Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?

Posted by Gabe, Volunteer Mentor @gabrielm, May 31, 2018

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Health Support Group.

jasparhunter | @jasparhunter | Dec 27, 2025

Thank you Folks for your insightful input.

Does anyone know or have experience with beta blockers for hyper tension. (high blood pressure) A bit of research finds that SOB is a common side effect. Can this stuff be the cause of my SOB? I've been on it for years and have experienced occasional episodes of extremely high BP.

I was given Clonidine for these episodes. Apparently this drug opens and relaxes the cardiac blood vessels. When i do take Clonidine my 'air hunger' disappears.

I have an appointment with my Dr late in Jan to discuss this.

Gabe, Volunteer Mentor | @gabrielm | Dec 28, 2025

In reply to @jasparhunter "Thank you Folks for your insightful input. Does anyone know or have experience with beta blockers..." + (show)

@jasparhunter, I’m curious, when the clonidine helps, is the relief fairly immediate, and does it feel like a calm settling overall or specifically a change in the breathing sensation? Also, do your air hunger symptoms tend to track more with blood pressure spikes or more independently of them?

It sounds like you’re doing exactly the right thing by bringing this to your doctor in January. I hope that conversation helps move the needle for you, and I’d be very interested to hear what you learn after that visit.

jasparhunter | @jasparhunter | Dec 29, 2025

In reply to @gabrielm "@jasparhunter, I’m curious, when the clonidine helps, is the relief fairly immediate, and does it feel..." + (show)

@gabrielm
Thanks for your reply! I did not mention that when my BP spikes, my sob increases. Clonidine relieves that.
I understand that drug opens cardio arteries. Is this right?

deak113 | @deak113 | Dec 29, 2025

In reply to @dovey "2/5 LIST OF SPECIFIC DETAILS ABOUT MY CONDITION: Here are some important factors that may help..." + (show)

@dovey

2/5

LIST OF SPECIFIC DETAILS ABOUT MY CONDITION:

Here are some important factors that may help differentiate between similar but slightly different breathing problems that we’re experiencing:

It feels like a physical issue that worsens with activity—until it doesn’t. I’ll explain what I mean: I have trouble just walking because the shortness of breath is so bad. But if I walk faster, like 3 mph uphill, and work harder, there’s a point where it almost feels like I can “push through” the sensation, and I feel the normal shortness of breath that one would feel with significant physical exertion, like jogging. This is one of the only moments where I feel like my lungs are working normally. But maybe I’m not, really, because I’ve also noticed that I struggle to catch my breath after working out (or just walking) now, too. And usually I have to lie down afterwards.

I’ve been tracking this for eight months, and I’ve noticed that my symptoms seem to worsen the week of my period.

I experience the shortness of breath when I’m talking. This actually seems to be getting worse with time. It’s getting harder and harder for me to hold a conversation, because I’m gasping for air and feeling that gag reflex sensation in my throat like I’m going to burp or vomit (and yawning instead). Laughing also feels terrible. I feel this physically sickening emptiness in my lungs when I laugh, and it gives me significant anxiety. This yawning “disease” or whatever it is is literally sapping every ounce of joy from my life and destroying every formerly pleasant experience.

I experience shortness of breath before I’m even conscious. I don’t think this is something that just affects me in my waking hours. The first thing I experience in the morning, while I’m still dreaming and not yet even conscious or aware of my surroundings, is that familiar feeling of suffocation and the deep, gasping breaths that it elicits. In other words, before I’m fully awake, I’m breathing as hard as I can. I wake up with my upper back aching, like I’ve been taking those huge gulping breaths and yawning during my sleep.

Conversely, I’ve noticed that once I lie down and begin to fall asleep, my yawning/deep breaths stop and the sensation of suffocation disappears. It’s almost like the hormones my body releases as I transition into sleep can interrupt whatever is causing this chronic breathing problem. However, as we fall asleep, our breathing pattern changes naturally, so it’s possible that it’s just the change in my breathing pattern that interrupts the symptoms. I have noticed that if I lie completely still and peaceful, like one would if they were about to fall asleep, and make no physical exertion whatsoever, my breathing becomes normal. But, the moment I shift my weight, or scratch an itch, or do anything that requires the slightest movement or physical (sometimes even mental) exertion, I’ll feel the shortness of breath again and will need to take a deep breath or yawn. That, to me, suggests that the shortness of breath is real. Right? It’s shortness of breath with physical exertion. I don’t know, lol.

