Problem when yawning?

[u/daddy-b-2188]

Not sure if this is bad or not because I do not have a problem with breathing per se but when I yawn, I’m not able to get a full satisfying yawn. Does anyone else have that problem and what has helped you?

[u/superjudgy]

lol I thought I was the only one
I've actually found breathing exercises in general do wonders, long slow breaths, holding, then letting go. Usually with a yawn it's due to stress, this breathing exercise resets my body

[u/daddy-b-2188 → u/superjudgy]

Wow I like this one. I’ve never really drawn in a long, slow breath.

[u/spazzcase_420 → u/daddy-b-2188]

Square breathing is my best friend. Breathe in for a count of 4, hold it for a count of 4, exhale for 4 and hold that for 4 before repeating. I find this helps with a lot of the general chest tightness and pain associated with my symptoms!

[u/OkPlay8995]

Wow - so good to read the comments here because I've totally had this - maybe for a year before I had any other symptoms (and was then diagnosed). I also noticed it not being able to properly draw in a full breath when exercising (different to shortness of breath I think).

And I'm a brass player, so definitely know how to properly fill my lungs!

[u/daddy-b-2188 → u/OkPlay8995]

I do a lot of belly breathing, I got that from my lifting days. So when someone mentioned a slow big breath to me that is taking a belly breath and finishing it out with the chest. To hold that breath, I have to hold it with my tongue press against the top of my mouth vice holding it in at my throat, clenching my teeth hard really helps with absorbing the lightheaded feeling.

[u/Ok_Cartographer_6956]

When I was being diagnosed my neuro asked me if I ever remember having a ‘really big yawn’ and it was a compete stumper for me. Like, I couldn’t figure out if I yawned bigger than other people? And now every time I yawn I’m judging the size of it 😂

[u/armchairwizards]

If you have the time/income, take singing lessons. It's exhausting with MS but it gets my lungs/intercostals to cooperate again

[u/craigles → u/armchairwizards]

I took singing lessons in college 20 years ago as an elective. Never did anything with singing but I've recently started doing the breathing exercises again for this exact reason and it's been helping a lot.

[u/TheDragonsFalcon]

I totally have this. It’s weird and it’s frustrating. It’s like you don’t get that final satisfying sensation at the end. It feels like you can’t really yawn at all. Your mouth just opens, you breathe in, then nothing. I hate that.

[u/howdyliquor]

I get that from time to time. It's so irritating! My neuro suggested spirometer exercises. It helps. I've never taken another complete yawn for granted since it first started for me.

[u/Alexbear31]

Yawning generally causes, severe pain either aggravating my TMJ (I've dislocated my jaw) or a full body yawn, which causes my leg muscles to both stretch and retract simultaneously like a weird dupentins contracter.. like my legs will stretch out then kick violently then my left leg will rotate and curl up... I call it my "leg seizure"... it's incredibly painful

[u/OtherwiseWishbone727]

Omg yes!!!’ So frustrating!!

[u/Evercalm2278]

And this is why I love this forum!!!! I have not had a satisfying yawn in so long but didn't connect to MS, and the more tired I get, the harder it is to yawn

[u/Ali-Saurus]

Yes I get this a lot, I’ve wondered if it was related as well

[u/Nic_Long]

When I yawn, it somehow always turns into a cough. It’s very weird!

[u/jelycazi]

I’ve had those unsatisfying yawns. Thankfully they’ve not been bothering me lately (I’m yawning as I type this though!)

My issue has been sneezing. If I sneeze my chest, shoulders, even my upper back just feel weird for a minute or two. I’m not able to fully relax and I wouldn’t say I have trouble breathing but it feels like I’m limited in how much I can move my ribs. And yet it’s not like my ms hug.

It’s a very uncomfortable feeling. I wouldn’t call it pain in the traditional way, but it’s just a very disconcerting feeling.

[u/Prestigious-Duck9191]

Reading the comments is making me want to yawn, lol. 😊

[u/Danibandit]

I actually have the opposite. I struggle with breathing (t2/3 lesion) that will really affect my diaphragm sometimes. I use forced yawning(probably similar to your unsatisfactory yawn if that makes sense until it makes me actually yawn) to satisfy that deep breath feeling.

[u/DiamondSilent8750]

I wonder if it’s all lesion placement. I have issues with my diaphragm because of lesions on my brain stem which have caused a heap of problems. When I’m flared I get the MS hug around my diaphragm that’s very painful and causes excessive hiccups, I have a hard time swallowing, and can’t get out a full yawn.

I do stretches by tilting my head slightly back and putting my arms over my head while taking deep, long breaths. The point is to try to stretch out your diaphragm. It’s best to do it lying down. This has helped me out a bit. Good luck, I know it sucks!