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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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And my primary care doc said he would not give me a referral to a GI doc
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1 ReactionNope. They lessen the intensity of attacks though. My doctor kind of explained it to me that the anxiety medication may "break a habit" of the SOB. So, he put me on Xanax for a while. I still get attacks though.
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1 ReactionHey all...just wanted to stop by. Hope everyone is getting to the bottom of their issue. As I stated in previous posts, I tried the natural route. My doctor stated it was anxiety. I'm not buying it.
Anyway...I'm feeling much better. Here's what I did:
Ate healthier, including potassium rich foods; potassium helps with lung expansion and contraction and alkalization
Focused on getting more greens and vegetables to combat acidity. I took vegetables and powdered supplement (this will help if you have GERD)
Made sure I was getting ample amounts of magnesium. If you decide to supplement, do your research. Magnesium can cause loose stools. Find the form that works for YOU. Magnesium helps with anxiety, asthma and allergies and a whole host of other things.
Get adequate Vitamin D. I get lots of sunlight, I supplement. Vitamin D also helps with certain lung infections and certain forms of asthma.
Take Cod Liver Oil: Vitamins A & D are important for lung health. Cod liver oil has also been shown to combat lung disorders including infections like pneumonia and asthma ( I took it just in case my SOB was related to that) https://hvmn.com/blog/supplements/cod-liver-oil-benefits-of-this-super-supplement
A take a good food based multivitamin
I take a trace mineral supplement occasionally and eat small amounts of salt that contains trace minerals. Sodium helps regulate electrolytes. Doctors have told us not to eat it, but we need small amounts to be healthy
I maintain adequate hydration. In addition to regular water, I drink alkaline water that contains trace minerals
I walk every day. I read exercise helps balance o2/ co2 levels.
These are all the things I've done. I wanted to leave no stone un-turned. I still experience SOB from time to time if I get dehydrated or stray too far from my diet but I can tell it's on its last leg. Compared to what it used to be, I can handle a minute or so of it, here and there. Just like it took time for nutrients to deplete, it will take time to build them back up. I hope to come back in a few months and tell you it's completely gone. Fingers crossed.
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3 ReactionsI feel relieved I found this group. I have been dealing with this feeling for over 20 YEARS!!! Sometimes (like now) worse than others but it's always, always there. I can't find a common denominator to save my life. I have seen tons of doctors and everything comes back normal. Every year or so I get bad chest pains (along with scary arm, jaw, face and neck tingling) as well and they go through all of the tests again and they all come back normal. Which is good, but not. I want to know what's wrong! I had a stress test this week and it was normal. Next week I have a GI scope. I have read some comments that sometimes it's silent reflux. My doctor put me on (generic) protonix over a week ago, and unfortunately I haven't notice much of a difference. I was hoping it would be the miracle drug.
I too am not buying anxiety. I had a huge flare up last week, when I was on vacation from work. I was excited to have off and relaxed. It is so debilitating though. I know I should exercise, but it's hard to force myself when it feels this way. I do sometimes have a better day when I do. This does not effect my sleep and I don't feel it for the first half hour or so when I wake up, so I will sometimes so my treadmill at this time to get in some exercise.
I am overweight but healthy, but have had the same issues when I wasn't overweight. This all started when I took phen-fen (I was on for about 2 weeks.). I went through all of the tests then that were linked with issues and they found nothing and have done them all several times since. It also started right after my sister passed away in a car accident and I've read somewhere that traumatic events can cause things like this. But since then, I do not feel depressed or stressed other than this being my life now.
It's to the point when people notice and ask why I had to stop and brace myself to attempt to pull a deep breath in. I pray for answers, but am grateful to have found others in the same boat.
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2 Reactions@maggiesmom- Welcome to Mayo Connect! I'm glad that you found us. SOB effects so many people. I hope that you have read some of the posts so that you can see what others have found. That's good that you are seeing a GI person for an endoscopy. Being even slightly overweight can make GERD worse, so if you are like me and EAT when you are on vacation that can cause a flare up. What kind of a diet do you normally eat at home?
I eat well during the week, but tend to slip up on the weekends between good and beer. And not that that's every weekend, but that's when I were to eat more and binge drink. My latest flare up was definitely after a huge eating and drinking day.
I'm on 40mg of Protonix. Is that the "normal" dose?
@gabrielm, I understand your fears. About 2 years ago, I started having shortness of breath. My doctor was dismissive saying it's because of my weight and lose some weight, get more exercise and it would go away. I also have arthritis in my knees (have for a long time, even before weight gain). My husband I were looking for a cardiologist to see to have myself evaluated when I fell from weakness in my knees and having difficulty breathing. An ambulance came, gave me a shot of heparin, oxygen and rushed to the ER. Well, they found a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in my femur and the right side of my heart was enlarged…two Massive Pulmonary Embolism at the entrance to my heart … the massive embolisms were 2x3 cm and 4x6cm. The hospital had never seen PEs so huge. I spent a week in the hospital. They were able to break up the PEs, but subsequently I still have multiple clots in my lungs and am on blood thinners for life. Subsequently I see a Pulmonologist and Cardiologist twice a year. So far after numerous blood tests recommended by a hematologist they have found no cause. Don't let doctors dictate when you know there is a problem. If I had listened to my own GP I would be dead now that is a fact. I am considering a new GP as a result.
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1 Reactionhttps://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=3847053 Here is another link with many people having the same issue. I’m sorry you had the DVT and had to go through what you did but it’s also relieving to hear your “success” story of actually finding it in time. However, I don’t believe most of you have to worry about DVT (I am NOT a Dr.) but I have spoke to many about the same issue you are all going through. I am going through the exact same thing. I have heard DVT, Pulmonary Embolism, Asthma, COPD, Heart conditions etc. However our symptoms are not that of TRUE SOB. We get it intermittently and can get a deep breath every few breaths unless we get panicky and we can continue to overbreathe and hyperventilate until we can get ourselves to calm down and finally get a deep breathe in. It can be a vicious cycle. I too have no problem once I lay down and relax to go to sleep. Mine also tends to be worse about an hour or so after I wake up and start thinking about it. I have YouTubed every thing about breathing and I feel like I figured it out while watching the videos and focusing on my breathing but shortly after I revert back to this annoying way of breathing. Anybody else dealing with exactly this same way of life? This is mind related 100% unfortunately I only believe it 75% of the time. The other 25% I tell myself this has to be something serious. Lung Cancer, COPD etc and then I get back into a whirlwind of an anxiety mess. If I go all day without thinking about it and I’m busy I’m fine. It’s when I think I’m going to beat it and try taking breath after breath when this happens.
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3 ReactionsWhat is the best OTC to help repair damage from acid reflux? I've had this for years but did not really understand the symptoms. Dr's were not much help. Like most here I had many different tests done but nothing conclusive. I've been using prilosec for a couple of weeks now. It ran out and I bought zantac, Is it ok to cycle these meds? I still have a bit of indigestion but it is much better with the prilosec. Just started using zantac so not sure how it will work. I also try to take a fast acting antacid but they don't seem to do anything. Wondering what diet modifications I should make. I love coffee and hope this is not affecting my stomach.
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1 ReactionHi! I have been having all these symptoms just like yourself and everyone else here. My primary doctor also prescribed me Lexapro. Did you end up taking this medication? Please let me know!!! 🙂
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