative breathing, which helps while I'm doing it, but as soon as I'm back to doing normal activities, the shortness of breath returns.  I'm going to try the breathing techinque suggested by hava...my husband tells me not to breath w/ my chest, but to use my diaphragm.  I'm sure my shallow chest breathing is why my neck and shoulders are so tight and sore.  I'm hoping this goes away soon.

[mayflower14]

Hi,
My shortness of breath started just over a year ago now and I was so desperate to find a cause. I did think it was a sign of a severe illness. It caused me so much anxiety. In the end, i finally did find a cause / cure.Little did I know that a medication I was using was causing all of this. I had been put on ativan (a benzo) shortly after a car accident where I had suffered head injuries and a slight concusion. The shortness of breath started shortly after starting this med and never went away. ALong with this, I suffered a ton of other physical symptoms due to tolerance of the drug. I was blessed to finally find a website that showed you how to safely get off this drug and was able to do so in 4 months. When I got down to really low doses of the drug, the shortness of breath went away. The upper abdomen pain and muscle spasms went away. They do come back a bit from time to time because of the withdrawal from this drug, but nowhere near as bad as it was. When it comes it only lasts a bit during a day and then is gone. They did diagnose me with a hiatial hernia after I had a scope done. This though was also due to the use of benzo's and the way they relax the core muscles and things move up....any further questions please ask. I searched for nearly a year for an answer.
It did help me to lay on my back and put an icepack on my upper abdomen area. This stretched open my rib cage to allow me to breath better and the ice stopped the muscles spasms a bit.
i went to 4 different doctors,,,,visited ER doctors at least once a week...had numerous test....all of them showed nothing. I can't believe that most doctors have no clue as to the side effects of these dangerous drugs!
Mayflower 14

[colonel81]

I also have breathing symptoms that are probably related to anxiety.  There are many recommendations out there about taking deep breaths to help slow breathing.  Meditation, yoga, etc. can help you to learn this, but these activities can take significant time to learn.  I never really got the breathing/meditation thing until I tried this product called Resperate.  It is meant to lower blood pressure, but I found it to be particularly good in training you to breath properly and reduce stress.  The first time I used  it the whole meditation/breathing/relaxation thing finally made sense.   Unfortunately it isn't cheap so would be a big step for anyone to buy when it is mainly marketed to reduce blood pressure.  A quick search online and you will be convinced it isn't a scam with regards to blood pressure.  I would strongly recommend it to help your breathing.
Also, check your blood pressure more than just once at the doctors office to make sure the stress/breathing isn't a cause of or causing higher than normal blood pressure.  Not sure of the cause effect, but I did have slightly elevated blood pressure(low prehypertension at 38).

[HeatherinOz]

Hey there,

I knew there must be other people experiencing what I am! I'm a 22yo female. For me there's just a need to yawn, I've never thought about it as SOB before reading other posts and fortunately my muscles don't get sore from all the yawning. The first bout came on when I was 18 and working full time for the first time in my life, I was under stress I had not known before. That lasted about a week maybe less. It came back almost 2 years later and very badly. I had just moved continents only months prior and was studying and working. It prevented me from sleeping and I thought I was having heart palpitations. I went to the Dr who told me it was nothing to worry about and that there was no known cause for what I was experiencing and it was probably just stress.  I calmed down after that visit to the GP and the symptoms went away within days.  That was 2 years ago. Since then I've had it off and on but have managed to handle it better by just ignoring it and letting my body correct the need for O2 itself.  However, I'm in another rough patch in my life and I'm yawning evening while I'm typing this!  It was only 2 weeks ago I was given a clean bill of health by my Dr during a routine check up.  I, like others who have posted here lead a pretty healthy life and avoid fatty foods, red meat, coffee etc.  I'm also taking vitamins to make sure my body has what it needs. I feel great otherwise but it's really stressful having to yawn all the time. I might also mention that I tend to worry a lot about lots of things, this might make me more susceptible to whatever it is we're all experiencing. I hope someone does some research into this soon and sheds some light on the cause, in my case I think it's stress related, but I still would like to find a way to make it stop.

[Gfoss100]

I suffered (and still do for weeks at a time) with shortness of breath.  I went to my ENT and he said that it was GERD.  He was 100% positive, even though I had to pain at all related to heartburn/etc.  He said GERD can manifest itself in a painless way and can cause SOB.  It was reassuring to finally get a diagnosis after struggling for years with SOB.  Also, he said that I have no esophagus erosion, despite the fact that he diagnosed GERD.  I got a second opinion and the second doc confirmed everything the ENT said...GERD without pain is possible, GERD does cause SOB, GERD can occur with no esophagus erosion.

[baskov]

I am so glad I found this site. I am 26 and have three small kids and just graduated as well. My shortness of breath started when my youngest was born. He was a preemie, and soon after he was born, I felt like I couldn't breathe. I don't know if it was from stress or from the the C-section messing me up inside. Anyway, I caught my breath for a few months, but now I can't breathe again. I don't know if it is from the stress of going back to work, finishing school, three kids, etc,,,,or the fact that I just went water skiing, and did a good job on pretty much every muscle in my body. So basically, I am trying to figure out if my shortness of breath is stress related or intestinally related, or maybe both. What do you guys think?

[c67]

I am a 31 year old female and have had asthma since my late teens.  For the past few months I have had SOB, chest pain/pressure, and fatigue.  The SOB and pain have woken me up at night, which I am sure are contributing to the fatigue.  I have been yawning so much to catch my breath my neck and throat are constantly sore.  I don't drink, or smoke, or eat poorly...I drink one cup of coffee a day and absolutely no soda.  Before all of this, I did yoga 4 days a week and walked regularly as well.

So far I have had an EKG, a CT Scan, a chest X-ray -- none of which have shown any clear results.  I am still waiting on the results of the 24hr holter monitor.  

Like everyone else it is frustrating being told that this is just asthma...being an asthma suffering most of my life, I know that there is something else going on, asthma has never completely brought my life to a halt as this has.  

It is comforting to have found so many people with similar symptoms.  I wish everyone the best of luck in their journey to find their health.

[hava]

The breathing exercises posted on April 18, 2008 on this thread, will help you very much, to get your health back.Do it and report your progress after 11 days.

[usingh]

I am a 40 year old woman living in India. I have this breathing problem which seems to have no cure.Iit happens for two three months at a stretch. It comes and goes but has not set pattern. I have been consulting docs for years and now I have quite given up on them. Many tests were carried out on my lungs and heart and they all came out fine. On watching my diet, I came to the conclusion that when I  cut down on my carb intake in food, I seem to have a little less of this problem and when I increase the intake of carbs specially potatoes, rice and legumes, this problem seems to aggravate. It is strange but its true. It has taken me decades to realize this.

[not_so_old]

I appreciate your observations about carb intake and its effects as this appears to be my response as well. Same kind of 'no-pattern' over the years. Comes and gos etc. I really wonder about the anxiety connection since the problem has been bothering me more often this past year and yet recently some highly stressful events haven't triggered anything--the shortness of breath seeming to be on its own indiscernible cycle that sometimes coincides with stressful events and sometimes not. When I am really conscientious for a few days about carb intake, wine abstention, and sugar reduction then I appear to get some relief. Perhaps the stress connection has more to do with a habit of eating carbs when under stress! I am wondering whether some sort of nutritional specialist would understand what is going on since it doesn't appear that the medical specialists people have been visiting have been able to offer much relief.

[caseyxoshellx3]

oh my gawd. this has happened to me 4 times in the last 2 weeks. im 13 and i had very bad asthma when i was little. i havent had an episode of asthma  since 5 years ago, excluding these past two weeks. i have an albuterol inhalor but it never does anything. i yawn a lot. they checked my blood to make sure i diddn't have a clot in my lungs. they put my on steriods, pretnozol or something like that. they help a little. its so scary because i've been to the emergency room twice and they still don't know whats wrong. my parents are very worried, as am i. i've been looking online to figure out what is wrong, but i can't figure anything out. if you figure out what is wrong, please let me knoww!

[caseyxoshellx3]

also, they have listened to my lungs and they hear no wheezing, but are still convinced that it is just asthma. i dont think so. wheezing is ALWAYS a symptom. i asked my dad how it could be asthma without wheezing, and he just sarcastically said, "your right, all of the doctors were wrong its NOT asthma." im just scared. i'm glad to know im not alone in this. its so scary when you go to breathe in and you feel like you cant.

[diya81aug]

i have low blood pressure i.e. 80/60. my age is 27.weight is 53 kg. i'm also suffering from same problem. it comes & goes & has no set pattern.whenever i eat something sweet like chocalates, pasteris etc i find difficulty in breathing. like more pull to inhale. so i cut down my sugar intake to avoid this problem.and now i'm ok. i think it has something to do with diet.
this problem embarrass me when i was in 11th class.i was yawning to take breath.my teacher saw me & she scolded at me and say she don't like students not attentive in their class and yawning.so next time becareful.and i feel so ashamed infront of class and coudln't told anyone about my problem.

[joey29]

I am a very healthy and vigorous 60 yr old female. I started having shortness of breath 18 months ago during a time of extreme stress and I still have it. I feel great when I exercise, but when I sit still, I can't breath and yawn constantly. I also have GERD (which gave me extreme chest pains during the night) which my naturopath thought was the cause of my SOB. Although I've got the GERD under control, it has not helped my breathing. However, for those interested, the following things helped my GERD: 1.  2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar twice a day (I put it in apple sauce with 2 drops of stevia or a little honey), 2:  2 DGL tablets - a form of licorice- 20 minutes before eating and 3:  heartburn free (it's a capsule with oil of orange peel) every other day for 20 days. It strengthens the muscle that keeps your stomach acid in your stomach. 4: I avoided caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, orange juice, tomatoes, chocolate and mint.
As far as my breathing goes, I think Hava is right on. Although I just started his exercises today, I'm also reading Dennis Lewis's book, Free your breath, free your life. I also found a website www.easycalm/#video that talks about anxiety. He offers a seminar series. I only watched the first one which was free but it looks like a worthwhile investment. He says that "anxiety is a chronic, prolonged state of uneasieness that leads to odd/unexplainable physical symptoms" like SOB and frequent yawning.
Just to be safe, I have appointments with a pulmonologist, ENT and cardiologist this week but after reading all of these postings, it seems like a waste of money and time.

[Roguescot]

I am a 51 yo. male. A week ago I began having an incessant need to have that final breath thats at the end of a good yawn. The urge comes and I try and try but nothing and then suddenly it happens. I'm not really experiencing a shortness of breath but find the need to yawn deeply disturbing. Since I'm an Aquarian I have no stress issues...lol. I'm now going to look into the Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome aspect since I've already had a breathing test (good results) and a stress test scheduled for tomorrow.

