Breathing difficulties

Try and not think about it. When you get into normal breathing mode, if you can, stand outside and do some deep-breathing. If all else fails breathe into a paper back to get back your carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) as lack of this causes you to hyperventilate.

* paper bag !

I've had that in the last few weeks. Noticed that if I don't think about it I don't do it. At first I put it down to the hot days we had, then anxiety. Never had asthma or similar so not sure what causes it.

Great advice EllanVannin.
Since we`ve been having to wear masks,my breathing has got worse.

Thanks will try that. Did think it was anxiety and past hot weather too but still have it! The masks definitely do not help it either as soon as I get out of shop off it comes below chin?

I get this way whenever I have a panic attack. I have started to get accustomed to my triggers and know to prepare a bit beforehand to tone down the heavy breathing and haywire heartbeat, at least I feel a bit in control now. Try to track when you get these episodes because it might be panic attacks in your case too. I'm no expert, just giving input, hope it helps!

Thankyou for your advice.I starting to feel It seems to be triggered if I have a few things to get done in a short space of time. Nothing major at the moment ! Weird really when I have spare time at the moment as retired early and due to these times not out as much. I guess anxiety is the stem of it all. So am trying taking Rescue Remedy strops as not keen on going to doctors yet.

Try breathing in and out slowly in a slightly exaggerated way paying attention to your chest going up and down.

If you can try and distract your mind at the same time . Do this visually by looking out of your window or at a painting and describe in other head in detail what you can see as if describing it or someone who can’t see it.

Or do very simple adding up in your head, thinking of objects with the same letter , etc . I teach this to my clients with anxiety. It helps to practice it for 5 mins twice a day when you are calm so it becomes familiar

Your head not other

Thankyou so much will have a go and will let you know how it goes x

Ormond - get checked out for asthma. It may just be anxiety but you need to find out. Look on the Asthma UK website. There's lot of helpful advice on there.

Ormond, I second NotTooOld in thinking you may need an asthma check. The symptoms for some manifestations of asthma can be similar to panic attacks.

The changeable summer weather, seasonal pollens and pollution in the air can all exacerbate asthma.
Although it’s a common condition, it needs controlling and monitoring. Do check out Asthma UK’s website.

Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

Ormond if it can help I was feeling like that for the last couple of weeks, even got to see a doctor who found my chest clear. It started when we had the hot days, then I thought anxiety. I felt the need to take a deep breath and I had to take 3 or 4 before I got a satisfying one. Now it's all gone and it's a mystery what it was, never having had asthma or chest problems.

It really does sound like anxiety.....and these masks don’t help. Try deep breathing through your nose, hold a couple of seconds, and release through your mouth slowly. Hope it helps?

Ormond loving the idea of "Rescue Remedy strops" I have those quite often.

seriously though, did you know they also do pastilles, sucking one of those might be soothing.

Whoops ! Meant drops ? yes will try those too. Thankyou for all the good tips and the breathing deep in and out does help also the paper bag also eases it. Will see how it goes after weekend then will check out the Asthma site.