Problems breating Anxiety?

[Cameron_Milo]

Well, I knowingly have anxiety issues, which cause chest pains, twinges, headaches, and all sort of things. A newer symptom however is the feeling like I can't breath. Its not impossibly but very hard. This usually comes on, right after I get to work, the first thing waking up in the morning, sometimes randomly. I keep thinking its realted to muscle or something worse like pleurisy which could be part of my Hypochondria. I can deal with the sharp pains, and such, but this newer feeling has me a bit worried. Could anyone shed some light? Thanks you.

[jakegorzen]

what kind of work do you do?
I am in construction, and I noticed every time I have to lift drywall, or just throw my back out of wack, it messes with my breathing.
The upper back, when I inhale it presses against my back, and gives me a sensation of not being able to "breath right"
also, it could be alot of underlining problems like food allergies, smoking, out of shape, lots a different stuff rather then "the worse case scenario" But I know its hard not to jump to that conclusion when you have anxiety

[Cameron_Milo]

I actually am trying to get into a Dr. now to get checked out, but I had these same problems about 4 months ago and went into the ER and was checked out, Blood and all, and was cleared. I am trying to get into a counselor aswell to see if that will help me. I have been having my anxiety problems for about 5 years, but the breathing is pretty recent to my knowledge. For some reason when I "beat" my anxiety which I have done for periods of time several times, I forget my old symptoms.

My concern is I am unable to determine when the breathing problems are occuring. Meaning I can't figure out if I have breathing problems, and then work into a panic. Or am in a panic then figure out its hard to breath.

A good example is this morning I woke up and it was cold. I know that it can be hard to breath when its cold so almost as soon as I woke up I thought that and low and behold it becomes difficult to breathe and I start to panic.

My main question is, based opinion entirely, am I causing these problems by thinking about them?

Thanks for your reply.

[cj29]

Unfortunately, anxiety can really put us in a tail spin and can include a myriad of symptoms especially shortness of breath when we panic.  In my experience, when we suffer from anxiety and we accept one symptom another one will swoop in and take its place and start that worry, panic, worry cycle all over again.

I assume you have been to your doctor with your concerns and he/she told you it is anxiety.  Have you ever asked if you could be referred to a counselor to talk about it?  The good thing about this, is you can take control of it and confront it to gain long term relief from it.  How long have you been having these problems?  I encourage you to become active here and please continue to share your experiences and questions...welcome!