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.
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.

[National Jewish]

You may have shortness of breath from an anatomic problem that caused the pain while you were engaged in yoga.  In addition to a chest x-ray, you need to have a thorough physical exam of your chest by a chest specialist, looking for point tenderness.

Excessive yawning is usually a sign of chronic anxiety.

[kellb]

I forgot to add that my first diagnosis was asthma but I didn't respond to advair/albuterol and ct scan showed clear lungs.

[Deralterus]

It sounds like and is symptomatic of a spontaneous pneumothorax, which caused the deflation of the left lobe of my lung.  Has your doctor performed a stethoscopic examination of your lung for rales or rattles in the lower quadrant?

[kellb]

Thanks for responding. My doctor says my lungs sound clear, but she is a GP.  I think I need to see a lung specialist.

[Deralterus]

I would recommend that.  I waited a long time, almost six weeks, before I saw a physician and received a proper diagnosis.  Fortunately, my lung healed and re-inflated in those weeks, but it could have very much worse.

[alexdb]

I have been feeling the same way.  I have been to the ER had all EKG's and stress  tests done all negative, also been to an asthma DR and to my primary.  I cannot get a deep breath without yawning  and my chest feels heavy.  When I wake up I feel fine but as the day goes on I feel like I am suffecating.  I was told it is anxiety, but it's not, I know it's not.  I have had anxiety my whole life and this is constant,  The symptoms described above sound just like mine.  I have been really depressed over this and it'd debilitating, as I cannot work or properly take care of my kids.  I feel like I am dying when I cant breathe.
My next step is pulmonologist.

Help!

[kellb]

Thanks for posting Alex.  I think doctors just automatically go to anxiety as an explanation when they can't find an answer.  I am not saying it's not one of many possible diagnosis, but I want to make sure that all possible causes have been investigated, especially given the extensive history of lung problems in my family. I have been a bit better the past several days, thanks to a deep tissue massage.  I am thinking more and more that I pulled something that is slowly healing.  I see a pulmonologist in a few days and if he doesn't get anywhere I'm considering acupuncture.  I was very depressed before things started to improve because I felt so overwhelmed by everyday tasks.  Instead of getting stuff done during my 2 year old's nap I would fall into bed, exhausted.  

I will keep you posted on my progress.  
Kelly

[lorisnails]

Hi...I'm new to these boards, but I am not new to this problem.  I have had this on and off for years.  It sometimes gets so bad.  Right now I am actively persuing every avenue until I finally get an answer.  I've had a perfect lung test, a perfect EKG, I am going to get an echocardiogram (picture pf the heart),and my recent lab results are normal.  I do have anxiety and sometimes take ativan for it and it helps a little, but I could be perfectly fine...nothing wrong..and it comes over me.  I am going to see my internest tomorrow as I haven't seen him yet this year.  These labs that I had and lung and EKG tests were ordered by my nurse practitioner last week when I had my annual womans exam.  It seems like nobody knows what this is and it's making me crazy.  Thanks for listening...any words of wisdom will surely be appreciated!
PS: I exercise regularly, don't smoke, eat mostly healthy, lead a clean lifestyle

[RoyalscrapQueen]

I have had similar symptoms, SOB and urgent need to yawn. I have to satisfy the need to yawn to get a deep breath that I feel like I HAVE to get. I have found after doing some research found this: Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome constantly and slowly depletes your blood of carbon dioxide. With too little carbon dioxide in the blood, receptors that should be bonding with CO2 end up bonding with oxygen instead. Ironically, your blood ends up having too little free oxygen available to your body's systems and organs.

As a result, all of your body's systems receive too little oxygen. That means your brain, your stomach, your muscles ... they're all getting slightly deprived of oxygen. As a result, you start having seemily unrelated symptoms in all these different areas of the body. Your doctor might send you to a gazillion specialists, trying to figure out what's wrong with your ears, or your stomach, or your brain. I, myself, was sent -- over the course of 7 months or so of doctoral confusion -- to an ear doctor, an allergist, and a neurologist before they finally figured out what was going on. Some people with HVS go through a lot more intrusive and expensive tests than I did.  Here is the list of the (**most common) symptoms:

    ** shortness of breath for no apparent reason
    **frequent sighing or yawning
    **chest pains
    **heart palpitations
    * sweating
    * syncope (fainting)
    * dizziness
    * trembling
    * slurred speech
    * cold, tingling, or numb lips or extremities
    * nausea or irritable bowel syndrome
    * aching muscles or joints, or tremors
    * tiredness, unsteadiness, or diffuse weakness
    * restless sleep, insomnia, or nightmares
    * sexual problems
    * anxiety or phobias
    * fear that perhaps you're a hypochondriac
    * dry mouth
    * pressure in throat or difficulty swallowing
    * bloating, belching, flatulence, or abdominal pain
    * impaired memory or concentration
    * confusion / disorientation
    * tinnitis (ringing in ears)
    * headaches
    * blurred vision, tunnel vision, double vision
    * tachycardia (rapid pulse)
    * depression
    * erratic blood pressure

