Scary problem, eating and cannot take deep breath! - Anxiety Message Board

Solange1965 · 05-26-2004, 09:47 AM

Yes I am a anxious person and it is a life long issue, peaks and valleys of it. I have taken benzos from time to time as prescribed when going through yet another personal crisis.

I have had issues in the past with being unable to take a deep breath and of course keep on trying over and over which makes it worse. This will occur every few months or longer and is a signal that something is bothering me subconsciously or am going through a stressor at that time.

But this latest thing is worse then that because it is involved with eating. Even just one thing. I found myself trying to eat a small meal a few weeks ago and experiencing that sensation that I could not take a deep breath. So I stopped eating and tried to calm myself which was hopeless because I was panicking over the fact that I couldn't breathe normally..trying to slow it by deep breathing made it worse. Now of course, this happens everytime I try and eat and of course dread it each time. If I take a small dose of Valium, 2mg., and wait about an hour( an hour filled with complete panic), then I can manage the food. I also use a 30 minutes anti-stress meditation CD at the same time although often I cannot lay still for the 30 minutes. It does work when I can.

Is this a phobia now or what? I very upset over this latest turn of events...would appreciate any help....thank you, Solange

hry33 · 05-29-2004, 02:15 PM

you should get doc to check you for any other problems, if uits being caused by anxiety, maybe you are trying too hard and thinking too much about your breathing

americansage · 11-27-2004, 02:47 AM

Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome

Do you have the follow symptoms (not all inclusive):

"air hunger"
"feel like breathing through a straw or get enough air"
"chest tight or hurts"
"back muscles hurt or tight"
"rapid breathing"
"dizzy"
"panicky"
"deep breath attempts just stop"
"sigh alot or yawn alot to get satisfying breath"
"when you do get a deep breath satisfaction only last a few minutes"
"lump in the throat"
"chest muscles and back muscles feel tired"

If you have seen lots of doctors and they do not know what is wrong with you because all the tests say your normal or they say you suffering from stress and give you medication or tell you to see a psychiatrist. Ask them about CHS. Many doctors do not know about CHS because as you can see the above symptoms can also be a result of more serious conditions and it is difficult to diagnose CHS. There is even some argument CHS actually exists, but it is very real for those of us that suffer from it. You are not crazy. Google Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome and you will see it is a real condition with some real treatment options. I have not pursued any of the treatment options b/c I think I can lick this myself since I know what I have now. Knowledge is half the battle. I searched for 2 years for an answer and finally a way out. Good luck. Hopefully this helps.
american sage