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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?
I will try to make this as short as possible, but this has been going on for over 5 years, so it might be farily long.
Beginning in summer of 2012, I began having shortness of breath (SOB) with no other symptoms. I felt a constant need to yawn, and every few breaths wouldn't satisfy the SOB. I would take a deep breath, and felt like it would get "stuck" before satisfying the air hunger feeling. About every 3-5 deep breaths would satisfy it, only for it to return a minute later.
I got an endoscopy and other tests done, which revealed that I had some esophageal erosion due to acid reflux and a slight hiatal hernia and was diagnosed with GERD. I had always have bad heartburn, so I was prescribed with Prilosec, which I have been taking daily since them. I've tried stopping it a few times but the reflux always comes back a lot worse.
Lung tests and x-rays were normal. Heart tests normal. Blood test revealed a slight anemia but otherwise pretty normal.
I did some research reading forums where someone suggested taking vitamin B-12. Strangely, I took it and the SOB disappeared almost instantly. However, it only lasted a few days for it to return just as bad. I then started taking an iron supplement, which again made the SOB disappear quickly- same thing; symptom returned days later.
After further research, I came across a breathing exercise method called the Buteyko method. Essentially you do a lot of breath holding to build up CO2 and reduce breathing as the theory is that I had chronic hyperventilation causing too much CO2 to exit my body. After applying the method and reducing my breathing, the SOB disappeared after only 2 days and I felt completely normal. I continued the method a few more days then no longer felt the need to pursue the exercises. I was normal for a whole year when the SOB once again returned with some chest tightness. I applied the method again and the symptom went away, this time with a little more effort; after about 3 weeks. I included physical exercise which also helped with my breathing.
After that, I was normal for about 2 years. I mistakenly stopped or at least slowed down exercise and the SOB returned once again. I applied the method and began running for exercise but the SOB kept getting worse. It got so bad, I had multiple panic attacks and the feeling of completely empty lungs with the inability to satisfy it with deep breaths. I had to stop exercise altogether, apply the Buteyko method and do breathing exercises very carefully with very light and slow exercise. This helped, but it took many weeks for the SOB to improve. Then, it was almost normal when over a year ago as I was running, I couldn't get a deep breath to satisfy exercise-induced SOB. I have had SOB continuously since then (a year and a half).
I once again started doing breathing exercises and slowly building up physical exercise, but I can't do any prolonged cardio activity because the SOB gets to a point where deep breathing will not satisfy it. While the breathing exercises have helped, they have had very little effect compared to previous efforts. It seems that every time the symptom returned, greater effort yields few results.
I suspect there is something, some underlying cause that is causing the SOB that has alluded me this entire time.
So for the past few months to a year, the SOB is worse on some days, better on others, but never gone. There's no rhyme or reason or pattern for it. It's just there, sometimes affecting my sleep. I sometimes can't get a deep breath to satisfy it every now and then, but for the most part, a big gulp of air will satisfy it. But it returns seconds to minutes later. It's as though every breath doesn't deliver what it's supposed to, the SOB builds up, and then I have to take a big gulp of air to get rid of the feeling, pattern repeats. My breathing pattern is normal, however. I don't feel like anything physical is happening, but sometimes it feels like my airways and nostrils are slightly inflamed due to allergies, but when I don't feel inflammation the SOB is still there.
Recent lung function tests show normal- I don't have asthma, or any other problems with my lungs. Heart tests are normal though I did have about a two week bout of heart palpitations which came and went. Haven't had any for a while- it just mysteriously started happening then stopped. Blood tests are normal, though tests always show a slight elevation of biliruben which my doc thinks is Gilbert's disease.
I don't have sleep apnea (normal test), bloody oxygenation is normal, heart rate normal.
I recently saw local naturopath (since mainstream docs aren't able to help) who immediately suspected a liver problem when I described my SOB, possibly liver inflammation. He used an electrodermal testing machine to test his theory which did seem to show a problem with my liver and gallbladder. He gave me digestive enzymes and a gallbladder formula to help clear a bile duct clog, thus reducing liver inflammation. He also determined with the machine that I have an egg sensitivity so I've been avoiding eggs.
Been taking this and avoiding eggs for a couple of months, but there has been no noticeable improvement. Everything else is normal. Emotionally I'm normal- no anxiety, depression, etc. The SOB seems to be the only symptom of something, but always comes back worse, until a year and half ago when it came back and has remained since. I feel like I shouldn't have to do breath holding exercises every day just to maintain my breathing well enough to do every day things.
Does anyone have any idea of a possible underlying cause?
2021/2022 UPDATE:
Since my original post about 3-1/2 years ago, a lot has happened, so I’d like to update the post to share with others who come across this what I’ve done since then.
I have maintained a weekly Buteyko method breathing exercise regimen where I do a few of these breathing exercises 3-4 times a week in the morning. This, in combination with daily light to moderate exercise (specifically weight lifting, with 1 or 2 days a week of walking and light jogging), I feel has kept the air hunger symptoms tolerable and manageable. I have mostly good days with some not-so-good days, but doing a breathing exercise and knowing that it’ll get better again helps me get through those times.
I also have sinus inflammation which can exacerbate the symptoms, but I’ve also managed this, which in turn reduces the severity of the air hunger symptoms.
So, while I haven’t found a cure nor is the problem completely gone, I have been able to maintain normalcy in daily life and manage the symptoms through the strategies I described.
This discussion remains active, alive and well through the comments section where others who have similar symptoms have shared what has helped them as well as suggestions for possible solutions to explore.
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Hi, I'm new to Mayoclinic so I'm new to these forums. Thankfully there is a place where like minded people can share their health concerns, even though final remedies still loom in dark corners at the moment. Hopefully a suitable cure will emerge sooner rather than later.
