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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'm new to this website and am pisting a teply a year from this post but because I can relate to many of these posts concerning breathing issues that are unexplainable, I thought I'd share that I too have significnat breathing issues that do not appear to be a result of my asthma. My pft indicated moderately severe obstruction but my co2 in the blood is fine. No issues with ct scans either. I have been researching this issue for quite some time. Through some additional tests, I found out that I have Baretts esophageal and this has been known to cause breathing issues. I also am checking to see if I have trachea stenosis due to having too many surgeries/procedures that I had to be intubated. You folks might want to ask your PCP about Barretts and possible Trachea issues. From my inderstanding, both can lead to debilitating issues. My breathing is so bad that I had to cut back to working 3/4 time at the age of 55. Not good. Hopefully my upcoming appointment with gastrointerology will shed some light on the issue. God bless.
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2 Reactions@greff- Hello! Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am so glad that you decided to join us. Experiencing SOB is extremely upsetting and can really set you on a journey that seems to be going nowhere. And at other times can lead to finding problems that can be solved with changes in the way we live.
Yesterday I had an appointment with my Pulmonologist. I have lung cancer and my shortness of breath is due to loss of lung tissue.
After my exam and discussion of my most recent breathing test results, I asked him why there seem to be so many problems with SOB. He said that most people think that lung diseases and cancers or heart problems are the top causes of SOB but nowadays that's not true. It's obesity and lack of movement, being sedentary and eating more than you need. He said that Lifestyle changes are what's needed more than new meds. This, of course, is true if there aren't any real underlying physical causes.
I'm small, 5'1" and I weigh around 130 lbs. This for me is too much. My breathing is more labored and I don't feel up to par. I need to lose five pounds and workout more.
What lifestyle changes have you made to lessen the symptoms of SOB?
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1 ReactionNothing has worked for me concerning lessoning my breathing issues. I had cardio ablation in September of 2019 and it went good except that's when my breathing started getting significnatly worse. They did some scanning and an echocardiogram to ensure my breathing issues weren't heart related. Which I checked out fine cardio wise.
As far as my brwathing goes it is so labored that when I take a shower, it's like running a marathon. I can't do stairs or carry anything for much of a distance. My hope is that the gastro fellas will tell me they can fix the issue. If not, I will just have to adapt. God will see me through it. I am amazed about how the throat, stomach, and diaphragm all play a role in breathing, along with a host of other potential issues. I also have Celiacs which doesn't help the Barretts. Man, gluten free diet is a bugger to follow.😀
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1 ReactionMerry, I hope your appointment with your pulmonologist goes well. I will pray for you. God bless.
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1 ReactionHas any provider mentioned IPF. I am an IPF patient. Basically, my lungs will become dysfunctional due to scar tissue forming for "unknown" reasons. My pulmonologist has put me on a KETO diet which is believed to be beneficial for te immune system. On a positive note, in addition, I was diagnosed as a pre-diabetic. Why is that a positive note? As it turns out, there is evidence that a very old and inexpensive medication used to treat diabetics, and pre diabetics, reversed tissue damage in IPF patients. So, my doctor has prescribed Metformin for my pre-diabetes with a hope that I too will see some positive improvements in blood sugar and breathing capacity. A diagnosis of IPF, is still considered a death sentence with a survival rate of 3 to 5 years. Maybe it is a path you can take as well.
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1 ReactionNope, I have never heard of ipf. It's something to look into because I am also pre-diabetic. Thanks for your post. I will inquire about this possibility. My pulmonologist is not even sure what is going on with my breathing. I have so many inhalers, duo nebs, and even injections and none of ot makes much of a difference (other than 40 to 60 mg prednisone and that only helps for about two hours). I will also pray for you walap42. You guys are sure facing alot. Keep fighting. God bless.
@greff- I can pick up a lot of frustration from you and I'd feel the same. Have you made any lifestyle changes? Diet or weight loss, if you need this? When is your Gastro appointment?
Some lung diseases can be linked to vitamin D deficiency
https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2018/06/19/Low-vitamin-D-linked-to-scarring-lung-disease/6761529418731/
Barret's is caused by reflux which is due to problems with diet and acidity. Lifestyle changes and non acidic forms of minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium) and more fruits and vegetables will help with that.
Celiac and pre-diabetes is possibly a deficiency of Magnesium https://theceliacmd.com/magnesium-deficiency/
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1 ReactionI have vitamin D deficiency which they tell me is a result of not being able to absorb many vitamins that I need due to the Celiacs. I take vitamins to try and help with vitamin deficiencies. B12 also helps a little.
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1 ReactionThanks for the prayers. For me, the frustration was the constant coughing that led to the diagnosis of IPF. A a person of faith, the my future well-being is not dependent upon a cure because, there is a common condition faced by all and that is the grave. Anyone who has ever owned a cor, washing machine, or lawn mower, etc. knows they do finally wear out. So too, this biologic machine we call our bodies wears out and eventually we won't have it to walk about in. I find it somewhat paradoxical that, on the one hand persons who profess faith in The Christ are consumed with preserving their lives while on the other hand are hoping to be clothed upon with that garment that won't wear out. For me, it's about the quality of life, not length. Most everyone knows they won't live this life forever but have not come to grips with the issue of their eternal quality of life - so to speak. In this life, I have been really blessed, in that I have very healthy and have not been particularly impaired by anything until now. And actually, am not now really that impaired. I suppose when it comes to health and quality of life, I've spoiled. So, now I complain because I can't pretend I'm still 30. We are called to bare His cross daily but, I haven't been able to match IPF to Cross Bearing. If you are a person of faith as your response suggests, I hope your quality of life improves until you are called home. That is what I hope for myself. Finally, for me, the issue isn't death, it's dying. I explain it to my friends this way. I hate to fly (really really uncomfortable with the very idea of getting on a plane). I want love to go to Hawaii. Aye, there's the rub - can't get to Hawaii without getting on that plane. (Rapture not withstanding). Have a great day, and God give you the strength you need for today.
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