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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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@dishwalla9- You were hit over the head with a sledgehammer, weren't you? My goodness. How did you handle all of this? You said, "unable to get a full breath without almost yawning a n.v d the tightness " What does n v d mean?
Not easy to handle at all. Medication patience and seeking answers. . I meant yawning is the only way to get a satisfying breath when this is happening. Something is causing the lungs to not fully expand. Autonomic dysfunction and fibromyalgia I think the culprits here for many people. I've also heard that people may have lungs slightly too small for their body which causes this. Not sure if that's true
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1 ReactionI have had the exact same symptoms as @gabrielm. I have read through some of this thread and have seen no one has figured out why this occurs. Was there anything I missed? My doctor gave me Omeprazole I am taking every day. Seems to help a bit, but GERD comes back at night. I almost constantly have this SOB or chest tightness. Can’t quite catch my breath unless I am laying on my left side and sometimes I helps laying on my stomach. My doctor is chalking this up with “anxiety” and has told me to continue to just take my “as needed” anxiety meds more often. I’m convinced (as all you are), the anxiety is stemming from the SOB. I can’t get into the gastro until May. What has worked? Has anyone gotten any answers?
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1 ReactionHey there @kailalange - There are tons of posts in this thread and it seems that most people have a similar symptom dealing with SOB, chest tightness, hard to get a satisfying breath, etc. The tricky thing with SOB is that every single person in this thread could be dealing with something different. Some people may have anxiety, GERD, mold in the house, some sort of hyperventilation disorder, liver issues, etc. I've also been on omeperazole for a couple of months and I think it helps a little but it's hard to verify. Some days I barely notice my breathing and other days it's all I can think about. @gabrielm says that the buteyko breathing method has helped him but not totally cured anything. Personally, I've given up on going to the doctor. I've been about 5 times over this same issue and gotten multiple opinions. My main focus has been to try to experiment with what I'm eating, drinking less alcohol, trying to lose weight, trying out different breathing exercises, etc. There are some people in this thread that have been to every type of specialist you can go to and gotten every test in the books and still don't have an answer. It's a little discouraging but I feel like if we all stay in communication, experiment with different things, we can move closer to improving our quality of lives.
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3 Reactions@dishwalla9- I haven't ever heard of that for a cause for SOB. My pulmonologist told me that being over weight is a major cause of SOB. But not everyone is over weight. I wish that I had more suggestions or answers.
Like everyone else here I have SOB daily, and some days are better than others. Normally if it's cooler I have better days. I've had all the test done as well for lungs and heart and all come back normal. Had Pulmonary Function Test and the test for Asthma and nothing. Doctors have suggested anxiety and put me on meds for that and still did not help. So I took to the internet to find some kind of help. I ran into this website awhile back and saw where Buteyko Breathing was suggested. Yes it helped me cope. Also doing neck exercises seem to help as well. Some Chiropractors realize our society spends time looking down at cell phones and computers constantly and deforms our ability to hold our head up properly. I can tell you that these stretches do help...a little. Also, I have been diagnosed with Gerd and hiatal hernia. I take 2 omperazole 40 mg daily. Although it seems to help I also take either a good dose of pepto or chewable tums in between and before bed. And lastly I wear the breathable bands across my nose as my nasal passages are very narrow. Last trip to the ENT and he is setting me up with a surgoen as he says my sinus passage has collapsed which probably contributes to my discomfort. 2 things I can guarantee that help me is a hot bath and also laying on my stomach. Humid, wet days are the worse. Anyone else, and sorry so long!
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2 Reactions@metonya- Good morning. It's funny that I also really enjoy a hot shower/bath but I hate hot and humid. Have you tried sleeping with 2 pillows?
Hi Gabrielm!
I have the same symptoms as you. My parents took me to multiple pediatricians and all had a different diagnosis. My mom told me that the last pediatrician told her that it was because I had a hart murmur. He didn’t offer any solution just told her that the symptoms would go away on their own when I grew up. All the medical tests I’ve taken have come out normal. I’ve always maintained a healthy weight under 130lbs. I’m 32 and still experience it from time to time. I’ve never been able to pinpoint what triggers it. I’ve just started to research about it agin. Since, in the past I’ve been so unlucky trying to find out what is wrong. I was in my early 20s when I decided to find a real diagnosis. Most doctors would just tell me it was anxiety and prescribed me with meds. They never tested me or referred me to any other specialist. I became dependent on those meds for about 2.5yrs. I don’t take any other meds (not even Tylenol) since the withdrawal symptoms were horrible and lingered for so long. The whole time I was taking the anxiety meds I was still experiencing the same symptoms. The symptoms never subsided. After going with many doctors, I finally found a doctor that referred me to a hart specialist. I was feeling like I was close to finishing out what was wrong with me. But, shortly after my first appointment i lost my insurance. I felt so put off by the whole experience that I gave up. it was harder to find an answer than to deal with the symptoms. I’ve had to deal with the symptoms since I was about 8 years old. I learned to live with it for so long, so most of the time it wasn’t a big deal. I would just yawn or take deep breath till my body felt better. Ppl close to me always would worry tell me I need to talk to a Doctor. I’m hopping this time around I find an answer.
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1 ReactionWow @maaron675 sorry you've been dealing with this for so long. It seems like your symptoms are at least manageable to some degree. I too hope you will find an answer. Do you have any upcoming appointments? I usually tell people about the Buteyko Breathing Method of breathing exercises to reduce and manage symptoms. That's what I'm using now and it helps a lot to keep the air hunger at bay. But it's not 100% gone by any means. Let us know what doctors say. Do you have any GI issues? GERD, acid reflux, etc.?
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3 Reactionsi went through all of your comments.I think i have same symptoms.let me explain my condition.
i am not feeling well for last 3 months.it started with dry cough lasted for like 2 months. i went to different doctors from general physician to pulmonologist. i was diagnosed with bronchitis.they put me on different medicines alot of medicines ..during all this i was on light diet.one day when i was trying to sleep my heart just start pounding .that was the first time so i was really scared.after few days i experienced the same thing with shortness of breath.now its been more than 2 weeks i guess now whenever i eat something shortness of breath gets worse or if i try to sleep.most of the time i am in this conditon.there is burning sensation and sometimes chest pain which shifts from left to right side randomly and also now i having cold feets most of the time even if temperature is normal.Now its happening everyday.i feel like i am always short of breath .i think its related with stomach and side effects of all those medicines because i was just having cough before and now its acidity ,shortness of breath ,chest pain etc.its been two days now i am again coughing.
plus xray they took were ok .(its been 2 month since those results)
Ecg and eco were also fine .(its been 1 month)
blood reports were also ok (2 months)
my observation: the cough problem which i was having before was also linked with stomach which they diagnosed as bronchitis and put me on alot of medicines .instead of helping those medicines make me more sick .now i cant even those foods which are recommended in acid reflux problems.and shortness of breath thats really awfull it feels like you are going to die ....i have to yawn forcefully to get a satisfying breath but sometime its also difficult due to chest tightness.
sorry for bad english .
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