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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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I feel you. I have been dealing with this for almost a year and have been to many doctors and no one can find a thing wrong. It’s very frustrating. I don’t think I’m a anxious person at all but if no one can find anything then maybe there is some truth to the anxiety thing.
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2 ReactionsMy current doctor did prescribe Xanax, but he said he thought it may help "break the habit" of the breathing problem. So I don't think it is simply if we are anxious people, but rather how our autonomic nervous system is perhaps messed up?
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2 ReactionsAutonomic nervous system is a possibility, especially if other neuropathy exists. But even then, a neurologist has to think so too before it will be investigated
I have overactive bladder due to nerve damage (tested). Bladder and diaphragm both autonomic, but neurologist sitting on info. Sigh.
Wow, they already know you have nerve damage and they won't further test if that's a cause of your breathing issues?
That is cortect.
Have any of you considered you might be too acidic or researched it? As I was scrolling down the email digest I saw people state it started after they were exercising or it was helped by exercising. I put my thinking cap on for a few seconds. I am convinced that for many people having this issue, especially ones like me where the tests show nothing, it's an issue with the acid/ base balance in the body, specifically being acidic or alkaline. Chronic acidosis can have a myriad of low level symptoms, ie stiff muscles and joints, heartburn, osteoporosis, migraines, etc. It can fly right underneath the radar. As the situation becomes more chronic it can trigger shortness of breath.
Paradox: intense exercise can sometimes induce acidosis (lactic acid buildup is what causes muscle burning and soreness) but moderate forms of exercise can mitigate acidosis because it oxygenates the body and balances c02 levels. My SOB was mitigated by eating alkaline foods and focusing on potassium which is a highly alkalizing mineral. I also included moderate exercise which helped because deep breathing caused by aerobic activity helps to alkalize the body. The green drinks and smoothies I added in replaced lost minerals which buffer acids. It sounds like a lot and most people don't want to go that route, but it's totally worth it to get rid of that SOB beast. A pack of wheat grass powder in an cup of orange juice and a daily walk might be all you need. The guy below alkalized with baking soda and lemon juice.
By all means get checked out, but if you're still finding you don't have an answer, alkalizing might help, especially if you're under a lot of stress, don't eat a lot of vegetables, drink coffee, don't drink enough mineralized water or are a big meat eater. You might have issues with acidity. Per my research chronic long term acidosis can damage your organs the first being your kidneys so it's an important thing to watch.
Here are a few articles that might help with your research:
https://saveourbones.com/top-12-foods-that-contain-potassium-to-alkalize-your-ph/
https://healthunlocked.com/early-ckd-support/posts/130359759/shortness-of-breath-sufferers-do-you-have-acidosis-and-dont-know-it
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1 ReactionHello everyone, I apologize in advance for this emotional post, well today is my 40th birthday. Since my symptoms started about 4 months ago they only seem to be getting worse. My symptoms came on suddenly after a cold I had and I thought it was just my asthma, I went to the Er they gave me some lung steroids and it seemed to help then after it wore off it came back, I went to another ER they admitted me and did more tests was in the hospital 2 days they did a nuclear stress test on my heart, CT scan with contrast on my chest and throat all came back normal, then I had an appointment with the GI doctor he did endoscopy and a colonoscopy, Colon was normal but the then endoscopy was not, he said I have grade C Esophagitis, he put me on 40mg of Omeprazole twice a day. I have been taking them for almost two months now still no improvement. My last appointment to the GI he said my breathing issues is because of Silent reflux, since the medicine is not helping I feel he may have mis diagnosed me. It seems like I go to one doctor and he just sends me to another doctor with feeling the same with no answers or relief of symptoms. I feel like am suffering my quality of life these past 4 months have gone down hill. I don't want to give up, but its hard to keep going forward with no answers or relief of these symptoms, only thing that helps me is using my cpap machine when I sleep at night time. The meds the Gi doctor put me on seems to make me not be able to sleep well so I feel I am only getting 4 to 5 hours of sleep a day and I feel tired and fatigued during the day. At work I struggle to breath, I find myself running out of air even when talking and walking I get anxiety and fear of running out of breath I have stopped all my daily exercises and walking. I feel like I am constantly congested and clearing my throat to clear my airways, I feel as if my nostrils and my breathing pipe get inflamed and very hard to breath forcing me to always try to take a deep breath to feel better for that moment. When I wake up I feel like I am not as bad but by mid day the symptoms are the worse. I am starting to lose hope. I try to always keep a positive outlook on life and I know this is just a temporary life Thank you for this support page. My next appointment is with the lung doctor next week.
Sorry that you are here. SOB is the worst thing I've experienced to date. I just wrote a post with a possible solution and how I was able to get rid of my problem. I hope it helps you. If your doctors can't find anything and you're at your wits end, it can't hurt to try. Peace and blessings to you. I hope you find the answers you are seeking.
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1 Reaction@helpnywhereucan I will give it a go, are you completely healed of your symptoms now? i just get weird thoughts that since I am not getting better maybe the end is close....
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1 ReactionI understand. When I was in the middle of it, I didn't think I'd see my way out. I thought if I survived it, it would always be that way and who would want to live like that. The good news is, I'm about 99% free of it. It will come back, for a few minutes or so, here and there, but it's more background noise at this point. I can notice it but I'm never affected by it. And when I think about it, the last time it came back I was having an argument with my husband. I noticed it, but was able to keep shouting and screaming at him, Lol. A few seconds later it was gone. I think it was stress related. The other times it happened, I hadn't had enough water that day.
I've come a long way. When it first started I couldn't lay flat so I never slept. I paced all night long...literally for hours. I would double over it got so bad. I would cry. One time I almost wrecked my car. It was the most horrible thing I'd ever experienced.
I have previous posts if you'd like to go back and read them. When I couldn't sleep I googled SOB all night and tried to piece together a plan. I incorporated plenty of healthy foods, focused on electrolytes, alkalinity, making sure I drank enough water. I also recommend whole foods based supplements. Synthetic vitamins can be acidic. The whole foods ones, less so.
Conventional medicine has yet to catch up with some of these alternative approaches but giving the body what it needs via diet works and supplementing if you have to. Our Western diet, full of fast and convenience foods is very acidic. We don't follow the food pyramid any longer. Most kids don't know what it is. They eat from the drive through everyday. It's catching up to all of us.
Best wishes to you on your visit to the lung doctor. If nothing is found, try getting as healthy as you can...ultra-healthy if you have to. It's really a can't lose proposition.
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