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.

[Ajay02]

I've also got the same problem and after studying all comments on this thread the first thing that jumps out mostly is the strong connection to sharp intake of breath and sleep problems.  My reason for sleep problems is due to severe depression. Sleep depravation can be due to many different reasons but mostly as I've observed here it's the most common reason for the sharp intake if breath syndrome on this thread . We know that most doctors are a bit dismissive of this condition and I think we should be a bit more demanding of our GP's. It is uncomfortable for some, a nuisance, can be embarrassing not to mention worrying. So! I for one am going to push for some Tests to be done which a lot of GP practice's are reluctant to do unless its an obvious matter of life and death due to the financial impact it has on their practice's. Whilst we respect the fact they have a budget I feel it should still  be taken more seriously.
We have to look after ourselves so let's all give an extra push and make sure we are healthy after all we pay our national health so they should help..let's not be put off OK.  Good luck everyone and I wish you good health.

[HollySatoh]

Ajay02, I believe that you are correct.  I haven't slept more than a couple of hours a night in eight months.  Not for medical reasons - I went to the animal shelter and adopted a fluffy four-legged alarm clock who wakes me up at all hours.  I have had much fatigue and now experience this shuddering breath intake.  Thank you for that sleep deprivation insight!  

[bnn]

still trying to contact you.

[sleep_e]

Where did everyone go ? Well I'm hoping it's a good sign no one has posted in a while. Maybe , in time, it just all goes away. It stops as strange & unexplained as it came. Good Luck Everyone !

[sleep_e]

Yes. Mine happen at night, just as I'm about to fall asleep. They can even wake me out of a sound sleep. Just a deep uncontrolled breath, sometimes a snorting sound. They can happen 5 or 6 times, or every 10 minutes. Makes it hard to get a good night sleep. Do you get them at night ?

[bnn]

yes i do.  do you?

[sleep_e]

Do you have the  Involuntary breaths too ?  So many people have posted about this problem 4 & 5 years ago. Yet no one has posted back with any positive results or answers. I guess that is kind of a bad sign for all of us.