I've had problems with panic attacks since I was about 9, but it wasn't until recently my doctor 'diagnosed' me with a major anxiety problem. The only reason this happened was because I was suffering 2-3 panic attacks a day and anxious thoughts constantly in between. He checked me for thyroid problems but that came back negative, but a few days after my doctor appointment I ended up in A&E, certain I was gonna die. They did a heart trace and a blood test and said everything was fine, it was just anxiety, and I should go home.
Anyway, I've noticed during my anxiety I become overly aware of my body, my breathing, my pulse etc. And it's got to the point I feel I can't breathe automatically and I now have to take each breath myself. I'm not too concerned about this being a health problem because when I'm distracted i know I can breathe by myself without noticing.
However, when I do have these obsessive periods it feels as if I can't have a satisfying breathe. I know that sounds stupid but I can't explain it, I breathe in and I don't feel like it's filling my lungs, then I breathe out and again it doesn't feel like my oxygen levels are balanced. I obsess so much I make myself lightheaded, and I've convinced myself there's something wrong with my heart or lungs.
Please help, I don't know if it's just my anxiety or not, I really need reassurance!
Hi. All your symptoms are panick attacks. Try to get them under control and they will ease.
I went to yoga and meditation to help me with my breathing. People often look at me cos I'll let out a big noisy breath! It takes a while to learn breathing but once you e mastered it your laughing.
Use a paper bag, also eased mine but I think it's cos I was in control of my brain and actions.
I dont know how reassuring I can be with so many of my issues going on. I too was diagnosed with anxiety/panic attacks. All my symptoms have been going on for a minimum of 3 years. I have had two drs diagnose me. But I feel like not really much has been done to rule out real health problems. I have had an ekg done, they said it was fine, I have had two blood tests and everything looks ok except low b12 which I take a shot a month of that. this past months I have new added things like tingling on face mainly by my mouth and weird feeling spots in different places on my head like right under the scaplp i think. My chest discomfort is nowhere near as bad as it was for a couple of years but its still awful to have especially whrn it accompanies left arm feeling weird and small pains in my back. Im not haveing a good evening tonight at all, I just worry so. Also right now I have dry mouth and feel a little nausea. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
I've been dealing with anxiety and panic for almost 8 years now. I know exactly this feeling you are describing. Feels like you need to take a deep breath but just can't get it? That's how it feels to me. So I keep trying because I feel like I need that deep breath to get enough air. Then it eventually causes pain in my chest and back and shoulders from trying so hard/often to take that deep breath. While doing that I'm taking in so much air that my stomach begins to bloat, giving me that full feeling and makes me feel even more like I can't breath. It really is a vicious cycle. You are certainly not alone. And my episodes with this particular symptom can last a long time. While anxiety attacks come and go, along with other symptoms, this symptom always lasts the longest. I hope you feel better soon.
I get the pains in my back and arms as well. Sometimes just one arm. Sometimes both. I have gotten nausea many times. I think that's just our worry causing that. If your breathing is increased at all from feeling a little anxious, that could be why your mouth is dry. I find drinking water when I'm feeling bad really helps. I have no idea why but it does. So much that I don't go anywhere without having a bottle of water with me.
you mentioning having a water bottle with yu, not only is that a good idea, im thinking even doing small things like that would make a person feel like their taking control, and thats surely got to help people like me who feels like they lose all control, thank you
I think I know what you guys are talking about,hi with me I feel Im breathing normal but its like its just not quite enough. Like Im not drawing in enough. Also every now and then usually when im in bed all of a sudden I like gasp with an intake of a breath, it always comes out of the blue and it scares me because I think what the heck? is something going on that could close off my breathing? I get so tired of being in fear all the time,
This is happening to me tonight, I woke up with chest pains and panicked so much I've messed my breathing up again. Whenever I try to fall back asleep I jolt up gasping for air, so I've now resorted to trying to keep myself awake as I'm scared to go to sleep.
Thank you for the reply, it's gotten worse tonight and I can't get back to sleep. I'm trying to take in air but it just feels like I'm holding my breath constantly. Ugh, I really hope it subsides soon because it scares me so much, I can't accept that such a scary thing like this can be 'just anxiety'.
Hi, Chenise: I'm so sorry you are having these terrible things. I have had anxiety since birth, and it is no picnic in the park. I, fortunately, have a great doctor who found the right meds to keep mine under control, but I still have a panic attack once in a while. To me, it is like 20 minutes or more in hell...They are HORRIBLE...I woke up this morning at 2:00am, feeling sick to my stomach. Right away, I thought the very worst. I had pains everywhere. What I did was...I went to the bathroom, and very little urine came out...my first thought...Kidney shut down. I had to get control or else...I took my ipad and started messaging a friend. Before you know it, the pain was gone...Thank God, it went away..Who knows what brings them on, but think how great it feels when they go away and you are once again in control of your body...Hang in there, sweetie...they will most likely get less and less and you get older....HUGS.
You have had the tests, sout poutnothing wrong there. Only you can help yourself.
When you feel laboured breathing, breath in and when you breath out purse your lips slightly as in a whistle (dont whistle) like a pout !! I know you've been told this many times but it is all in the mind, why dont a group of you get together and talk about it.
You will all go "oh yeah I get that" now go and live it is anxiety and you can rule it or let it rule you. Good luck and be strong and no panic attacks xxx You can overcome it. Now show me how strong you all are xx Calm inhale and pursed lips exhale xx Go get em xxxx
Thanks for the encouragement :-) I'm trying to beat it and live my life again but it feels impossible, and I'm constantly told to 'get over it' by people who don't understand how hard anxiety is. It makes me feel like I'm making the whole thing up.
Breathing with pursed lips really helped, only some times I'm too far gone and nothing seems to work or distract me.
I also forgot to add I've suffered with asthma and a heart murmur since I was very young, although my asthma never seems bothersome and my heart murmur hasn't caused any problems since the doc first found it.
I can't be given medication because I'm only 16 which can be annoying, but at the same time I don't want to have to rely on medication to sort myself out.
I had a panic attack and I tried the breathing and for me it worked but some people get it so bad they wont eat out.
See Doc again and ask him if it is your heart or anxiety attacks and say it is spoiling your life. If it isn't heart (as my Sister was a blue baby and she done loads). Then ask him any tips for lowering panic attacks. Good look and always sing happy songs xx
Oh my God!!! I feel the exact same way! I totally get what you mean about how you feel like you can't fill up your lungs!! I feel the same way, I say that all the time! I'm so happy I'm not alone. <3
OH my God. I have the exact same thing. Ever since I had the flu a few months ago, It’s felt like something has been wrong with me. For the longest time, I thought I had pneumonia or a lung problem. I went to the ER last week and they said my vitals were fine. I have horrible chest and back pain. I’m pretty sure it’s because I can’t breathe. I feel like I can’t get a satisfactory breathe and then after trying to breathe hard all day, I feel boated and it just gets worse. I get scared all day, mostly panicked. It feels like my lungs can’t expand, and it seems when I’m distracted I forgot about it briefly and breath better. I can’t remember how to breathing actually felt before I had the flu. But I do know that after smoking pot for almost a year on and off, I became more and more aware of myself/my body. No doubt the THC was affecting my body and mind. Now that’s I have anxiety on a dangerous level, I’m not sure what to do next.