Anxious obsessions about breathing... leading to breathing health fears...

[anothereveryman]

I'm still slowly crawling out of the fear-driven obsession of breathing, which lead to constantly monitoring it which lead to constant shortness of breath which fueled more anxiety.

Right now, I have health concerns that I can't afford to do anything about, let alone treat. One nostril is always closed up, getting little air through... I've read this is "normal" but then I read elsewhere how much happier some people are to get surgery so both are opened up (though some people suffer from the surgery and the problem doesnt always go away).

My sinuses feel puffy and stiff a lot, probably due to bad local air. I often am forced to sleep with my mouth open when I do sleep (often after several "sleep starts" when I get up feeling short of breath at first), and wake up with a dry mouth that makes me fear tooth decay and worse.

I guess I'm venting here, but if anyone has experience, knowledge, or just feels sympathy, please post.

[Tiff_Eliz]

I feel the same way about pretty much everything you said, especially the breathing. I'm obsessed with monitoring my breathing patterns which of course just makes it worse. I have asthma which adds fuel to the fire, even though I rarely have problems with it. I also have issues with my sinuses, it seems like no matter what medicine I take I'm still congested and can't get enough air through my nostrils. It's really annoying and stressful.

Anyway, I totally understand what you're going through and wanted to let you know you're not alone. I just try to tell myself when I'm freaking out about my breathing that it's my anxiety and that I'm fine. It also helps to find a distraction - read, go for a walk, watch your favorite TV show, anything. If I'm not thinking about my breathing I'm not having problems with it.

I hope you get to feeling better, just remember you're not alone!

[Ravens Lady]

Around my college years I remember I sort of went through an 'OCD'- like phase of being super obsessed with my breathing.  I was scared something was wrong, it felt weird, and I also felt like if I didn't monitor it, I would suddenly be unable to breathe.  Eventually I found a good book (called "brain-lock") and tried some mental exercises to help myself kick this odd fear-obsession.  I remember working to laugh it off, and trying to remember that my body would take care of me regardless of whether I was paying attention or not.  I also would distract myself with something new to think about as many times as possible and not be upset if it took some practice.  Eventually it just went away. 

What I'd say is this:  Your body is smarter and more well equipped than you give it credit, even in the midst of these troubling issues you have had.  Regardless of whether or not you pay attention to it, it will keep you breathing, because that is a priority for it.  Whether you think about it 24/7 or get distracted it will keep doing what it needs to do.  You will not hinder your breathing by thinking about it, and you will not hinder your breathing by NOT thinking about it, I think.  Either way, you are okay.  And things CAN get better.  At least, they did for me with a bit of 'mental' practice.