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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?

Lung Health | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (3467)

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@robonobo

@gabrielm

As I read your post, it’s like a copy paste of what I have been going through for the last 5 months.

My SOB started after a second tachycardia, first in Sep, and Second in Oct last year, it is Feb now. This was due to very high thyroid levels, from a thyroid supplement prescribed by a doctor.

At the time my T3 and T4 levels were double what they were supposed to be. They did other tests while in hospital, thyroid is also perfect, liver was slightly fatty, and I was pre diabetic, but only slightly, but since then I have lost 14KG through calorie control and eating a low carb sugar free diet. Whole Foods and quality fats. My pre-diabetes is gone. I was eating clean in general but now just control my portions.

I still carry a lot of muscle mass from my weight lifting days over 15 years ago.

The next day I stopped the thyroid supplement, T3 and T4 levels have normalized. The second tachycardia happened the day after the endocrinologist suggested I take thyroxine to reduce my slightly elevated TSH. I stopped that the day after and have been fine since. Every blood test shows my TSH is coming down so I let will just let my body do it’s thing.

I have had lungs and heart fully checked and monitored, cardiologist and pulmonologist say lungs and heart are perfect, all blood works are great, no deficiencies.

I did an allergy and food tolerance test. I don’t have any IGE allergies but do have intolerance for egg white, almond and milk. I have recently stopped eating these foods to see if it improves anything.

I saw Physcologist to understand if it was anxiety etc, but it’s not, even though at the time, I was getting anxious from the SOB, but since then I know it’s not danger, but just discomfort.

I went to see a gastroenterologist to check if I had a possible hiatal hernia, but he examined me and reviewed all my other tests results and did not it see a need for a scan or endoscopy.

I get enough sleep, walk minimum of 7000 steps a day, but go for 10000+ steps almost every other day. Try do weights when I can.

I practice butyeko breathing as well, which does make it more comfortable.

I take a quality vitamin supplements, D3/K2, B complex, C, probiotic.

I feel physically, emotionally and mentally feel great, except for this SOB that comes through out the day.

I have discomfort in the middle of my chest, like just where my diaphragm and stomach are, in that area, it varies from day to day. Not sure if this is the cause or from trying to get full breaths throughout the day, at times the sensation gets worse if I don’t eat anything or too take too long between meals.

I don’t get “out of breath”, I can exercise ok. Functionally my breathing is normal.

The feeling of having to yawn, but not hit that sweat satisfactory spot is frustrating, as well as the feeling of not being able to get a full breath throughout the day and having to “try” is also frustrating.

I don't know what else to do and what is causing it. Some days I get very frustrated by it.

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Replies to "@gabrielm As I read your post, it’s like a copy paste of what I have been..."

Your journey sounds like mine… for 9 1/2 years I struggled with shortness of breath on minimal exertion ( two steps up and rest) and went to so many specialists of so many parts of the body at several major hospitals with no diagnosis. I let it go and lived at a slow pace until it got so bad I couldn’t walk from bed to bathroom. My husband suggested a Dr check my spine and I had a herniated disc… saw neurosurgeon who did an anterior cervical disckectomy with fusion at C5/6 and I could breath again and run up steps! I also had the ‘trying to catch a good breath’ that went away.
I also watched my diet and did weight lifting. Good luck

Hi @robonobo
I hear you-- your experience sounds incredibly familiar, and I completely understand the frustration of searching for answers while everything on paper looks “normal.” It’s exhausting to go through so many tests, make lifestyle changes, and do all the right things, only to still be left with this constant air hunger.

It sounds like you’ve tackled this from every possible angle; thyroid, heart, lungs, diet, anxiety, gut health-- honestly, I’m impressed with how thorough you’ve been. The fact that you’ve ruled out so many things and still feel great overall makes this all the more baffling.

That discomfort in your chest and diaphragm area caught my attention. I’ve heard others describe something similar, especially when there’s a connection to digestion or diaphragm tension. Have you noticed if eating smaller, more frequent meals helps? I also wonder if something like gentle abdominal massage or diaphragm-focused breathing (like from the Buteyko method) could make a difference for you.

I totally get how the constant need to "try" for that deep breath can be the most frustrating part. Some days, it’s just mentally exhausting. Have you found anything, whether distraction, posture changes, or even certain types of movement-- that helps make those moments more manageable?

You’re not alone in this, and I really appreciate you sharing your story.