Connect
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.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Health Support Group.
Connect
I can totally relate. The cold feet is probably raynauds syndrome. I have that. The fast heart..I have that but I also have a heart arrythmia....and autonomic dysfunction. I think you may want to look into having that. Not being able to get a full satisfying breath.... needing to yawn to get one. Heres something to chew on as a possible cause. Vocal Cord Dysfunction goes hand and hand with autonomic issues. It could be the cause
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@maaron675- Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It's great that you found us. You've been having quite a time of it. Do you see any chance of getting insurance in the near future? What are your plans?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi @romarabbasi - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I am sorry to hear about your symptoms and the side effects you are experiencing from all the medication. Have you considered trying the Buteyko breathing method that @gabrielm mentioned? It seemed to have helped many members with their symptoms.
And do you have any upcoming appointments with your doctor?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI think it's clear for many of us that breathing method may help some but isnt getting to the root of the issue
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@dishwalla9- You're right the breathing method doesn't get rid of the problem or to the root of it. But it can help to make things easier. There are often times, even when you know that cause of something, that all you can do is alter your behavior, do things differently to make life easier. som And sometimes causes aren't found so in order for life to be more pleasant we have to adjust. For me, I need to know everything, the root of the cause and the reason. It drives me nuts not to have answers. But life isn't always accomodating. Don't you agree?.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI do
yeah i saw that buteyko method.i will give it a try.
i dont know which doctor to see.Honestly i dont trust doctors anymore.
i am having heartburn /acid reflux all the time whether i eat something or not .when this happens SOB gets worse.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@romarabbasi- It sounds as if you are very frustrated and don't know where to turn. SOB can be one of the most balling and frustrating condition. I suggest you go to a gastroenterologist for some tests and maybe medicine to calm your "innards" down. A lot of people have had bad experiences with doctors for various reasons but I think that for your own comfort and well being seeing one now is your best bet. Also if you let this go too long (and I don't know the timeline for this statement) you could be in bigger trouble. Acid can really affect more than just your digestive system.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHas anyone tried going to a psychiatrist? I mean i know there is a social stigma attached to it but i know someone who said we could be stuck in sort of an OCD to take deep satisfying breaths! It is like a vicious cycle! Anyone has tried SSRI medications?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@uzairkashtwari92 Hello. My daughter has OCD. She went to a very kind woman who is a hypnotherapist. She taught my daughter ways to deal with not only the OCD, but her anxiety attacks also. I am not saying that a hypnotherapist would be an answer for you, because I think it was more that my daughter related well with this woman. My daughter takes paxel eevery day and that seems to help her. You could try a psychiatrist and meds, it is the only way you will know if it can help you. You cannot really go by other people's experiences for that kind of thing; as treatment is tailor-made for your situation. They can now do genetic testing to see what meds your body will metabulize the best. That cuts back on the trial and error of being put on various medications. As far as stigma goes, that it starting to go away. The brain is a complex thing, and people are starting to get more educated about mental health. Finding a Good psychiatrist is the tricky part. You may want to ask around for a recommendation from others. If you do not know of anybody to ask, then contact your local NAMI chapter in your area. They are a wonderful mental health organization that can offer you many resources for help. They also have wonderful support groups and classes (free). I took the 12 week Family-to-Family course and it was a real eye opener. Did you want to share what symptoms you are experiencing right now?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions