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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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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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1 ReactionGood morning @nycmom- It sounds as if you might have GERD. Have you had an appointment with a GI doctor yet?
I researched for hours when my SOB first started and began to piece together the puzzle for myself after doctors told me I was in perfect health. I knew something deeper was going on. Our bodies need minerals/ electrolytes for optimal performance and our diets, coffee, wine etc is depleting them. Without minerals we will suffer from heartburn, muscle and joint stiffness, or worse. Unfortunately we've been conditioned to pop a pill instead of asking the deeper question...what does my body need? So the symptoms get worse for many of us because we only masked the issue. For long term health and disease prevention we have to give our body what it needs.
If anyone is at their wits end with SOB click on my name and read back through the posts. I posted on things I came across even if I didn't think they were related to my issue in hopes it might help someone else. If something resonates with you, try it or speak to your doctor about it.
Here's information on the acid/ alkaline balance:
https://acidalkalinediet.net/acidosis.php
Baking soda has been used to cure acidity since I was a baby so that's nothing new but here's a link to someone's personal testimony:
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 Reaction@merpreb @bb7777
If you have dry nose, that is definitely a culprit. I am not a doctor, but I have had issues with SOB too. I read about ayurveda (and also I am an Indian(from India)) and used ghee(which is called clarified butter, but I don't know if I can rely on US produce) in my two nostrils. Usually, people use Nasya Oil, but I just applied ghee to my little finger and rubbed inside my two nostrils. You will see mucous being produced in a very few minutes after application(nothing to panic about). If your SOB gets fine after that, then it is all about just a dry nose and lack of mucous in your membranes. Try it, it doesn't harm you at all, because it is all natural.
You can get ghee in any indian stores, go for a high quality organic cow ghee.
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1 ReactionFor SOB, all you have to do is, stop stressing about it, stop thinking so much, relax and tell to yourself that you aren't going to die and focus on different things. Because, stress makes it worse and causes other side-effects like acidity, burps etc, which makes us think more about our self-induced gastritis.
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1 Reactioncould you please send me the information about the DRINKING BAKING SODA AND PH OF YOUR WATER AND DIET. thank you so much
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1 ReactionHere's another eating plan that I came across to heal acidity for those who prefer a more natural of healing. If you visit his Instagram page you will see tons of testimonials from people who healed themselves from all types of diseases using his methods. I don't endorse anything, I am simply passing information along to those who are seeking a different alternative.
https://www.medicalmedium.com/blog/healing-acid-reflux
Here's his Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/medicalmedium/
I have been trying to tell myself this is true... but I still can’t rid myself of it.
You can Google Alkaline based diets. Foods high in alkaline are fruits, nuts, legumes and vegetables...Acidic Foods are basically any food that comes in a box and or processed meats..
There is a ton of info on alkaline based water.. For some reason it won't let me attach the most recent article on baking soda/water, but it's worth a try for acid reflux and inflammatory issues.
@joangma - I know that I prefer natural products to help heal or prevent problems in my body. Changing the ph of your body is not a light thing as a treatment for a hang nail. These are chemicals and it's best to check with your doctor before taking any chances. Using chemicals to change something in your body is like using a dull instrument. There can be serious side effects to consider. Have you checked with your doctor? Do you know if you have a high acidic PH?