Strange Involuntary Breath

[terrymcc]

I am a 53 year old female, non-smoker and have no weight problems, and no known health problems.

Over the past two years, I've had numerous episodes where my body takes involuntary deep breaths, one every 7-8 minutes, interspersed with my normal breathing.  The intake of breath can be when inhaling or exhaling, and it when it occurs, it disrupts a normal breath.  Often the involuntary breath feels "catchy" as if I'd been crying or sobbing when in fact I have not.  

When the involuntary breaths first started, Sometimes I would go for 3 months without an episode, but then it would come back again, last for a few weeks and go away again.

Within the past 4 months, I had a horrible cold, and then a bad case of bronchitis.  The involuntary breathing has started up with the cold, and it is now contiunous, every 7 to 10 minutes or so.

I recently had an upper endoscopy, and finished a regiment for h pylori bacteria, however this annoying problem remains.

Is it possible this could be related to stess?

I've mentioned it to my doctor, and she doesn't seem to be concerned about it,  Unfortunately, it is of concern to me, and I have no idea what might be causing it.

Any assistance that can be provided would be greatly appreciated.

[Jul3z]

I was told by my doctor that the "sob breathes" were due to being fatigued.

[marionallen]

What is "sobbing breaths' attributed to?

[SajalLuthra]

My mom (52) has similar problem. Though it does not hurt but still is discomforting as the reason is not known. One person mentioned that it stopped for her after stopping neurotin. Hope for my mom also it stops.
She is currently taking TB medicine as well as Neurotin for partial seizures.

[GeorgiaB210]

I am a 68-year-old female, and I have been having these involuntary breaths for about two weeks.  I was diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago but do not use the CPAP machine.  I wake myself up out of a deep sleep when I have held my breath and gasped for air.  It doesn't seem to bother me, as I feel rested after eight hours of sleep and do not feel sleep deprived.  I don't like this sudden involuntary breathing.

[Pyrette_1955]

I too lost a child 4 years ago. Have been under a lot of stress with her leaving five kids.  The snorts (I call them) just started after a copd exacerbation episode for which I was hospitalized. I Have been home for 3 weeks snorting. Had sleep study, 02 was dropping to 70. They said I just stop breathing. Smoker for 48 years I quit six months ago, overweight, I am 60, have panic attacks, both hips replaced. Sound a mess.  Also get acid reflux. I Was on steroids and wondering their effect on this. When I came home this last time. my back hurts if I stand longer than five minutes, the left side of my bum goes numb and I have to sit down, and the snorting stared. So this really makes me wonder about a pinched nerve issue causing it from laying up In the bed for weeks. I do catch myself not breathing and shallow breathing, they make a breathing tube called a flutter/flute. I have  started using that to build lung capacity and it also breaks up mucus. Going to do the breathing exercise someone else suggested too. I'm hoping to find an answer here, I see a lot of ideas.

Very sorry for your loss, no one should have to feel the pain of losing a child should they.

[kwljb]

I have been taking medication to lower blood pressure and now I have a low heart rate (52 thumps a minute).  I have a feeling this might be the cause of my involuntary breaths,gasp,sighs (whatever) as my problem started about the same time too.