Feel like I can't breathe... but I can???

[Rhys1879SAFC]

Hi this is one symptom I'm having thats really starting to scare me, I first noticed it on a bus when I was just sitting still and gazing out of the window.

Its so strange, I will be breatheing normally, and I know that I'm breatheing, but then I get this feeling that I can't breathe and I literally start gasping for air... even though I'm bloody breatheing! :wacko:

I know what I've just typed sounds crazy but can someone relate to it? Its awful when you can't catch your breath so this is really distressing when it comes on. :mad:

[Pan9]

Hey,

Yeah I have had this- my chest all of a sudden feels tight and then its like I can't get enough air into my lungs, even though I'm sure that seconds before I was breathing fine!! Its almost like I've just bolted up the stairs and am trying to catch my breath x

[Veronica H]

I thought this might help.....

I have posted this advice before from the great Dr Weekes......A good exercise to stop rapid shallow breathing: lie flat on the floor or bed, bend knees and bring legs close to your body, keeping feet flat on the ground. Then place arms across chest, right hand grasping left shoulder, left hand grasping right shoulder. This produces abdominal breathing'.

The feeling that you can't breathe is caused by chest muscles tightening due to anxiety...Dr Weekes also says 'do not let it frighten you. Breathe as shallowly as you feel you must, but donot be concerned with what will happen because you breathe this way. Your respiritory centre will see that you inspire enough air, despite your effort to hinder it'.
Veronicax
:):bighug1:

[scaredstiff695]

i no this feeling now i haveit now actually want to slepp but laid believing i cant breathe and i no i am and then itake big deep breaths soooo frustrationg

[judipat]

Hi Rhys
Just posted this on another thread;

Symptoms

The biggest clue to Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome is the presence of vague dizziness accompanied by a lot of other seemingly unrelated symptoms, which might include any of the following:


shortness of breath for no apparent reason
frequent sighing or yawning
chest pains
heart palpitations
sweating
syncope (fainting)
dizziness
trembling
slurred speech
cold, tingling, or numb lips or extremities
nausea or irritable bowel syndrome
aching muscles or joints, or tremors
tiredness, unsteadiness, or diffuse weakness
restless sleep, insomnia, or nightmares
sexual problems
anxiety or phobias
fear that perhaps you're a hypochondriac
dry mouth
pressure in throat or difficulty swallowing
bloating, belching, flatulence, or abdominal pain
impaired memory or concentration
confusion / disorientation
tinnitis (ringing in ears)
headaches
blurred vision, tunnel vision, double vision, or flashing lights
tachycardia (rapid pulse)
depression
erratic blood pressure

So many members have been posting recently about "difficulty breathing", or not being able to take a "deep breath" - together with all the other nasty symptoms they are experiencing.
There is a book by Dinah Shore which is half explanitory and half self help about the above syndrome. Dinah Shore is a physiotherapist from New Zealand who specialises in respitory physio. The book is excellent, easy to read and explains the condition in full and in simple language.

I have suffered with this for years and know how unpleasant and frightening it can be. It also know how it can excaserbate anxiety/panic and spiral into an uncontrollable cycle of misery.

Of course, you should get checked out medically - but if nothing else is found to be causing your breathing problems, please look into this.

I hope this helps.

Judi

[scaredstiff695]

wow all my symptoms i get when over breathing are on their and i thought i was dying lol xxx

[daybyday]

Thanks Veronica for the breathing help. Will try that.