Shortness of Breath

Question:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi all…. i just had a quick question or i don’t know what it is… for everyone i’ve been a wreck lately because even when i’m just sitting here at work, i feel like a can’t breath right.  it’s like, no matter how deep i take a breath, it’s just not enough air…. and my heart feels tight.  like, not fast, but just hard.  and sometimes it feels like when it beats… the blood just *shooshes* through and it doesn’t beat right.  now, i’m only 21 – i have been diagnosed with GAD (or something of the sort) but i don’t usually feel stuff like this… i have only had a few PAs in my life, and i’m on celexa for anxiety… but this all feels different… and i’m kind of nervous and afraid to go to the dr because i’m worried that something’s wrong (there’s a surprise, right?) ahhh… so, can anyone hlp me by letting me know what they feel or if they have similar symptoms or whatEVER… thanks! bridget (either email or post, it’s up to you…)

I had these symptoms at some point. I think yours may be due to hyperventilation. Breathing exercises can help and Cathy (hi Cathy!!) knows a lot of them. However, it is always worthwhile to have a physical checkup to rule out other causes (yes, I know, a I’m hypochondriac myself at times) and be reassured. The thing with PAD is that symptoms can change over the years and take us by surprise and we will obsess over them…. Philip

Response:
Hi Bridget! Have you practiced breathing from the diaphragm?  I found this to help my shallow breathing that helped with my anxiety attacks.  If that does not work, try practicing with some relaxation tapes.  If you are really concerned I would check with the doc to make sure that it is indeed anxiety you are dealing with.  It does sound like the problem, but you always want to make sure.  If there is a problem they can take care of it before it gets worse.  :)J — “Just when you think life sucks, someone hands you a vacuum cleaner; it is at this time you start cleaning some house”. J  Visit me at:  http://members.ync.net/jdgalvin/index.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi all…. i just had a quick question or i don’t know what it is… for everyone i’ve been a wreck lately because even when i’m just sitting here at work, i feel like a can’t breath right.  it’s like, no matter how deep i take a breath, it’s just not enough air…. and my heart feels tight.  like, not fast, but just hard.  and sometimes it feels like when it beats… the blood just *shooshes* through and it doesn’t beat right.  now, i’m only 21 – i have been diagnosed with GAD (or something of the sort) but i don’t usually feel stuff like this… i have only had a few PAs in my life, and i’m on celexa for anxiety… but this all feels different… and i’m kind of nervous and afraid to go to the dr because i’m worried that something’s wrong (there’s a surprise, right?) ahhh… so, can anyone hlp me by letting me know what they feel or if they have similar symptoms or whatEVER… thanks! bridget (either email or post, it’s up to you…)

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Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi all…. i just had a quick question or i don’t know what it is… for everyone i’ve been a wreck lately because even when i’m just sitting here at work, i feel like a can’t breath right.  it’s like, no matter how deep i take a breath, it’s just not enough air…. and my heart feels tight.  like, not fast, but just hard.  and sometimes it feels like when it beats… the blood just *shooshes* through and it doesn’t beat right.  now, i’m only 21 – i have been diagnosed with GAD (or something of the sort) but i don’t usually feel stuff like this… i have only had a few PAs in my life, and i’m on celexa for anxiety… but this all feels different… and i’m kind of nervous and afraid to go to the dr because i’m worried that something’s wrong (there’s a surprise, right?) ahhh… so, can anyone hlp me by letting me know what they feel or if they have similar symptoms or whatEVER… thanks! bridget (either email or post, it’s up to you…)

Hi Bridget! We all feel that we have other illnesses too when we have these feelings.  If you haven’t had a good physical, I suggest that you get one.  There probably isn’t anything else wrong with you health-wise.  GAD and PAs give us symptoms like racing heart, fast pulse, palpitations, nausea, headache, etc.  All of us at some point in our lives have felt some or all of these symptoms and went running to the doctor in fear of what else was wrong with us.  I have GAD, anxiety/panic, etc. and I know how you feel.  Feel free to ask or post anything here.  Everyone is so supportive at this group!  Please take care. Di

Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -hi all…. i just had a quick question or i don’t know what it is… for everyone i’ve been a wreck lately because even when i’m just sitting here at work, i feel like a can’t breath right.  it’s like, no matter how deep i take a breath, it’s just not enough air…. and my heart feels tight.  like, not fast, but just hard.  and sometimes it feels like when it beats… the blood just *shooshes* through and it doesn’t beat right.  now, i’m only 21 – i have been diagnosed with GAD (or something of the sort) but i don’t usually feel stuff like this… i have only had a few PAs in my life, and i’m on celexa for anxiety… but this all feels different… and i’m kind of nervous and afraid to go to the dr because i’m worried that something’s wrong (there’s a surprise, right?) ahhh… so, can anyone hlp me by letting me know what they feel or if they have similar symptoms or whatEVER… thanks! bridget (either email or post, it’s up to you…)

