Air hunger

[Anondk]

I’ve been getting this extremely uncomfortable feeling and I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this, and if so how did you make it go away? I have the feeling that I need to yawn, but then I try and it’s almost like I can’t complete the full yawn (can’t get a deep enough breath?). Which leaves me with a very nagging feeling that I have to yawn. This leads me to repeat this yawn cycle 4-5 times per minute. It has gotten so bad that it is interfering with my life, and no one seems to know what is going on or how to help me.

[Dhcnsjcn21]

A couple of things... do you have Acid Reflux or even silent reflux? When I have it terrible it actually effects my breathing and I feel like I can’t breath and do exactly what you described. Try an antacid for a couple days. Another thing it could be is anxiety if that’s out of control. Look up breathing techniques online. That helps me out. Last thing I was thinking was a thyroid disorder. When I was over medicated on my thyroid meds I had air hunger and ended up in the ER. Turned out my meds were to high and my body was working over time. It’s a terrible feeling when you feel like you can’t get enough air. Also stop by a walk in clinic or pick up a pulse ox at the pharmacy. See what you oxygen level is.

Maybe if you see it’s in normal range it could put your anxiety at ease. Good luck.

[SarahLou30 in reply to Dhcnsjcn21]

I experience this same thing! It's absolutely awful, and I've been dealing with it to varying degrees for two years. Found out it's a result of mast cell activation syndrome, which triggers my autonomic nervous system to misbehave, so my nerves are sending the wrong signals about breathing. The only thing that has helped are antihistamines (the combination of H1 and H2 antihistamines at double the normal dose). You may want to look in to getting a urine test to see if you have mast cell activation syndrome, although, it is notoriously difficult to diagnose because the specimen needs to be kept cold constantly or else it can lead to a false negative.

I also have Hashimoto's and when my dose is too high it greatly worsens my air hunger. I think it's very much tied to the autonomic nervous system, since when one is hyperthyroid, the autonomic nervous system is overstimulated. I hope something helps you. Please let me know if you find any answers or remedies!

Sarah

[Vanessa102]

I have never met anybody with this symptom im so glad i found someone finally ... i get the same way like almost a short of breath feeling i cant get a full breath in so i have to yawn and even yawning i feel like i still didnt get to breath in fully 🥺🥺🥺🥺

[Anondk in reply to Vanessa102]

No one else seems to understand this feeling!! It sucks 😩 nice to meet someone who gets it

[Vanessa102 in reply to Anondk]

Ive told 3 different doctors and all 3 were so confused !! And sent me to an asthma doctor and he said idk why they sent u here ur lungs are fine your shortness of breath must be anxiety

[Hidden]

I get this , its labeled as dyspnea, or air hunger.

I have done test angiogram for pulmonary embolism..but nothing turns out. Doctors think its anxiety and I wouldn't doubt it. We are either taking in to much oxygen so our insides cant take in anymore and that's when we feel like we cant get enough satisfaction. In reality we already took in the amount needed. But anxiety also causes us to get out of pattern ..anyway I do suffer with this symptom and its dibilitating

[ilyfunnybunny]

Hi Anondk,

I too get this symptom (it suuuuuuuucks!), but when I have too little thyroid hormone. It resolves when my meds are at the right level, which can change from time to time

In retrospect, I also think that low iron and b12 had a little something to do with it as well.

[abyss]

I get this too, have had it for years and found it difficult to explain until one day my daughter, 5 at the time explained that she had a yawn that was too big for her head, and it couldn't get out!

[SarahLou30]

I experience this same thing! It's absolutely awful, and I've been dealing with it to varying degrees for two years. Found out it's a result of mast cell activation syndrome, which triggers my autonomic nervous system to misbehave, so my nerves are sending the wrong signals about breathing. The only thing that has helped are antihistamines (the combination of H1 and H2 antihistamines at double the normal dose). You may want to look in to getting a urine test to see if you have mast cell activation syndrome, although, it is notoriously difficult to diagnose because the specimen needs to be kept cold constantly or else it can lead to a false negative.

I also have Hashimoto's and when my dose is too high it greatly worsens my air hunger. I think it's very much tied to the autonomic nervous system, since when one is hyperthyroid, the autonomic nervous system is overstimulated. I hope something helps you. Please let me know if you find any answers or remedies!

Sarah

[keptainicandozatt]

I go through this as well, but weirdly enough, it comes and goes. Like there are times where the "air hunger" last for about a month or so, and then it disappears. I realized it always happens to me whenever my anxiety is particularly bad. Whenever I feel like I can't take in a deep breath, I usually try to relax my shoulders/back. It's gotten to the point where the air hunger has given my upper back pain (from being so tense). I went to the doctor and he said my lungs were okay, so each time I get anxious about not being able to take a deep breath, I tell myself that it's just mw 😢