[Jodie52]

So I am 26 yrs old and until recently I was in good health. One day I woke up with shortness of breath and I was constantly yawing to get a deep breath! Its been about a month and it just gets worse. My Doctor gave me an inhaler, which hasnt helped medicine for pnemoia , a chest x  ray and a cat scan. Nothing has showed up which I thought was good , but now I dont think so. So when I called and told him it just gets worse he says come in. Thats when I decided instead of another copay for my 6th visit I switched Doctors. I chose a younger Doctor hoping maybe she would be so set in her ways and convinced I have asthma or anxiety.I told her I just didnt want more medicine I want to get to the problem because it is effecting my everday life so she gives me pain killers for my jaw that hurts because I yawn so much.  I recently adopted two cats and thought maybe they are making me sick, I doubt it , but I am going to an allergist. My family frineds and work thing I am just crazy and stressed! The only real stress I have is not breathing right! I feel such relief that other people are going through this! Even though no one really knows what it is. I just read an article on PAH and I have a lot of the symptoms. Besides yawning does anyone have an y other symtoms? I know when I am walking around at work sometimes I feel faint or just sick from it.Anyone else?

[Dee221]

I have had the same symptoms everyone is talking about for about 4 years. I am a 33 yr. old mom of two and a nurse.I was diagnosed with generalized aniety disorder about 6 yrs. ago. I thought it all started because I was going back to school and the pressure of a family and going to school was going to be to much, so the doctor put me on celexa which does help the panics attacks but does nothing for SOB. I also at that time was put on B/P med. for increase HR and high blood pressure. I have since finished school and still have symptoms of SOB, yawning constantly to the point that I'm tired of people saying to me "get some sleep at night or your always yawning" It"s frustrating because I'm not tired it's beacuse I can't breath, I also have had the lung test, told I might have mild adult asthma  I was given  an inhaler which didn't work only made it worse to the point I called 911. I have had PFT and told I had better lungs than my MD. Acid reflux is also something I was diagnosed with about 1 yr. ago I never really thought that had a connection. I do find when I am at work and I get really busy i do forget about it. I don't know whats wrong if someone finds out please let me know.

[irma704]

Hi,
Im 27 female. i did have this sort of dissorder too. because i am a smoker, i thought it was from smoking. but i noticed that once im relaxed and not stressed-i am fine. for the last two month i got something else im worried about, but the yawning to get deep breath has stopped about 4 month ago. i think too it starts from anxiety.
so, enjoy life more and stop stressing, as its clear doctors doesnt know exactly why else.

[Makar]

I'm happy to have come across this page, I've experienced shortness of breathe since I was a teenager. I was always diagnosed with asthma but inhalers never seemed to help.  

Recently, I've been experiencing SOB more often. I'd like to believe that I'm 'laid back' but I'm a 24 year old fulltime student with a teething toddler and a husband that always claims he's listening. I figure I have some underlying anxiety somewhere....

I've seen doctors about the SOB, but there was never anything wrong. Interestingly, I spoke to an herbalist once and she said that I just didn't know how to breathe. Which would explain why during exercise I can't get enough breathe, I even feel my body struggle when I'm told "in through your nose out through your mouth." I've read that we yawn because our body senses a decrease of oxygen in our muscles, which would explain why when experiencing SOB there is an urge to yawn.

I find that breathing exercises help; deep breathes until my lungs are filled then deep exhales until they are empty. If I do this about two or three times, my breathing improves.

[hava]

I have described the breathing techniques in March 18, 2008 post on this thread.Do it as I have described and you will feel energetic and better than normal.Give your body plenty of oxygen by this natural method and your immune system will be ready to fight any health problem.The duration of the breathing is important for long term benefits.

[rach827]

i have suffered with shortness of breath and yawning alot to try and get a deep breath for about 7 years now.
it wasnt so bad at first,but for the past couple of years i feel like im going to stop breathing and die.
it is such a horrible feeling,im waking up every morning with it and its with me all day and by bed time it is 10 times worse.
ive have been to the doctors and they prescribed me diazipam and tamizipam to help me relax,they did work and i slept like a log,but felt realy rough the next day.
the doctor wanted me to go to a sleep clinic as it was waking me in the night,but i feel like this would be a waste of every ones time.
i am going to the doctors again about this because i feel it is taking over my life..i read above about it may be "chronic hyperventilation syndrome"
im glad to read its not just happening to me,and im not going mad...because thats how the doctors make me feel when i keep telling them about it...they see me coming and say "that nutters here again"

[gracenstyle]

I am a 31 year old female with frequent SOB. I have had my SOB for many years with a frequency of about 10 episodes per year. SOB starts about one week before my period, as far as I have noticed. One time I thought that I was going to die and leave my little girl and my husband behind. Mom heard me saying my goodbyes and she insisted to take me to the hospital. The doctor did breathing test, bloodwork, chest xray, echo and gave me a clean bill of  health. I also got my period right there at the hospital. The SOB were gone. That was about 3 months ago, and now I feel that they are back: fifth day choking and gasping for air. I am a dentist, and it is uncomfortable and embarassing to take deep and loud breaths right above someone's head.
Well, I am thinking that it could be hormonal and it could be due to fluid accumulation in the body, maybe. I am thinking that it could be some form of inflammation as my SOB usually coinsides with horrible outbrakes on my face. And then again this could also be from stress, as I get very moody and irritable during my PMS. God, if it goes away with my period, I feel like I will be on to something.
I will try the breathing excercises as I noticed some improvement. I will research more about GERD: one time I threw up and my SOB started right then, so the acid could be the trigger. Watching salt and sugar intake is important as it can make you retain more water. I remember my dad (who had a heart attack years ago) had a heart failure and could not breath, my mom took him to the hospital and they gave him lasic (diuretic) and he felt better. He was told to avoid salt and foods with lots of sodium.
I could never go on Paxil or other antidepressants, they give you dry mouth and cavities, in addition to make you feel like a "space cadet", and thank you to those who attested to their ineffectiveness.
God help us in our search for the solution to our SOB.