Since this began, I only have temporary episodes where I experience the familiar sensation of needing to frequently yawn or take a deep breath *but also* being UNABLE to “complete” the yawn or satisfy the deep breath. This is something that y’all have mentioned here, too. For me, it is linked to my symptoms, but it’s intermittent. It tends to happen when my symptoms are flaring really badly, and my deep breaths or yawns are faster and more frequent. These moments used to happen more frequently when my condition first began, and they were the MOST distressing, because it truly feels like you’re suffocating to death. I’ve learned over time that I can usually manipulate my body to expand my lungs more and achieve the full deep breath. If I bend forward, put my hands on my knees, round my back, and draw my shoulders forward, I can take a full breath and relieve the feeling of suffocation (for about 15-60 seconds before I have to do it again, of course).

I developed GERD in 2018 and started having brief episodes of shortness of breath after eating. They felt distinctly different from what I’m experiencing now. There was no urgent need to yawn or breath deeply. It felt more like bloating that was pressing on my diaphragm, and when it happened, I coped with controlled breathing.

However, I can’t rule out GERD as a factor. I had a chronic GERD cough on and off for 4 years. I treated it with Pepcid until I had a very bad flare in January of 2021, and had to switch to proton pump inhibitors. The cough disappeared after a few months of treatment. But the last meal I ate before my breathing symptoms began was barbecue, which I eat very rarely because it usually sets off my GERD worse that almost anything else.

What is more, yawning and deep breaths are not the only things that temporarily relieve this feeling of shortness of breath. Swallowing food or liquids is even more effective. My symptoms are temporarily reduced when I eat or drink, and don’t return to full strength for a minute or two afterward.

The week before my symptoms began in August, my sinuses closed up completely one night. (And I’ve been struggling with this ever since.) I kept waking up throughout the night, gasping for air because I couldn’t breath through my nose. I began feeling slightly “off” that week. I remember noticing during a physical therapy session, that I felt like I was unintentionally holding my breath. These may have been subtle indicators of some problem brewing.

Speaking of physical therapy, the reason I was doing PT was that I had an ankle injury at the time. This could be relevant because my normal routine had been disrupted by this injury, and I’d been wearing a boot and mostly unable to walk for over a month when my breathing problems began. (I know what you’re thinking, and my d-dimer was normal, so there’s no indication that my breathing issues are related to a blood clot.)

In December of 2020, I began having episodes of phantosmia (olfactory hallucinations), where I smell overpowering cigarette smoke for about 10 days approximately once a month. This has been attributed to a rare form of migraine, but it doesn’t respond to migraine medication, so no one’s completely sure yet.

In the months since this breathing problem began, I have also developed a chronic burning sensation all over the inside of my mouth, my throat, and my tongue. My lips and nose also tingle and buzz with a tiny vibration sensation. These are typically neurological symptoms known as Burning Mouth Syndrome. Similar symptoms have been reported by people with long covid, but I am almost certain that I’ve never had covid. I’m triple-vaxxed (Moderna), I work from home, live alone, and have been wearing perfectly-fitted NIOSH-certified N95 masks every time I leave my home since March of 2020. Almost all of my relatives have gotten covid at this point, and they’ve either died (Alpha, pre-vaccination) or had very noticeable symptoms (Delta and Omicron, post-vaccination and booster). I haven’t had a noticeable virus since fall of 2019, and, given my genetics, it’s unlikely that I’d have an asymptomatic case of covid.

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@dovey I'm really sorry to hear about all of the issues you have had to deal with and I hope you have found some relief and answers. I wanted to comment on your statement regarding the episodes of phantosmia (olfactory hallucinations). I got covid in 2023 and ever since then, I also smell overpowering cigarette smoke. I was told that covid attacks the brain stem and can cause phantosmia. I'm not sure why it has to be cigarette smoke smell....why not flowers or fresh baked cookies or something like that? This was constant for me and didn't let up for months. Now I smell it almost daily, but for shorter periods of time. I also developed post nasal drip, which is causing sleepless nights and constant swallowing to try to clear the phlegm. I hope that you have found relief and peace.

Gabe, Volunteer Mentor | @gabrielm | Dec 29, 2025

In reply to @jasparhunter "@gabrielm Thanks for your reply! I did not mention that when my BP spikes, my sob..." + (show)

@jasparhunter I don't know much about the drug, though if it does open up arteries, that would seem to make sense that it would relieve the sense of air hunger. Dyspnea has a variety of causes since breathing has to do with the lungs, heart, blood, and other things. So it could be that if your heart is having to work extra hard, it could lead to a shortness of breath or dyspnea sensation.

yessir321 | @yessir321 | Jan 4 3:25am

In reply to @stew80 "@gabrielm Very helpful read. Thanks for sharing. I haven't really tried the Buteyko breathing method but..." + (show)

