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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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Gabriel, how bizarre…I so empathize with you. Here is my similar story, with answer from latest doctor.
My SOB started back in 2018. Very healthy, active, exercise daily (golf, walking/running, yoga) and out of the blue, I would loose my breath going up one flight (17 steps) of stairs in my house. This was terribly odd…because as a medical Interpreter, on cases I would “run” up flights at a time to get to a case when the elevators were a hindering me.
I also would react…as you…hyperventilating and follow up with panic attacks.
Fast forward…no doctors could provide an answer. The hyperventilating/panic would cause my BP to spike to dangerous (stroke levels) and subsequently 3trips to ER for “possible healthy woman stroking out”…only to discharge home with no answers. Then Covid and life…
During Covid, I present at ER for a suspect PE (pulmonary embolism) ….mean while being that my PCP had finally sent me to a pulmonary specialist plus cardiac doctor to “look for anything underlying “…my heart perfect, my lungs…because of breathing…labeled “late onset asthma “…(never ever ever had any breathing problems in over 50 some years)…at that ER visit during Covid…they CAT scan and find the lung issue. Now diagnosed with MAC (2 strains)…put on cocktail of 3 antibiotics for bacterium infection. My doctors are good, I have faith in them, but still…no answer or relief for SOB.
So, I go to NJH in Denver. The rock stars there( team of doctors that specialize in MAC) put me through 2 wks testing, 5 multidisciplinary specialist, and tell me…..(get ready)
My lungs perform (PFTs) perfect for lung capacity and oxygenation…I have the capacity of an 18 yr old. So, my husband explodes…”so why does my wife climb one flight of stairs and gasp for breath and take minutes to recover?! Look at her!
The ID lead doctor…said…there is a performance test that is used for “professional athletes”. Wherein they are hooked up to monitors and sensors (measuring everything) and they put the body through rigorous testing till they find the answer. He suggested I have this test.
Well, Gabriel, honestly after being in a strange city, 3 hotels, too many doctors and tests performed…I did not have the energy or spirit for one more mega test. We will not discard the test, we will just do it on the return trip. So, I am sorry I cannot provide you with the mysterious outcome, results, or even the name of the test…but it does exist. Bottom line is that these wonderful doctors checked every discipline with the afforded time and my ability. I wore out.
I have MAC…silent reflux…some indicators of autoimmune disorder..but nothing to explain my continued SOB. They did take me off all inhalers, also a speech pathologist suggested I “hold my breath to also avoid emptying out all my CO2” when I take the stairs…so I do, but it is still hard regardless. The SOB is real…don’t believe that there isn’t a reason. Healthy, persons, who are not obese, and have no medical ailments to explain SOB that are evident…need to explore until they find the real culprit.
I will try to get the name of the test when I get my final reports from NJH…may take 6-8 weeks.
Stay in touch.
Regina
P.S? Just so there is no misunderstanding….I am NOT a professional athlete 😇
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1 ReactionMy thoughts exactly!--- is it all in my head? I have had many tests done and nothing shows anything that would explain the sob. I dont know about blood clots etc for others, but I know my first trip to the ER regarding this, the doctor did think it was a blood clot, mainly because I'm on birth control and i smoked (I've since quit smoking since all this) but he found nothing along those lines, and I had two ct scans (one with iv dye and one with oral dye to prove this)
It's very frustrating, it'll be two years in August for me since this sob appeared out of nowhere. 🙁
I have never heard of VCD before reading this comment! Very intriguing. From what I've read, it seems to come in "episodes". Do you find your breathing is consistently "off" like even on good days it's not completely normal?
I'm supposed to be referred to a gastroligist which I'm going to discuss the potential of gerd. Just still waiting for the referral :/
Hello! Glad you've found some relief. What did your gastroenterologist say? What was/is wrong with your gut that that caused the sob?
In my case, my breathing is off consistently. Since the Sob started on Jan 31 this year, I have not had a single day without having at least minor symptoms. On good days, the symptoms are totally tolerable. On bad days, they are very frustrating: I have a constant desire to sigh / to take deep breaths which may or may not go through. It feels like I "forgot" how to yawn properly. I cannot complete a yawn at the first or second attempt for sure and this has been consistent. I also tend to have pain on the right side of my chest occasionally.
