urgency to take deep breaths

[AmosJ]

For about a month, I have been experiencing the urgency to always take a deep breath.  The sensation to either yawn or take a deep breath is always there.  It seems to be a little worse at night, and I am also more tired at night time.  I have had bronchitis a couple of times in the past.  I also seem to cough a lot after I eat something.  I have had a runny/stuffy nose for a couple of weeks as well.  This is something I haven't ever experienced in the past and I'm not sure what to make of it.  I just feel like I can't get the air I need and always want to take a dep breath or yawn.  I have a doctor's appointment schedule, but I want more than one opinion.

[lexio]

I think that what you are all going through could be panic attacks, I had all the same symptoms for YEARS!  I would sometimes feel like (no matter how hard I tried), that I could not get a full breath.  I would try to yawn, and could not get any air!  I have been in the E.R. two times, thinking I was going to die!  The lack of oxygen would make me dizzy, and numb, and I thought I was having a heart attack!  I would hyperventilate to the point where I was going to pass out!  These two times were very severe attacks, but for years I have had the same problem!  The panic attacks can come on at ANY time (even when there is no stress), I suffered for years, and have been on every med you can think of!  The ONLY thing thing that has helped me, is Xanax.  I take 1mg. 3x per day.  This has been a life saver for me!  My Dr. is strict, and realizes that I don't abuse it, I stick to my daily dose, and have been fine.  There are also breathing exercizes you can do ( I think they are called Square breathing?) you breath in through your mouth for four seconds, hold it for four more seconds, exhale for four more seconds, wait four seconds, and repeat.  Of course Xanax is an addicting drug, as long as you don't abuse it, and have a strict Dr., as I do, it has been a life saver for me!!  She tried me on Zoloft, and I was on a low dose, and had panic attacks 24/7!!  I was even supposed to double the the dosage after 1 wk!  I threw it in the garbage!  sorry for the long message, hope it may help!

[usedtobecatchy]

I will sometimes yawn repeatedly 10times and it never happens during stressful times :-) The body knows when it needs to intake oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. I would ask your doctor to draw blood for a blood gas panel if you are really concerned. As for me, I would love to take a vacation somewhere where they have those oxygen bars I keep reading about, because I crave oxygen!

[wailan]

Hi,
   I have been experiencing the same exact thing as you describe! I always feel the urgency to take in a deep breath it got so bad a couple months ago that I went to the er twice they did a chest x-ray but they couldnt find anything  I have not been to the pulmonologist so I have not had some of the other tests. Just always feel the need to take a deep breath it is really strange like every 2 minutes I need to breath deeply. do you get the same thing? I thought I was the only one to feel this way. This has been going on for a while. Latley I have had the need to yawn constantly. Wailan

[National Jewish]

You should have a chest x-ray and a simple breathing test, called spirometry.  These tests should show if there is a serious physical problem with your heart or lungs.  However, what you describe is more characteristic of tension or anxiety, especially the yawning.  The first step is to be sure there is not any lung disease.  Then take a careful inventory of your emotional state, your quality of sleep, and the effect of stimulants such as caffeine on you.

[sherrypie100]

A related discussion, Hard time getting a deep breath was started.

[RickM78]

A related discussion, Constant Urge to Take Deep Breaths was started.

[HtotheI]

This is so weird because I have been experiencing this strange urgency to take deep breaths over the last few months also. Just recently I've been feeling tightness in my upper back too. I don't know if that's related, do any of you guys know any more info? If so please let me know. THanks

[No82207]

Hi, I also have the urge to take deep breaths. It feels as if I'm not taking enough air in normally so i have to take these deep breaths to catch up. Even when i try to breath normally the erge becomes stronger and i have to take a deep breath. There is nothing else wrong with me physically at all. I also feel that the problem is greatest during the night.
I first had the problem a few years ago,but since then I've only had the problem a few times. However, for the last two months I've been taking deep breaths. What is wrong with me?