@stew80 it being worse at rest was what doctor told me very much points towards it being pseudo dyspnea. There is nothing you can do to manage/fix it. The reason it is still with you is actually because you are so determined to try get rid of it. Basically, you will never get better until you stop trying to get better. And you’ve hit the nail on the head the way this goes away is by enjoying life with/without it present and when you don’t care one little bit truly, then it will go. You’re correct it’s not your job it’s your bodies job. Your job it to live your best life, no longer should you be checking in internally setting goals to how you feel. This also applies to any other feeling or thoughts you may get. Your body has a lot of stress energy when it has this feeling, but whatever you think or feel same principle as before. Let yourself feel whatever and LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST. Good luck!

happytraveler0838 | @happytraveler0838 | Jan 10 2:35pm

Hello Gabriel, and everyone else who has reported on this blog a sudden shortness of breath, and the sudden onset of difficulty taking a full breath. This happened to me a while ago. It started about two days after having had a COVID shot, so initially I thought it was due to that. However, I have never had Covid, and have had no other symptoms related to Covid or any other medical condition for which shortness of breath seems to be related. It is a terrible feeling, and I thought that I must be seriously ill, or dying. I am a very active person, biking 20 miles several times a week. On days I don't bike, I hike 3+ miles (I live in the mountains so I'm hiking and biking at an elevation over six thousand feet), so I pretty much knew it wasn't my heart causing breathlessness. My symptoms always improved if I was active, or distracted in some way (busy around the house or yard, mentally engaged in something task). My inability to take a full breath also eased when meditating, doing yoga, and practicing Qigong, but would return shortly after practice. I too tried taking B12, and magnesium, thinking it was some type of nutritional deficiency. That seemed to work for just a couple of days. I checked my symptoms against the full list of conditions and diseases listed on the Mayo Clinic site that may cause breathlessness. What I found is that I have no other full range of symptoms of diseases listed by Mayo Clinic, other than Anxiety. I don't feel particularly anxious, or stressed out, I have a pretty chill life now that I am retired. However, some time ago, I started following news feeds. Before long the algorithm has filled my space with news. At first I felt like I could "observe" all the news without succumbing to the stress of constantly seeing and hearing and being reminded about every state, national and world event. Having now determined that anxiety is the only thing I can contribute to my sudden, very uncomfortable feeling of not getting sufficient breath, I have started to notice the tightness in my shoulders, and the clenching of my jaw, which I was previously unaware of. I have since "checked out" of checking in on the news. I'm being more conscious of stressors causing me to tighten my jaw and tense my shoulders, and it feels like a miracle, because I am able to fully breathe again I am happy and very relieved to report that my shortness of breath has all but disappeared. When, and if I feel it coming on, I check my body for clenching and tension and consciously relax and take a breath, breathing into my abdomen (diaphragmatic breathing), and bringing my attention to the present moment and relaxing, releasing the tension. Anxiety can sneak up on us. I thought I was pretty aware of my body. This has been a big lesson for me.
I wish for you all the best, and I hope my post will help you in some way to also find relief.

Gabe, Volunteer Mentor | @gabrielm | Jan 11 9:59pm

In reply to @happytraveler0838 "Hello Gabriel, and everyone else who has reported on this blog a sudden shortness of breath,..." + (show)

@happytraveler0838

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@happytraveler0838 thank you for sharing! I'm sure many will find your story very helpful.

williejoe | @williejoe | Feb 9 9:04pm

gabe, here it is feb, 2026 and i'm reading one of my first post i've run across since i've started looking at heath forums for the condition generally known as sighing dyspnea. sounds a lot like my experience since i first experienced this condition back in August of last year----at that time anyway this mysterious condition was life altering . i like most---if not many---who were suddenly hit with this condition---found that the knowledge base---even among experienced neurologist----was less than adequate. i've seen four neurologist---none have been helpful----but at least honest enough to admit their lack of knowledge. thank goodness i have the good fortune of having two of the smartest docs in the world that have help me unravel, to a large degree anyway, what is going on. drs. ChatGpt and Grok AI engines. i use the paid version of both to insure some consistency of analysis. without these guys i would be in the dark regarding the physiology and mechanisms of what is going on -----as well as to identifying reasonable scientific approaches to treating / ameliorating this condition---- to the degree that it is at least tolerable and at times not even noticeable. ( similar with how i finally habituate to tinnitus where now most of the time i'm not even aware that i still have it ). and actually habituation also has been shown to play a very important role with sighing dyspnea.
before i continue any further with this post let me stop here and just make sure there is a least one person still reading this thread. if there is----i will post further info on my journey with this dyspnea condition and what i have learned from my own experiences as well from my two AI buddies. this is indeed a very complex condition dealing the the autonomic nervous system---with the general area of dysautonomia for the first time getting some serous attention in the medical/clinical institutions -----as cases and reports of these types of conditions have begun to surge in the last four to five years----especially since the covid vaccines push. So if anyone is interested----post here and let me know.

margueritew | @margueritew | Feb 10 8:42am

In reply to @williejoe "gabe, here it is feb, 2026 and i'm reading one of my first post i've run..." + (show)