Anxiety and/or hyperventilation syndrome?

[Sefoan]

Hi everyone, I am reaching out after reading many posts for the past 5 or so months. A quick recap on what has happened with me...

I was booked for elective surgery and began feeling short of breath, like I constantly needed to take a full satisfactory upper chest breath. The problem was I didn't always achieve it which caused panic. I cancelled the surgery and thought it would go away on its own and hid it from family and friends until it escalated into full blown panic attacks. I chop and change from believing this is all anxiety to thinking it's just hyperventilation syndrome. I've tried so much; chiropractic, iron transfusion (was low), kinesiology, naturopathy, hypnotherapy, biofeedback, butyeko breathing course (which made me feel worse). It's been 5 months and I can't do it any longer. I finally got into a good psychiatrist who has recommended some meds. I have reluctantly began taking them, but was wondering if anyone has had any success in curing this "air hunger" feeling with medication? I read so much where people have had this for years with no relief from medication which scares me as I feel I'm on my last resort.

At the moment the only semi relief I get is when I try to accept it, it seems a little easier and I am now sleeping and eating better with less panicky moments. However its like a constant tape running in my head thinking/obsessing over my breathing and there is always a slight suffocation feeling happening no matter where I am or what I am doing - except for when I'm asleep. I have never had anxiety before hence my almost 'fighting' the diagnosis. Thank you so much for your time.

[Sefoan]

I feel the urgency is getting a little better at certain times. Not brilliant, but again I know it’s early days. Looking forward to it getting even better!

I read somewhere else with someone experiencing the same symptoms about Dr Weekes. It’s like reading my story, she explains everything so well. I refer back to her book when I’m having bad times and it certainly helps!

Day by day, I know I can recover from this.

Thanks Paul

[Dani31]

Hi,

Was going through google and came across your post i know you posted tgus a long time ago but wondering if you managedto find relief through medication or how you are going now. Your story is so similar to mine🙂

[blondguy]

Hi Dani31 and Sefoan for your post about Dr Claire Weekes....a brilliant author/psychiatrist who suffered from anxiety and depression and had the guts to write about it in several self help books

Just from my own experience...anxiety (and hyperventilation issues) can be helped with regular visits to our GP/counsellor. I wasnt proactive seeking regular therapy initially and my hyperventilation episodes became more frequent

These symptoms are horrible to have... yet they are very common. Medication is never a quick fix yet it does provide us with a solid foundation on which we can heal more effectively combined with seeing our doc/counsellor

Anyone reading about anxiety symptoms are not alone as Beyond Blue has a very helpful thread (written by a member...Annabay) with posts from many members posting about their anxiety symptoms..The link is below

www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/what-physical-feelings-of-anxiety-do-you-get

my kindest

Paul

[Sefoan]

Hi Dani31,

First of all I’m sorry you are going through this.

Good news.... I am much better!... so that means you can be to! When I posted this I was really unwell.... and although I still suffer anxiety and on occasions become short of breath I am so much better!!!

For me, going on medication helped me learn to be calm! The breathing thing has never fully gone away but I just stopped caring so much about it. I suffered some side effects from the medication (which at the time for me was a trade off I was willing to take) but then I thought I’d give it a go without meds. With the help of my doctor I came off the meds.... and I feel like they have permanently changed me in a good way. As mentioned I still suffer from anxiety, some situations set me off - but I know and say to myself “it’s only anxiety, I’m ok, it will settle” instead of going into a spin like I used to.

I do miss my pre anxiety self but you know what.... I’m ok, and I know I’ll be ok. I have the strength to go about my life now that I don’t think I would of been able to without help. For me it was a combination of talking about it and medication. One other thing was I was becoming obsessed about it, it consumed my every waking moment. So I stopped reading so much about it and just had to start accepting it! I’ve accepted it’s not a breathing problem, I’ve accepted I suffer from anxiety but I’ve accepted that that’s ok and I don’t need to “cure” myself! Your better days will come I promise!

All the very best 🙂

[blondguy]

Hi Sefoan

what a wonderful post that reflects true recovery 🙂

We dont have any expectations for a response yet thankyou for showing such a bright light people can benefit

I hope its okay if I mention a part of your post...."So I stopped reading so much about it and just had to start accepting it! I’ve accepted it’s not a breathing problem"

I agree with you Sefoan that using calm and genuine acceptance.....talking and medication does take our 'focus' off our anxiety disorder for sure

You have helped more people than you know!

my respect and admiration for your assistance

Paul

[Girondi]

Hey Sefoan!

Hope you are feeling better.

I'm here to share my story my story, as well as to look for some relieve.

A little over ten years ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and I could not breath. The next day, at school I went to look on the internet what were the possible causes. It had horrible things, such as that I was going to die, there was a problem with my heart. Instantly I started hyperventilating. From that day on, til today I hyperventilate everyday and the only time I don't, is when I'm sleeping.

I've tried a few different things and none of them worked. I had medicine as my last resort. I took one medication for about 6 weeks, felt like maybe improved a bit... but still not 100%. Now I'm changing to something new.

I feel like I'm running out of resources...

[Sophie_M]

Hi Girondi, 

We are sorry to hear that you have been experiencing those symptoms for so long. That must be a really difficult thing to manage. Thank you for being brave and sharing your story with all of us in this community. Seeking and providing support is a wonderful step to take.

We think it might be useful for you to speak with one of our friendly and knowledgable counsellors. You can call BeyondBlue on 1300 22 4636 or you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 if you prefer. 

Please feel free to keep us updated on how you are going if you feel comfortable doing so.

Kind regards, 

Sophie M