trouble getting breath

[ginac67]

I am having trouble getting my breath, the doctors think i am having panic attacks, they said my heart and lungs are good, the feeling i have is  like yawning and it is just cut off. i don't get that good deep down breath, sometimes feels like im choking, i have notice sometimes when i eat it gets harder to get a deep breath. i was wondering if it could have something to do with my stomach or esopagus. any help would be greatly appreciated. it is really very scary feeling.
thank you.

[PinkPaisleyStrat]

Gina, since my last post to you, I tried taking Zantac, which I never took before, and within 30 minutes I could breath better. It was the first med to make a difference in the last year of this nightmare. I've had all the tests your scheduling and they were normal. Contrary to what the doctors say I don't believe this is anxiety. There are hundreds if people with this same problem looking for help online and I started to notice a trend that many of them have acid reflux. My GERD doesn't cause heartburn much. Just a weird feeling in my epigastric region and food or juices will come back into my throat at times.

I've been taking the zantac twice a day and plan on starting a course of nexium. I had been feeling much better but today was a setback. I think the acid may have irritated my throat or vocal cords and causing me to yawn and feel sob. It could take some time to heal, so I still have no answers.

[ginac67]

Thank you all for your comments, i went for a ct scan today, i will let you all know what it said soon as i find out. doctor did mention having the endoscopy done, and she has also set me up for a stress test to check my heart.
PinkPaisleyStrat i understand the way you are feeling.I will be praying.

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

The symptoms you describe are consistent with the diagnosis of Panic Disorder but your doctors would have to have provided a thorough evaluation with comprehensive testing of your heart and lungs, before declaring that those organs were functioning normally.

You ask if “it could have something to do with my stomach or esophagus.  The answer is yes.  Acid reflux (GERD or gastro-esophageal reflux disease) can result in aspiration of gastric contents into a person’s upper airway, resulting in bronchial spasm or spasm of the vocal cords, either singly or together of which can seriously impair one’s breathing.

Finally there is quite effective drug therapy for the treatment of Panic Attacks, should that be the correct diagnosis.

Good luck

[PinkPaisleyStrat]

I just posted with the same problem.  Had all sorts of tests and doctors don't know what it is.  CT scan showed possible early emphysema, but idea if it's causing the SOB.  I've been living with this daily for 1.5 years and it's driving me crazy. I feel like I'm suffocating if I don't take the deep breath.  If I try not to do it, it ends up happening anyway.  It doesn't always have to be a yawn, just a breath that seems to open up something in my throat or lungs. I've tried reflux meds and they were no help.  It all started after a bad reaction to a flu shot.

[bellah32]

Maybe you should ask your Dr to refer you to get an endoscopy to check your oesaphagus at least you will know for sure then. I had an operation for reflux many years ago and I get similar problems but get dizzy when eating at times and is hard to breathe I have passed out a few times and even fitted nothing was found in tests but Dr believes it to do with reflux and my low blood pressure. Good luck