[LB71]

To: gracenstyle...

I'm a 22yo female and have also experienced the same symptoms you have described, (difficulty taking a "deep breath", frequent yawning, etc), and I have noticed that the symptoms are much worse right before my period as well! I don't know if there is a connection - maybe it is the extra hormone levels? It drives me crazy, and although I try not to worry about it, which only exacerbates the problem, but sometimes I can't help it. I've had the symptoms for about 3 years now off and on. I've tried to explain the symptoms to one or two doctors but I'm pretty sure they think I'm crazy.

I also work in the medical field, and although I try to be realistic about the symptoms (I am perfusing my tissues well, my oxygen sats are good, no finger clubbing or asthma attacks), I do get nervous thinking about the bad diagnoses that come with SOB. What if I have early pulmonary hypertension? Sarcoidosis? Pulmonary Fibrosis? I guess I really need to have a full work up one of these days, but since I have lived with it for a while I just try to ignore my symptoms.

Anyway, I feel somewhat comforted I found this community and so many people have the same symptoms. I suppose it is disheartening to live with, but at the same time it appears as if most of us are relatively healthy. Hopefully these symptoms are a precursor to nothing dangerous! If I figure anything out I will be sure to let everyone know.

[Malegria]

I had severe shortness of breath since I was 14 ( I am 31 now), has been checked for every possible pulmonary problem and it turned out I am healthy  - my heart and lungs are perfect.It started after I experienced a lots of stress, and at first stress provoked it, but a couple of years later the sob could start all of a sudden without any specific reason at all.I even had my thyroid checked (for constant fatigue) - nothing! I`ve been through so many doctors since I was a kid  - I`ve even been treated for bad back because of my symptoms.Eventually the doctor told me it is an anxiety attack (though as I said it  can happen anytime even if I am not stressed at all) and sob and fatigue is all the result of it.Some years later it got a bit better ( I started using antidepressants) but I started to yawn and fatigue became worse. Now I also got the shortness of breath, it feels like my throat tightens up and I have trouble swallowing (saliva, not food or drink), also my throat has an achy sensation, not like a sore throat, but dull.I had my tonsils removed anyway, so it`s not the issue...
Valium does not help me. Excercise like cardio make it worse for me, but pilates makes it better. It is no difference to me how much I weigh, it`s been the same when I was skinny, and it didn`t change since I gained weight.Vitamin B complex and niacin helps with fatigue, but not much.I am very sleepy all the time.It gets sometimes pretty frustrating, which contributes to sob.

[Breathless123]

I had this very same problem.  For no apparent reason I had these bouts of not being able to take a deep breath.  My troubles with breathing went from occasional, to... constant.  My answer for why this was happening came when I saw a chiropractor.  I knew that back muscles are an issue when experiencing some types of breathing problems, so, long story short... I went to a chiropractor for a consult and was told that certain spots, if misaligned, may result in trouble breathing.  There is actually an area, if misaligned, that will cause breathing problems during exercise that may present symptoms similar to exercise induced asthma.   I had nothing to lose, so I started with treatment.  An X-ray, and weekly (x3 to start with) "adjustments".  Within 2 adjustments I had noticed I could breath "normally".  No kidding.  

I had visited forums like this one a TON of times, trying to figure out WHY I couldn't take a deep breath.  It was so unnerving to me.  It had me antsy and frustrated... I just started my treatments/(adjustments) a couple of weeks ago and I'm so relieved that I'm touring the boards I sought help on to spread the word about how I found an answer to my problem.  Maybe it can help others.  I had visited my physician about this problem a couple of times, but never once was this angle approached.  

Anyway, I hope this helps someone.  

About me - I'm a mid 30's female.  Pretty healthy.  Normal height and weight for my age.  Active... no health problems, really...

[tova661]

oh my , i am so glad that i am not the only one who cant breath, the carb thing does make it worst and right befor my period ialso feling like my breathing is worst, mine didi start 2 months ago when i was very stressed but even now that the stress has passed i still dont breath well, i do breath pretty well when i am not thinkig about it, they thoght i have astma but the inhaler isnt really fixing it. my upper back and my shoulders and my neck are also in alot of pain for the last 2 months i guess its from being tense, now i am tense from not being able to breath ant that is just a visious cycle, i try to stay calm and not think about my breathing so much its really hard but there is no other way.

[gmichael66]

Go see your gastroenterologist. I feel terrible so many have suffered for so long. Mine started the day after Superbowl as I ate like a pig. I have had GERD for some time, and let it go untreated, often eating lying down and eating then going right to bed, waking up choking cause the food has blocked my airway. In time it does damage. A hiatal hernia, a sliding hiatal hernia along with GERD can cause you to be unable to catch your breath and have to yawn to breathe.
I too went the route of the heart, the lungs, anxiety, bullockd ! I have no anxiety, I am a happy , well adjusted person..but I do believe I have anxiety from this problem.
Anyway, I have tests schedulued for tomorrow, and I have been put on prilosec its been four days now and am breathing better than I have been since this episode started.

I also can catch my breath if I burp, eat small meals, and drink water.

Consult your local pharmacist believe it or not, they are smarter sometimes than doctors and all told me I had GERD.Hiatal hernia issues before I knew it. THe flap that allows food into your stomach has been compromised and can usually be cleared up with medication, in some cases, minor surger called a fund-o-something or other.

