Breathing issues... Short of breath?

G

Gallius17

New member
Okay, I'm 17 years old and about a week ago, my breathing patterns changed. You know how you breathe without thinking? Well, unless I think about it, I barely take in any oxygen at all. Literally, I'm breathing so little and its all natural. I have to force myself to take a breath that will give me any useful amount of oxygen. It's the weirdest thing and it happened so suddenly. I'm pretty sure I've been tested for asthma and was negative, but that was years ago. And it doesn't hurt to take deeper breaths, but it doesn't feel natural either. And some times, it feels like I've already got air in my lungs, when really, I don't.

I've never had this problem before and I have no idea if it is something that will pass soon, or something I should get checked out. It's definitely causing some issues because I'm feeling extremely tired and sometimes shaky and dizzy and I know its because I'm getting very little oxygen to my brain, but there's little I can do about it unless I think about every breath a take and force myself to breathe. Oh, and when I do force myself to take a nice breath, I usually feel a little light-headed and dizzy afterwards.

Finally, as I said before, this happened very suddenly, but that same night it stated, I also had these wierd pains in my neck. It was most at the very bottom center of my neck where (I'm guessing) the voice box is...? It's kind of where the bone dips down... Anyway, it was hurting really bad and some of the other glands were too, but that went away while I was sleeping so...

I don't know. It could be nothing, but is it something I need to get checked out, or will their best advice be to breathe....?
 
It sounds to me like anxiety over this is causing you to hyperventilate. When this happens, you are actually getting too much oxygen, compared to carbon dioxide. This will cause the symptoms you describe. To make it better, temporarily, get a paper bag and breathe in and out into it without taking it off your face for a couple of minutes. This will restore the carbon dioxide level and balance out the air in your system. It can't hurt so give it a try. Cheers, Sera.
 
Thanks so much for replying. I did breathe in the paper bag for a little bit, but it didn't seem to help. I'm actually becoming a bit more aware of this small pressure in my chest and now, when I try to breathe, it doesn't feel like any of the air is... good? I just don't feel like there's much oxygen at all getting into my longs. Should I hit the bag again?
 
It may take a few goes. At any rate, it wouldn't be a bad idea to go to a doctor or walk-in clinic and get it checked out. A doctor with a stethoscope may hear if anything is going on, like an infection. Finding out that everything is OK may be all you need to settle down and feel better. Sera.
 
Sounds like hyperventilation.

Best to see your doctor for proper diagnosis. Even if it is hyperventilation it needs to be diagnosed and proper treatment in order to prevent complications. My bloodpressure spiked to almost stroke range.

I am a hyperventilater and your symptoms are the same as hyperventilation.

Rebreathe in a paper sack 5 minutes every hour and see if it helps.

Hyperventilation can strike any time, any where, without you realizing it until you have symptoms. My hyperventilation has no known cause. The hyperventilation causes my body to panic.
 
I had the same experience when I was 19. It was asthma. Im not a doctor but you symptoms correspond to that. Get to a doctor asap to find out.

Good luck!
 
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