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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?
Lung Health | Last Active: Oct 23 10:20am | Replies (3405)Comment receiving replies
Hey everybody! So thankful I stumbled across this page. I have also been experiencing the exact same symptoms. They started a little over a week ago. I have had GI issues in the past but never anything this severe. I dealt with it for about 4 days until my boss/husband suggested I go to the ER. I am 35 years old and healthy! I only go to the doctor for my yearly physical. In other words, I don’t like going to the doctor. I did go see a chiropractor back to back days before I went to the ER. I was thinking maybe it was muscle tightness and something was preventing me from expanding my diaphragm all the way. Long story short, they did an EKG, chest x-ray and some lab work to rule out gallbladder issues. Everything came back fine! I was relieved but frustrated at the same time. They said it was anxiety/stress related which I’m having a hard time buying that. Seems like that’s the diagnosis everyone has gotten too. I’ve started Zantac in the morning and in the evening. I’ve lost 7 lbs this past week from not being able to eat/drink much at all due to discomfort in my chest and underneath my breastbone. Have also had a burning/nagging sensation in between my shoulder blades. I feel like I’m struggling to live in my own body. I was thinking I could have possibly had a hiatal hernia as well but that should have shown up on a chest x ray right? The excessive yawning and really exerting myself to catch a deep breath has gotten to me. The only time I can really get comfortable is if I lie on my side. Haven’t been sleeping well either because of worrying. I’ll be praying for you all and believing for healings/answers. ❤️
Replies to "Hey everybody! So thankful I stumbled across this page. I have also been experiencing the exact..."
@jessby Sorry that you're experiencing this! I don't know if a hiatal hernia would show up on an EKG. Maybe it does but they had to do an upper endoscopy on me, which how they found out for me. I know how you feel struggling to live in your own body. It's terrible when you feel like you're suffocating constantly with no known cause or reason. You should look into the Buteyko method (see earlier posts for link) which won't cure it completely, but should help manage it until you find a cause/permanent solution. Praying for you too!
@jessby- Good morning and welcome to Mayo Connect. You must be scared that you didn't find your answers. I know that when my body tells me that something isn't right I listen to it, even if it's difficult. I had that happen this past winter with a GI problem myself. They only gave you three tests in the ER. You need further testing. Please see a pulmonologist. The ER is only to rule out emergencies and they don't go further for a complete diagnosis unless their tests show something. Stress is a huge facto so please don't rule that out yet. Your symptoms could also be due to the Chiropractor. May I ask what you need one for at such a young age? Also GI issues can come back with a vengeance so you might want to follow through with this angle too. Are you breathing ok?
@jessby i also have the burning or fist like sensation in my back! Wonder what this could be?
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Ohh, maybe you have reflux or gerd. Breathlessness and pain between shoulder blades are both pretty common symptoms. Give nexium a try.