Struggling to Feel Satisfied with My Breathing
Greetings, I’m a 27-year-old female, and I’ll outline my medications and diagnoses at the end since there are quite a few. A couple of years ago, I started experiencing a peculiar sensation when I breathe; it never feels entirely sufficient. Even when I take a deep breath, my mind recognizes it's adequate, yet my body urges me to yawn and inhale more profoundly. It seems as though a regular breath only fills about 85% of my lung capacity, and the remaining 15% requires a yawn to feel complete. This situation can be quite bothersome, often resulting in a series of yawns until I find relief. At times, I feel incredibly frustrated and self-conscious about it. My scuba diving adventures amplify this annoyance, as yawning becomes nearly impossible with the regulator in my mouth. I mentioned this issue to my physician, who suggested it might stem from anxiety; however, I notice it persists even in calm situations. I’ve attempted techniques like "box breathing," but the act of deliberately inhaling can still trigger this sensation. Diagnoses include: Social Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder Type 2, Borderline Personality Disorder, Degenerative Disc Disease, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Insomnia. Current medications: Lamotrigine, Adderall XR (which seems to occasionally worsen the feeling), Fluoxetine, Hydroxyzine Pamoate, Disulfiram, Nexplanon, Clonazepam, and Ozempic. Previous difficulties with medications: Abilify led to restless leg syndrome and lockjaw; Seroquel also caused restless legs; birth control containing estrogen triggered migraines with visual disturbances. No known allergies.
Answers (1)
8/5/2025, 6:11:04 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing significant discomfort related to your breathing sensation, and it's understandable how this could be frustrating and impact your daily life, especially with your scuba diving activities. The sensation of needing to yawn for a "full" breath can be linked to a variety of factors, including anxiety, physical conditions, or even medication side effects. Let's break this down and explore some next steps.
Explanation
The feeling that your breaths are inadequate can stem from multiple sources:
- Anxiety and Stress: Even if you don't feel anxious, your body's stress response could be activated, creating sensations of shortness of breath or discomfort in breathing.
- Medications: Some medications, like stimulants (like Adderall), can have side effects that impact your breathing or create a sensation of restlessness.
- Physical Condition: Consideration should also be given to whether there are any underlying respiratory or muscular issues, especially given your history with conditions like Degenerative Disc Disease.
Next Steps
Here are some prioritized actions you can take:
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Breathing Techniques: While you've tried box breathing, it may help to explore more passive techniques like "pursed-lip breathing," where you inhale through your nose and exhale slowly through pursed lips. This can help reduce the feeling of breath inadequacy without active inhalation.
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Monitor Your Medication: Keep a detailed diary tracking your feelings of breath discomfort in relation to your medication intake. You may find patterns that help isolate any problematic medications.
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Relaxation Practices: Incorporate gentle relaxation activities into your routine such as yoga, meditation, or mindfulness. These may help reduce stress responses that could be contributing to your breathing sensation.
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Consult with Your Doctor: Although you've mentioned your doctor thinks anxiety is a factor, it's important to have an open dialogue about how your current medications might be affecting your symptoms, especially since some can influence mood and breathing. Discuss potentially adjusting or changing medications with your healthcare provider.
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Physical Activity: Engage in light physical activities (if appropriate) like walking or stretching, which can help improve lung capacity and overall comfort with breathing.
It's essential to approach this with compassion for yourself; the sensations you are experiencing are real, and addressing them can help improve your quality of life. Let me know if you need further details or guidance on any of these steps!
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