Hi Gabe,

I just came across your post and read it thoroughly. I haven't read the comments but I do plan to.

Here's my story: So one fateful day while at work at the time (Lowe's), I accidentally cut some pressure treated lumber. A few weeks prior, a co-worker had told me to never do that because of the "toxic chemicals" they use to treat the wood.
I did it anyway, and immediately after, I started having trouble breathing. I freaked out. I had asthma as a child and my last Asthma attack had been at least 6-7 years prior. So I ran to the pharmacy next door and got my inhaler refill. But nothing improved. After months of many ER visits, misdiagnoses and doctor visits, I concluded I may have VCD after doing research. I finally saw an ENT and SLP and they said "I likely had it". I guess it meant they couldn't trigger it while they did the Laryngoscopy.

Eventually I got better but the breathing issue was always there, running the background. Sometimes it would get worse. Bad air, running, getting sick would all trigger it. but it had been manageable. I could still hike, run short distances, workout, etc..

However, about two months ago, I was shopping at Lowe's and I walked by the Lumber area, just to reminisce where it all started. And guess what? This issue is back and as worse as it was in 2013. The poor air quality here in Salt Lake City hasn't helped either.
Mine isn't life threatening. I have monitored my O2 for years and my O2 never goes below 92. So It obviously won't kill me. But it is uncomfortable and I am really worried what happens one day when I can no longer get the "breath in" and I pass out.

I am questioning if I have some other psychological issue? I get the throat tightness and difficulty inhaling but no stridor. I have to yawn or sigh to "force the breath in".

I want to add this, I don't know if VCD is considered a type of Dystonia but I also have Dystonia. I find it hard to believe I would have two very rare neurologic disorders. My Dystonia is "multifocal" so it mainly occurs in my eyelids, facial muscles and sometimes abdomen. These are involuntary muscle spasms. Those spasms aren't constant but can be triggered as well.

I recently just tried taking muscle relaxers and it's only been one day, so hard to say if it makes a difference.

Currently I have found no breathing exercises that have done anything to help. I can relate to your story and I really question what is going on. I can't imagine living the rest of my life like this.

Tahir