Dont give up, hang in there, I pray and relate to you all, and I hope we all can get better from this.


Peace and love
Geoffrey

[gracenstyle]

I gather from reading these comments that we are all very health-conscious and that most of us are relatively healthy. I now believe that I am a healthy woman who is not dying of heart failure. My medical tests have all pointed to this.
I have been experimenting with allergy theory, actually more like hypersensitivity theory. I am not on any meds, so the only ways the allergens can get into my system is through the air and food.
I have read about gluten allergies. Gluten is a sticky protein found in whole grains like wheat and barley. It is sticky and very allergenic. Chronic exposures to allergens result in tightness in the chest and shortness of breath as one of the symptoms. Other symptoms could be lack of energy and lots of inflammation everywhere in the body. Basically, your body is on "fire" when exposed to allergens resulting in edema (swelling).
I cut out bread immediately. Along with my "100% whole grain" favorite bread from costco that I had every morning for breakfast (2 slices), I cut out all wheat products including all the junk made of flour. My diet consists of salads, lean proteins, egg, milk etc. I just adopted the celiac disease diet. I started feeling better right away. No more sob.
Then came a flu and throat infection and Amoxicillin. I think that I am allergic to Penicillin, because after 6 days I started having a major sob. I have been off Amoxicillin for 2 days now and the sob is just subsiding now.
So, my experiment was contaminated with my sensitivity to Penicillin.
I am still sticking to my no wheat diet celiac disease diet. I hope that when I am cold-free, I will have more convincing results. What do you think about it???????

[gracenstyle]

"I don't intend to imply that everyone has gluten sensitivity, but I do think the totality of the data are thought-provoking. They also include the association between the introduction of wheat to non-industrial populations and the development of widespread health problems. Another thing to keep in mind is that traditional sourdough fermentation breaks down a portion of gluten, possibly explaining the rise in gluten sensitivity that has paralleled a shift to quick-rise yeast breads. I believe that gluten sensitivity is behind many modern ills, and should be on the short list of suspects in the case of unexplained health problems. This is particularly true of digestive, autoimmune and neurological disorders. Gluten sensitivity is easy to address: stop eating gluten for a few weeks. See how you feel. Reintroduce gluten and see what happens. You might learn something about yourself."
"Researchers took gut biopsies from celiac patients and asymptomatic controls. Five out of six asymptomatic controls showed elevated interleukin-15, a marker of innate immune activation, upon exposure to gliadin. An activated innate immune system (commonly called 'inflammation') is associated with a wide array of chronic diseases, from obesity to cancer to cardiovascular disease."
"Feeding wheat bran to "healthy" volunteers caused them to burn through their vitamin D reserves at an accelerated rate. I think this underlines what I've come to believe about wheat: it's problematic for a large proportion of the population, perhaps the majority."
Any thoughts?

[kimikoo]

I too suffer from sob and yawning helps A LOT. I am 49 and it started for me about 12 years ago.  I was on the stairmaster at the gym and all of a sudden I could not catch my breath.  I got off and had to walk around and basically talk myself down.  I felt dizzy but didn't want to sit down. My heart was racing. I am healthy and active and lift weights.  After that, when I would try to go to sleep, I could not catch my breath, then I would panic and it made it worse.  I would have to go outside for fresh air.  I went to the Dr. and they said it was anxiety.  I was given Ativan.  I was on it for a few years but it made me less functional.  I tried breathing techniques  but that only made me focus more on the problem. I did not have a stressful job at the time but I have always been a nervous person. (instilled by my mother) I now own a business and it has gotten worse (no kidding) but I have learned to manage it for the most part.  I developed anxiety attacks and the shortness of breath gets worse during the attacks but I have learned to manage those as well.  I have decided that I don't handle stress very well but it still feels like I have something medically wrong.  All the yawning makes my lungs hurt and tight. How can something come on so sudden and stay with you for so long.  I did have walking pneumonia a couple of years prior to this happening so I wonder if that might have contributed.  I know I am all over the map here but it is frustrating as you all know.  It's nice to know that i am not alone here and although I see many different things happening with everyone, there is a common thread in the yawning and needing to breath.  I suffer in silence because no one knows what the heck I'm talking about when I try to explain.  Maybe someone has a similar story.

[Voyager92]

I was reading something online about this, because i have it too. I dont remember the webpage but, it said something about releasing too much carbon dioxide and it causes tingling, its like being in a constant state of hyperventilation, at a almost unoticable level. I got this since i had a panic attack 2 weeks ago. What happens is you are trying to breath into your chest instead of into your stomache. I read a whole paper on it, try breathing into your stomache, through your nose at a slow rate, at about 6-10 breaths a minute.

[1cobra1]

I believe I figured out what is causing everyone's breathing problem. My breathing problem is the same as all of you described. It began after I took a red rice yeast supplement for a week. I believe this breathing problem is a result of an internal yeast infection. The yeast infection is competing with your body for resources. Some of you have described sugar type foods or rice etc that makes it worse. Well if you research yeast infections you will find that sugar, flour, rice, pasta, and anything that converts to sugar will within a short time make the infection grow out of control. Some of you state that doctors find nothing wrong. A doctor has to specifically test for it. My research has found a test that you can do to see if its a yeast infection. In the morning after waking up spit into a clear glass of water. If the spit starts to sink in a stringy spider web manner then its most likely a yeast infection.  The way to get rid of it is to avoid all sugars, pasta, rice, breads and anything that will convert to sugar. Also don't take antibiotics. The good bacteria in your intestines kills the yeast infection. When you take antibiotics it kills the good bacteria in your intestines which in turn will make the yeast infection grow out of control. Also take acidophilus tablets for several weeks. This is the good bacteria your stomach needs. I found them in Vons Grocery store in the vitamin section. . If you eat yogurt which has Acidophilus the sugar in the yogurt will negate the good effect of increasing the good bacteria by feeding the Yeast infection sugar. I wish all of you good luck in curing your health problems.

