Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?

@palmtrez123 - One of my worst fears was having a bronchoscopy. Thankfully my GI guy puts me out for a bit. My husband does it without anything. Here is some information about it: I do know that a lot of people gag at the beginning and then again at the end.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322178
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bronchoscopy/about/pac-20384746
When I have an operation or procedure and I have to have anesthesia there is often a Bronchoscopy done. And yes, I often have a sore throat after. But since I've never had one awake I will leave it to those who have.
@gabrielm;@greff;@helpnywhereucan;@helena4000;@jenniferhunte: Have any of you had a Bronchoscopy awake? How was it for you?

I'm not sure what it's called but I had the one where they go up your nose and down your throat done a couple times. Sucks but really isn't a big deal. Breathing and remaining calm got me through it. It's uncomfortable but I don't recall there being a lot of pain. They numbed my throat and nose with a topical and got busy. Come to think of it, that was the worst part.

@palmtrez123 You may want to consider if a physical problem that could be interfering with breathing mechanics. I know this because I do this myself and start using my neck and upper chest muscles to breathe when I'm having trouble. I have thoracic outlet syndrome which affects my breathing and also allergies and asthma. Breathing like this causes anxiety.

You might want to have a physical therapy evaluation, and I would recommend a PT who also has the John Barnes myofascial release training. All the ribs and muscles need to be able to expand properly which creates a vacuum that allows the lungs to expand fully. If anything impairs movement of the rib cage, it can impair breathing. I do have asthma and thoracic outlet syndrome which causes neck and chest tightness under the collar bone where the nerves are passing on their way to the lungs. There are different nerves involved in breathing for the upper and lower parts of the lungs. I am also a cervical spine surgery patient, so I have some scar tissue near this area that will tighten if I don't keep working on it. I know I have a habit of sleeping on my right side, and my body is too tight on the left, so I have been reversing this to try to stretch out my tight left side. I think our habits can contribute to things like this. Physical therapy and MFR has helped me resolve some of these problems.

Thoracic outlet syndrome is more common than doctors think it is, and most doctors don't understand it because it isn't covered well in medical schools. Sometimes they don't consider a physical problem and how that might cause symptoms. It is worth asking a physical therapist about it, and tests for it will be Doppler imaging to see if the blood supply to the arms is cut off by raising the arm or with a change of head and neck position. Neurologists can diagnose it. Usually physical therapy is recommended for TOS. Doctors who understand it are usually at interdisciplinary medical centers like Mayo and it will be listed as a condition they treat. You might find that physical therapy will help even if you don't go through a lot of diagnosis. MFR works on tight muscle and tissue all over the body and once you learn how it works, you will be able to do a lot on your own at home. The therapist will be able to feel the tight pathways through your body.

Here are some links that may be of interest. I have also included our discussion on Myofascial Release that has a lot of information on where to find information and MFR therapists.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20353988
https://www.painscience.com/articles/respiration-connection.php
https://trainingandrehabilitation.com/how-truly-treat-thoracic-outlet-syndrome/

Thank you Jennifer! I go to a chiropractor every week and I'll ask her if she knows someone in my area that specializes in MFR.

@palmtrez123 Here is a link with a provide search for MFR therapists. Not all PTs are knowledgeable in this method unless they ave trained with John Barnes and his group. If you don't find someone near you, you can also call Therapy on the Rocks in Sedona, AZ and ask if there are therapists in your area that have trained there. They have to pay for a website listing, and not everyone does that. They may also be physical therapists who specialize in breathing problems. Good luck, I hope you find what you need.
http://mfrtherapists.com/
http://therapyontherocks.net/

I recently discovered this group while trying to finds a reason /cure for my breathing problems. I have some of the same symptoms described by people posting here. I have been suffering from this condition for about 14 years now. I become short of breath while exercising. I cannot ride a bicycle or enjoy hiking because of my inability to breathe. I cannot even leisurely walk in the woods without having to stop and catch my breath. I become short of breath using the stairs. I can't do anything outside once the sun begins to set, and forget doing something outside after dark. I have certain days where I have the feeling that I have to keep taking a deep breath, which sometimes I can't complete. At the same time I have to yawn constantly to get a deep breath. Half the time I can't complete the yawn. This problem almost always with a change of weather. I have had chronic sinusitis for 15 years and when my sinuses begin to drain, my sinuses swell, my nasal passages swell, my teeth hurt, my eyes feel like they are popping out of my head and my entire face hurts. This is when I have this air hunger. Nothing relieves it! When the weather system passes, it gets better.

I have been to pulmonologists, allergists, asthma specialists, cardiologists, ENT's, gastroenterologists and even speech pathologists in Boston, Rochester, NY and even in Penang, Malaysia. Some have said I had asthma. Some have said I have COPD and others say they simply don't know. I have been prescribed every known inhaler and nasal spray on the market. I've tried special diets, yoga and special exercises. Nothing has helped. I have been tested for allergies and came up negative. I've had sinus surgery, which did nothing for me. I've tried acupuncture, which didn't help. I'm sick and tired of being seen by specialists and telling my story over and over only to have them prescribe the same damn inhalers or other medication that I have tried without effect. Some of these inhalers cost 3 or 4 hundred dollars each, only to offer no help.

I am at the point now where I realize modern medicine cannot do anything for me. But I keep researching, looking for answers. This is what led me to this site. I know nothing will help, but I felt the need to vent. Thanks for allowing me to rant.

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!