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]

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

[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 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.