Hello I’m having constant urges to take deep breath when I take a deep breath it satisfys and then the urge will come sometimes I find it hard to take a deep breath and when I find it hard I do deep breathing all of a sudden i can start breathing again I also yawn sometimes just get a catch a breath I went to the doctor they listen to my lungs heart and checked my oxygen levels all came back normal I keep thinkin it’s something else and worry and think about doing something helps me but I sometimes it’s hard to not focus on my breathing it’s been goin for over a month now if the doctor said it’s anxiety could it just be or have they got it wrong I find deep breathing excercise helps get my breathing back to normal but this is temporary as it comes back and I need to relax or do breathing excercise to get my breath back it’s like a repeated cycle
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
Thank you for your reply I don’t get anything else just the constant urge to take deep breaths I also find that deep breathing excercise helps like when I breath in and hold my breath for 3 seconds then breath out I start yawning automatically and can start taking more deep breaths I went to the doctor they heard my lungs and heart and oxygen levels and said all normal and put it to anxiety I do suffer from anxiety
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
I appreciate your reply, @rab. You say that you do suffer from anxiety. How long has anxiety been a problem for you? Have you been dealing with any new stressors lately?
Also, just wondering what anxiety treatments you have tried (i.e., exercises like yoga, tai chi, walking, swimming, etc.), talk therapy, anti-anxiety meds, counseling, etc.?
Do you have a strong support system of family and friends?
Liked by Lisa Lucier
Hi, @rab – I wanted to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. So, sounds like you had some critical checks of your heart, lungs and oxygen that turned out fine, but you have this constant urge to take deep breaths, then automatically yawn, which is being attributed to anxiety you were diagnosed with previously.
I'd also like to introduce you to @johnhans, who has some experience with anxiety, as well as @artscaping, who has some experience with breath work. @smilie also may have some thoughts for you, as may @cdcc.
What did the doctor suggest for next steps to address the anxiety further, if this breathing issue is prompted by anxiety?
I have been offered proponolal beta blockers but I don’t wanna no take no more as I can manage the symptoms I’m breathing fine i was worse when it first happened but now I can take in more deep breaths I find that when i tend to focus on my breathing or think about it I tend to get the urge some times I need to take a deep breath when I get the urge I don’t get any other symptoms
Liked by Lisa Lucier
@rab I have had problems with anxiety. If it is anxiety, then it can manifest in many ways. Some people will breath fast, others will have pain in the chest, and some may feel faint. If you have anxiety, the doctor could have suggested a medicine to get you through the worst. You could also try therapy. You have come up with an observation about your condition by yourself. That is great. You could still try therapy as a way to determine if the cause is from something in your life or a chemical problem. I take an antidressant to control my anxiety. If you want you could continue with your self observations by looking for something you have happening or are doing at the time the anxiety happens. My anxiety is worsened by any stimulants — caffeine, msg, and chocolate are common sources. I hope this helps you to find help for your condition.
Liked by thankful, Lisa Lucier, Ginger, Volunteer Mentor
@downtowntiger– A lot of people have trouble with shortness of breath (SOB) with anxiety. There are chemical changes that take place that cause this. However one of the biggest reasons for SOB is weight gain. Paxil can be quite sedating too and can affect the appetite center in your brain.
May I ask what surgery you had and how anxiety was found to be the cause of your SOB?
Liked by Lisa Lucier
I went through 5 months of tests, treatments, surgery, therapy (talk), hypnotherapy, and total med change by a psychiatrist. Paxil controls my anxiety and depression, but makes me gain weight-almost when I’m looking at food. It works and I can breathe normally, but, even with exercise, gain weight. I realize I’m holding my breath, but I can’t stop it. I have to yawn to feel I get a “normal” breath.
Liked by Merry, Volunteer Mentor
@hopeful33250
Hello @rab and welcome to Mayo Connect,
I appreciate you sharing about your urges to breathe deeply. It is understandable that you would want to know for sure if this is something related to a physical problem or anxiety.
You say that this has been going on for about a month now. Have you had any other symptoms along with this urge to breathe deeply? I'm thinking of symptoms like chest pain, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, etc.
Have there been any stressors in your life this past month that might explain possible anxiety?
I hope you find an answer to this perplexing problem. Will you post again with an update?
Liked by Ginger, Volunteer Mentor