# Any guesses as to what this was? (Yes, I've already seen a doctor.) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 10, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135 "2011-10-10T01:49:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/1 "2011-10-10T01:49:54Z")
A few days ago I started yawning like crazy, like every 15 minutes or so. A couple days later I noticed it was getting a little harder to breathe and when I yawned I wasn’t able to take in enough air to “finish it.” The next day I was at work and it was worse: really having a problem so I left and went to the ER. Two different nurses and a Dr. listened to my lungs and said they were clear, so they took blood and chest x-rays looking for a clot on my heart or lungs which also came out clear. I was pretty much told: “You’re perfectly healthy, but come back if it gets worse.” Two days later I’m nearly fine. (Still getting a little winded when I’m walking is all.) Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/2 "2011-10-10T01:54:10Z")
was an EKG done? ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/3 "2011-10-10T02:33:41Z")
> [@Cub\_Mistress](#): > > was an EKG done? Oh yeah. They did that too and said everything was fine. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![FrillyNettles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ea924/32.png) [@FrillyNettles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrillyNettles)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/4 "2011-10-10T02:35:36Z")
That is a fairly common sign of hypothyroidism. Have you had your thyroid hormone levels checked? ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/5 "2011-10-10T02:52:29Z")
> [@FrillyNettles](#): > > That is a fairly common sign of hypothyroidism. Have you had your thyroid hormone levels checked? Interesting. I have another Dr. appointment tomorrow for something unrelated and I’ll bring it up with her. I did have it checked once but it’s been about 5 years or so. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/6 "2011-10-10T03:14:52Z")
> [@](#): > > A couple days later I noticed it was getting a little harder to breathe and when I yawned I wasn’t able to take in enough air to “finish it.” A doctor’s visit for something like this is pretty much how I finally got diagnosed with asthma at age 22. But I’m assuming my lungs did _not_ sound clear. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/7 "2011-10-10T03:27:42Z")
Yeah the Dr. asked if I had any ideas about what it might be and asthma was the only thing I could think of. I’m 40 though and he said it was REALLY unlikely that I would pick it up this late in the game. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/8 "2011-10-10T05:46:05Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > Yeah the Dr. asked if I had any ideas about what it might be and asthma was the only thing I could think of. I’m 40 though and he said it was REALLY unlikely that I would pick it up this late in the game. Um…My dad was only diagnosed last year. He’s 61. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/9 "2011-10-10T06:34:48Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Um…My dad was only diagnosed last year. He’s 61. Really?! Ok I’ll throw that at the Dr. tomorrow too. Really glad I started this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/10 "2011-10-10T16:13:24Z")
That’s how I was diagnosed with asthma at 35. The yawning is from lack of oxygen, if it is asthma. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/11 "2011-10-10T16:17:50Z")
Were you in an oxygen deficient environment when this all happened? ---
**Author:** ![Lips\_Obsession](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bbce88/32.png) [@Lips\_Obsession](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lips_Obsession)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/12 "2011-10-10T16:26:23Z")
Did they hook you up to one of those blood oxygen meters to check your level there? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/13 "2011-10-10T17:49:07Z")
Well, since you didn’t mention anxiety or feeling like you were going to die, I’ll assume it wasn’t a panic attack caused by the overbreathing caused by your yawning. But that was the first thing I thought of. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/14 "2011-10-10T18:25:38Z")
> [@Lips\_Obsession](#): > > Did they hook you up to one of those blood oxygen meters to check your level there? Yeah I was going to ask if they checked your o-sat level (oxygen saturation). It may not have anything to do with how much you’re inhaling. There are oxygen conversion problems on a smaller level that can cause problems like this, like if your lungs can’t process quickly enough to keep up with the oxygen your cells require. IANAD ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/15 "2011-10-10T20:39:15Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Were you in an oxygen deficient environment when this all happened? Nope. Just at home/work like always. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/16 "2011-10-10T20:41:27Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Yeah I was going to ask if they checked your o-sat level (oxygen saturation). It may not have anything to do with how much you’re inhaling. There are oxygen conversion problems on a smaller level that can cause problems like this, like if your lungs can’t process quickly enough to keep up with the oxygen your cells require. > > IANAD > [@Lips\_Obsession](#): > > Did they hook you up to one of those blood oxygen meters to check your level there? Hmm. No. I’ll write that down and ask about it - thanks. ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/17 "2011-10-10T21:23:24Z")
My guess is anemia. Now I shall go back and read the rest of the thread 😉 ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/18 "2011-10-10T22:57:56Z")
Yes, make sure the docs rule out anemia. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/19 "2011-10-10T23:46:35Z")
I have severe allergy attacks that cause me to yawn repeatedly and feel like I can’t get enough air (just reading your OP almost brought one on). Mine are generally caused by pollen. I have had a number in the past few weeks because the eucalyptus are in bloom. It’s possible that you had a bad allergic reaction to something. ---
**Author:** ![Tess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@Tess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tess)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135/20 "2011-10-11T02:50:43Z")
Would a minor lung inflammation show up on x-ray? Dust or an allergen could have irritated your lungs and cleared up on its own after a few days. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-guesses-as-to-what-this-was-yes-ive-already-seen-a-doctor/599135.md?page=2)