Anxiety
I have a problem and would like to know if anyone has experienced such. I am a 55 year old female. I love to sing in church and here lately when I start singing a solo, it's like I give out of breath before I can finish a few lines. It seems as though all of a sudden, I have no oxygen to finish the song. For instance, i skipped the first three words of a song so I could get some breath. I would appreciate any advice anyone can give me on this.

Hi. How admirable to be singing solo!
An underactive thyroid could be causing the breathlessness, and is common at our age (I'm almost 54).
I read this on another (voice and menopause) discussion board: "I do not sing but I am a teacher and I had terrible trouble with my voice before the hypothyroidism was diagnosed. It was husky & croaky, and I was constantly breathless, as if my lungs had shrunk."
Hope this helps.
Patricia

if its anxiety try to relax and dont tense your muscles or force things
some valium before will relax you and help a lot

a beta blocker med such as inderal also helps and is often taken by singers and musicians for solos

asthma is a possibility