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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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@helpnywhereucan
Thank you for sharing your Victory!!
You have really shown the importance of being your own best advocate for your health. Yes, each one of us is unique. It sounds like you are committed to making and keeping changes in your own lifestyle after an ER visit. Was this an instant decision? Was it hard to adhere to? I invite you to take a look at the Healthy Living Discussion Group. I will be happy to met you there, or to help you locate a topic of interest. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/healthy-living/
How did you 'stumble' across Connect?
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1 Reactionjust wanted to pass along a great way to use a new style mouth piece for your breathing machine.it is called a PHILIPS RESPIRONICS SIDE STREAM PLUS. it doubles the out put of med stream to inhale, pass this on if you like it. thanks
@nycmom you are not bothering me at all! I was in search of answers too when mine started. Mine started back in November of last year until this may 6 months. I felt the exact same way you did. The more I would try to catch a deep satisfying breath and couldn't, i would become more anxious and fustrated which then made it worse. Just like you if I was preoccupied with something I didnt do it, but just as soon as I became still I would think about it and the cycle would start. As soon as my eyes opened in the morning I would start thinking about it. My chest would hurt too, but I think that was because I would struggling using my chest muscles to catch a deep breath. The doctor told me if it doesnt wake me up at night and if its not a major organ ( which was not after many extensive test) that is has to be a tick. Occasionally I still feel the urge but I will just resist it. Was it easy at first...NO! I had to keep reminding myself that I was fine. I don't mind to answer any questions anytime. I just hope this helps you, because I was there and it was so frustrating. Keep me posted please.
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1 ReactionI feel like my symptoms are almost the exact as yours. I am healthy. Workout an hour of cardio a day, all scans have come back normal. I am at a loss of how to make this SOB go away.
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1 ReactionThis may sound strange but with resisting to take a deep breath, did you just breath shallow instead? How long would the feeling of needing a deep breath last before it went away?
@kjconrad I know the question was directed to Tonya, but wanted to chime in; when I did the exact same thing when I first came down with the SOB, it took a couple of days of fighting the urge to take a deep breath for it to go away completely and for my breathing to "reset." I only breathed through my nose and when I couldn't resist any longer, I took a deep breath only through my nose and breathed shallowly throughout the day. I also did many breath holds throughout the day to build up CO2, which also helped.
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2 Reactionsit was almost an instant decision. Years ago I came down with a bunch of mysterious symptoms and had rounds and rounds of tests and spent a boatload of money in coinsurance and copays and the doctors never found a cause for it. I discovered I had all the symptoms of a magnesium deficiency. Changed my diet and started taking a supplement and have been supplementing magnesium ever since. When the episode of SOB happened I went to the ER and they didn't find anything out of the ordinary except a slightly low potassium level. I followed up with two doctors...they couldn't find a cause either. One gave me a script for Lorazapam which I read is addictive and people stated they had trouble getting off it it. I was confident it wasn't anxiety since I had dealt with that in the past and the magnesium totally took care of that. This felt completely different. I decided not to take the Lorazapem and started researching, piecing together what could be the cause and decided to go the diet and supplement route again.
When the SOB happened I had just started cutting back on carbs trying to lose a few pounds. I read that that can really mess with your electrolytes. So much so they make things like Keto electrolytes etc. Perhaps that was the trigger. It also could have been dehydration. I tend to get busy sometimes and not drink enough water. I also came down with a cold and that can cause dehydration as well. I had also recently cut back on salt and stopped eating my daily banana (potassium) because I wanted to lower my sugar intake. Sodium and potassium are cornerstones for regulating fluids in the body which is why we drink Gatorade when we're dehydrated. Potassium alkalizes the body and mine was low. Perhaps all those things set me up...and...Ta Da...shortness of breath. The mother of all mothers! Heavy exercisers end up in the ER with dehydration a lot because they lose sodium and potassium via heavy sweating.
To answer your question...for me it's not easy. I was already a pretty conscious eater but getting enough potassium rich foods was challenging. I make sure I have at least one glass of low sugar orange juice and a banana in my smoothie every day and eat lots of potatoes and sweet potatoes. Occasionally I drink coconut water which is rich in electrolytes. I eat a salad everyday and count my ounces of water. I also use green powders and try to stay away from anything I know that will create acidity in the body, ie lots of junk and fried foods etc. Other than that, I eat pretty regularly. When I think about SOB coming back, it helps me stay the course. It was time for me to tighten up my diet a little more anyway. I want to live a long and healthy life.
I came across this board while I was up one night pacing and gasping for air. For weeks I slept maybe two hours a night because I couldn't breathe. I just kept researching trying to find a solution which is why I'm leaving so much detail on this board (sorry for the length). Someone might recognize their own symptoms and find relief by the steps many of us have outlined.
Thanks Rosemary...I'll stop by that board when I get a chance. Good luck to you all.
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1 ReactionI'll also leave this link in case anyone suspects this might be their issue:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/potassium-deficiency-symptoms#section11
A severe potassium deficiency can cause breathing difficulties. This is because potassium helps relay signals that stimulate the lungs to contract and expand.
When blood potassium levels are severely low, your lungs may not expand and contract properly. This results in shortness of breath.
Also, low blood potassium can make you short of breath, as it can cause the heart to beat abnormally. This means less blood is pumped from your heart to the rest of your body.
Blood delivers oxygen to the body, so an altered blood flow may cause shortness of breath.
Also, a severe potassium deficiency may stop the lungs from working, which is fatal.
SUMMARY
Potassium helps the lungs expand and contract, so potassium deficiency may result in shortness of breath. Also, a severe deficiency may stop the lungs from working, which is fatal.
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1 ReactionNext week is my appointment to the lung doctor will keep everyone posted. I hope I can find out what is actually going on. I really hate feeling like this. Hope everyone is well.
How long did it stay away when you did it?