shortness of breath

[DLynne29]

I am 24 year old female with a history of panic attacks and high anxiety. I have been a pack-a-day smoker since I was 18. Lately  I have been experiencing a shortness of breath that doesn't seem to go away and is making my anxiety worse. I have been to the doctor and expressed my concern about this, but they seem to be chalking it all up to my anxiety symptoms. My o2 stats have been in the normal range (usually 97-98%), but I feel I am not breathing normally. I finally decided that I can't smoke anymore with these symptoms, and haven't had a cigarette in 48 hours. Now my lungs are burning a bit and I can feel a cough coming on. What should I do about the shortness of breath? Is this normal with anxiety, or should I be doing more about it?

[allmymarbles]

With that oxygen level whatever breathing problem you have could not be serious. Your problem might well be anxiety, and only anxiety. Have you ever investigated a physical cause for your anxiety? It may not have an emotional cause (adrenal disfunction is often to blame). Meanwhile, to relieve your worries, you might ask your doctor to do a lung-function test. Takes no time at all.

[hlsf]

it seems to me an x-ray or CT of the chest would be a good idea to rule out something worse than anxiety attacks or panick attacks.  i think you should ask your doctor to do one and then you will know whether it is in your head or in your lungs.  It is a win win situation.  Your o2 reports sound great, but you can have problems with your lungs and still have normal o2.  Did your doctor do a lung volume test or a diffusion test or the FEV1 test on your lungs.  These are easy painless test and could help you deal with your anxiety about them if you went ahead and had them and they come out normal.   just something to think about.