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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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My issues started right after I was running...got too overexerted. The doctors don't seem to think there is a link, but I keep having to remind them the last time I got that overexerted I ended up collapsing. In my case though they thought they saw pericarditis on my ultrasound stress test, they also told me they saw pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, and atelectasis. Did they test you for anything like pericarditis? For you does it feel like your chest almost closes up and you can't get a deep breath down?
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1 ReactionOh and my apologies if I already asked you this, sometimes these threads crossover and I forget.
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1 ReactionHello Everyone, I am 52. I have had this same issue for about 16 months (air hunger; not being able to complete a full breath). It started about 3 months before I was diagnosed with Kidney Disease. Kidney disease is under control but breathing issue persists. I have been tested for just about everything as I am in a NIH study for my Kidney disorder. Docs or baffled. I do have slight anemia; this seems to be the one constant for me throughout this ordeal. I am having trouble getting back to my pre-kidney issue aerobic shape (e.g. I get winded from running quickly). This can be explained, in part, by the fact that the kidney disease took a toll but I feel like I should be making better progress and attribute my lack of fitness to the air hunger issue. This is frustrating and annoying, but does not limit my day to day. I feel generally good. I am clear headed and generally have good energy.
Any advice or thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks!
What does it feel like when you can't complete a full breath? Does it feel like something is closed up, not letting you take a deep breath?
Hard to explain. It feels like I cannot expand my chest completely, almost structural. It will happen for several breaths and then all of sudden I can get a full breath again. Similar to the feeling of not being able to complete a yawn. Very dissatisfying but does not seem to be limiting in any other way. Also, when I roll my shoulders and lean over, I can usually get a full breath. I can deal with the shortness of breath issue at rest, but when I try to run, I feel like it is keeping me from getting back into shape. Hope this all makes sense? It is a bit confusing.
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1 ReactionIt makes perfect sense. I'm going through the same feelings of not being able to take a deep breath, and only intermittently will one roll all the way down. But in my case I feel like something gets closed up and won't let me breathe.
Well got through the day breathing was tough but did it. God is good I will continue my faith that he will heal me from this. I have my doubts that silent reflux is causing this
@nycmom yes I just resisted the urge to take a deep breath and it eventually went away. Although it was not easy I kept reminding myself I was getting the oxygen I needed. Not sure if you have read my story, but this feeling of my need to take a deep breath started back in November when I got a treadmill and started running. I was 43 at the time. As far as running I felt good doing so it would be later on that evening that i would feel the need to take a deep breath. I did not feel stressed out or worried about anything, so i dont know why it started. After many test to make sure it was no major organ causing this, I kept talking it over with a doctor friend of mine and he was the one thst mention a tick. I am a mother of 3 and maybe subconsciously I was stressed, but didnt realize it. To be honest before I decided to resist the urge I would sometimes get worked up trying to get that deep satisfying breath and it would make it worse. I am still running and every now and then I feel the urge to sigh or breath deep and I resist it and dont even worry about it anymore. I hope this helps.
Did you have constant air hunger , even when just laying around ?
Thanks so much for your response . Sounds like we share some similarities. (Mom of 3 and runners). It’s interesting because when something out of the ordinary happens during the day —like friends stopped by yesterday— I am not thinking about breathing at all. But after they leave it will come back. And now when I wake up in night the first thing I think about is whether I can breathe and the cycle begins again. Are you still dealing with it sometimes ? Or has it totally gone away? Thanks so much for sharing !
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