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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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@gabrielm- Good morning.SOB or air hunger can be caused by many things. An, although there might be many causes I have learned that practicing breathing exercises has helped me open up my chest wall so that I can breathe easier. My new Pulmonologist has also changed 2 of my medications to 1 called Trelegy. Everyone I have spoken to on Connect who have also been given this have felt much better.
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-increase-lung-capacity
I love "correlation does not equal causation." As yet there is no firm consensus on why people who have COPD often get GERD but there does seem to be a connection.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-common-is-gerd-in-copd-914675
Since we last spoke you seem to have improved your breathing control. I agree that you probably do not hyperventilate. How did you determine this?
@criley2k- Welcome to Connect. Not being able to take a deep breath or have SOB is quite scary. But hyperventilation is different than SOB. Hyperventilation is when you start to breathe very fast. Low carbon dioxide levels lead to narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. This reduction in blood supply to the brain leads to symptoms like lightheadedness and tingling in the fingers. Severe hyperventilation can lead to loss of consciousness. For others, this condition occurs as a response to emotional states, such as depression, anxiety, or anger. When hyperventilation is a frequent occurrence, it’s known as hyperventilation syndrome. There are many different causes for hyperventilation. Stress usually does it for me.
How have you come to determine that you are hyperventilating?
Hello everyone--I'm still experiencing shortness of breath. I did start lexapro 8 weeks ago, out of desperation but it has not improved my SOB. I am wondering if anyone has tried an elimination diet and had any benefit. I am thinking about trying the Whole30, which is just that--it eliminates dairy, soy, sugar, grains. Today my SOB feels like it is almost stemming from my throat. It's like an odd sensation from the top of my throat all the way down. I also feel a continued strange sensation in my upper left side of my chest. (I have seen the cardiologist several times--he thinks I'm crazy---and he is confident my issue is not heart related). I am experiencing pretty severe health anxiety as a result of this. Today I tried to focus on not taking deep breaths in to alleviate the air hunger but it didn't seem to help...
Has anyone discovered that silent reflux was actually the cause of the SOB? OR that an elimination diet was helpful?
Thanks!
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2 ReactionsMy shortness of breath is all but gone. It still happens occasionally if I get dehydrated or get sloppy with my diet. I didn't do a specific diet but changed to a primarily plant based way of eating. I really focus on getting minerals in my diet via greens, powders and drinking lots of water...alkaline and mineral. I also take potassium and magnesium. I think I posted previously where someone cured their SOB with baking soda because it neutralizes acids in the body. This may not work for everyone. It took a minute to figure it out but at this point I think I'm good. Lost a few pounds too. Keep searching guys. Something will work. You can't lose hope. You might also want to research magnesium bicarbonate water. Lots of info about it on line. Helps with acidity.
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1 ReactionThank you so much. I have been intrigued by the alkaline idea. Did you give up all things acidic like coffee, alcohol etc? One reason I don't want to do Whole30 is that it tends to be quite meat heavy since you can't have tofu or beans and I don't think my body responds well to a lot of meat. How long did you have shortness of breath?
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1 Reaction@helpnywhereucan- Good morning. Your news is so good. How did you hear about drinking baking soda and the ph of your water and diet?
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1 ReactionEveryone, how many have you had dry nose and shortness of breath?
@saigurucharan I have dry nose and SOB but I'm on O2 24/7 .
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1 Reaction@saigurucharan- Welcome to Mayo Connect. I always have a dry nose because I either have the AC on or the heat. It's filtered air because of my lung cancer and SOB. I use an over the counter steroidal nose spray and I use a netty pot, but more frequently a saline nasal spray that helps keep your nose wetness more balanced. And it's harmless, you can use it as frequently as you need it. Do you know what the cause of your SOB is?
@bb729- Have you tried nose gel? It's good, really good and soothes irritated nasal passages.
