Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Feeling of suffocation

Hi,

I'm a 23 year old male. For the last 3 years, I've been constantly feeling like I'm suffocating. It's hard to describe the feeling, and it sounds pretty horrible, but I'm trying to lead a normal life. Obviously I've been to the doctor, they did chest x-ray and blood tests and I've been back for regular checkups. According to the tests, everything is fine with me. I have other symptoms that are characteristic of anxiety, and this was the diagnosis that was given to me.
Sometimes the suffocation feeling is mild and almost unnoticeable, sometimes it's very strong -- all of today I've been feeling like it, and part of yesterday. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this? It's starting to drive me crazy. I can feel like I'm suffocating even if I'm not feeling anxious, I can be in a good mood, out with friends, or whatever, and it's still there. It happened suddenly one night 3 years ago and since then it's never fully gone away.
The days that I feel very strongly like I'm suffocating, I notice my nose whistles sometimes. It takes a while for the feeling to go away; usually by the time I go to bed, the next day I wake up ok.
I'd really appreciate any help, I can't keep living with this, and the doctors say I'm fine, but I haven't had anything but blood work and a chest x ray.

Thank you
28 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Even I am facing the same problem. While I was trying to diagnose the disease from internet, I stumbled upon this thread.
I've been to few reputed doctors but all of them failed to understand.

One thing I noticed about my problem is that cool weather helps me a lot. Infact room temperature of the range of 16 degrees makes me feel comfortable while breathing.

Kindly report your observations.

You can mail me on ***@****. I'm sure we can find some solution
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Im feeling the same. Did u ever figure out what it was?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just wanted to tell you that I feel your pain. This is absolutely horrible. I hope the best for you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Please can anyone help me with what I'm going through? Big Time! shortness of breath, 2,coughing 3, yawning constantly. When I wake up in the morning I feel great. This gets worse as the day goes on. I feel like I'm losing my mind. Am I dying? What is wrong with me?
Please help me. I'm a fairly intelligent person. This is not all in my head. Trust me on that. I am dealing with a lot of stress in my life. I'm raising my granddaughter which she is 6. My 29 year old son lives at home. My husband is 64 and does not get along with our 29 year old son. My husband caters to every whim that our six year old granddaughter has. He doesn't make her accountable for any of her actions. Maybe this could be stress. I just feel lost.  Sorry for telling you all of my problems.  I'm just trying to link all of this together somehow. Please don't think this is in my head. I am just so scared. And I am 59 years old and I weigh a 139 lbs. So my weight is normal age I can't help that. LOL.....  I'm trying to keep a great outlook on life. But it is so hard when I can't socialize outside of the house because I am petrified that I will stop breathing or some crazy thing will happen. Because like I said, shortness of breath, coughing, and yawning constantly.

       Please Help Me!! ☹
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
www.cpnhelp.org
www.asthmastory.com
Avatar universal
Yeah it happens to me too, i feel like i can't breathe and it's s really painful not physically , but trying to take deep breaths and still feeling like u need more oxygen i went to a doctor and did some tests but they said that everything's normal :( I really dunno wt to do
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hello. I have the same problems as u all do. some days are better than others. like today I feel very tired and feel like I can breath. I have also been to the doctors and they say everything is fine with me. just I have anxiety. my problem is I don't feel anxious I just get weird feelings in my chest and feel like I can't breath. I have also noticed that my blood pressure goes up and down.. it's a scary thing I'm just like I guys. I wish I could get some relief and some answers
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Respiratory Disorders Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what causes asthma, and how to take control of your symptoms.
Healing home remedies for common ailments
Tricks to help you quit for good.
Is your area one of the dirtiest-air cities in the nation?
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.