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
Hi @gabrielm thanks for the reply and I'm glad to hear you're managing your symptoms. How often do you practice breathing techniques? Do you do them when you start feeling the air hunger/sob? Or do you practice your breathing at set times throughout the day. Thank you!
@abidaisl- Welcome to Mayo Connect. Everyone in this group has felt just like you are now feeling. It's scary and can stun you- The feeling that our breathing is not what we are used to is horrifying! Being short of breath can mean many things. Panic are intense periods of fear and can struggle to breathe. Chemically fear disturbs many things in our bodies and fear can make you short of breath. I would encourage you to read as many posts about SOB that you can to see what others have done to lessen SOB?
Have you spoken to your doctor at all? He may be able to prescribe something for you. Some of the posts in this discussion also involve breathing techniques to help control the symptoms so your life can be more manageable.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/shortness-of-breath/basics/definition/sym-20050890
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI thought I'd contribute as well. I find all your posts and nearly cried from relief. I felt like I was the only one who was suffering from this, doctors making me think it was in my head, me panicking and feeling closterfobic from not getting that air in. I've been feeling this since after my injury in 2000 and subsequent move from my home of Washington State to...ugh... Ohio, kicking in around early September, 2001. I suppose one could say around the 11th,I really felt it. To me it's like when your trying to blow up those looong balloons, but there's something sticking a part of the lower third together, so you have to try harder and harder and harder to get it to unstick so you can fully inflate that soon to be toy poodle 🐩. It's steadily gotten worse and worse as the years stretch on. I have noticed, the more I weigh, the more difficulty I have. If I'm sitting back I have to lean forward to try to catch my breath and unstick that balloon. Lately it's gotten much, MUCH harder to catch and I feel like I'm practically unhinging my jaw to get it to work. It's frightening me, I feel like I'm going to suffocate! I've a bad fear of suffocation, it's how my cousin died when we were both 6. He was caught in the cabin of a boat when it overturned and he couldn't escape. Some say drowning is painless, but... they've never drowned before. I felt my cousin that day, we were the closest of everyone! It hurts. I do have COPD, chronic bronchitis, that I got through genetics from my grandfather. I used to smoke, but I've quit that and alcohol over 10 years ago. I take Subutex for my CROS/RSD to maintain my pain levels, but they refuse to treat my anxiety/PTSD with anything that actuary works because 1 idiot abused it and died and f-ed it up for the rest of us. So I stay at⁸ home for the most part. I'm fairly sedate in my lifestyle since half my body was... let's say simply messed up royally from an IED on the way to a mission point with our convoy when my cargo crew and I were blown to hell and back. I've seen every kind of doctor the VA can throw at me. I've had sever seasonal allergies that amazingly got WORSE when we moved to Miami Valley, Ohio (aka Sinus Valley), but I was OK here for a few months before the gasping happened.
@tonyagregg and @gabrielm
I have the same issue . I feel that something is going wrong in my chest muscles or diaphragm that i cant feel a relief untill i yawn , so the air can pass into my lungs deeply making me comfortable . I use to yawn alot , but sometimes i can feel satisfaction with normal breathing "no need to yawn" ...I am still 25 years old and i am really sad that this situation my affect my breathing and ventilation in the future
@nick43 I applied the method when I learned it very stringently every day, 3 times a day. I did this until my symptoms decreased considerably, and now I do the 'Steps' exercise about every morning to every other morning just as 'maintenance'. (Steps is an exercise part of the method that everyone learns in the class). And then I take a walk every day as do light to moderate weight lifting which also helps with symptoms.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@abidaisl; - Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It's very frightening to all of a sudden experience a problem with breathing. Feeling as if you are going to have a heart attack is no easy thing. Panic attacks can certainly increase the problem. It sounds as if this is a recent thing. Have you seen or spoken to your doctor at all about this?
@tiggredcat- I also welcome you to Mayo Connect. My step-son was also injured. He was in the Navy. His leg got caught in his parachute and landed very heavily, as you can imagine! I can't imagine the horrors that you have experienced and having to live with the pain as a constant reminder. Have you thought about THC for your PTSD? Can you go to a private doctor (I'm sure this would be out of your own pocket) and get some relief for your PTSD?
@aeman- Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. It sounds as if your SOB has happened fairly recently. It must have been quite alarming. When you have this, unless you have an illness that is causing this, you probably are getting adequate air into your lungs. It just might not feel as if you are. Have you sought medical help for this?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHey aeman! Since when do you have this problem?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHello, I was wondering if you have been tested for allergies. I have this same breathing issue and after talking with my brother who suffers with allergies he has it as well. The doctors gave him a puffer, unfortunately for me, COVID has prevented me from seeing a doctor, so no help or chance of relief.
Yes, I believe I can identify the culprit. I had similar symptoms to you from age 10 until last year. I was unable to get a satisfying breath unless I yawned, and it felt like my lungs weren't inflating all the way down. I discovered the cause accidentally when I was stretching to help my sore back, neck, and rotator cuff. I had what appeared to be frozen shoulder, but the adhesions and fibrosis stretched right out across my ribs. With stretching, the adhesions snapped free and the fibrotic patches unstuck. A lot of debris / pseudocysts also came unclogged from the back of my neck and spine. The side that I was stretching for the rotator cuff came first, and I couldn't identify any muscle changes, but the air felt fresher and more effective. I did notice that my shoulder blades were quite knotty and stuck down, but my breathing cleared after a few weeks and the scapula didn't become loose for several months more. I suspect the catalyst was a childhood infection, but I also have allergies, so it may be from ongoing inflammation. I hope this helps, and would love to hear back if it does. The doctors, including MRI and X-ray, were unable to diagnose it.
I would add that a thyroglossal duct cyst may also be a possibility. If you are a lady but have an Adam's apple, it's most likely a thyroglossal duct cyst.