[kellb]

I saw a pulmonologist last week and he said it's hyperventilation syndrome and that it probably began with the yoga injury changing my breathing pattern and throwing off the CO2 levels in my blood.  Since the original injury I have had periods where the SOB improves but it always returns.  The pulmonologist said this is probably due to stress/anxiety-the second I have a sensation of not being able to breathe I begin trying to breathe very deeply and throw off the CO2 levels again.  I am trying to meditate several times a day and to resist the urge to overbreathe.  It's very difficult but things are improving.  The pulm.  said if it doesn't stop completely I can take anti-anxiety meds that would get it under control, but I am trying the more holistic route first.
Royalscrapqueen's description of HVS is the about the best I have read anywhere.
Thanks to everyone for the info and support.

[shoshr]

Wow... this is scarily similar to the symptoms I have. Why is it that all these male doctors want to give me is Xanax when they can't hear me wheeze, but I'm not uptight or anxious - no more than anyone else would be if they couldn't breathe properly! However, when my pulmonologist did finally get my PFT done, it showed Obstructive Hyperinflation, which means that I can't empty my lungs properly, and I'm wondering if this is compatible with Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome or if it rules that out?

Does anyone know? No medicine I'm taking is helping.

My dr says that I have asthma not COPD because my diffusion rate is good, but nothing is helping, not pulmicort, xopenex, albuterol, or anything else they give me for asthma. I have good days and bad days. A good day is when I can move around fairly freely, as long as I don't move too fast or do too much, a bad day is when I have to stay in my bed or armchair, and even then need my inhaler or nebulizer several times a day. I'm only 41, with three young kids & a home business; but suddenly I've become disabled. My dr wants to do another PFT in 2-3 months, but I don't understand why I have to wait that long; I'm sure he wouldn't wait that long if it was him!

Any ideas anyone!?? I'm desperate!

Shosh

[fightingdove]

At the end of October '06 I took a nasty fall on my chest and shoulder. 5 days later I started experiencing symptoms that have made me feel like I may be having a heart attack. These especially occur when I am lying down and sometimes wakes me from sleep. As I am falling asleep I feel my breath getting shorter and slower and it feels like it's going to stop. I could swear that it has stopped, waking me from a sleep with a rapid heart rate. I've been to cardiologists, neurologists, gastroenterologists, pulmonologists and no-one seems to know the cause. I am only 33 although I did smoke for 14 years. I stopped as soon as this started. I also get the SOB during the morning and day but I feel like I can handle it then. It's when I'm falling asleep and it feels like it's stopping that scares me.

[annie44]

'm so glad I stumbled on this site. I'm a professional landscaper, female, 44 years old, very petite and in excellent shape, though the hard physical labor is beginning to wear on me. In October, near the end of an extremely strenuous 2-week job that involved moving by hand lots of large river rock, shoveling gravel and digging trenches, I started to feel "toxic," and my breathing became rapid and shallow. I thought I was suffering from lactic acid build-up, as I had really pushed myself too hard. The job ended, but the symptoms didn't abate for a week. As of this writing, I don't feel "sick" anymore, but this breathing thing is driving me nuts. It comes and goes, sometimes seems worse on sitting or being idle, sometimes worse on exertion. No real rhyme or reason to it. The symptoms include a need to draw frequent deep breaths to feel satisfied, tightness in the upper chest, yawning to get a deep breath. I haven't been to a doctor about this, and from reading the various posts, I'm not sure it would do any good. I'm not interested in taking narcotics. Was wondering if anyone also feels pain or tenderness in any of the ribs when pressed? I'm definitely going to look into chronic hyperventilation syndrome. What else can be done to treat this, or is it something that will go away with time? Thanks!

[Kassora]

WOW!

Annie44 I have experienced these exact same symptoms for a year now.... I have taken every test and everyone says I am in perfect health.

I also need to yawn.. the tightness in my chest gets painful.. and under my ribs.. especially my right side gets very sore to the touch.

The doctors have ruled out everything.  In fact, I am 36 years old, and I had comments that I have some of the clearest pictures taken.

It is SO frustrating.. I even changed my primary care doctor hoping that maybe the doctor I had for 5 years was losing his mind.

Now the new doctor is saying it might be Fibromyalgia but I have read the symptoms for that and that just dont seem right..

Where is Doctor House when you need him???!!  

Any suggestions?

[annie44]

Yes, where is Dr. House when you need him?!

I forgot to note a few things in my first post:

1)I have a glob of mucus (gross, I know) that seems to be permanently lodged in my throat. Wonder if that could contribute to the symptoms? Also, when swallowing it feels as though I have some sort of constriction, as liquids seem to get hung up for a few seconds where that glob has taken up residence, then slowly trickle on down to the ol' stomach....what gives??