[brian42783]

I think I may have an answer.  I too have had the same symptoms as most of you.  I'm a healthy 25 year old male who two weeks back was playing basketball for 2.5 hours straight regularly with no breathing prolems at all.  About 2 weeks ago, out of nowhere sitting at my desk, I just began not being able to get a full breath and had to yawn many times to do so.  This has lasted for the past three weks or so where i could not get a full breath.  I went for all the tests (heart, chest x-ray, pulmonologist,etc).  Everything was okay.  I was stumped went down every road and could not figure it out. I originally dismissed the possibility of acid refulx/GERD because I had no signs of it any nothing was coming up on me.  However, I started noticing, like many of you while I was eating and after it seemed to be worse, and some belching a few times a day.  I started taking the Prilosec two days ago and it has been substantially helping.  Also, stress and anxiety along with certain foods can cause this.  I am going to continue to take the Prilosec but I am pretty certain a combination of stress (continuous researching and worying about it) along with the GERD is the problem.  Also I went back to all of the previous posts since 2007 not only on this forum, but others where people expressed the same exact symptoms and have found in 95% of the cases people indirectly mentioned a symptom of GERD as a cause (i.e. they didnt know why after caffeine,alcohol, eating foods made it worse, etc.) however never thought that was the problem.  Like I mentioned I never even thought it could be that but I am pretty sure thats what it is.  I will continue to take the Prilosec and watch what and how much I eat and try to relax and see how I feel.  I just wanted to share this as it has definitely helped me so far for the past couple of days.  I think this may be the problem as well for many of you and when i went back to read posts over that I had previously read it all started making sense to me.  Please try this and post any of your results here if it did in fact help.  Good luck to all.

[1cobra1]

I forgot to mention that you need to drink one eight ounce glass of sugar free Cranberry juice in the morning and one at night.

[herbstmd]

I too arrived here through a google search on getting deep breaths and frequent yawning.  I'm going through another episode of this problem which has plagued me on an off for years.  I have a bit of stress in my life now but I do not feel unhappy, depressed, or like the stress is causing any other discomforts in my life.  In fact, I have felt far more anxiety-ridden at other times in my life and have had no air-hunger whatsoever.

Like many of the posters before me, I am relieved to know that there are other people out there who have this problem, but I don't know that it makes the symptoms any better.  I also have heart palpitations but they don't typically happen frequently enough to catch them on a monitor.

Some things that I feel may be associated with this are caffeine, stress (though, as I said, I do not feel stressed, depressed, or anxious), heart palpitations, spring (I have no idea why this would be the case, but I have this most often in the spring time), eating, and being overly conscious about my breathing.

I'm so tired of yawning as frequently as I have been, and all I want is a good night of sleep.  It certainly makes me feel anxious when I'm trying to yawn all day long and can't sleep well at night!  

Thanks to all of the people who posted about this--it's nice to at least have people who understand and with whom I can commiserate!!!

Maggie

[88888]

I have shortness of breath on and off for many years and I can soften the problem by burbing. It seems to release the pressure. When I am conscious of my breathing I become breathless but when I am concentrating on something else the symptoms disappear. I have acid reflux and am taking Nexium. I am 69 yrs old and have not smoke for more than 25yrs. I am about to take a series of test to determine the cause.
James

[debbie58]

I've just read all these SOB posts going back to 07.  AAAARG!  This sounds like an awful condition.  I too become short of breath but have the luxury of a firm diagnosis. Emphysema-sounds bad but at least I know why I can't breath.  Good luck to all.  The gluten thing sounds like a winner to me.  I mean you all have these Dr.s telling you it's anxiety, WELL I think I would have anxiety(maybe even panic) attack if I couldn't breath and didn't know why.

[needair]

I have developed SOB since February.  At first it would only last about 10 minutes and go away.  I thought they were just panic attacks.  Then it started happening more often.  Now I have it all day.  I feel good in the morning, but as soon as I start thinking about it, I start having the SOB.
My doctor also seems to think its GERD.  I do have nausea with stomach aches and will burp often.  I have been taking Protonix for about a month, and my stomach feels much better; but I'm still out of breath.  My sister seems to think its anxiety.  I do suffer from depression and anxiety, but the SOB happens even when Im feeling fine.
I got a chest xray, eKg, blood test, spirometer test, and all came back normal.  I do have really bad seasonal allergies.  Oh well, I guess I will keep being persitent with my Doctor till he figures it out.

[gingincarlyle]

Hava, Thank you for posting breathing exercises!!!! I will start them today. Been having this problem for 2 years now. It started with an anxiety attack I think when my dad was in a nursing home with Alzheimer's and the stress was just unbearable. I had a melt down and my breathing has never been the same since. I too have gone through the feeling of it being reflux, asthma, ulcers etc. but I keep coming back to it being a tightening of the diaphragm during that original attack...it interrupted my breathing pattern I think. Maybe the tightness of the diaphragm constricts my digestive tract causing acid reflux? Acidic foods and stress aggravate it. I do not feel that I have any serious medical issue...just a contracting muscle that is inhibiting my breathing pattern. That's not to say it isn't debilitating. It has changed my life for two years but I am hopeful now that there is a breathing exercise to help. It makes sense to me to "retrain" the body to breath properly. I will report back in a month as to how it is working.

