air hunger, obssesed with breathing and scared to take new med

Hi...I understand completely what you're talking about when you say you have air hunger. That is the anxiety symtom that dogged me for almost three years. I went to the ER several times thinking I was having a heart attack or a stroke. I couldn't believe when Doc told me I was suffering from anxiety. I took ativan for seven months...I took it only when I really needed it as I didn't want to get addicted to it. In the beginning the ativan helped a lot then it seemed to stop working and the doc said I should up the dose. I decided to wean myself off it instead. It was hard and I did have withdrawals but I got through it and I'm glad I got off it. I learned to do belly breathing and muscle relaxation. This helped me so much. I still do this if I find myself feeling anxious and out of breath. I'm not a calm person today but I am so much better now than I was even a month ago. Every day I feel better and better. I pray a lot when I start feeling down...do belly breathing and repeat over and over to myself that I am not dying. I am just having some anxiety and I can talk myself down from it. I hope you can learn to cope with your anxiety. If the meds help you, by all means use them. I simply decided that I was ready to do without the drugs. When I needed them I used them. Don't read horror stories. Just because someone can't take a certain drug doesn't mean it will affect you the same way. Good luck to you and I'm in your corner. Joni

Hi IWR,

Yeah, you'll need to practice and retrain yourself to breath properly. Lay down and breath like you normally would. If your chest rises, you need to concentrate on making your lower abdominal area expand. This is 'belly breathing' and the proper way to give your body a slow, steady supply of oxygen.

As far as the disbelief that anxiety is the culprit for all of your symptoms...Many people struggle with this, and I think that's why we spend so much time, money and energy going to doctors, and getting tons of tests. It IS hard to believe!

But you've got to make a choice to trust your dr. I had convinced myself at one time that I had a heart problem. I went in for a check-up and ekg. All was clear, and I asked the doctor how it was that I still felt so wierd. He said that the only other test he could do would be an echocardiogram, but that he was sure that it would also turn out normal.

I had to make the conscious choice to believe him. I didn't want to...I wanted the test, but I declined. That was a major turning point in my recovery. Taking a leap of faith, trusting that I was allright. I then sought therapy for my health anxiety.

Which brings me to my next point... ah you knew it was coming! Have you looked into therapy? It is highly effective in treating health anxiety. I went from debilitated to confident. It really works. And it can be used in combination with medication, or by itself. That choice is up to you:)

I hope that this helps in some way. Take care, keep posting, and let us know how you're doing soon.
Scaredy Cat

Also, I was wondering since I'm so scared to start wellbutrin does anyone think it will be okay until I start seeing my therapist? Maybe she will find out what the underlying cause is and I feel like wellbutrin is more for depression. I'm making it one day at a time on zoloft and ativan so do you think it's a good idea to wait it out and talk to her first??

Hi Kate,

I am 25 years old and have suffered from this "air hunger" also at one time.  Sweetie, you are fine.  If you went to your docs and they couldn't find anything, and you have the classic symptoms of anxiety, then it's anxiety.  Deep breathing helped a lot for me and telling myself that the thoughts are scary, but they are just thoughts and cannot harm me.

I remember once I just couldn't catch my breath.  I ran out of my house to try to get some fresh air and once I did some deep breathing, I recognized that it wasn't asthma or anything like that (I've always had good lungs) and it was just anxiety.  Still scary anxiety but just illusion.

You will be fine and you will get over this.  Therapy with the right counselor helps leaps and bounds :)

*HUGS*

Thanks Nelle and anasong4 it really helps me when I get some replies! Nelle what does your air hunger feel like because for me it is like I know I am breathing but I feel as though I don't get a satisfying breath, I have been doing some belly breathing and only breathing through my nose I'm scared to say that it has helped a little because then I fear it will just be as bad again.. But it lasts 24/7

Yea it's the only symptom that makes me freak out. I feel like I wouldn't even have anxiety anymore if it went away. I've talked to so many people with the same symptoms and I don't know why no one has figured out a way to relieve it I guess it's because I'm so sick of it and just looking for a quick fix but I hope you get better soon :)

Thank you all I'm like crying rite now because I'm so happy that I found all of you dealing with the same thing. I actually really feel like it is anxiety now and just last night it helped me a lot I was actually laughing and not worried about breathing! Hopefully I can keep it up and keep thinking positive. I am very thankfu for everyone here thank you so much!

=( bad air hunger today and have been crying for no reason ...i dont know why im letting my mind get to me rite now :'(

Everyone has got different symptoms, and no one has a cure... if you dont mind me asking what type of procedure did you have done?

Ya I don't even want to be on any meds at all, but my doctor really insists on it and he really wants me to start on wellbutrin but I still haven't I think I get more anxiety by worrying about the side effects! Thanks for your reply, at least it wasn't a horror story lol :)

HI Gondore and welcome.

Since this is a very old thread that you have found and tagged onto...I am doubtful that you will hear back on this thread.

If you would like to start a new one of your own, you will get more responses, I am sure...

...and I will make suggestions for you if you like.:)

Be sure and include a little of your background, what you have tried for relief so far, ect...so that we can best assist you!

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat