shortness of breath/frequent yawning

[kellb]

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.

[jharajni]

Hi,
The same thing was happening to me also and i over come with it. but, i would like to say that its not a diesease or anything, it is something which use to happen due to our unexpected body moves/untimely exercise, and i know the cure also..

Thanks,
Rajni

[Juliagulia909]

Go get your iron checked! I had this problem for 3 flippin years and it turned out I was iron deficient. If you Google the relationship between anxiety and iron deficiency you will find it. I was healed after 2 weeks on iron supplements! I can finally breathe hallelujah!! NO doctors figured this out for me. I figured it out on my own. I swear doctors are worthless sometimes.

But, don't just start taking iron. Get your levels checked first. You could jack yourself up if you take iron when you don't need it.

God Bless!

[Blooter]

I put a bookmark on this forum because I've had the yawning and not being able to catch my breath for a long time.
I have settled on my explanation.  I had to work intermittently in a factory that produced asbestos items.  They were shut down.  The dust was thick in the air.  For many years I had the problem but felt that no one really believed my symptoms.  Lately I had doctor who didn't know about the asbestos told me he could see a previous exposure to asbestos in my lungs.  I see no cure for me but note that in this world of sleeze and misrepresentation the lawyers are making a killing off of mesothelioma, but there is no provision for those who have been affected to a lesser degree for a very long time.  I'm up in years and see no relief for me but must mention the asbestos thing so search your memory and think if you could have been exposed.  It will show in more sophisticated imaging.
Too many doctors will only prescribe an inhaler.

[Blooter]

I put a bookmark on this forum because I've had the yawning and not being able to catch my breath for a long time.
I have settled on my explanation.  I had to work intermittently in a factory that produced asbestos items.  They were shut down.  The dust was thick in the air.  For many years I had the problem but felt that no one really believed my symptoms.  Lately I had doctor who didn't know about the asbestos told me he could see a previous exposure to asbestos in my lungs.  I see no cure for me but note that in this world of sleeze and misrepresentation the lawyers are making a killing off of mesothelioma, but there is no provision for those who have been affected to a lesser degree for a very long time.  I'm up in years and see no relief for me but must mention the asbestos thing so search your memory and think if you could have been exposed.  It will show in more sophisticated imaging.
Too many doctors will only prescribe an inhaler.

[madpompoms]

I am a 28 yo female and just recently (for about the last year), have been experiencing shortness of breath intermittently, but almost every day. I am a nurse, so naturally, my mind runs wild with all sorts of things it could possibly be. I also, feel like yawning seems to help sometimes (it allows me to get the full deep breath that I need). Unfortunately I suffer from generalized anxiety and panic disorder, so I guess it could be related. It is just such an uncomfortable feeling, and when I experience the shortness of breath that I'm talking about, I tend to think about it more and then of course, it gets progressively worse. I use Klonopin as needed for anxiety, and usually it does help significantly with the SOB as well. So I guess it's hard to say if it is stress/anxiety induced. All of my labs have always been perfect. I'm glad to have stumbled across this site thogh. It's helpful to know that I am not the only one to experience these unpleasant symptoms. Thanks all.

[mumof3amazingkids]

Hi Hava, I have read your comments on this issue of breathing techniques and I just wanted to ask about the technique. You say to breath out once per second through your nose, was that correct or a typo error.? Are you saying to push short continuous breaths out through your nose for the 20 minutes or so? Or should it be slowly puching the air out lasting a few seconds each time. I have been having this problem for about a month. I am not an anxious person and really dont have any concerns as such but I di have a virus a few weeks back which I noticed caused me to be tight chested, feverish, lost my voice all in the first week. 3 days in to wk 2 I felt improved and went to town but by the time I returned I again was gasping for air, feeling like my sternum had been punched relentlessly and like my ribs were so tight, compressing my lungs. I am unable to wear a bra at the moment due to the discomfort and increased breathlesness. My GP thought I had pluritic chest so had me checked out at A&E, thankfully nothing showed up in tests and xray, but consultant did say that it was possibly muscular skeletol issues, being in spasm and pushing on my lungs and sternum. Since then I have not improved. Can only walk a few steps before gasping and having to stop to sit down. I wake up in a morning and I take a really easy, much needed deep breath with ease but as soon as I sit up it's like a massive weight on my chest and the whole process starts for another day. I'm exhausted. I have severe mobility issues so can't take my mind off things by going for a run or walk. Please can you clarify what the excercise entails. Many thanks.