[WFLV]

I too have had recent breathing problems.  I need to take deep breaths, I'll yawn to get a better breath, and I notice any pain in my chest area.  I'm a 33 year old male in good shape, I go to the gym, I've ran a half marathon recently so it has been difficult for me to understand why this is happening.  I haven't gone to the doctors for the very reason that I'm reading all your posts.  There is nothing wrong with your breathing according to the Doc.  I don't want him telling me that, it will just **** me off more.
       It started shortly after I had been a heimlich recipient.  I was choking on popcorn chicken during work and to my surprise I could not get it out.  I had a coworker do the heimlich on me, she was doing it wrong so I placed her hands in the right place and started thrusting her hands into my stomach.  Since that day I've been fully aware of it happening again at anytime.  I can tell with most certainty that my breathing problems are related to anxiety of the upcoming meal I will be eating.  I do much better around people.  For awhile even when I'm by myself and I'm not thinking about eating I still have the feeling of never getting enough air.  I'm sure most of you are afraid to do this but try it, it seems to work for me.  Do more breathing out then in and see how that helps.  I feel good in the morning and don't have any trouble breathing until my day starts.  I'm not conscious of it when I'm sleeping so I'm guessing I'm not fully awake before I can start building up my anxiety.  As I'm typing to you now I'm breathing more out then in and I don't feel the need to breath in as deep as possible to get a breath.  It's all in my head I hope.  It's good to see so many with the same problem and I can't imagine having to deal with this for 20 more years.  I hope you all find your key to better breathing because this is not a good feeling.  

[HecatesMoon]

ok...so it's not just me.  The lung specialist told me that some people become hyper aware of their own breathing.  She said it can happen to anyone, any age, regardless of health.  Something in the brain just clicks and says, "Hey! I'm breathing!"  She said they don't know why it happens, it just does.
I asked her how to fix it.  She says there's no "cure".  For some people, the problem simply passes.  Other people have to learn to live with it.  She said it may be linked to anxiety.
Like a lot of people here I think, I find it difficult to accept all of this as an answer.  This is all in my head??? Could I possibly be that crazy???  No!  Surely not!  
I am still struggling with it, like a lot of people here probably still are.  I hope this is a more in depth answer to understanding the supposed cause.

[rcipfw]

I just wanted to let everyone know this is Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome.  I wish I would have listened a year ago when somebody told me this but I thought NO WAY, I WOULD KNOW IF I WAS HYPERVENTILATING!  I could have saved myself a lot of distress and near nervous breakdowns if I would have listened then and would have started working on my breathing.  Instead I have suffered for 2 years with this and for over the first year I was stalking the internet looking for answers, coming across people on boards like these with similar symptoms but no answers.

There isn't a ton of information on the 'net, but enough to get a good idea what is going on if you google chronic hyperventilation, overbreathing, chronic overbreathing, chronic hyperventilation syndrome, ect.

Unfortunately the easy part is getting educated about the situation.  For some people that might be enough to make them aware of what they are doing and calm their nerves about their breathing.  I seem to be one of the special ones who does not get much relief simply by knowing that I do not have some freak life threatening illness.

I figure I have suffered long enough though and am currently embarking on really putting in the work to manage my symptoms and hopefully overcome them.  The buteyko method is supposed to be really helpful for dealing with this and I am going to give that a try.  

I really wish I would have listened and gave the breathing exercises and 'diagnosis' I had seen months earlier a go.  If you are plagued by these symptoms, please give it a shot and don't continue living with the fear that something horrible is wrong with you in which there are no answers.

[lvm6]

i'm wondering if it could have anything to do with a magnesium/potassium deficiency or some type of electrolyte imbalance. also is everyone here a mouth breather? i think if your blood is too acidic (or is it alkaline?) that it can cause shortness of breath.

[gingincarlyle]

I posted once before (July 13) and am giving an update. This forum and Hava's comments have been a blessing. Through further research I found a little book called "Close your mouth" by Patrick McKeown and he explains the syndrome (based on the previously mentioned Buteyko approach).

It is a book for asthmatics actually but the exercises apply to those of us who have Hyperventilation Syndrome. As I understand it, our breathing got thrown off due to stress, panic attacks, hyperventilation, etc. (due to the 'fight or flight'  response) and we all got stuck in that pattern...our bodies adjusted to it...the "fight or flight" response just didn't completely turn off.

So now we over breath, which makes us exhale a larger amount of CO2 than normal, which causes us to WANT more CO2...so we yawn to bring in more air and the cycle starts over again. We need to actually train our bodies to require LESS air so we exhale less CO2. When the body is deprived of CO2 all kind of things get thrown off in our bodies including a narrowing of our airways...which gives that asthmatic feeling. Try to find the book or a similar one. Its too complicated to cover here.

The book gives a way of testing where you are in the cycle...called the Control Pause...once you know where you are you can figure how long you need to do the exercises until you turn it around. Asthmatics have a very short Control Pause of less than 10 seconds and most likely will need to do the exercises for life to keep things in check. Most of us probably are in the 20 range, that's why we are not fully asthmatic. We should be over 40 for symptoms to go away.

Based on the book I should be to a CP of 40 after 6 weeks. I stared it one week ago and already feel MUCH better. The exercises are basically a form of reducing your breath. Its hard. It takes about 30 minutes and your need for air must be DISTINCT so you feel deprived. You must incorporate things into your daily life: Learn to breath ONLY through your nose not your mouth. You must fight the urge to yawn/sigh and if you must yawn/sigh do only with mouth closed. Try swallowing, it sometimes will stop my yawn. Practice reduced breathing throughout your daily activities when possible. And when you get a little better you must work out...exercise increases CO2 too. Ugh!

