Panic Disorder

[Guest]

Dear Dr, I have been having a recent flair up of a type of anxiety where I feel I cannot breath and therefore sigh and yawn to breath- it gets pretty serious to the point of chest pain choking feelings, and neck and back stress- my question is: although I am a regular caffiene user and have these flare ups every couple of years- could I be having random reactions to caffiene or nicotene? What can I physically do to deflate these periods of stressed breathing? (outside of limiting the intake of both of these vices- which I have already done!)

[Guest]

Relaxation therapy and yoga can be helpful. Isaak Marks has a book on living with fear. If the symptoms get very bad, medication such as benzodiazepines and SSRI medication could help. I recommend mixing coffee half regular and half decaf as a way of reducing caffeine. Cigarettes are bad bad bad.
[quote] Dear Dr, I have been having a recent flair up of a type of anxiety where I feel I cannot breath and therefore sigh and yawn to breath- it gets pretty serious to the point of chest pain, choking feelings, and neck and back stress- my question is: although I am a regular caffiene user and have these flare ups every couple of years- could I be having random reactions to caffiene or nicotene. What can I physically do to deflate these periods of stressed breathing... [/quote]

[Guest]

I know i just quit smoking- I do yoga and pilates regularly as well as swim and run. I will do the hal caff thing and perhaps try meds- but I fear how addictive they are!!

Thanks for the fast reply.
[quote] Dear Dr, I have been having a recent flair up of a type of anxiety where I feel I cannot breath and therefore sigh and yawn to breath- it gets pretty serious to the point of chest pain, choking feelings, and neck and back stress- my question is: although I am a regular caffiene user and have these flare ups every couple of years- could I be having random reactions to caffiene or nicotene. What can I physically do to deflate these periods of stressed breathing... [/quote]