2) Since my symptoms seemed to have been kicked off by the extreme physical work I did, I looked up exercise-induced acidosis. I read somewhere online, can't remember the site, that said lactic acidosis could cause respiratory damage. Anyone know anything about this? I read somewhere else that you could check your acidity level using pH test strips that are used to measure pH in fish tanks. Sounds weird, but at the time I was desperate. I bought some and checked my urine, and sure enough, it turned the darkest color possible. Does that mean I was suffering from lactic acidosis? I tested it several times that day and it remained high. The next day, it was better, and by the third it registered normal.

I continue to experience a frequent need to yawn, a need to force yawning to get a satisfying breath, and to draw in deep breaths (which isn't always easy). Sometimes, when I can get a good breath in, I hold it and it feels good, like it's expanding my lungs/chest. I don't really get short of breath, to the point of panting or wheezing or anything like that.

Finally, I wonder if anyone if anyone with this problem has tried an oxygen bar "treatment," and if that helped at all?

Thanks...

[Kassora]

Holding a deep breath and stretching my tight chest feels wonderful to me also.

I also feel like I have stuff in my throat - but I have came to the conclusion that there is nothing really there, just feels like it.  I have tried to force myself to cough it up.. gargled with salt water, listerine, etc.. and nothing...  and it has recently affected my nose, ears, eyes... I feel real congested in my face - this just started recently.

I have also noticed that "sometimes" I get a slight rash under my ears, on my chest, and sometimes on my abdomen - Although very faint. Does not itch.. is just a discoloration.

Before this happened to me, I worked out at least 5 days a week. Both weights and arobic exercise.. I was forced to stop... - I have gained 30 pounds since this started. I am not sure if it is due to little exercise or due to whatever is wrong with me.

I dont cough anything up and I dont weeze or cough.  My pulmanologist said that no breathing treatments would help me since my lungs are very clear.  She went ahead and let me try one in her office to see if it helped at all.  I stayed on it for about 15 minutes, and no improvement... least for me.

I also get occasional acid reflux... I wonder if I should look into this acidosis thing.. and wonder if it is related.

I had my gallbladder removed about 3 years ago.. but according to the doctors, it is not related to my problems.

This whole thing is very frustrating. I feel like I am falling apart.

I thought maybe it was a allergic reaction to something, so I changed everything, laundry detergent, toothpaste, shampoo, food I was eating... there is just no rhyme or reason for it.

Your symptoms seems very similar... if you hear anything.. anything at all from doctors, friends, web.. please share.. Thanks so much,

Kass

[lorisnails]

Sounds all too familiar.  What has everyone been doing to try to manage this while we are dealing with these maddning symptoms?

[Kassora]

There isnt much that seems to help. I have also found that I am a lot more sensitve to the cold lately.

I drink very hot tea (no sugar) that sometimes seems to take the edge off - although it does not kill the pain all the way. I sleep on my stomach (half way with one leg keeping the pressure off my abdomen).. If I lay on my right side it seems worse... although sometimes it is worse on the left.. but mostly the right. I lay down on the floor and stretch my chest area as much as possible. I take in deep breaths that although only help momentarily, it is a moment of peace. I dont exercise too much. I try to sit in a chair that leans back a bit so the pressure is not on my lower chest and abdomen. I dont eat much during one setting.. a full stomach makes it hurt.

If I think of more I will post it... but honestly, nothing takes it away completely... besides time. Although the tightness seems to always be there sometimes it is REALLY bad, and others it is just idle. There does not seem to be anything that triggers it.

It is weird... I want Dr. House.. :(

What are somethings you have tried?  

[Dirtbikin]

I have had this problem since 1997. I've always had it a little, I think, but it never caused me a problem. Then in 1997, I took a cold run in November. Suddenly it plagued me for days, waking me up at night needing to yawn and feeling that I was suffocating or drowning. I got dizzy from the disruption of my normal breathing cycle. I thought I was having heart problems and had every test done. Everything was fine. Heart. Lungs. Upper G.I. all okay.

That was ten years ago, it is still with me, and no one seems to know what it is. When I exercise it gets worse. I can lift weights and be pretty much okay. Even play soccer and it doesn't get too bad. Cycling can make it worse. But jogging makes it unbearable. I'm fine when I'm running - plenty of energy - so it isn't my heart or lungs. It comes on after I exercise and can hang around for days, eventually subsiding but always lurking there in the background. But it doesn't seem to be anything life threatening, so don't worry about dying from this. It won't kill you. Or hasn't killed me yet.

