Urge to take a deep breathe-fixated on breathing

[Uzzz_619]

Hi!
i have been suffering from this issue since 12 feb 20, one fine night i had a panic attack out of no where and i felt like I couldn’t breathe! I tried taking deep breath but I couldn’t get to the point of satisfaction! You know when you sigh or yawn you inhale a bit extra of an air that gives you an orgasmic feeling in the lungs, I couldn’t feel that! I somehow pacified myself and slept! I woke up and the first thing i checked was if i could get that feeling, I couldn’t! It rose my anxiety to peak. New to all of this, i started googling ( unfortunately ) and it showed miserable results! I did so many tests for heart, lungs and blood, they all are fine!

the thing is i can literally feel sensations in my lungs, that want a deep breath and once a deep breath finally hits it, the sensation disappears, only to reappear after sometime! Very less time! Yawns help!

the thing is i have surfed so much online, that i have learnt that you cant take a extra deep breath that gives you that good sensation, every now and then!
The thing is, i want to know has anyone ever felt it? Got completely rid of it? Sounds like an anxiety and OCD issue! Did anyone ever take it to the psychiatrist, took ssri and anti anxiety meds n got cured and finallyyyy, is it possible to take your mind off breathing????

Please, i am losing my mind! Help

 

[lil7303]

You're not alone. This happens to me a lot, like the air doesn't seem to fill my lungs properly and I don't get a 'satisfying' breath. I think it's linked to stress/ anxiety and also probably just biology too. It's happened to me as far as I can remember so it's probably nothing to worry about. Try not to fixate on it too much as when I do that, it seems to make it worse, or I at least become more aware of it. If you can't stop thinking about it then practise some more breathing techniques. Also, never Google it as most of us do on here, it always tells us the worst case scenario which stimulates anxiety even more, therefore making it worse.

 

[Uzzz_619]

You're not alone. This happens to me a lot, like the air doesn't seem to fill my lungs properly and I don't get a 'satisfying' breath. I think it's linked to stress/ anxiety and also probably just biology too. It's happened to me as far as I can remember so it's probably nothing to worry about. Try not to fixate on it too much as when I do that, it seems to make it worse, or I at least become more aware of it. If you can't stop thinking about it then practise some more breathing techniques. Also, never Google it as most of us do on here, it always tells us the worst case scenario which stimulates anxiety even more, therefore making it worse.

thanks for your reply!!! I really want this to go away! the sensations in lungs are awful and i cant focus on anything else! It is a debilitating issue!!!
Are there any success stories??? I dont want to live like this forever!

did you try any meds???

 

[Henrie]

Yes I get that to had since November 2019 doctor said it my anxiety it happens when I got to bed at night and it takes me for ever to fall a sleep it’s so annoying just wish it would go away

 

[lil7303]

thanks for your reply!!! I really want this to go away! the sensations in lungs are awful and i cant focus on anything else! It is a debilitating issue!!!
Are there any success stories??? I dont want to live like this forever!

did you try any meds???

Not on any meds unfortunately. If it is due to anxiety then maybe once the current situation is over perhaps talk to your doctor and he could prescribe you with a benzodiazepine or something of such sorts. In the meantime, just remember that it's due to panic etc. therefore try some of your own relaxation techniques.

 

[Uzzz_619]

Yes I get that to had since November 2019 doctor said it my anxiety it happens when I got to bed at night and it takes me for ever to fall a sleep it’s so annoying just wish it would go away

Any improvement??? Took any meds or therapy?

Not on any meds unfortunately. If it is due to anxiety then maybe once the current situation is over perhaps talk to your doctor and he could prescribe you with a benzodiazepine or something of such sorts. In the meantime, just remember that it's due to panic etc. therefore try some of your own relaxation techniques.

yes, initially i was afraid of working out or even going into kitchen or washroom due to slight humidity! I used to feel fear that i might choke there! I overcame that fear! my doc says SSRI meds and benzos will help! But i wonder how can they take your mind off something that you have fixated on since two months!!!