Like most people who have commented, I suffer from intense SOB. On bad days I may have attacks every 30 secs and on good days I can have none...until I remember about them then they can give me a tickle up just to remind me.
Ok, so I'm 78 years old and while playing golf about 10 months ago I suffered SOB. At that time the green keepers had sprayed a rather strong and intense weed control to some areas of the rough. This resulted in me suffering chemical burns to parts of my legs and very large blistering. At the time I didn't associate the SOB with the allergic reaction of the weed killer. I visited hospital to manage the chemical burns and was first informed of side effects such as asthma type allergies, shortness of breath, dizziness etc, that may impact me. When the SOB became worse I visited my family GP and we pursued along the line of allergies due to what I told him. After trying inhalers; Pavtide MDI 250/25, Trelegy and Ventolin, all to no avail, he sent me to a chest specialist. I was informed the inhalers were airway openers but if the inhalers weren't working then obviously my airways were already fully open. What followed were X-Rays, CT scan, blood tests, lung tests, spirometry test, which all came back normal physically and what was concluded was that it must be psychological. I agree and though I have the utmost respect for my family doctor, and his associates - my doctor has cared for four generations of my family and his associates have delivered six of our grandchildren besides being specialists in their relative fields - I think anxiety and depression, as my doctor has concluded I suffer, is rather like trying to fit square pegs into round holes, or as I put it playing football with a golf ball. Sure it fits tidily in medical terms and offers a suitable resolve, but as I keep saying to my wife, the anxiety I may suffer is akin to the feeling you might feel if suddenly awakened if you fell asleep in the passenger seat of a car after it has crashed off the road and fallen into a lake and you wake up as the water reaches your nose. Anxiety on the verge of panic caused by the inability to draw breath! When your doctor...and in my case my wife too! say I suffer from anxiety which is causing my SOB, I want to bash the pair of them over the head! To try and explain how hard it is to slow my breathing down, do breathing methods, act like a Tai Chi Master and stop the universe from rotating while simply rolling over in bed, all while an attack is happening and I'm literally gasping for breath and sucking air in crazily hoping for a satisfying full breathe to help settle me down...well that's not the anxiety they think it is. That's not what's happening in the real world.
Anyway, if anyone has found some perfect solution I would be more than grateful to hear about it, as I'm sure practically all the people that have posted here would be.
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1 ReactionI’ve had random episodes of strange shortness of breath for a few years too, though all my tests are always normal. I totally relate to that air hunger and the need to yawn just to feel like you’re getting enough. The only things that have helped, honestly, are practicing slow, controlled breathing and trying to avoid mouth breathing as much as possible, especially during stressful times. Exercise helps a bit, but during the really bad phases it almost makes the feeling worse, which can be frustrating. One thing that’s made guided breathing exercises simpler for me is using a device that actually coaches you through them, with adjustable settings and levels. I came across this one, https://omhale.com/product/breathing-trainer-pro/, and I use it especially on days when the SOB feels overwhelming. It keeps my routine on track and honestly makes the whole process a little less tedious.
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2 ReactionsI hope one of your blood tests was the D-dimer. My SOB was misdiagnosed multiple times because SOB was the only symptom. Even an odometer was showing healthy oxygen levels. My pulmonary embolism was, instead of the usual clots, many tiny clots. D-dimer blood tests in the ER and then a CT scan with contrast showed the clots. Pradaxa twice a day worked a miracle. Probably will be on it forever but, so far, no bad side effects
Oximeter not odometer! 😁
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1 ReactionHi @andrew2044, sounds like there may be a connection to the weed control spray that maybe affect your ability to breathe. It could've triggered a pre exisitng lung issue- were you aware of any past breathing or lung issues that you've dealt with before?
Hi @zanthi. I think you're doing the right thing by actively slowing your breathing. I think some things can trigger a functional breathing dysfunction, whereby our bodies react in "flight or fight" mode due to various environmental triggers. I'm glad you found a couple of things that seem to be helping. I think the key is persistence and consistency in your practices whether the breathing exercises or the device. Good job keeping on top of your health!
I’ve had the exact same problem. I’ve had it for quite a few years. No one knows what it is and testing is normal. But I’m huffing and puffing and my chest wall just feels like it won’t open up. Xanax helps but I don’t wanna take that very often. I’m not the anxious type and I’ve never had a psych history so I don’t know if the Xanax is just producing chest wall relaxation? I have no clue. I will follow this.
Hi @itzkat, If Xanax helps, I wouldn't rule out anxiety. It's possible some underlying anxiety could cause a breathing dysfunction where your body subtly perceives a need of air falsely. Retraining your breathing and mind to relax I think might help you. If you know any slow breathing techniques, I would try those out. Have you looked up any kind of breath retraining or breathing techniques? You may not feel anxious at any given moment, but sometimes subtle stressors can unconsciously affect the way you breathe, and breath retraining would help the automated response to stop from falsely perceiving the need of air.
Not saying I never get anxious, but I’m a bit old (66) and am in healthcare. Stress is how I like it! Anyway, I did look up that breathing techniques and WILL try it. Good input!
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2 ReactionsHas anyone ever looked into sensorimotor ocd in correlation to this issue? Recently, aside from the breathing issue, I’ve started having difficulty swallowing food but it’s not really difficulty more so that I have been overly focused on the act of swallowing especially around others. This in turn causes great anxiety and my muscles to almost tense up to the point where I need to usually have a drink to follow my food. Anyways, looking into that led me to discovering sensorimotor ocd which is when one becomes hyperactive of body functions that should be automatic. Just curious if anyone’s ever considered this route and if so anything that may have helped.
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