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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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@mariab- It's pretty neat and simple, right?
@merpreb I can completely understand and I am not any expert here, but I belong to a land where ayurveda was born. It is believed that oils we use have different properties and used for several and very specific purposes. Interestingly, ghee (pure and organic from cows), has a lot of healing properties and is widely used in India. Ghee made with bilona method is a long process of churning curd (yogurt made in indian way) to extract butter and heating/boiling that butter until water separates (reduction) and leaves behind pure ghee. An ayurvedic medical practitioner will turn a million pages to just explain the benefits of ghee, but I am definitely not in a position and have little to no knowledge on how it is beneficial for shortness of breath. However, I just tried something that I read somewhere in a news article.
https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/wellness/story/smog-delhi-ncr-air-pollution-desi-ghee-clarified-butter-benefit-health-lifest-1081773-2017-11-08
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2 ReactionsI love Ghee, it has so many healing benefits it would be hard to list them all. Wonderful to cook with. I prefer a grass fed shelf stable one.
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2 Reactions@saiguru@saigurucharancharan What a beautiful name, Ayurveda. This is 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda is considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “The Science of Life.” I wasn't challenging you at all. I'm sorry if I came across this way. Thank you for sharing your country's history of healing and science. This world certainly has a lot of pollutants to avoid if we can. What do you do for SOB?
Like your husband, I have chewed tobacco for 50 years, quit for a short time, go nuts, temper tantrums, can’t sleep, think, back to the chew! I can’t say it has affected my lungs, mine all started with blood clots in my lungs, leading to pneumonia. Then my wife of 42 years walked out to join a ——- religion. Stress, living alone, I never was depressed, just mad at myself and anything that pertains to getting better! Family stress, Drs. moving, causing breaking in a new Dr., it just wasn’t an enjoyable affair. I am chewing tobacco again right now, ENT evaluated me recently, said my mouth looked fine! Back issues, knees need replaced, old body worn out. But I want to spend more time here, enjoy my Grandchildren, family, hobbies! Yes, I would like to hear of anything that will help me breath easier, have less discomfort in my feet. .I hope to hear of new treatments that will relieve, cure, my problems.
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1 Reaction@bill5- Good morning Bill. Unfortunately, any tobacco product will cause damage to your lungs no matter how you ingest it.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking/in-depth/chewing-tobacco/art-20047428.
Smokeless tobacco products also have other risks as well, like rotting teeth and gum disease to name only two. I smoked for 35 years and I know how difficult it is to quit any type of tobacco product. My first lung cancer was in 1977. That was a very fast-growing cancer. Ten years later I had my second lung cancer that has raised its head numerous times leading me to a number of treatments, lung loss, and shortness of breath.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ways-to-curb-your-cravings-for-nicotene/?utm_campaign=search
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/have-you-tried-to-quit-smoking-while-undergoing-treatment/?utm_campaign=search
Stress is a big factor that stands in the way of quitting but in order to get back any semblance of breathing easier I fear that's what you need to do. Above are two excellent conversations on how you can quit and people who will support you.
Are you ready to try again?
@bill I was also a long time smoker. Ended up with COPD, but kept right on puffin. Then I ended up in ICU with a tube down my throat and member of clergy beside my bed. Spent 3 1/2 months rotating between hospital and rehab. Hospital would send me to rehab for several days, then something else would happen. Back to hospital. This happened five times. Got sent home with o2, Now through exercise, no smoking, halfway decent diet, etc. I don't feel too bad. No more o2. Take my word for it nobody wants that. It's tough quitting, but life is a great deal better without.
As Merry said, stress is a big factor. I have advanced prostate cancer, our daughter just had a double mastectomy, wife had 2 strokes in past two years (full recovery from both). Stress is big. But for your own sake you gotta do it. You can handle the stress without tobacco.
Mr Bill
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1 Reaction@bill ... I have not smoked five cigarettes in my 81 years, so I cannot relate to that. But I have a lot of stress from other parts of my life, including DNA, family, jobs, politics, etc. So I decided I needed to find something else to move me away from at least parts of my stress. I stumbled into genetic issues in myself and family and now have not only learned a lot about my personality, my body, even my religious activity (or lack thereof). Anyway, I stumbled into Ambrygen.com, and just sort of studied my way into more complex concepts, looking along the way for answers to my questions. I think the search itself has taken away much of my stress. I have learned that some genetics programs are really not very accurate, but in learning that, I took away some of the stress. And it can be rather expensing, but if one can afford to smoke or chew, DNA costs are nothing. And there are genes and syndromes which rebel against tobacco and other stuff. The most intense portion of the search is the drive to learn about one's self then learning to control your own behavior in way that will make you healthier. That drive for knowledge has kept me alive with RyR2, MDDG(4)- Fukutin Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, Gelsolin, a couple Leukemias, chronic anemias, lung diseases, skeletal issues, brain encephalopathy, and several more genetic issues, possibly enhanced by radon, other radiation, Pest control chemicals, accidents, etc. Anyway, I suggest you get serious about your own body. Work toward a Class A Clinical grade genome analysis with interpretation, then act accordingly. Find a good genecist to work with you, and have a good laugh at all the money you have spent on meds and procedures which were wasted because you and your doc did not know the truth about your body.
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1 Reactionhi ive read all of this thread from 3 weeks ago is when i started it, im 25 year old very active bike alot and work in sports, i have recently got this terrible thing although im 90% sure its anxiety caused, ive suffered with anxietu disorder for years but managed to calm it through physical activity but now this is setting it off in a recurring cycle? ive seen gerd meds and certain other medicines work for people will continue to look at this and see any other answers
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2 Reactions@bowker17- welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Good morning. Many of us, myself included have suffered from anxiety for a long time. When you start having shortness of breath it's time to get tested.
To rule out any physical changes I suggest you seek a pulmonologist and get your lungs tested> Have you had any tests, lab work or scans to see what might be causing this?
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