can't get a satisfying breath

[AJW81]

My daughter is 16 years old.  She does not drink or smoke.  On Dec. 7, she told me that she felt like she couldn't get enough air, so she was yawning.  On Dec. 9, we were in the ER because she felt like  she couldn't breathe.   Tests were run.  X rays were taken.  The doc pronounced her okay.  She had been taking Birth control pills for 2 weeks.  We feared PE, but that was found to not be the case.  She was taking the hormones to regulate her cycle.  She had been having 2 periods a month for a couple of months.  Doc advised to take her off new medication.  

Followed up with PCP.  Did lung function test.  It was fine.  Did thyroid test.  It was also fine.  PCP suggested anxiety.  Put her on Atavan.  She took for 2 days, but side effects made her feel worse.  We reduced stressors in her life, but breathing is still not good.  She knows she is getting 100% oxygen, but she feels like she can't get a satisfying breath.  She wants help, but I don't know where to go.  She says that she doesn't feel anxious.  Breathing problem is all the time, in all places, under all conditions.  

I have asthma, but all docs have dismissed this due to x-rays and lung function tests.  She did have tonsillitis at the beginning of October.  Took antibiotic and had a steroid shot.  After that, periods became heavy and often.  Was also being treated for skin condition on fingers at about the same time.  Using Halobetasol Propionate Ointment nightly.

Uses Zyrtec nightly to control allergies and eczema.

Please help us.  We need to know where to turn.

[SJL11]

I have the same problem. I went to the doctor, and what they did was test my heart, give me lung x-ray, and also tested me for asthma. Negative on all test, everything was OK. But I tend to wonder..if it is my birth control.
Not only have I been on it for a year, I really have had this problem starting last year as well. I just really don't know how to test if it is my birth control or not. I just think it seem so uncommon for BC to mess with my breathing. I just want it to be solved and I am glad to know I am not the only one!

[tab511]

Same problem, feels like I am never caught up on my breaths.  I have to yawn to catch it and sometimes cant even do that.  Not a good feeling.....any suggestions???

[Em5151]

I have this problem. When I was younger I had really bad OCD and anxiety but got over it on my own. I had this problem then but it left with all the other symptoms. Then now about 10 years later I have te breathing thing again. I get one satisfying breath out of about 8 tries. It scares me to death. I thought I was dying. It causes my throat and chest to hurt and just wears me out. It makes it even worse when you have a cold. I have learned that I need to forget about it. If I see somethig that makes me worry I know the breathing issue will come. It might last a couple days but I know it will get better. Just ignore and forget. Do the things you love and move on. With it the anxiety will move on. Also. Stay away from worrisome situations. You don't need the stress in your life. I hope this helps

[jklmn636]

I am 23, on birth control pills, and have the same symptoms. I have a theory- it's caused by a lack of iodine. I recently bought fancy pink salt without Iodine and my symptoms began a month later. The government has been mixing iodine with regular table salt sinse the 1950's for public health reasons. Iodine in small quantites is needed to prevent certain health problems some of which can lead to thyroid problems and other abnormalties.  That's why some people on this blog claim that eating salt helps them. For whatever reason I think some people are more suseptible to this type of reaction from lack of Iodine than others. LMK if this helps.

[MA2525]

OMG, I am not alone!!  This started for me when I was 20 and I am now 39. The episodes of not getting a satified full breathe come and go. I will go months with no issues and then it starts up again and each time it starts it seems to last longer and longer. It is extremely frustrating, painful at times and embarrassing when people notice and ask about it. I too have had tests and one doctor says asthma and another says no asthma. Nothing wrong with lungs or thyroid. One doctor said anxiety. I just don't know what to think or do anymore. The post about the brain not getting the right signals of full breathe from the lungs is interesting and I wonder if there is anything to that. Signals in our bodies are "mis-fired" all the time. Even if that is the case, I wonder if there is anything that can be done about it.  Thank you all for sharing, it means so much to me that I am not alone and not crazy!  :)

[notatoo]

I seem to have a lot of company.  I have trouble getting a satisfying breath, and I find myself yawning or trying to hold my body in just the right position until I get a "good" breath.  But as soon as I get it, if I can get it, it's time to seek another one...goes on and on and on.  Sometimes it's worse than others.  I don't think it's related to anxiey--doesn't feel like a panic attack at all.  I'm 50 and have had this as long as I remember.  I'm active and exercise regularly.  I wonder if my brain and my lungs aren't communicating--I read about this earler--sounds interesting and promising.