I can say that I too have suffered from anxiety so there seems to be a common thread there. But I'm now on medication for it and the SOB hasn't changed. (Doctors did try to tell me it was anxiety and even tried to relate that to the exercise.) But there are certain foods that make it worse. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate. Coffee. Beer. Sometimes spicy food. Interestingly, chocolate, coffee, and beer all alter brain chemistry. But they also alter stomach chemistry.

My own theory is that I have some mild gerd. I do have infrequent severe heartburn, but running nearly always causes some esophogeal discomfort. (Chocolate, coffee, and beer are all hard on the stomach.) So I've got a mild acid problem, and the routing of my vagas nerve is such that the reflux irritates it, stimulating among other things, a yawn reflex. I think some of my anxiety might result from this as well.

So, it won't kill me, but it does limit me. Something changed back there in 1997 because I have always been very active. Then, that day... and I've had trouble ever since. I can say I was under some SEVERE stress at that time, so there might be a relationship. Either way, I'm an author and if I ever get rich the first thing I'm going to do is check into the Mayo Clinic and find out what the hell this is! Even if they can't do anything about it, I still want to know. :-)

[LadyAftermath]

Finally there are people who feel my pain!

I have had this shortness of breath problem since the summer of 2004.  I have no idea why it started.  I am a 24 year old female, with not really any significant health problems.  I don't smoke.  The SOB thing just started happening one day and I don't know why, and it hasn't gone away.  

I've gone to doctors, they have ALL told me it's anxiety, and I think that's just their way of saying they don't know what else it is.  It might be anxiety, but I don't really think I have too much anxiety.  And usually I have the breathing problem when I'm relaxing or watching TV or something.  Plus, I have tried anxiety pills and they just make me relaxed, but don't help the breathing.

I have heard it could be acid reflux.  However, I never have any symptoms of acid reflux.  I don't ever get heartburn.  The problem worsens when I am lying down though, and it definitely worsens when I am eating.  I also don't ever eat spicy foods, and even foods like tomatoes (which cause acid reflux), I eat only every now and then.

The problem just feels like I'm not getting enough air, and I constantly have to yawn or breathe really deeply to feel normal.  Sometimes it is hard to get that deep breath, and it can be really annoying.  Plus, it is ongoing.  It will last for hours sometimes.  Nothing seems to help.

I really don't know what it is, and it's driving me insane.  No doctor seems to know.  I don't have any symptoms of anything else.  I don't have any pain whatsoever, just problems breathing.  Exercise doesn't seem to make it worse, usually just sitting/lying down or eating.  Sometimes nothing at all.  

I also never ever burp.  I don't know if that's related to it somehow, but I get like a weird gurgling in my chest all the time after I eat.  Maybe that's part of it, I have no idea.

If someone has these same symptoms, and has found out what it is or what can help it, PLEASE let me know.  It is ruining my life.

[leslieannwill]

hi, I am new here but I am so glad I found this page.  I have been researching the internet for almost a year trying to find out what is wrong with me.  I have been reading all of the postings above and I am astounded.  I have the exact symptoms as every one of you.  I yawn excessively to get a deep breath, actually make myself yawn.  I sometimes feel I am going to smother and it scares me to death, this in turn causes my heart to race.  It will wake me up out of a sound sleep.  I am 37 years old and I went to the ER one year ago in December for shortness of breath and of course was told it was anxiety.  I have had anxiety most of my adult life and knew that was not what it was.  I had a CT scan of my lungs, chest xray, EKG, nuclear stress test, PFT, labs and all said I was as healthy as a horse, couldn't find anything wrong other than being a little  overweight.  I have also attended sleep clinic because my Dr. thought maybe it was sleep apnea, which I do have and have the CPAP but that has not stopped the problems.  I am going back to the doctor this week to let my doctor know SOMEONE has got to figure out what is wrong with me.  If someone has any new information please share.

[Dirtbikin]

The first thing we need to do is give this a name. If having restless legs can be a syndrome and get an congressional investigation, we ought to get come visibility. How about Frequent Yawning Syndrome? FYS. SOB means shortness of breath and I don't have that. I have Frequent Yawning so SOB doesn't really describe. Any other ideas on what to call it???

As far as figuring out what causes it, modern science hasn't even agreed on WHY we yawn in the first place. Maybe I'm just perpetually bored with life. Perhaps bungie jumping would help?

[Kassora]

I like Frequent Yawning Syndrome... FYS... if nothing else it allows me to not type everything out.. :)

I hate the fact that yal are sick... but I love the fact that I am not alone.

Maybe we should all send this thread to our doctors?

I do not have anxiety... nor do I think American Idol would cause me anxiety (that is when it got really bad yesterday)... It is not anxiety.

My doctor suggested that too...

