Constant Urge to Take Deep Breaths

[RickM78]

Hi,

For the last week I've had a constant urge to take deep breaths, and fill my lungs so that they feel stretched. The breath gives minor satisfaction, but then the urge returns.
Sometimes, I feel like I need to yawn, but the yawns are not satisfying like they should be. I don't have any problems breathing, nor do I have any other symptoms, like coughing, raspiness or wheezing. Just this persistent urge to breathe deeply.

A lot of posts I've seen on related symptoms seem to think this is anxiety, but I really don't think that I have a lot of anxiety right now.

Any ideas?


This discussion is related to urgency to take deep breaths.

[goingmerry]

I have this exact same problem! I noticed this about maybe 5 months ago in December. It was light and would go away, but would come back here and there. Since February, I have to inhale deeply every single day, throughout the day. I even have to try to stretch out my throat and my arms to see if I can get the air to... how should I say this... to circulate everywhere in my lungs, especially to the lower part since the top seems to be tighter. I keep myself in good shape (though I eat out quite often, so I need to start to rule that out), but I find myself yawning a lot when it feels especially tight and when I feel like I'm not getting enough air. The yawning seems to bring the air in very well (feels more satisfying), it's minor relief but it's more comfortable to yawn then stretch out my chest and neck to inhale. Working out feels draining and breathing is so hard when I'm lifting. I think it started more prominently when I was running in the snow.

At first the doctors thought it was asthma (my mom has asthma and I also had this a couple times as a kid but after one episode, it would go away and not come back again for years), so they tried some asthma medications (flovent and salbutamol) and put me through a spirometry test. Medications did not get rid of it and spirometry test was normal. Then I did a chest x-ray, ECG and blood test. Chest x-ray normal, blood normal and ECG results pending. They've been giving me anxiety medications for the longest time now, first with Ativan and then APO-LORAZEPAM. I'm healthy, fit (athletic build and normal bmi), male, currently 27, athletic, optimal blood pressure (below 120/80) and resting heart rate between 53-60. No other problems that I can think of, and my heart feels strong, but my lungs can't seem to keep up with my stronger heart. My sleep is not affected by it (though I wake up quite often throughout the night anyways since my sleeping is not so good to begin with) and it's quite easy to breathe for the first 15-45 min after waking up. Never smoked, but drank maybe 3-4 alcoholic beverages in my lifetime.

I had strongly believed it was not anxiety, since I'm so familiar with mental health and the like because I work in health (and also assess for anxiety). I also don't seem to notice it very much when I'm in the heat of something crazy like a competitive online game, but walking and working out still feels very draining. I'm working in my office right now and as I write this, still forcing deep breaths. My workplace is in the hospital and I occasionally work in the lab, but I've been here for so long that I can't seem to think it's due to chemicals. To find that I can breathe normally during my sleep (it doesn't wake me up, I just sleep bad) and that my body is quite strong, makes me think.. maybe it's in my head... maybe anxiety has always been my 'normal'- which kind of terrifies me because I feel even less anxious then when I was in university. I'm trying some of the breathing techniques that were mentioned here, and continuing my over the counter acid reflux and heartburn tablets. Might even get some sleeping meds prescribed. I'm so glad I wasn't the only one feeling this and thank you so much guys

[YosemiteLove]

I have this every day,allday long and it happens every few minutes. Im miserable. I have GERD and a hiatal hernia but my mungs and heart are not the cause. I suspect GERD or the hernia but the Dr says it cant ne vaused y that. I need relief and answers.

[CliboX]

Ive a hital hernia also and this breathing problem...it was always put down to the hernia

[Nikimiyeko]

Same thing here... It's draining and scary... Off and on for few weeks, lasting all day, have to try really hard to take deep breath and sometimes can't, I even try bending over or leaning back to get a deep breath, the urge to get a deeper breath, it's making my back and sides hurt, can't finish yawn to the satisfying end is the worst feeling... 34 yrs old...

[dazgoby]

Yes it could be anxiety but a lot of doctors don't catch the silent reflux until the symptoms are really really bad and there is damage, so it's just something to think about. It's feeling like something stuck in your throat you can't get a good breath of air IN, also mucus problems and this is damage from acid from your stomach into the esophagus, larnyx, throat. I didn't even know you had, I've never even felt heartburn, I know it sounds strange. (Silent Reflux)

[dazgoby]

I have been misdiagnosed for years as anxiety when all along it was silent reflux disease or LERD. And it's very hard to get a deep breath when you have this call it very difficult and I'm sorry because breathing is number 1 and it ***** when you can't

[KatalinK]

Hi everybody, I have had the same symptoms, and I visited a lot of doctors (cardio, pulmonogist, cardiologist, neurologist etc.), but everything was OK, except Lyme desase :(. I hope I could help....