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shortness of breath/frequent yawning
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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...
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...
I am 16 yrs old and ive had these exact symptoms for.over 4 yrs now n it just bugs the crap outta me. Ive been to my regular dr and he didnt see anything wrong and he sent me for a chest xray, and did an EKG and didnt.see anything abnormal and said I didnt hav asthma. So I went to a pediatrician and explained.my symptoms and shes now sending me to a neuroligist in 2 wks cuz she thinks it could be mini seizures...but I have heard that when ylu have a hole in your heart you can experience these symptoms too...anyways I just realy hope they figure out whats wrong with all of us!! I thought I was losing my.mind thinking I was the only one out there like this!
I know this post is old, but I you're still suffering...ask your doc about a possible hiatal hernia...it's where your stomach protrudes through your diaphragm and can affect breathing and heart function (palpatations) because of the proximity to the vagus nerve. Hiatal hernias are pretty common and most peope are asymptomatic, however...if you do something to injure yourself (yoga :), you may have widened the opening in your diaphragm allowing your stomach to protrude. Symptoms can come and go depending on a lot of things...but it's easily identified by doing a scope of your upper GI.
A related discussion, Yawning & sighing, no pain, diagnosed with chronic HVS was started.
Some of you have mentioned these pains/problems are especially elevated after eating... I had many of these breathing issues, needs to yawn, side pains for several years until my doctors found the culprit- gluten and wheat. It could be beneficial to get a blood test Or endoscopy to rule this out. These symptoms fit the bill for a misdiagnosed celiac.
A related discussion, i thought i was going mad was started.
A related discussion, shortness of breath, requent yawning was started.
A related discussion, Possible Answer to Shortness of Breath was started.
A related discussion, excessive yawning was started.
A related discussion, Breathing is hard! was started.
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
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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...
Guess I need to have a few more stiff drinks...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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