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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?
Lung Health | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (3432)Comment receiving replies
I've been reading through this thread for a few days now. After tons of research on the internet I've really found nothing that matches my symptoms as succinctly as the mysterious condition described by so many of you here. I've been seeking answers for about a month now, but my condition began long ago. I'd say I first noticed something was off with my breathing about 2 years ago, and ever since then it's come and gone with varying levels of severity. However, this time around it was seriously exacerbated by a cold, and that was a little over a month ago. I've been struggling to get that deep breath ever since. Some days are better than others. A lot of forced yawning! I've found that Buteyuko breathing to be helpful, and I've also tried the vitamin b12, and started taking a PPI although I haven't noticed much heartburn. The doctor has me on symbicort, Ventolin, singular, and an anti anxiety. I know this isn't purely anxiety because even after taking the meds, I still can't get a deep breath - even though I'm totally relaxed and all my problems seem unimportant. The other meds seem to just barely help, but after a month they certainly have not cured me of this awful condition.
I had a pulmonary function test last Friday and I'm waiting to hear the results. My fear is that like many of you, the test results will be normal, and I'll be left with more questions than answers.
Replies to "I've been reading through this thread for a few days now. After tons of research on..."
I think the best strategy, no matter what the actual problem is, is to carefully rule as many things out as possible, one by one. Try a pulmonologist to rule out a lung problem, a cardiologist to rule out heart problems, and a gastroenterologist to rule out GI problems. After that it could still be muscular, neurological, or psychological, so there would still be hope. Also, when you really focus on the shortness of breath, is your difficulty with the inhaling or the exhaling? Because lung problems almost always cause some kind of difficulty exhaling, so that can be used to quickly rule that out.
I posted to this issue a few weeks ago. Same problem as all you. I randomly can’t take a deep breath. GP, Pulminary, Cardio docs all day I’m fine. I cannot accept that it’s anxiety. About a week ago I stopped taking my sleeping meds (Lunesta) and within two days I was completely back to normal but it lasted just a few days and now it’s back. Could it be allergies?
@alureon I have thoracic outlet syndrome which causes a physical issue with breathing and half of my chest doesn't expand properly with the tightness in my neck and chest from TOS. Most doctors are not familiar with TOS and think it's rare but it's not. It is misunderstood. Physical therapy can help. Here are some links.
https://trainingandrehabilitation.com/how-truly-treat-thoracic-outlet-syndrome/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20353988
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@alureon - Good morning and welcome to Mayo Connect. I am a volunteer mentor for Mayo Connect and have a history of 22+ years of lung cancers, with COPD and Emphysema. It's very scary feeling when you can't seem to catch your breath. Anxiety is a huge factor and so are a few more things. When there is shortness of breath your whole body tenses up, so in effect you are tense and breathing is more difficult. You may not realize it at the time. Also check to make sure that you are using you're inhalers correctly. You have 2 good ones. The best result is with a spacer and they can be purchased through the drug store and maybe your dr.
here is boring but great video that shows what to do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCAsW7OM9Ns&t=15s
I hope that your breathing test will tell you some answers.
Surprisingly enough you can have "a silent gerd". https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/laryngopharyngeal-reflux-silent-reflux#1- this explains it.