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Avatar universal

shortness of breath/frequent yawning

I am a 41 year old female with a 2 year old, in good health other than being about 10 pounds overweight. Two months ago I began experiencing shortness of breath. I yawn constantly in an attempt to get air. The doctor thought asthma, especially given my family history of lung problems, so though my lungs sounded clear I tried advair/albuterol.  No change in condition.
I had a ct scan to check for a pulmonary embolism and everything looked good. I have been taking previcid for 2 weeks to treat possible acid reflux, but there has been no change in my condition. I feel better when I sleep and wake up feeling great, only to have the sob return within a few hours.
A possibly relevant fact: the day before this started I was at yoga doing a twist when I felt a very, very sharp pain in my right side under my rib, along with a feeling as if a rubber band had been snapped in the same place. The pain was excruciating and traveled through my breast and shoulder, but was gone in a few minutes and I was able to continue class. Also, I was in the desert for a few days and it went away but returned about a week later. I fairly certain it isn't stress/anxiety as the trip out of town was not relaxing. The breathing seems better when I stand/worsens sitting down, and I may have been standing more than usual on the trip. I am feeling so frustrated, scared, and depressed.
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Avatar universal
Recently, I've gotten a new early morning job, and have been drinking more coffee.  Since drinking more coffee, I've noticed my trouble breathing deeply/labored breathing.  I've been digging around on the net and believe it's either the coffee or the creamer I put in my coffee, or both, as I've read where both can cause breathing problems.  I've been reading about Polysorbate 80, which is in alot of dairy products(creamers, etc).  I suggest alot of you read up on this info, because my breathing issues are only when I'm downing cup of coffee after cup of coffee, trying to wake up.  I'm still learning, but will update as I learn more.  Thanks for this site.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Like everyone else I have having the same problems. I am a 25 year old male, not overweight, never smoked, no drugs, very regular exercise. Mine started about 6 months ago lasting only a few hours, then came back about once a month for a few hours for the next few months. Then randomly it came back and stayed for days leading to a panic attack and a trip to the ER. All of this was definitely due to anxiety as I do suffer from anxiety and this definitely contributed to the breathing trouble. After a week of anxiety meds I was back to normal. Unfortunately after 2 months it came back and has stayed for a month now :/.

Although I have not got this to go away this time I have found ways to make it very manageable. First off was retraining myself to breath, slow deep breaths through the stomach not the chest. This helped tremendously and got rid of all my chest pain and lessened the urge to gasp for air. Adding breathing exercises has also helped. I do have moderately low TSH but not low enough to take synthetic hormone replacement. Instead I am taking a 'natural' supplement aimed at supporting thyroid function. This has also seemed to help tremendously.

At this point, I think this could very well be a 'tic' that my body likes to feel satisfied since I have been doing it for over a month now. I'm fairly sure I can overcome this 'tic' but will require hard work and perseverance, as any habit takes to break. I find I can go a good while without having the urges if I am very focused on other things taking my mind off of it and changing my attitude toward the situation in general.

I am going to start a gluten-free diet as it certainly can't hurt and will lead to a healthier lifestyle anyway. I eat pretty clean but all the processed crap we are exposed to cannot be good anyway.

It's very comforting to know I'm not the only one and there are other people working toward a cure. I'll check back with status updates and good luck to everyone else and God bless!
Helpful - 0
180749 tn?1443595232
Here is something to help you get over the difficulty in breathing.
First do the kapalbhati pranayam, for one minute, and then do anulom vilom for 5 minutes.Repeat this every hour, during the day time.Let me know your progress when you feel the benefit. You may continue the parnayam for longer periods, to feel other benefits.As your lifestyle is good, you feel the difference sooner.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom pranayam –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 5 to 20 minutes twice a day. Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am a 38 year old, healthy woman.  I have a healthy diet(eat organic and haven't had meat in over 20 years)  I am very athletic, never smoked and have an occasional drink.  I had mild asthma as a child and went years without any inhalers until recently.  I have been having difficulty catching my breath for the last 4 months and it is really affecting my life.  I have had cat scans, blood work, EKG, and a number of other tests.  I've tried allergy medicine, acid -reflux medicine and Im currently on a steroid inhaler. I''m not convinced that it's stress.  I just went on a trip with my husband for 4 days and I still had my breathing problems. I have 4 children at home and i feel as if it's really affecting who I am.  I am really scared and I feel like my husband and Dr both think its all in my head.  PLEASE HELP!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 24 year old, healthy, active girl and, for last half a year or so, have been having  the same symptoms as most of you. I`ve been to my doctor and have done various x-rays, blood tests and EKG, all of which came back normal.
Seems to me that doctors all over the world are the same - all they do is blame non-existent anxiety and prescribe strong, unnecessary prescription medications, even though they haven't reached ANY diagnosis!.. So I decided to take measures in my own hands.
What I am going to do is go on a strict, nutrient and mineral rich diet and see if my body can heal and rejuvenate itself! I'm excluding all meat and dairy and will be eating ONLY RAW, uncooked, enzyme-rich food: fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, smoothies and fresh juices.
For those of you as desperate as me - google RAW VEGAN DIET benefits and you will find many studies of how a good nutrition has cured many serious illnesses..
With broccoli in one hand an avocado in another, I wish us all a success!


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have your vitamin b12 and d checked. I have been feeling the same as many of you, short of breath, tired all the time back pain, etc. I have a condition called sarcoidosis and I thought it was that asking up again. It took 2 years and a ton of tests before anyone said let's check your vitamin levels. I hope this works for me.
Helpful - 0

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