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Can't breathe....


19 years ago 0 41 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thanks everyone. I am almost certain the breathing problems are due to intense tension and stress, but just incase I saw my doc and he's having me come in in a few days for a spirography (or some such thing) to make sure my lungs are ok. Thanks again for your thoughts - it's really amazing how knotted up our muscles get under all this stress. Relaxation is so much more important than I ever realized... Caitlin
19 years ago 0 25 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
caitlin, i to have suffered with the same problem so has many people on this site. i usually yawn a bunch to catch my breath. it is a natural fear of not being able to breath. i'm sure you think about it all day and that is where your attacks are coming from. you may not be thinking of a specific thought at the time of your attack. what happens is that you may have many thoughts throughout the day--- can't breath, what if i die, what if i have another panic attack, someone or something makes you mad... each time you experience a scary thought or get mad your brain releases adreniline thinking there might be something wrong-- will after a while that adreniline is released causing what we know as a panic attack-- tight chest, difficulty breathing, lightheaded etc. practice breathing techniques and relaxation.
19 years ago 0 59 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I get the same suffocating feeling aswell i try to breathe deep and slow i count to 3 slowly as i inhale and count to 3 as i exhale its hard to do when your in a panic.Sometimes it works for me sometimes it dosnt.Hope it helps you. Lou.
19 years ago 0 252 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi caitlin, It could be just anxiety causing these smytoms. Have you been to your doctor about this? If you haven't you should go just to make sure it is nothing else. Ruby....
19 years ago 0 41 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I have just gotten thru an attack and lately they are all the same - I get a tightness in my chest (often totally unprovoked, could swear I am not having negative thoughts or anything) and then progressively I struggle more and more to breathe. I mean I can get air into my throat, but I don't feel like I am getting oxygen to my heart and lungs, it feels like I am slowly suffocating. This triggers all kinds of chemicals to start telling me I am suffocating and my body start to panic as a natural response... these are the scariest of any attacks I have ever had (I used to get attacks when I felt I was trapped in a situation or place that I could not easily escape from, but now all my attacks are like this - struggling to breathe). So my question is - does anyone else have these symptoms? What do you do to get control again? Thanks for any help or support you can give. Caitlin

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