figuring out breathing is worse because of anxiety

[Gottabestrong]

well not to blame anyone, but its 2:00 am here at my house, before i went to bed i started having shortness of breath after reeading various posts about breathing proboems (and not to targe you zappellina cuz its not your fault) but after reading your posts and others
it makes me feel so much dread that i could be getting worse and having tissue breakdown or premanent lung problems

right now my breath is SOOOOO SHALLOW and im forcing myself to breath !!
is this what other have experienced before?........gonna drink some chamomille tea and pray for now

[daisy232627]

I have gone through this so many times, I totally understand what your talking about. Anxiety has a way of amplifying your worst fears, feeling like you have to force yourself to breath and the many other symptoms I won't mention because I also understand the power of words and how they can effect you. You have to remember this is one of the #1 symptoms of anxiety (easier said than done) just about everyone who has anxiety has had this fear and these symptoms. I don't know if it helps you but it has always helped me to know that it is not a real danger your mind and is playing tricks on you. Here I am 5yrs and more doctor app.'s than I can count later and not one of the things I freaked out about have turned out to be anything more than anxiety. I always tell myself and sometimes actually write it down repeatedly that I will dismiss irrational thoughts for what they are, the writing for some reason always helped me, but I'm still learning as we all are. I don't know if I helped you any but hopefully I made a positive difference. Hang in there this will pass, you will be ok. Your not the first person to feel this way. Anxiety SUCKS!!!

Praying for you,
Hugs
Daisy

[Gottabestrong]

thanks, anyone else had this tight chest/unable to fully inhale/strained exhale feeling all day?

[Delynbetter]

I feel like I'm not breathing deep enough or not getting enough oxygen, and finally figured out that it was a sign of my anxiety. When my heart's racing for whoever knows what reason, can't breathe deep without it being all shaky. And yes, when I start thinking about my breathing I tend to get anxious about it and have to make myself focus on something else, or at least try really hard.

[Gottabestrong]

thanks, but as for my topic title i wrote it wrong, i meant to say that perhaps my anxiety is causing my breathing problems, but i just pray i could find out if it is anxiety and not something serious!

[Delynbetter]

Yes, my anxiety always brings on my breathing or feeling of lack of breathing difficulties. Usually my first sign.

[parox]

I never had anxiety with breathing problem pre-paxil but now I have.

[paxiltowelly]

i get that too! and i get it especially during panic attacks, the sensation that you cannot get enough oxygen in and you're going to die of oxygen deprivation. i find the thing that works best is to mentally ACKNOWLEDGE what's going on, and this instantly decreases the anxiety. our usual initial response to panic that this is starting to happen, making it worse, but if we calm down and realize 'that we're not going to die', it'll all go away...

[rangerNY]

When I first started dealing with panic and anxiety (way back 1985) for six months I spent all day trying to expand my lungs as much as possible. No matter what I did, I felt like I couldnt get a deep enough breath. I remember my family asking me why I was sighing all the time.

Anxiety DEFINITELY wreaks havoc on your breathing. Thing is, none of what you're feeling is actually dangerous. You are getting enough air, and you really don't have to force yourself to breathe. If someone were to knock you out with a blow to the head (I dont recommend that), you'd breathe just fine while unconscious.

The feeling is uncomfortable, but once you get past the fear it will really ease up.

[scotty]

Ranger you hit it on the head. Most of the time the difficulty breathing with anxiety is too much oxygen... not to little. Hyperventilation can make you dizzy and short of breath. Try doing concious slow breathing when you feel like this. In through the nose and the softly exhale through pursed lips. Just concentrate on that pattern and see if it helps.

[rangerNY]

OMG, hyperventilation. I will NEVER forget the first time I hyperventilated while attempting to "breathe my way out" of a panic attack. Bad advice from a bad doctor who told me to take deep breaths. Never said a thing about SLOW breaths. LOL

I was already in total freak out mode when my face started tingling and my hands locked in position in the shape of a lobster claw while bent sharply at the wrists.

The disruption of the natural O2/CO2 balance can really be a problem for us panic bugs. It causes all kinds of nasty (but harmless) symptoms that can fuel the fear cycle.

[Gottabestrong]

wow, thanks for relating, i thought iw as the only one, i remember trying to explain to docs how i felt like i couldnt breath most of the time....im praying its still just anxiety and God, Jesus and my will can help me get through this! you guys are so much help!

