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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.