My symptoms are not geeting worse on exertion. Lung Function Test and Pulmonary Function Test are both normal. Chest X-ray normal. None of the asthma medications seem to help (Flovent, Ventolin, Symbicort). Gerd medication Pantoprazole did not help.
All my doctors suspect a strong relationship to my anxiety (GAD) so I have just started taking Zoloft regularly a few days ago. I have also been doing breathing exercises. Thank you for sharing your thougths and I wish everyone a speedy recovery.
Thank you for your reply.
My symptoms are the same! Everyday is a struggle, even on good days, it is still there. All my tests have come back normal as well. My chest pain is more left/middle. I was prescribed pantoprazole. I did find it helped with the chest pains thankfully, however the chest pain (although minor) seems to be returning and I'm already taking two a day as prescribed. So perhaps it's not doing its job anymore.
Last week on a particularly good breathing day, I had a moment of bad breathing and it sent me into a panic attack. The first time this has happened since this all originally started in August 2019. So I'm pretty fed up!
This panic attack has left me reeling for days and rittled with anxiety. So I've called my doctor to discuss this anxiety.
Please let me know if you have any luck with the zoloft, if you find its helping you at all.
May I ask what kind of breathing exercises you've been doing?
Hi there, yes I will definitely keep you updated. I have been doing pursed lip breathing. In general, I try to inhale through my nose and use my belly as opposed to my chest when breathing in. I am sorry to hear about your experience with panic attack. I just had the same experince about a week ago and this is when I decided to take some time off work and to start my Zoloft treatment. Do you have any similar experience with yawning?
I have spent quite a bit of time on reading up on the conditon "dysfunctional breathing" or "chronic hyperventilation syndrome" as it seems like the symptoms I have been experiencing are very similar to those associated with this condition. Thank you
Yes! I do have a similar experience with the yawning. I will try to take a deep breath and if it doesn't feel like enough, then I keep trying to yawn until it does. Sometimes I feel I cant even yawn! That is when I spiral.
Looks like were kinda in the same boat then, I'm willing to try something for my anxiety because of this recent panic attack. That sure was not fun, and I want to avoid that happening again!
I am going to look I to dysfunctional breathing, I just did for a moment and it's very intriguing. I've also read up alot on sighing dyspnea.
I really need to try some of these breathing exercises. I'm a little scared but I should try.
Tamara, here is a video demonstrating the pursed lip breathing @gabe79 mentioned. It's a video that @merpreb often mentions for people new to this breathing exercise.
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2 ReactionsHi, I've been dealing with an issue since around Jan. 2020 that seems to be reoccurring and occasionally getting worse.
I've been having chest pain on the left side off and on up until now. I have anxiety, so that's probably at least related to the pain; but I don't think it's just that. The pain seems to be on the left side of the chest in the lung area, but mostly on the left side. Back on left side bothers me occasionally as well.
I've been to several cardiologists and my PCP, they can't seem to tell me what's the issue. I've had a stress test, ECG, blood work, x-rays. They found a minor issue they're monitoring (small QT Delay), but other than that, they don't think that's causing the problem I'm having.
I have a follow-up with my doctor in a week, and I plan to ask to be referred to a pulmonologist.
At this point, I don't know what to do and am worried. Obviously, chest pain is not something to ignore, nor are occasional breathing problems. I want to tell myself it's just anxiety, but the fact it mostly happens on the left side in a specific area (center left, a few inches above where my heart should be) says to me it may not be.
I know only a doctor can make a diagnosis in person but has anyone had something similar? If so, what was the issue? Trying to get an idea of how worried I should be.
Some other background:
41 yo Male
5'9" - 175lbs
Hypertension but on medication,
Cholesterol a little high but also on meds
Mild scoliosis that's come with age
Asthmatic
Anxiety/Depression, on meds
non smoker
drank when I was younger, but only have 2-3 beers a week these days, if any.
Pain seems to happen in certain positions (when I'm having an issue that is.)