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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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This is the first article about an issue with breathing that resembles my own problem. Like you this has been going on for me for a long time, however it was a very slow and gradual build up. At the beginning I was experiencing urges to breathe deeply, in which I was succesful, so it never really bothered me. To this point where my lungs feel capped if I try to take a deep breath. It’s incredibly frustrating, and ruins my quality of living as it’s a constant 24/7 issue (no idea on how it affects my sleep I just recently took a sleep apnea test, waiting for results).
I get some good times where I’m not urged to take the deep breathes as much as usual which is literallly between every 20 seconds or minute. I get to the point where my chest hurts simply from trying to breathe deeply. Blood tests are normal, chest X-ray is normal, and breathing test is normal. I always try my own ways of trying to get a deep breath but I would say my success rate is about 10%. I hate being in public and always having to lurch and brace myself for a breath every 30 seconds it looks so weird. I believe it affects my energy too, lately I can’t even mow the grass without being dreadfully tired afterwards. The awful thing is that i’m Only 22, and it greatly bothers me that at my age i’m Affected so much by this issue.
It hasn’t been long since I’ve started diagnosing this with my GP. I’ve tried a regular asthma inhaler which did nothing, then moved on to a steroid Seretide inhaler. The results from that steroid inhaler were strange, the first day my deep breath success rate shot right up to 90% and I was pretty happy about it although the urge to take these frequent breaths remained. However a day later my capped breathing returned to normal. I was hoping to find some answers online and saw this and gotta say i’m A little disheartened i’ve Found no concrete remedies to it but hopefully my efforts with doctors will help. Really hoping. Best of luck with your efforts too i’ll be watching this for future updates and will share if I figure anything out.
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1 ReactionI have the exact same set of symptoms. They started for me out of nowhere, in the middle of the night about 7 months ago. I feel like I can’t get in a full breath almost all of the time. The worst part is when I exercise, not immediately after, but the next day it worsens to the point where I am constantly on the verge of a panick attack. This is particularly hard for me, since before this I was in the gym for an hour a day, 7 days a week, and now I can barely walk for extended periods of time. I have a similar story with doctors, as well. I tried a pulmonologist, he said I don’t have asthma, as evidenced by my lack of response to steroids. He also ruled out vocal cord dysfunction, since those symptoms seemed confined only to the time of the exercise itself. Next I went to a cardiologist and everything appeared normal. Now I am going to see a gastro soon, and then hopefully get a endoscopy and bronchoscopy. Also, some weird things I’ve noticed about it are: caffeine seems to make it worse, it’s worse in the middle of the night, and it seems to get better when I’m really involved in a mental activity, especially things I enjoy (Please let me know if any of this is true for you guys). It’s been really discouraging getting no solid answers, which I’m sure you all can relate to, but I’m really glad that I’m not the only one out there. If we work through it together, maybe we can finally get it figured out. Hang in there everyone.
I’m 18 years old and male
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1 ReactionAgreed, my symptoms are barely noticeable when i’m Mentally focused, especially on a video game or a movie but, not always. And neither when it involves stress or physical activity. Strangely enough Grape Fanta make my symptoms worse.
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1 Reaction@chines118 you have the very exact symptoms as i did. I am a runner and while i was running I was completely fine it was a day later I would feel the urge to take a deep breath. As for now my doctor seems to think it is silent reflux and put me on protonix and I am 95% back to normal. If you read about silent reflux it will tell you not to eat 3 hrs before you exercise because of the stomach acid that would come up during strenuous exercising. I have also changed up diet to low acidic foods. This may be hard to believe as it was for me because i didnt have the typical symptoms as we all know of heartburn, belching etc. Thats why it is called silent. I not saying this is what you have but you may want to look into it. Do you have a constant sore throat or feeling of something in your throat? I hope this helps.
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1 Reaction@chines118 last thing I also noticed if I had a diet sundrop early in the morning my symptoms were worse that day. Thats because for me it was an acidic drink and the acid in your stomach loves to travel on the bubbles that the carbonated drinks produce.
I'll have to get checked for the silent re-flux. When I wake up in the morning I feel pretty good (in terms of breathing) but It does seem to occur after I drink first cup of coffee in the morning. Maybe the acid or caffeine in the coffee triggers it ?
I do have a somewhat “swollen” throat most of the time, now that you mention it. I do also burp a lot and have a feeling like a need to burp all the time. It just never occurred to me that stomach problems could be causing my shortness of breath, so I never even considered that. Thank you so much for the info, I’m really hoping that this is what I have. Also, I drink 3-4 diet sodas a day and eat a ton of food (as most 18 year old guys do) so maybe that has something to do with it as well. My gastro appointment is March 28th, so I’ll keep you updated!
@chines118 I had the same thing happen when my SOB was especially severe. I had multiple panic attacks caused by the intense feeling of suffocation. My breathing exercises helped me a great deal but I haven't recovered 100%. I would quit caffeine (coffee, soda, etc.) and eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of large ones. Exercise, but keep it light - to what you can handle with your breathing - and try as much as possible to only breathe through your nose. Refuse the urge to take a deep breath when you possibly can, and breathe through your nose all the time. This helps you to not over breathe so much and may help regulate your breathing. It's difficult at first, but it helped a lot for me when I did it. I still only breathe through my nose and if I have to take a deep breath, it's just through my nose. I lift weights for exercise, I don't that much cardio (just walking whenever I can), and when I lift weights, I don't overdo it; I do as much as my breathing will allow which sometimes is a lot, other times not so much.
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2 Reactions@chines118 please do keep us posted. I also will do the same thing, so that maybe I can help others.
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1 Reaction@davek yes, it could be. I tried treating mine at first with prilosec with no relief, so my doctor put me on something stronger (protonix ) this medicine not only stops the acid but heals the esophagus too.