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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 am now 31 and have had these issues since I was 20 years old. No one can figure out what it is and nothing helps...If you find anything out please message me.
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1 ReactionI can say that I follow the Pritikin diet to a T and none of these diet changes have had any effect on bettering my shortness of breath
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1 Reaction@ecassidymitchell- Welcome to Mayo Connect. In my experience as a mentor for Connect I think that SOB is the most frustrating anomalies. So many things can cause it. Before I can help know that I am not a doctor and can only make suggestions based on my experiences and knowledge. Have you read the posts written in this post? I know that there are a lot but one of them just might hit home, and tada!
Eating as cleanly as you can is a great base for any person. What other ways have you tried to eliminate your SOB? Have you seen any doctors?
Yes I have seen many doctors. I’m currently at Pritikin ... you can look it up. It’s a health and wellness center to help individuals with specific issues such as weight , hi cholesterol, bad eating habits ....... I am 31 years of age and have been dealing with this since age 19. I was laying on my floor painting a picture and took a breath in and it was never there same since that day. I couldn’t get a full breathe ... The day it happened I spoke to my mom about it and just tried to ignore it ... over the weeks it progressed. I went to my first doc ... he told me it was anxiety .. he put me on Xanax and klonopins (he lost his license) I. WAs acared of pills and didn’t like the way they made me feel so my mom would half them and give them to me as needed ... but it never helped with the breathing .... I stopped it then went to asthma doc...he said I had COPD!! Which I later ruled out ... he put me on ADVAIR 500/50 ... it helped for a little while ... I lost insurance couldn’t afford ... then years later when I got insurance again I tried advair 250/50 ... I took my first puff in and my lungs felt like they froze over! I started seeing sparklies every where and held my chest until I could breath normal again.... needless to say I haven’t touched that since! A few months went by I just tried to handle on my own went to my next doc ... he said it was anxiety and put me on Xanax ... told me to half them (blue) then peaches .... this worked ! It was a miracle drug ... problem went away for a while... moved to another state... doctors make u see a psychiatrist in order to get them there. I could never get appt bc the wait was so long and I had to leave for Miami for work... now I am here and can’t breathe for CRAP... but trying so so so hard to cope ... it brings me to tears I’m so so sick of this ... I work out 4-6 days a week here I eat extremely clean.. the food is fresh not processed, cooked to order , no meat unless bison or fish ... no butter no additives and mostly vegetable and fruit based ... I eat three times a day. We have therapy sessions twice a week in group and singles ... I do steam room and sauna and ice baths .... I do yoga ...the only thing that can help is in yoga (BELLY breathing) which is EXTREMELY HARD TO GET INTO when u have this problem but when you do ,,, it makes a difference for that TIME BEING .... I meet with the yoga instructor today and tomorrow to see if she can help me ... she says she has helped others with same problem ....
My personal opinion is that somewhere in the beginning of this my vagus nervous system bc unhinged from my normal breathing patterns ... maybe I shallow breathe constantly and then want a big breathe and bc I don’t know how to properly breath anymore ... I won’t be satisfied .... I do catch myself holding my breath ALOT! .. my mom did that and grandma but they never had breathing problems ..... my dad and Aunt however had the same breathing problem I had. My aunts got better after her 50s ... my dad didn’t make it past 54
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1 ReactionAnd yes I read all the post before I commented on anything bc I am too, lookin for answers!
I will post on Saturday on here to let you know how the yoga class went , what all was involved in it and if it helped
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2 Reactions@ecassidymitchell- It's difficult to believe what some of us have to go through to not even get a helpful diagnosis.
Actually one of the best ways to get more air into your lungs is through pursed lip breathing. It does entail "belly" breathing because in order to fill your lungs up as much as possible you have to relax your diaphragm and get air deep deep into your lower lobes.
Here is a great video about this. It is hard to learn it but it works. Be patient with it and try it in all different exercise you do.
Humidity is a big culprit for me when it comes to daily activities and exercise. Anything over 55% humidity and I begin to feel the heaviness in my lungs. My muscles begin to ache because I am getting enough air, and of course I am short of breath. Have you given this any thought for when you use the sauna or steam room? Why do you do ice baths? Ouch!!!
Also I found that it's better to eat 4-5 times a day and eat smaller meals. Your stomach won't fill up as much so pressure on your lungs will be much less, if at all.
Are you seeing a pulmonologist at all?
pritikin suggest that we eat six times a day I only eat when I’m hungry though . i’m hungry for a snack I’ll eat a snack but it’s very rare . Pranayama and meditation (belly breathing , nasal breathing etc) is what we did today in yoga... it did wonders for my breathing. I really feel we all may have bad allergies and also DO not know how to breathe properly. I way to tell that u haven’t been getting enough oxygen when you do take this class is getting dizzy when doing the breathing exercises bc your body isn’t used to taking in so much oxygen , it’s only used to the inadequate oxygen we have been feeding it . I think relearning how to breathe is the best thing and doing yoga/meditation everyday until you have relearned how to breathe. Humidity does suck and I think seasonal changes affect us as well. I work or a lot bc I’m training for something and ice baths help with muscle soreness ... stretching and ice and hot switching back and forth help.
Today doing yoga didn’t fix my breathing completely but I will say during it I was able to breathe as well as afterwards for a short time and throughout my day today I am more calm and catch myself gasping for air at some points and holding my breathe and I feel more in control today than I have before..... do any of you ever catch yourself holding your breathe or CHEST breathing .
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1 ReactionAnd the sauna and steam room apparently are great for it.... I try to belly breathe in the steam room but not toooo deep of breathes and in the sauna I stretch my muscles and relax
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1 Reaction@ecassidymitchell, I love the spa and steam rooms too but have been advised by my doctors and other medical specialists to steer clear of them as they are hot spots for germs which can cause respiratory and lung issues. I have MAC though which may be different from your ailments.
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1 Reactionwould u please send me the video on breathing w/belly. thank you so much wayne
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