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Hi Bridget – I’ve been wondering how you are.  Sorry to hear that you are having a rough time of things at the moment.  I am quite familiar with the problems with breathing that you describe.  It often happens when my anxiety is bad, and I find that hot weather makes it worse for me – maybe it is affecting you too.  You really should go and see a doctor though – preferably one familiar with anxiety problems – and ask their advice.  Hope to speak with you soon — Jon Guite Live support and chat for anxiety and panic disorders at the #anx/pan chat room in Dalnet.  For details see http://www.skcldv.demon.co.uk/anxpanw.htm

Response:
hi all…. i just had a quick question or i don’t know what it is… for everyone i’ve been a wreck lately because even when i’m just sitting here at work, i feel like a can’t breath right.  it’s like, no matter how deep i take a breath, it’s just not enough air…. and my heart feels tight.  like, not fast, but just hard.  and sometimes it feels like when it beats… the blood just *shooshes* through and it doesn’t beat right.  now, i’m only 21 – i have been diagnosed with GAD (or something of the sort) but i don’t usually feel stuff like this… i have only had a few PAs in my life, and i’m on celexa for anxiety… but this all feels different… and i’m kind of nervous and afraid to go to the dr because i’m worried that something’s wrong (there’s a surprise, right?) ahhh… so, can anyone hlp me by letting me know what they feel or if they have similar symptoms or whatEVER… thanks! bridget (either email or post, it’s up to you…)

Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi all…. i just had a quick question or i don’t know what it is… for everyone i’ve been a wreck lately because even when i’m just sitting here at work, i feel like a can’t breath right.  it’s like, no matter how deep i take a breath, it’s just not enough air…. and my heart feels tight.  like, not fast, but just hard.  and sometimes it feels like when it beats… the blood just *shooshes* through and it doesn’t beat right.  now, i’m only 21 – i have been diagnosed with GAD (or something of the sort) but i don’t usually feel stuff like this… i have only had a few PAs in my life, and i’m on celexa for anxiety… but this all feels different… and i’m kind of nervous and afraid to go to the dr because i’m worried that something’s wrong (there’s a surprise, right?) ahhh… so, can anyone hlp me by letting me know what they feel or if they have similar symptoms or whatEVER…

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Dear Bridget, Shortness of breath is a very common anxiety symptom. However, you can`t be diagnosed over the internet, you really should go to the doctor just to make sure it isn`t something physical like asthma. I know how scary it is to think you may have something physically wrong with you, but not knowing what is going on can cause alot of anxiety. There is a very good chance that your doctor will tell you that is is anxiety and think of the peace of mind you will have. On the outside chance it is something physical, then it can be treated and you won`t have this symptoms anymore. In the meantime, it might help if you learned some deep breathing exercises which can be found at the following anxiety site. http://panicdisorder.about.com/msubself9.htm Take care  Jackie

Response:
Cindy I have a question about the shortness of breath that goes along with anxiety and panic.

In regards to shortness of breath during a panic and anxiety attack:  I get a pressure in my chest, my throat tightens up and I get a lump in my throat.  I feel like I’m gagging.  I am also asthmatic and this shortness of breath is not the same as during an asthma attack.  My heart feels like it is constantly racing.  My gp told me to use my inhaler when I feel like this, but I told her that my chest doesn’t get tight, it’s my throat.  It feels like someone is choking me around the neck.  I think I may be hyperventilating also.  My therapist was teaching me some breathing exercises, which helped for the moment but when you’re having an attack it’s hard to even remember to do the exercises.  I get so bad that I become physically nauseated and sometimes even need to throw up.   Most times I just a wreck. I had a real bad attack at our local Wal-Mart this morning.  Thank God I had a cell phone that I could call home and tell them I wouldn’t be home right away. Feel free to e-mail me if you need to talk.

Response:
I have a question about the shortness of breath that goes along with anxiety and panic. When you guys become short of breath, what does it feel like? I get tightness in my chest and throat and literally have to PUSH all the air OUT of my lungs. I have asthma but these symptoms come on even when my peak flow values are normal. My allergist said it’s probably from smoking, and another doctor says it’s probably due to muscle tension. I also have mitral valve prolapse-and shortness of breath is also a symptom of that. By the way,although I’ve always had a little anxiety-esp. depersonalization, my panic attacks started when I tried to quit smoking. Thanks for any input.  Cindy