Answer Summary

Members responded to a question about feeling the need to take deep breaths and not getting enough oxygen, with many identifying the sensation... Read more

Members responded to a question about feeling the need to take deep breaths and not getting enough oxygen, with many identifying the sensation as costochondritis (inflammation of the rib cartilage common in fibromyalgia), panic attacks, or a fibromyalgia flare symptom that can trigger intense anxiety and disrupt sleep. Several members shared practical strategies that have helped them, including stacking pillows on the lap while sitting to open the chest and drop the diaphragm, inhaling more deeply while exhaling less during breathlessness, and using medications like Visteral to manage the symptoms when they occur. A recurring theme was the overlap between physical sensations and anxiety, with members describing how focusing too much on breathing can make it feel abnormal, and how the fear of not getting enough air can spiral into panic, especially during flares or stressful times.