It started @ February. It was terrible. I would have fits of it that were so bad I could hardly do anything but focus on the fact I couldn't breath. Tears, no sleep, bag breathing, emergency room...where I was told I was in perfect health other than a slight potassium deficiency that wouldn't cause SOB. Primary care gave me a script for anxiety that I never took. I knew it wasn't caused by anxiety. I did have slightly low iron. I spent nights researching everything I could, determined to leave no stone unturned. If you read my previous posts, at times I'm sure I sounded like a mad scientist trying different things in order to figure it out. I came to the conclusion that my issue was tied to minerals/ electrolyte deficiency. I had struggled over the years with things that are related to acidity...heartburn, stinky underarm odor, morning stiffness etc. When you are acidic, your body burns through minerals. I tended to be high strung, constantly busy, couldn't shut my mind off at night (or during the day for that matter). If you read up on minerals, they provide a buffer for acids created by our lifestyle. I considered myself to have a decent diet beforehand but the little voice inside always knew I wasn't getting enough veggies. And now with our soil so depleted in minerals, it's bound to happen to a lot of us.
I started with a good plant based multivitamin. Vitamins can be acidic so you have to be careful with the ones you take. I like plant based ones better or ones with calcium and magnesium in sufficient quantities because those minerals are alkaline. I didn't drink alcohol or coffee so those weren't an issue for me. Then, I focused on getting sufficient quantities of potassium. I started eating more greens, vegetables and taking powder greens like wheatgrass, Kale powder etc. I drink carrot juice, eat potatoes....sweet and white...to maintain my potassium levels. I eat low fat, "healthier" potato chips. They're a good balance of sodium and potassium. I have a banana in my smoothie every morning that includes other healthy things. I drink low sugar orange juice for potassium and I also take one small dose of a potassium supplement per day. I choose to get it from food. Potassium is a very alkalizing mineral, but be careful with supplementation. If taken in large quantities it can cause heart arrhythmia for some people. I tested the limit and found out it's true, Lol. I had a few scary minutes.
Little by little I started switching to more of a plant based diet. As I read up on the Alkaline/ Acid in the body it resonated more and more with me. Now I try to juice daily, eat more salads, make veggie burgers and plant based meals. For example I boil a bag of frozen butternut squash, let it cool, throw it into a blender with almond milk, bone broth and a few cashews and some seasoning, blend it up, pour it into a bowl and voila, soup in minutes. I mash garbanzo beans, add in a tablespoon of spelt flour, a little quinoa, onions and fry it in a little oil for a tasty burger along with my soup. It's a lifestyle. I'll do anything to not have that wretched SOB come back. So far it's working! I make healthy/ alkaline deserts. My new fav are brown rice krispie treats.
Bicarbonates are also important when it comes to buffering acids. Fruits and vegetables help the body maintain bicarbonate levels. Mineral water also has bicarbonates. If all else fails there's plain old baking soda in water. I don't tolerate it very well. Neutralizes my stomach acid and gives me gas. Sigh. Some people take a pinch daily, some take it with lemon. I try to include more baked goods with baking soda in the recipe. When we were kids no one heard of acid reflux. I think it's because we ate more vegetables and fruit and more baked goods...they all contained a little baking soda. We also drank water out the tap and not man made water. Tap water contains minerals and bicarbonates. Just my theory anyway. I do still filter my water.
Lemon water is also alkalizing. I keep lemons in the kitchen. I cut back on my oatmeal consumption since oatmeal is slightly acidic. I replaced it with quinoa. Tastes just as good and is more alkaline.
Meat is acidic but some people need the protein. I still eat it here and there (no more than once per day. I do meatless Mondays and fish on Friday) but quite frankly haven't missed it that much. I'm starting to see food as medicine in a way. If it's going to turn on me, I'll try to pass or only indulge a little. I now only eat natural sugars...honey, agave, maple syrup. Sugar is highly acidic.
So yeah...it's a commitment but I'm getting used to it. Sliced cucumbers, onions and tomatoes sit on my plate now, just like they used to sit on my mom's and as a teen I'd think how gross...I'll be at the nearest fast food joint. Caught up with me big time.
So my advice to anyone dealing with SOB, find what works for YOU. It could be an issue with a pathogen, could be vitamin D levels or something else. But I say a solid eating foundation is a good place to start. It might seem overwhelming at first but just pick one thing and start there and see if you have any improvement. Best of luck to all of you.
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