Katt

[Chapm]

I am so glad that I found this site.  I do not have SOB, but I do take deep breaths and yawn a lot.  When I do this, I feel a little bit of resistance, and then I feel the breath going in.  I do not have pain, but I find this very uncomfortable deep breathing and yawning all the time.  I just noticed that I am having some discomfort to my left lower side in the back, when I am taking these deep breaths.  My physician also told me that it was from anxiety, and it probably did start when I was having a lot of anxiety.  I do agree that I have anxiety, but I do not feel that I am anxious all the time, and I do not understand why this occurs when I do not even feel anxious.  Okay, if it is caused by chronic anxiety, how can I make it stop.  I have been trying to do controlled breathing techinques, but I do not feel like that is really helping.  I just want this to stop, and I would not think that doing this deep breathing and yawning is good to do all the time.

[leslieannwill]

I agree with the last post, it cannot be good on your heart, it is putting stress on your heart.  I also feel like it is worse after I eat for some reason.  So when someone figures this out please let the rest of us know.  By the way I did print out this string and will be taking to my doctor so to show her and maybe this will help lead her in the right direction to finding the problem.  Will keep you posted.

[Kassora]

I like Frequent Yawning Syndrome... FYS... if nothing else it allows me to not type everything out.. :)

I hate the fact that yal are sick... but I love the fact that I am not alone.

Maybe we should all send this thread to our doctors?

I do not have anxiety... nor do I think American Idol would cause me anxiety (that is when it got really bad yesterday)... It is not anxiety.

My doctor suggested that too...

Katt

[shruby]

hi all,
I do have prob. of respiration.
It happend instantly when one day 2 yrs. ago I was moving outside my college campus.
Now situation is that, whenever I want to sleep, I feel shortness of breath and have to yawn, the process continues till I fell asleep. While in normal times ie stanalone position or sitting I don't have any problem. I am scared by this situation.
Pls do help
email: ***@****

[_junglist]

wow and here i was thinking i was the only one. i have the symptoms above, and can say i know what you are going through. ive been to many doctors and have had several different tests done over the year and a bit that ive had this. i noticed that "satisfying breath" feels like you are stretching your lungs like you would when you wake up and stretch. that relieving feeling of getting out all the wrinkles and blockages. the last doctor i was at said he had heard a couple people come in and describe the symptoms mentioned on this site when i told him about them, and said that its possible that my lungs just needed to stretch out and the breathing/yawning should hopefully phase out. the only problem i have with this is ive had it for over a year, say 450 days, and i have to get this "breath" a good amount over 10 times a day, but to keep it simple lets say 10 times a day times 450 days = 4500 breaths, but i wouldnt be surprised if it was in the 10,000+ area. how many until it stops?

of the results of the tests i had done, one test showed i had insufficient oxygen going to my heart, but from the tests from when i went to the ER it said my heart was healthy, another test said i had a small amount of heart block, but then a deeper test showed again i have a healthy heart. i took a breathing test and it showed my lungs are 25% bigger then most people my age and take in 19% more oxygen. according to all the tests i should not have anything wrong with me but i clearly do. i dont think this is known to north american doctors. my family doctor has passed it off as anxiety, and none of the other ones can put their fingers on it.

has anyone found a solution to their problem yet? it seems to be so rare and 90% of the doctors ive been to dont know what im trying to tell them, and i think because doctors are trained to perscribe drugs and perform surgery, they might not be the ones to look to for help. i would love to hear anything else you guys have to say about this, im going to try to read up on some things and show some of this to my family doctor to see what she says, although its probably going to be "anxiety". if i find anything worth knowing ill post it here.

Peace

[_junglist]

this website might be of interest, this might be chronic hyperventilation like scrapqueen and kellb said, i cant believe i missed that at first. good luck

http://buteyko.ie/blog/?cat=8

[leslieannwill]

I went to the site that junglist suggested and it sounds like this may very well be the problem, but it did not really give you any suggestions on how to stop the breathing problem.  I would like to know what techniques you can try to correct, just to see if it works.

[Kassora]

Some of the symptoms are the same.. but there are problems.  I have no cough at all, I dont weeze... I dont have asthma.. I have been tested. Plus, I dont think it is related to stress.. my tightness does not come on at any particular event.. including stressful ones.

There is no particular rhyme or reason for it really.

Now, I do know that the pulmonologist (sp) did say I had a very nice oxygen intake and my lung capacity was a little higher.. so that part is similar, but I dont think it is related to what they say it is related to. I have also tried to breath through my nose and to relax my breathing to test this to see if it helps.. nothing so far. It does say it can take up to 8 weeks of managing your breathing to help... who knows.

Thanks for posting this, maybe there is something to it, but I honestly think it is not due to stress or any enviromental issues.

