Helping calming anxiety that is causing tightness in chest and shortness of breath

[Foxtrot]

I’ve posted before this week, but was hoping that some one might have some advice/support about how to relieve tightness in chest and the sensation of being short of breath. I have tried deep breathing but the anxiety seems to be overpowering me. This started after a long and not properly treated bout of pneumonia/asthma. I think that once I was cured I still had some real breathing weaknesses that triggered my anxiety and now I have this as a symptom. Chest tightness and shortness of breath have never been my anxiety symptoms and with the recent illness it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s not. The sensation does go away at times. I tried my nebulizer which hasn’t worked so i’m guessing its anxiety. I have a doctors appointment with my GP tomorrow for a routine physical and will bring this up. I did have a doctors appointment with an pulmonologist/internist who was awful and cut me off and didn’t listen to my symptoms. I was really only there to get my daily asthma medicine to prevent a real attack. I explained the shortness of breath but he told me it was reflux and because I didn’t have my daily inhaler when it started. I’ve never had reflux and I was taking my daily when the first shortness of breath occurred. While I was there I was of course breathing fine so he just kept cutting me off and told me I’d be fine without an examination. The experience of not being listened to and of the original issues not being treated properly for over a month has made me anxious about my GP appointment tomorrow. What if she doesn’t listen. I have struggled with anxiety for a long time and know that this is just a hiccup but I could definitely use some support. Has anyone experienced the tightness and shortness of breath with anxiety?

 

[scharley1973]

hi foxtrot... ive dealt with anxiety and panic disorder since i was in my 20s, and that has always been a main symptom of mine. i also have had actual heart problems too in the past few years so i can relate to your struggle with knowing if its from the anxiety or if its an actual real physical symptom that could be very dangerous. i would say if the sensation goes away then most likely its your anxiety but im no doctor and i know ALOT of doctors dont have the best bed side manner when it comes to people with mental health issues, which is suprising since its alot more talked about now days. its not as taboo or whatever like when i was first diagnosed. you just have to make them listen to you. speak up and speak loud! dont let them brush you off, you are paying them for help. as for anything to help with the tightness or short of breath...ive found no relief really, except to just talk myself down, tell myself its my mind thats doing this and just try n breathe slow and steady. its not easy, im sorry its a struggle for you but there are alot of people on this site. hopefully you will get more replies that might be more help to you. good luck at your doctors!

 

[Foxtrot]

This is very helpful. It’s a newer symptom for me, probably triggered by my recent illness. It’s reassuring to know that this can be a symptom of anxiety. My doctor’s appointment was actually great. She agreed about anxiety but wanted to cover all bases anyway (blood work etc...) Just that’s brought my anxiety level down. What’s frustrating is that my anxiety has been well managed for about 10 years, so this really threw me for a loop. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It has really helped me as I navigate through this new phase of anxiety.

 

[scharley1973]

thats so good to hear im glad your doctors visit went well this time and them doing more testing is great, its best to make sure its nothing physical. i wish you well! and hope to see more posts from you we all are here for you!