[scotty]

Here's a site that gives you step by step for pursed lip breathing

http://www.cchs.net/health/health-in...asp?index=9443

[rangerNY]

Originally Posted by Gottabestrong

wow, thanks for relating, i thought iw as the only one, i remember trying to explain to docs how i felt like i couldnt breath most of the time....im praying its still just anxiety and God, Jesus and my will can help me get through this! you guys are so much help!

Your faith and personal strength are very important aspects of your recovery. You really want to know what will get you through this? YOUR LUNGS. They're exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide all the time no matter what you do or how you feel. Try to stop them. Go ahead. I dare you. I double-dog dare you.

Assuming you're still conscious and reading these words, its safe to say that you were unable to stop your lungs from doing thier job.

Forget the breathing. Its the thinking that you need to work on. Join the club!

[Delynbetter]

I have to admit that I never put my feeling of not enough oxygen with having too much oxygen. Makes sense that doing the controlled breathing often helped me.

[Gottabestrong]

yeah, but whats the hardest is having the shortness of breath constant through out the day! grrrrrr

[scotty]

Gotta, ruling out any physical problem is going to help you the most.

[msh1082]

I'm sure different people have different ways of calming themselves when they have trouble breathing, but for me when I feel my chest get tight and I start to have the nervous feeling I make a cup of decaffinated green tea and just lay on the couch and sip the tea. Something about it calms me right down. Just tell yourself constantly that its' your mind playing tricks on you and there isn't anything wrong with you at all.

[Gottabestrong]

thanks again, everyone! alos, scotty, any advice on what tests i should take other than the gas test perhaps, or anything i should tell my doc to look for?
when i went to the ER a while back and they put that clip on my finger, my oxygen was at 99% (should it be at 100% all the time??) yeah once i rule out any physical problems then i;ll be able to relax faster =)

[scotty]

To put your mind at ease, a standard chest x-ray and a pulmonary function test would give you the information to determine if there is a physiological problem. If these are normal, you have to look at withdrawal and anxiety as the cause.

[Scott]

you said these symptoms came on after you read posts that upset you... mail me the $200 you'll spend on tests and i'll tell you it's withdrawal. The way you think can bring on a barrage of symptoms.. you can literally put yourself on the ground in fear. For what seemed the longest time I payed attention to almost every breath i took because it felt as though i wasn't getting enough air. If you're anything like me, even after the doctor tells you it's nothing you'll still be afraid of it.. it's a scary feeling.

[daisy232627]

Hey Gotta just to touch on your oxygen level being at 99% that is very normal. My son has asthma not to mention I've had that hooked up to me several times and 99% is totally normal! I'll keep you in my prayers that you may get some peace, I totally identify with the way your feeling been there way too many times.

Hugs
Daisy

[feelin'_wiggy]

Originally Posted by Gottabestrong

when i went to the ER a while back and they put that clip on my finger, my oxygen was at 99% (should it be at 100% all the time??) yeah once i rule out any physical problems then i;ll be able to relax faster =)

I'm not a doctor, but I've spent a LOT of time in hospitals with sick and dying relatives. Ninety nine percent is excellent!

I posted on your other thread about the "figure 8" breathing exercises. I know sometimes it's hard to do them when you're particularly anxious, but it's worth the effort. Remember to breathe from your diaphragm. Place your hand on your abdomen so you can feel it rise and fall. When you exhale, push up with your diaphragm so that you empty all of the air from your lungs. When you inhale, push your diaphragm down to allow your chest and abdomen to swell with air. This technique has been a lifesaver for me over the years. Many years.

There are a lot ofdifferent types of breathing exercises, like the pursed lips technique. I like the "figure 8" because it's slower and takes more concentration, which distracts my mind from worrying.

Listen to what we're telling you because we've all been there. You are experiencing a very common symptom of anxiety. It feels awful, but you are okay.

[Gottabestrong]

thanks everyone, i am working with the deep relaxing breathing, but its hard since my chest always feels heavy and tight but im a bit better at controlling it, when it starts to get bad, i pray and breathe as best as i can

[Gottabestrong]

sorry to bring this thread back up, im scheduled to see my doctor soon, but in the meantine, i was wondering for those of you who have had constant anxiety/breathing did it affect your talking? like if you would talk loud, quick too much, you start to get short of breath more? same thing if im eating sometimes, just want to know to help me better cope with my anxiety

thanks