I'll check back in late October to give you an update. I already feel better now than I have in 2 years! (and I've only been doing them for one week.) Have faith

[naytep]

I have had this problem all of my adult life. I am now 34 male. I am not sure is it relates but in my mind I have put it all together. I have ADD, I had panic attacs as a child that would sometimes cause hyperventilation. Also am Lactose intolerant. Going through a lot of stress recently and I have the breathing problem most of the day. I took aanxiety pill and it does seem to help, along with reading that I am not the only one. I have a Dr's appointment next week and I will discuss it further with him then. I am reasonably sure that it is hyperventilation syndrome. Just got back into going to the gym, I find it hard to keap my heart rate down during cardio type exercises. I will quickly go up to the 170bpm mark if not careful. At which time hyperventilation becaomes and issue as well as tightness in the scull and blured vision. If I stay below 150bpm I can maintain the cardio for 45min or so. I want to work harder. When I ave the breathing issues I also get some eye pain, sometimes headaches (in temples), tightness of the scalp, tunnel vision, etc. If I am in the gym I worry about passing out and the related embarasment. Of coarse the increased anxiety makes the problem worsen. I am working out at home until I get a handle on the problem. Hopefully by next week. Would love to hear others comments. Reading the posts has been helpful.

[gingincarlyle]

Posted several times before so giving an update like I promised. Did MUCH better while doing exercises and problem actually went away for a while but have had a lot of stress in life..business down, trouble paying bills, BF considering going to Afganistan...stress is back and so is beathing problem. Still not as bad as before doing excercises...but definitely a step back. It did work while I was doing excercises but I think even if you reverse it you have to keep it reversed for a while to retrain body. It did go away for about 2 weeks and that was a first in 2 years. Still hopeful, just need to get back to working on it.

[hava]

It is good to see that you have benefited from the breathing exercises. It is important to continue the breathing techniques to overcome the underlying problem, and build up the immune system. The pranayam help with stress and other medical conditions as well.
The breathing techniques are described in my April 18th, 2008 posting on this thread, for anyone who wants to benefit.

[george36]

Hooray! I think Ifound the main cause of my SOB. Today I had virtually no episodes of SOB. First time in months. Here’s how I did it.
Yesterday I got up about 5 am, made coffee, drank a couple cups, didn’t eat anything. No SOB. About  two hours later, took a shower, washed my hair and body, The SOB started, what could have cause it? I discovered I had a sensitivity to my highly scented shampoo and soap. Now this is the same good quality shampoo and soap I’ve been using for years. Only I never made the connection all these months, that I develooed an allergy type sensitivity to highly scented stuff.
Today, I used shampoo and soap that is non-scented and hypoallergenic and guess what, no SOB! Ihave since replaced hand soap, laundry soap and gotten rid of all the scented things that filled my house. Another thing, I have known for years that I cannot tolerate milk. (Milk is not good for everybody as the old commercials used to say.)
I hope this info helps others discover what‘s causing their problems.Your problem may not be the same as mine but you can use the same approach to find the causes. Start each day with a simple intake or action until something triggers your SOB.
By the way my family doctor did all the breathing and cardiac tests which did not raise any red flags and then refered me to an Allergist. This specialist tested me for several things and then said I didn’t have any allergies. But I still had SOB! My conclusion was if I was going to find the problem I had tto do it on my own. So, don’t giveup!
Here’s an interesting fact about being sensitive to scents.
Scents from natural sources don’t trigger allergies, only scents from chemicals do. ( According to my good friend Christine who had this problem for years)


      

[musicislife305]

Too many posts to read, but I'm sure someone already told you.... It's total anxiety related!! I've dealt with the same symptoms for YEARS until I was put on an anti-anxiety medication and no more SOB issues, no more yawning to catch my breath, etc.  I know this thread it old and I'm sure you've been treated already by now... hope you're doing better!!!

[musicislife305]

also, Acid Reflux/GERD comes hand in hand with anxiety!!! Zantac and all that nonsense did nothing for me.  Unfortunately, but thank god.... I turned to XANAX which saved my life!!!!

[natalie325]

omg it is so nice to know that other people have this absolutely maddening condition.  my air hunger started one night when i was watching tv, i noticed that i couldnt get a good deep breath so i started to force a yawn.  after several attempts i finally got one and was satisfied but than literally a couple minutes later i felt the need for another deep breath.  its crazy, if i dont get that deep breath i feel like i cant breathe even though i literally watch my stomach and chest going up and down breathing.  its really awful and nobody gets it so i dont even bother talking about it b/c beofre this happened to me i wouldnt have understood either.  im actually pregnant so it makes it worse because i used to have really bad anxiety and wahat helped me a lot was ativan and lexapro but im off all that stuff in case of risks to the baby.  this disorder comes on for a week and goes for a day or two.  there is no rhyme or reason to it.  when i have it, its like my brain is on this loop have to get that deep breath or im so unbearably uncomfortable.  if anyone has advice how to beat this thing would be grateful cause now i actually think i strained my back and chest from struggling all the time to get that never ending quenching of the deep breath

[hava]

You need oxygen for the brain and baby.When watching a thriller(or there is anxiety) you breathe less, and the body has to force you to get a deep breath. So try to do voluntary breathing whenever you can.This pranayam (breathing technique) will help you and is good for the baby as well, and keep doing it through the pregnancy and after.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 10 to 20  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.
Drink warm water and always sit down to drink.