Kass

[mianlee]

I too fine that at times during the day I need to take deep, HARD breaths just to satisfy my need to breathe.  This usually happens when I am about to start eating.  I feel like I cannot breathe when I eat and therefore have to take deep, hard breaths in between each mouthful of food.  Eventually I just stop eating as it gets too uncomfortable and I start getting anxious.  I feel like I am not getting enough oxygen.  I went to a lung specialist and she did not think there was  anything wrong with my lungs as the spirometer test I dis was very good - got to 500..  I don't get out of breath like panting or breathing short and fast.  I just feel I need a lot of very deep breaths from time to time and I also do not breathe from my chest but from my abdomen which is supposed to be really good breathing.  So, I don't know what's wrong.  I also suffer terribly from chronic anxiety and hd been on Zoloft for 2 years ...not on it now , so anxiety is high but even on the Zoloft I still got this breathing thing going on though not as often as now.  

Does anyone find that they get this need for deep hard breaths while eating and eventually have to stop because it is unbearably uncomfortable???

[maxangel]

Wow! And here I thought I was the only one!! LOL

About two months ago, I found I had a DVT/blood clot in my upper leg - that's when my symptoms started. Yawning excessively, the feeling that I can't get a 'satisfying" breath, "confusion" and lack of focus, and rapid heart rate.

My doctor's first thought was that an errant blood clot had traveled to my lungs, however, several X-rays and Spiral CTs quickly disproved that theory. Subsequent EKGs show my heart to be in perfect shape, as well.

Right now, he is looking into anemia, caused by the drugs I'm taking to control and dissipate the clot in my leg . . .  I have a blood test tomorrow to check my red blood cell count. I think it's only fair to mention that I've been anemic almost all my life - I've "controlled" it by eating iron-rich foods when I feel "low."

Since the red blood cells carry oxygen through the blood to the heart, I think this is a fair assessment - if your blood is low on oxygen, I could easily see yawning excessively and not getting the feel of having a "satisfying" breath. And when the brain is low on oxygen, I would assume that the average person would have a hard time concentrating . . .

The only problem I see with MY diagnosis (as tentative as it is) is that I CAN breathe and get a fairly normal "satisfying" breath if I'm sitting straight and tall - and breathe abdominally, rather than "through the chest." Does anyone else here have it similarly? Do you all have an easier time breathing if your posture's perfect? Or if you're not breathing "through your chest?"

If you haven't already, I would suggest that you have your doctors do a red blood cell count . . . anemia, from what I understand, is actually rather common.

I hope you all find answers!!! : )

Good luck!!!!!!!

[Dirtbikin]

It might be interesting to collect information on when this malady onsets. Several people in this list, including myself, can point to a specific day and time when this happened. We'll call that Rapid Onset FYS. Rapid onset points to something environmental. Something changed and something caused it. I know that when my FYS started, I was working in a building with a lot of mold and a strong musty smell. I was under a lot of stress. And, the building had recently been treated with Dursban, an insecticide since banned from use.

1) Mold/musty
2) Stress
3) Dursban (insecticide)

Anyone else?

[Kassora]

I did have some mold in my bathroom that I thought I got rid of...

I did mention it to my doctor but, he said I had no spores in my lungs. Interesting direction.. I look forward to seeing what others say.

Kass

[hemigrl]

Hi,

I have the same SOB/Yawning. It has been going on for 2 months, it started on Thanksgiving Day 06, we were visiting my husbands grandmother, and she has an old coal and wood stove, and I slept in the room with the stove, and the room had a mildew like smell to it. I mentioned that to my doc as well and she really didnt say anything.

[Karlijn]

Hi! Was about to see my GP about the problem described above but am glad I did some internet research before hand.
Trying to breathe over a hill, that's how I'd describe my 'thing', either by real deep breaths or by yawning. Sometimes you have to do it (yawning or deep breathing) a couple of times before you get over the hill. It gets worse when eating or cycling but also sometimes just when trying to go to sleep. Very random.
I used to have it when I was really young, I was very allergic to housemite and animals at the time. I've been completely over this allergy for many years now, have no animals and don't live in a dusty place. I am fit but do have a lot of stress at the moment.
And I have to say, reading this thread worsened the symptoms just now as I've been trying to breathe over the hill continuously whilst reading all this! So, I figure it could be a psychological anxiety-stress related thing.
Awaiting more informative responses and thanks for all the info so far! I feel slightly less worried about it.

[gabatta]

I am extremely glad to find this forum as I thought I was going nuts with the deep breathing and yawning.  It is good to hear to common experiences in other threads and reassuring that no one has been diagnosed as having a serious problem.  I am a 34 year old male in relatively good health.  I could hit the gym more, but am not overweight for my age.  I eat well and have quit smoking.

