Hyperventilation Syndrome

[Cassiehack]

So I am on a quest to figure out some unsettling questions. Ive been tryna figure this out for a while. A little back story: I used to have panic disorder back in high school. I am obsessive compulsive and I have always had anxiety. When I was 17 I developed an issue with my intestines.....I can not go to the bathroom without laxatives (despite having tried everything). Doctors do not know why this is, I am wondering if it is related to anxiety. About a year ago I started having constant tingling in my extremities.....almost always. It went away during the winter. I am usually very active, and truth be told I am generally pretty calm....I think? haha. I have had all kinds of testing done, and I am going to further explore the possibility that I have like...some sort of metabolic issue...however I was wondering if anyone has CHVS? I am reading up on it and I am thinking maybe I am not breathing right? I have almost CONSTANT tingling and I am wondering if this is an anxiety thing? I do often forget how to breathe....I feel better when I yawn and all that. I am thinking because of my history it could be anxiety related or maybe its a CO2 imbalance due to chronic laxative use (I am taking the safest possible laxatives and my doctors approve)  

[Cassiehack]

Thanks so much for the response! This tingling is driving me nuts. Often its the only thing I notice. I am counting on this being anxiety and not something worse. :P

Its crazy how the body can respond to emotion.

[Braxnum1]

I'm right there with you I also feel like I remind myself to breathe. Sometimes I feel like I'm not breathing correctly. It has been about a month of it. It started when I got concerned about my heart beat skips. I went yo hospital and it all turned out ok skipping stopped but this was left in its place. It is somewhat better. I won't it to be gone it does interrupt with every day life.

[BluCrystal]

Hi Cassie!  This sounds to me like a classic case of anxiety.  I have this as well, and have experienced the same things you have.  Tingly hands and feet means that you are breathing too fast, and your blood has no time to get enough oxygen to your exremities.  A good way to regulate your breathing is to suck in slowly, counting out 'one-one-t-h-o-u-s-a-n-d', and the same for breathing out.  You do not need to suck in alot of air, just enough to comfortably fill your lungs.  I know that when i sleep, i barely breathe at all, just taking light, slow breaths, and not filling my lungs but maybe half way or less.  But I do take MORE of these kinds of breaths when i sleep, with the occasional big 'suck and release' without waking up.  This is normal for me.  If you are actively thinking about your breathing all the time, you are bound to hyperventilate.  Try NOT to think about it.  Your body knows how to breathe without your help.  Even if you were to hyperventilate till you pass out, your body would take over, regulate your breathing, and you would wake a moment later, just fine.  I have seen stubborn children hold their breaths trying to scare their parents - it never works, lol.  I hope i have been helpful! - Blu