Breathing concerns

[sweetpea-123]

I to have breathing issues. I find it hard to hold myself up , putting pressure on chest..I really don't know if it is due to anxiety or a symptom of FND. I'm waiting on an inhaler from doc. Also because of covid..I start to worry its connected to that...so much anxiety. Any thoughts on this would help.

[JustDomUK]

Distraction

It’s important that you try not to let your anxiety overwhelm you. Breathing is an autonomic system and is designed so that we don’t need to worry about it. If it was in our conscious hands then we would no doubt do silly things with it, so it is tucked away from our conscious with good reason.

We can become hypersensitive to picking up on changes with our bodies and when we do that we start to notice things and worry about them. Those things we worry about may have been there all along and so it’s important not to focus too much on it.

Try listening to the birds outside. For example, have you ever noticed that when all the birds sing together they don’t sound harsh and out of sync? In fact they sound harmonious and yet each bird is singing a different song.

When you feel anxious try listening to the birds and see if this helps.

Dom

[Cmb3210 in reply to JustDomUK]

Well said dom...i love when i see well written things on here... I try to help people when i can by commenting....sometimes comments on here hurt more than they help(the people commenting usually don't realize they are hurting..they are coming from a good place but??)it was refreshing seeing your comments..it's important we help with knowledgeable info..much Love to everyone on here

[Brokendeer]

Hi, I find actually singing myself helps regulate my breathing when trying to walk or do tasks, it activated the Vagus Nerve and this helps with movement control - essential for me and my Motor FND symptoms.

Yes, you should be medically assured it is nothing like Covid before you have a chance of reducing the anxiety.

If you need to lower your anxiety there are several Mindful Techniques you could try.

Like if you are really stressing out, look for things in the room, garden or place you happen to be:

Listen and identify 5 sounds

Look for 5 different things like pictures, objects, windows, radiators etc

Identify 5 different smells, colours or textures.

This just brings you back into the moment and is supposed to calm your mind because it takes the attention away from your breathing and other thoughts.

I also find if a distressing thought pops into my head, think about it analyse it for only a moment, then move on with other thoughts or actions - do not dwell on it.

Be kind to yourself, keep positive!

[sweetpea-123 in reply to Brokendeer]

Thanks for very thoughtful reply. That's s good idea..I will try it.

[LEEJUNFAN]

Try listening to classical music, as it's very relaxing.

Best Wishes!

Tony and Kim ☺ ☺

[Cmb3210 in reply to LEEJUNFAN]

Wow everyone is responding so helpful and accurate... ❤

[GentleFlower]

Hi sweetpea-123 I used to suffer breathing problem a lot, but no fear, they will subside with time. I am three years in with FND and I used to have a lot of the symptoms bother me a lot.

Now they are like clock work, come and go, come and go. Annoying but better to manage and cope because of good day patches and bad day patches.

I found yesterday when I was dancing a little and singing to prayer I had a very bad breathing episode. As if I had asthma. I put that down to not having had any exercise for years. I am obviously not healthy.

However, I am very light weight, 5’4, size 6-8, weighing between 54-58 Kgs so 8 stone to 8 and 1/2 stone. So I am not obese or anything but I was wheezing quite badly.

As you start to accept where you are in life as most people need to who have this condition (I have found with my own experience) things like breathing will become better.

Don’t get me wrong, I do not accept my condition but I accept that for now that this is where I am and this is what I have to deal with. I do not believe Symptoms will ever truly go away for good blunt it’s about managing them.

Good luck and I wish you all the very best.

💕

[Brokendeer in reply to GentleFlower]

Hi I think you maybe being too hard on yourself?

It maybe the case that you feel a little out of breath because of your fitness, but reading your post you mentioned `Singing to Prayer'. Now Prayer in any form obviously can be an emotional experience and let's face it, FND is a great condition for latching onto emotions and blowing them way out of biochemical proportion - affecting the body in all sorts of adverse ways!

Try pacing yourself a bit more, little and often no Boom-Bust tasks, and forgive yourself if things go unexpectedly in another direction from the original plan.

Be kind to yourself, keep positive!

[Brokendeer in reply to GentleFlower]

Sorry just to clarify, I get emotional from Prayers, Quotes, Songs, Audiobooks and Dramatic TV/Films - so in no way am I saying avoid them, just expect and be prepared for a bit of fallout! That's all I meant to come across in my previous reply, hope that makes more sense?

Be kind to yourself, Keep Positive!

[GentleFlower in reply to Brokendeer]

Dear @Brokendeer I completely understand and you are right. Sometimes we forget how easy it is to forget that we have these underlying issues. I was enjoying myself though thanking God for his wonderful blessings in my life...

However.....We get carried away and the next thing you know a symptom flares up. So you’re right. I should be mindful and kind to myself and try not to forget.

Thanks for the reminder 🤗🤗🤗

[sweetpea-123]

Thank you for your reply. I've had breathing issues for many years..usually related to anxiety. I believe it will ease..in time. Thanks again..

[Lolastar]

my muscles tighten all around my torso. this is why i struggle to breath, sometimes stop breathing for seconds at a time. it is not caused by anxiety but if i panic during my episodes then it makes the episodes worse. i have learned to do my best to distract my thought, remind myself of funny jokes, think about my kids and so on. it doesn't fix the problem, but it doesn't make it worse. when all this began for me trying to stop it as well as panic caused all of this to make it last so much longer.