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Anyone with constant air hunger and anxiety during stressful time?
I recently went through several very anxiety filled weeks. I was taking my emergency medication (ativan) almost every day. 11 times in 15 days, with permission from psychiatrist. He wants me to slow that down though but says I can use it until I see him in a week.
I am constantly hungry for air. Nothing works, least of all breathing exercises.
I was feeling a bit better and didn't take ativan yesterday, but then I got anxious and took half a dose. I felt OK but then got really anxious later. I can't sleep now. My whole body feels tight, like its going to pop. And I can't take ativan because it's been too many days in a row.
Help please. I am so scared.
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Hi, I’m very sorry about your troubles with air hunger, I have been going through this for many years and trying to control it with breathing exercises is very difficult for me to manage properly..it’s like you’re going around in circles and nothing can make you more anxious than an inability to breathe properly. I am however concerned about you mentioning using Ativan to help relieve stress and I know only too well that it works very well, the problem is that when the medication wears off everything returns again and even feels worse. I’ve been taking Ativan for many years and I’m dependent on it for my stress problems, it only takes about 2 weeks to start getting a continuing need for it, please save yourself a lot of heartache and get another medication from your psychiatrist that will help you feel better without the risk of addiction, I speak from experience and if I can help you to avoid this problem then I’m happy that I contacted you, good luck and take care.
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4 ReactionsI might suggest Buspar. I take it regularly for anxiety and have for 9 years.
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3 ReactionsDoes buspar rev you up? I tried it and I was bouncing off walls
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1 ReactionIn January, 2023, I quit taking the antipsychotic (Zyprexa) after using for ten years, in part, because I developed air hunger.
It went away almost immediately and hasn't resurfaced.
At the same time, I also cut way back on the antidepressant, Lamotrigine, which I'd also been taking for many years. So, I'm not certain which one was the root cause of my air hunger. I'd taken a mix of anti-anxiety drugs over that time period without any appreciable relief from the breathing difficulties.
My 2 cents.
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2 ReactionsHi, I was wondering how you are feeling now, have you seen your doctor yet to get some help with your symptoms. I responded to your message a few days ago and expressed concern about the Ativan your psychiatrist was giving to you, I realize that I didn’t ask if you have any medical condition that causes this problem, you never mentioned that you have any health issues that could be the cause. I basically went on the assumption that you were suffering from anxiety because you’re in the care of a psychiatrist. I sincerely hope that you’re getting the right treatment and that the air hunger is improving.
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2 ReactionsThose were some pretty heavy medications that you were on and for an extended period of time. At best, I would suggest to anyone have a review with your PCP/Pharmacist yearly to see if there is a possibility of a dose reduction or even discontinuing a medication. Also, it is better to make one change at a time.....that way you will be better equipped to figure out which medication was doing/not doing to help your symptoms. The important thing now is that you are feeling better!