My story is as follows:  This first started about a year ago.  I had tightness in my upper left rib cage and shortness of breath, or more accurately the inability to take a deep breath.  Sometimes I just felt like I needed to take a good belt, and at others I was yawning to get a deep breath.  The problem lasted for about 6 weeks overall.  I went to my primary care doctor who thought I was nuts.  He did an EKG and chest x-ray and told me he did them primarily to put my mind at ease.  I had been spending a lot of time in the hospital as my father was terminally ill.  When the problem persisted, there was some concern as there is a history of heart disease in my family.  Therefore, they decided to do a nuclear stress test.  Fortunately, everything turned up completely clear on this test.  At the same time, I began to see a chiropractor as I had some general back issues in addition to the breathing.  Soon afterward, the breathing improved.  Not only did it improve, it went completely away for nearly a year.   I continued to see the chiropractor periodically as I did still have episodes of tightness in my left side.

I was in a fairly serious car accident about 4 months prior to the initial onset of this problem.  My chiropractor theorized that this had knocked my ribs out of whack and may be contributing to my breathing problem.  He also felt this issue was exacerbated by stress, travel (I am on a plane weekly) and bad posture.

I can’t rule out the stress angle, but I also can’t nail that as the root cause.  In stressful situations, I certainly feel the breathing ‘thing’ get worse.  Yet over the year when this problem was dormant I had tons of personal stress (including the death of my father).  However these events did not trigger the breathing at all.  I think stress and anxiety effect the severity of this, but I have a hard time saying that is the root cause.

Nevertheless, much to my dismay, the deep breathing and yawning returned about a month ago and has persisted fairly consistently since then.  As others have noted on this forum, this issue comes and goes.  The only time it is guaranteed not to occur is when I am lying down or sleeping.  My girl friend has commented that when she observes me sleeping this problem is non existent.  Getting a good night’s sleep seems to make a difference.  I have a better day with fewer episodes after sleeping well.  Also, it does tend to occur or worsen more in the late afternoon or early evening.  While rest makes the problem better, activity does not make it much worse.  I feel like the problem is likely to occur when sitting in a meeting as when briskly walking down the street.

As absurd as it sounds, one thing that does seem to make it better is a few stiff drinks.

Mindfulness is an interesting topic.  When I think of it (like now) it occurs more.  When I am distracted, it does not seem to occur as much.  Or does it just seem to come into my mind when it is happening?  As you can see, I am going insane from this.

I did smoke on and off for about 18 years, however no more than a few a (on average) day for the past ten years.  I quit for good 5 months ago which was approximately 8 months after the initial bout of this and about 4 months before the latest occurrence.  My doctor listened to my lungs (a lot) and did a chest x-ray which got the all clear.  I too have wondered if my lungs are just getting accustomed to something different.

I am also considering seasonal effects or allergies, but I live in the New England and a January onset does not make sense each year.  I have also moved between the two episodes, so no environmental factors to blame there.  The cold is likely not to blame as it has been warm here until recently.

I am currently working on breathing, seeing my chirp, masseuse and physical therapist on a regular basis.  This combo has been helping, but nothing has been the magic bullet.  I have ups and downs mentally, sometimes I freak out that something is really wrong with me.  However, this problem does really not limit me in any way.  When it abated last year, it went away all at once.  I can’t wait for that to happen again!

So many of the comments on this forum really resonate with me.  I appreciate everyone’s involvement and feedback, and wish everyone good health and easy breathing!  Any insight is greatly appreciated.

[feelin bad]

I can't beleive what I'm reading!  I don't have heath insurance, but I rececntly paid out of pocket to address these symptoms with a doctor.  I found this forum by searching "shortness of breath - constant urge to yawn."  At times, I feel I only get a full breath of air every 20th breath...then suddenlly, I force a yawn and I am graced with a few seconds of peace.  When I explain this to the doctor, I get nothing but blank stares.  I especially related to several of the previous posts:  One described SOB while eating...sometimes I have to stop eating alltogether for at least a few minutes as I feel it is impossible to breathe while doing so.  The other, was someone who was percribed Xanax and said that the axiety went away but the SOB did not.  As a result of my current doctor visit, I have a botttle of Xanax.  I find it calms me greatly and the my anxiety towards this whole situation subsides but I still don't feel as though I I can get a deep, satisfying breath.  At times, I am convinced that this is a physical problem but, in my best weeks, I can go as many as two or three days without feeling horrible - but even then my feelings are only managable at best.  When they are bad, I feel as many in this forum have - as though I am going insane.  But I am convinced that that this a a mental disorder - perhaps undiagnosed as of yet.  I am 27, male, supposedly healthy.      

[uhart]

Gabatta thanks for your comments. I leave in New England as well and I thought the extreme cold temperatures could have brought this on. Not soo. I went to the doctor and he did an EKG and chest Xray. I'll wait to find out the reuslts. I think that a lot of younger people (like me, 25) have the same problem and the doctors always say it is stress or anxiety related. I admit that there has been a little more stress lately but nothing out of the ordinary.

Guess I need to have a few more stiff drinks...

