Can’t yawn properly: I realise I sound... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

32,627 members23,989 posts

Can’t yawn properly

Roo32 profile image
18 Replies

I realise I sound ridiculous but I cannot yawn properly - as in my yawns begin but then feel somehow too conscious or intentional - not natural. And also, they don’t complete - it’s a bit like if you think you’re about to sneeze and don’t.

I’ve had all my loading doses and most of my symptoms have dramatically improved, but I’m convinced this is associated but whilst i think it has improved some it is still happening. Anyone have any ideas what exactly causes this?

Written by
Roo32 profile image
Roo32
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
18 Replies
YogiGreg profile image
YogiGreg

Hi Roo32 . Yes, I've had that before plenty of times where I felt like I needed to yawn only to find it wouldn't complete or couldn't get enough breath in or just not refreshing. You don't sound ridiculous at all :)

All the best

Greg

Roo32 profile image
Roo32 in reply toYogiGreg

Thanks Greg, did this resolve after some time?

YogiGreg profile image
YogiGreg in reply toRoo32

Mostly resolved yes. If i overdo my yoga practice or get stressed it can return, which is telling me I'm still going through the healing process, but way better than before. I'm 9 months in since my first injection BTW.

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply toYogiGreg

I didn't yawn at all . I only realised when I started to yawn again . A nice familiar feeling. I was very ill at the time a year ago. Yes I agree odd. But real.

Roo32 profile image
Roo32 in reply toNackapan

Ok great. Just to check, are you both having shots roughly every 12 weeks after loading doses?

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply toRoo32

Every 2 weeks at present

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply toRoo32

Every 2 weeks at the surgery

YogiGreg profile image
YogiGreg in reply toRoo32

Injections as needed

dcason profile image
dcason in reply toYogiGreg

EXACT same for me. Was a very persistent symptom that finally resolved with only occasional revisits, also when overtaxed or stressed. It was weird and annoying.

Roo32 profile image
Roo32 in reply todcason

decagon thanks! Are you being treated every 12 weeks or self-injecting more often?

dcason profile image
dcason in reply toRoo32

I self-inject every one to two weeks.

Plucky1976 profile image
Plucky1976

Yes!! Before I started treatment I stopped yawning completely. My sense of smell was gone, to the point of having an onion right under my nose and ......NOTHING! I used to cut an onion in half and the water works would start. I stopped sweating. I had to concentrate on breathing as I would find myself sitting there and not taking a breath for quite a while. About a month into injections all but the smell returned. That took a couple months longer. There are some strange symptoms let me tell you.

fbirder profile image
fbirder

The yawning reflex is quite complicated and can be affected by many things. Antidepressants are known to have some effects.

When I was working in the pharmaceutical industry I used to volunteer to test our drugs. One of the antidepressants, caused a strange, distinctive, yawn. So I looked in the scientific literature. I found one paper that spread around the whole industry - it went photocopy viral (this was back in the early 1980s). baillement.com/clomipramine...

Roo32 profile image
Roo32 in reply tofbirder

Haha!! Well that is fascinating, and in many respects puts my own situation into perspective. Who knew yawns were such mysterious things!

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply tofbirder

Goodness alot in a yawn.

I was only on B12. Was odd not yawning.

Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support

I never have proper yawns now- just a series of automatic overlapping yawns that are noisy like sighs - I used to get embarrassed when people turned round to stare, but I'm used to it now. If I smile, they laugh - mostly I think I just made them jump. It goes on a bit long sometimes but is a lot better than it was.

It is called "air-hunger" and quite familiar as a B12 deficiency symptom to those who have/ have had it. Not so much with GPs, where it seems more likely to be thought of as a nervous thing . It isn't, as it happens most often when very tired or depleted, and can happen whether in the tube/ supermarket queue/car or just on waking. Trying to push more air into lungs- so the exhaling part is what is missing.

Have now not yawned for 4 years.

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply toCherylclaire

So is it like short gasps in succession.? I get that if it is.

Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support in reply toNackapan

For me, yes. Does it get worse if you do more ?

When I was really bad, I would be doing this over and over in the supermarket and in the car on the way home, until finally throwing all the food into my fridge, freezer and cupboards, throwing my glasses onto the coffee table, throwing myself onto the sofa and sleeping immediately for about 3 hours.

At least that doesn't happen any more !

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Can’t sleep

My body was hot last night I don’t no if it was premenopausal but I could not sleep I finally doze...
Honey1978 profile image

Help with symptoms

When diagnosed nearly two years ago with b12 deficiency, I had multiple symptoms which I have...
Alfabeta profile image

Endoscopy

I’ve been referred for an endoscopy and biopsy to find out if my Low B12 is caused by coeliac...
Cinders70 profile image

Update on levels

My b12 is 916 and my folate is 12.7 is this good as i have no idea, my doctor said it is but I'd...
Nathan12345 profile image

B12 deficiency

Hi Everyone, I am 25 years old, Its been a month I was diagnosed with B12 deficiency as my serum...
psawant profile image

Moderation team

See all
Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator
taka profile image
takaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.