help needed please

[clairep]

Hello i know i shouldnt ask but i have another symptom.Its hard to explain its like i feel like suffocated like a smothered feeling,choking like if u were to put a pillow over ur face horrible and i feel like i cant speak or catch my breath.Is this normal ?does anybody else get this feeling?Im very up and down

claire x

[deanston72]

Yes I feel like someone is sitting on my chest and I get really breathless I then start to panic andit makes my breathing worse that's when I have to breath into a bag and it helps

[Lindenlea]

clairep I read your message and I often get that feeling, it is so frightening, I really get hysterical when this happens, its anxiety, bles you, I have suffered over 40 years with these feelings, and am still so scared, love from Blossom x

[clairep]

what do u do when ur out?and it happens?

claire

[Pennylayne]

Hi there .......when you feel like this the best way to deal with it is to do the breathing exercises which make your breathing slower and deeper.

You are probably breathing in short shallow breaths and too quickly which leads to the uncomfortable feeling.

If you look on my reply on 'questions' to Al Jones 7 I have put some breathing exercises on there which will help a lot.

The most important thing is to relax and let ALL the air out of your lungs ......push it out in a long breath through your mouth as if you are blowing out a candle until there is no air left in your lungs at all.

Then pause for a second or two and breathe in slowly THROUGH YOUR NOSE until you feel your lower ribs moving outwards and your lungs fill up.

Repeat a few times and when you feel that you get a choking/smothered feeling sit or lie somewhere quietly and do the breathing until it goes away.

PL

[Pennylayne]

If you are out and it happens remember that the slow breathing making sure that you get all the air out before taking more in is what counts. Keep the breathing slow and deep, in through the nose and out through the mouth and think about your body relaxing and sinking as you breathe out.

[clairep in reply to Pennylayne]

hi pennylayne thanks for ur help.Il look up ur breathing excercises thinking of going to beginners yoga class in the new year.Need to practice at the breathing help with the horrible symptoms.Thankyou really appreciate your help.

claire x

[Pennylayne]

Good luck with the yoga......they do vary and some are more about the exercises and some are more about relaxation.

Don't worry about the breathing .......just have a little practice now and then and in a bit it will come naturally when you feel the anxiety starting. It will be helpful when you're out if you can go into the slow breathing to help you. It's the slowness and emptying your lungs that counts. Take Care PL x

[ellabella]

Hi Claire , I have suffered this feeling for a long time. I used to try the breathing exercises and if I didn't get instant results I gave up. Now I put time aside to practise and end up falling asleep!!! Yes it does work if you keep at it!. I gave up far too easily or maybe I didn't have time before? I tend to go to bed earlier these days and watch a bit of tele, old age creeping in here lol, That is when I do the breathing....and it kicks in naturally now as well if I get the feeling while I am out. Love and Hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[clairep]

Hi thanks everybody it just seems to come over me even when im not aware of being anxiuos feels like theres no air.Its so hard not to panic and keep calm tell myself its anxiety this is a new one only had this symptom a few days.But thanks il practice the breathing.Dont know what id do without u all thankyou.Lots of love claire xxxxxxxxx

[kjm1987]

Is it like your throats closing in like someones got their fingers round your windpipe? I get this a lot, in fact it was 1 of my first symptoms of anxiety! I had a panic attack in the middle of town last week cuz of it... luckily my panic attacks are controllable now and I rarely get them but it still worries me even though I can push my way through them x