[hemigrl]

My doc said the same as everyone else's, she blamed it on Anxiety, but I have this when I am home and feeling relaxed, it does seem to get worse on days where I didnt get a good nights sleep, and just like everyone else, it is not as bad if I am busy and dont think about it, but it is still there. I have the same thing too where it gets worse sometimes if I am eating, I know it is really annoying and scary sometimes and that is enough to cause anxiety itself.

[kristymay_c]

Wow, I'm another one that is experiencing what all of you are experiencing! I'm trying to find help for this too. I've had it for about a year and a half now. I find that it comes on more when I'm hungry. Also, has anybody had their doctor try a pulse oximetry on you? When your just sitting there in the doctor's office, the oxygen level will be fine. But, if you take a mini walk, like I did, the doc may see differently. My oxygen level dropped into the 70's! All of my docs previous to this blamed it on anxiety, but I went on my honeymoon in Jamaica and was more relaxed than I ever have been in my entire life, and the breathing problem STILL persisted. This new lung specialist that I'm seeing took a walk with me with this pulse oximetry and it showed that my oxygen levels were in fact dropping very low. I told him how it feels as though I cannot take a satisfying deep breath and feel a need to yawn and brace myself just to breath in deeply and feel satisfied. I also expressed to him that I feel as though I cannot exercise and talk at the same time, I feel that when I do, my oxygen level drops. Same thing as when I'm eating and breathing, or trying to anyway. I have to take deep breaths in between bites. My doc did a bunch of tests on me too, and so far they've been normal. Now, he's also scheduled me for a few other tests too. Another thing I read in this thread, is that someone mentioned anemia. I am slightly anemic, I don't know if this has anything to do with this breathing problem or not, however a symptom of anemia is shortness of breath. Another thing I saw mentioned in this thread was someone having painful ribs. I also have painful ribs on my right side. I have been diagnosed with slipping rib syndrome. I wonder if this has anything to do with it. I have no idea. If anybody find out any more information, let me know!

[leslieannwill]

Well I haven't commented or even read any in a few weeks now, just been too busy, but I did however print out this thread and gave to my GP week before last. I asked her to keep and read in her spare time (many pages).  She did my labs, across the board, and said everything looked great.  But everything can't be great because the SOB or FYS has been pretty constant for the last two weeks, some days are better than others, but I have really been having a hard time.  I was reading some comments about mold and things and find it ironic that I am pretty sure there was mold in the house I lived in for the last five years, I just moved in October of 2006 but prior to that I lived in that house 5 yrs.  I tested for mold and it was positive although I never found what kind it was, ie. toxic, black, etc.  Have moved into a new home but symptoms are still there.  My doctor still believes it is my sleep apnea, or anxiety or both.  I however know that it isn't.  I have the CPAP, doesn't help.  Xanax makes me cool as a cucumber but the FYS and SOB still there.  I am sooo waiting on someone to help us out.  

[uhart]

I met with a pulminary specialist. I have asmtha, acid reflux and sleep apnea. She also looked down my throat and detmined that my breath airway was narrow which collapses at night and makes it hard to breath. The acid reflux combined with the asmtha and sleep apnea makes it hard to breath, causes chest pains and throat tightness.

I left with a bag full of medicines: two inhalers, a nasal spray to keep my nasal passges clear and some prevacid. Hopefully in the next four weeks the medications will help my symptoms and frequent yawning.

I never knew that someone at the age of 25 could have these problems but now I know. I recommend that everyone get a second opinion and go to pulminary specialist who will be more thorough in their examiniation. Don't always rely on the opinions of your primary care physician. Sometimes they just want to push pills to cure one problem when you may have more than one.

[Kassora]

I went to a Pulmonologist.. I dont have asthma. In fact my breathing capacity and oxygen intake was very good.

I have also tried those inhalers and they do nothing for my chest tightness or frequent yawning.  They only make my throat dry and my purse lighter (they are very expensive even with insurance).

I am glad you found your cure though... :)

Kass

[gabatta]

OK, so getting a bit discouraged.  Last week and over the weekend, I felt much better to the point that I felt like I was finally getting past this.  There was nothing I could particularly point to that I had done, but it was just not there for a time.

The past two days have been as bad as ever unfortunately.  I have had the SOB intermittently and tightness/discomfort in my upper left side that is worse than it has been in some time.

My feelings are alternating between being frustrated & pissed off, and freaked out.  I am back to the chiropracter and physical therapist this week, and will be seeing my doctor on Monday.

I am going away on vacation the week after next, hopefully some R&R will do me good.

One thing that has helped is a meditation CD I downloaded for the iPod.  However, I can't spend the rest of my life laying down and relaxing.

[nyke06]

A related discussion, Breathing is hard! was started.

[lilpawprint]

A related discussion, excessive yawning was started.

[Chelsedge]

A related discussion, Possible Answer to Shortness of Breath was started.

[nojan]

A related discussion, shortness of breath, requent yawning was started.

[onemadmanc]

A related discussion, i thought i was going mad was started.