Excessive gasping and yawning for air

[CostaRicaLD]

Sometimes we yawn a lot when we get nervous as a way of calming the body down. Have you been going through any stress?

[jobane]

Hello, people. Sorry I haven't responded recently, but I didn't realize so many people would respond to this thread. Anyway, my doctor prescribed me Xanax for a week. but I never got them. It turns out the day after I see the doctor, I got better. I'm not sure if it was all psychological, or if it was because i caught the flu. But I got "distracted" from my breathing disorder, and before I realized it the problem was gone. The doctor thinks it was anxiety. Although, I can't really say there was anything particular causing it in my life. The one thing I confirm is, that the more I yawned and sighed, the more I needed to yawn and sigh. It got very very uncomfortable. And excercising didn't help either.

[lietchi]

It's probably chronic hyperventilation, I've been diagnosed with it. It means that you breathe in the wrong way (usually because of stress) and you're body gets used to it. No medication is needed (unless you have an anxiety disorder), just some breathing exercises (to learn how to breathe correctly again, not too fast or deep) and relaxation exercises. And sometimes it goes away on its own.

[Jacklyn]

So how do you find out what breathing exercises to do?

[MellyMel]

Originally Posted by lcamp04

Thanks Melly. It's encouraging to hear that you previously suffered from this and now it's all in the past. I can't even imagine living this way for the rest of my life. It's horrible. But, since you beat this horrible "air hunger" thing, do you have any other words of wisdom? I'm taking Zoloft and Xanax at night....but still have not seen any results. It's hard to describe, but I try so hard not to give in to taking that deep breath, and than my heart starts beating faster and I get even more worried and anxious and than I have to yawn or gasp for air, and the viscious cycle begins all over again. I just want to sleep all day so I don't have to feel this way! Please Help!!!

Hello Angel

I am on Propanalol and Effexor and have been doing good. Before these, I was on imipramine & klonopin (which worked great) for years, but I became immune I believe. How long have you been on Zoloft for? If you're not feeling better, it could possibly be that Zoloft is not the right medication for you and maybe your doctor can try another. I tried like maybe 3 before I found what worked for me. I know how you feel. Yesterday, as a matter of fact, I was yawning every 2 minutes I think, but I have had some health problems and was stressing BIG TIME over them and I knew that. I feel much better today!! I hope you get well Angel and best of luck to you. Don't ever give in, it truly gets better, and trust me, when you feel better, you will NOT want to sleep all day !!!!

Melly