Not on any meds unfortunately. If it is due to anxiety then maybe once the current situation is over perhaps talk to your doctor and he could prescribe you with a benzodiazepine or something of such sorts. In the meantime, just remember that it's due to panic etc. therefore try some of your own relaxation techniques.

how do you cope up with this issue? Please help!!! How can i take my mind off breathing?

 

[lil7303]

Any improvement??? Took any meds or therapy?


yes, initially i was afraid of working out or even going into kitchen or washroom due to slight humidity! I used to feel fear that i might choke there! I overcame that fear! my doc says SSRI meds and benzos will help! But i wonder how can they take your mind off something that you have fixated on since two months!!!


how do you cope up with this issue? Please help!!! How can i take my mind off breathing?

https://lifeafterpain.com/info/mindbody-interaction/cant-get-a-satisfying-breath/ This website is really interesting. It describes the biology of what you're experiencing and how to get your mind off it.

 

[Henrie]

Wn I try and take my mind off it goes away then you think good that away and bang it back doctor told me I need to try clam down that there is noth wrong with me easy said than done

 

[Uzzz_619]

https://lifeafterpain.com/info/mindbody-interaction/cant-get-a-satisfying-breath/ This website is really interesting. It describes the biology of what you're experiencing and how to get your mind off it.

I have tried this all! I do have betterment than before! But i want this breathing to go off my mind! I am devastated!!! All i do is google and think about my issue

 

[Mandyhiero]

I got this a couple of months back and was convinced I had lung cancer. I went to my rheumatologist and she ordered a pulmonary function test and a chest X-ray but because of Covid I couldn’t have it. It actually passed after a bit so I just assume it was caused from my anxiety. Something I did that would help a little was to put my arms above my head when I needed to take a deep breath. It may have been all in my head but it did seem to help.

 

[Henrie]

I feel for you I have had anxiety issues for over 30 years by now I should know it all in my head but it Like it real

 

[Uzzz_619]

I got this a couple of months back and was convinced I had lung cancer. I went to my rheumatologist and she ordered a pulmonary function test and a chest X-ray but because of Covid I couldn’t have it. It actually passed after a bit so I just assume it was caused from my anxiety. Something I did that would help a little was to put my arms above my head when I needed to take a deep breath. It may have been all in my head but it did seem to help.

I m glad it went away for you! Please pray mine goes away! My mind has just fixated on this

 

[Mandyhiero]

I m glad it went away for you! Please pray mine goes away! My mind has just fixated on this

I definitely will pray for you!
I just wish everything else would go away like that did. Every day it feels like there’s something new for me to worry about.

 

[Henrie]

Yep ever day something eles to worry you

 

[Uzzz_619]

I definitely will pray for you!
I just wish everything else would go away like that did. Every day it feels like there’s something new for me to worry about.

I hope we all get rid of anxiety!!! Just one question, did you also feel the urges like sensations in your lungs??? That need to be quenched with a deep breath and they reappear?

 

[Henrie]

Yes and i feel ever sensation in my body ritgt now I feel I have pain in my tummy and I not eat eny to cause it

 

[Mandyhiero]

Yes. I almost felt like there was a vice around my whole rib cage that was keeping me from getting a deep breath. Not so much painful but more annoying.

 

[Uzzz_619]

Yes. I almost felt like there was a vice around my whole rib cage that was keeping me from getting a deep breath. Not so much painful but more annoying.

For me it grows and when i get a deep breath it disappears and then reappears! I am hoping the meds work

 

[Mandyhiero]

Is it painful? I’m wondering if you could have a touch of pleurisy or something like that. I’ve had what I thought was that once and a steroid and z-pack took it away.

 

[Uzzz_619]

Is it painful? I’m wondering if you could have a touch of pleurisy or something like that. I’ve had what I thought was that once and a steroid and z-pack took it away.

Nope no pain! Weird sensations! That disappear when i am really busy in something! It is all
Mind games i guess! Anxiety is a b!tch that manifests as unimaginable symptoms