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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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Hey @aguy, like @merpreb said, the diaphragm could possibly be pushed on which might be contributing to the SOB sensation. Even though the diaphragm might seem like it’s working fine, obstructions could affect it unknowingly. I think Merry gave some good insights and options to look into and in the meantime I would explore breathing exercises to help. There are many types but Buteyko method has helped me a good deal.
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4 ReactionsWhen I receive enough sleep I have no symptoms. Sometimes anxiety causes breathing problems. I take a relaxant to offset it.
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1 ReactionThis is as close as an explanation of what I feel. I can do hard exercise with no problem. In fact sometimes it helps! It's not SOB but more of that deep satisfying breath. It started about a year and a half ago. I went on Omeprazole and it went away for a year. My doctor wanted me to try to go off so I did and it has returned. I went back on Omeprazole but it didn't help. Endoscopy and biopsy showed mild redness but no hernia or bacteria. Increased Omeprazole to 2x a day. Hasnt helped. When it's bad I do feel bloated but not also. I'm so over it!! I was just prescribed Pantoprazole DOD DR 40mg. Fingers crossed
@jenh1128 i have been on omeperazole for years. It hasn’t helped the breathing but has at least helped the GERD which can exacerbate the breathing issue of left unchecked. Have you had a lot of tests done yet? By the way if your number in your username is a birthday then we have the same birthday! 🙂
Hello all, I'm facing the exact issue with breathing, done all the test possible for lungs and heart, all results were normal. One doctor advised to do a sleep apnea test, and I did that as well and the result was that I had a mild sleep apnea. First thing tried a mouth appliance that moves the lower jaw forward, which I wear during sleep that helped reduce the attacks that I had.
However the doctors recommended I use a CPAP machine and it didn't help that much.
I realized that my issue is not related to sleep apnea and most probably it's related to some issue in my airways, as you all mentioned opening up my mouth to try to gasp for a breath made me think that I'm opening my mouth to expand some part of the airways. Which helps with getting a larger quantity of air into the lungs.
The lung function tests won't show any issues in the airways because the test is done through mouth breathing and the mouth has to be open wide.
To dig deeper into my issue as most of the doctors started saying that it's a mental issue related to stress or anxiety which similar to most of the replies here I didn't believe in.
I bought a smart watch that monitors my oxygen levels during the day. And noticed that my oxygen levels were dropping more during the day than while sleeping.
Because I'm using the mouth appliance during sleep and it's expanding my airways that's why my oxygen levels during sleep are much better.
During the day I don't have the mouth appliance on and oxygen drops below 90%
The plan now is to start new tests bronchoscopy most likely to check all airways and lungs. I will keep everyone posted once I do the tests and their results.
If this test shows that everything is fine I will do another test which is to check if I have pulmonary embolism, even though I don't cough at all
The cause for the breathing issue is certainly a knot in the top of your back, most often it's the right side.
Don't let them sell you a false diagnosis and fill you up with drugs that you do not need and will only cause other health issues.
Get yourself a good massage and start working out, change your back and nek posture by sitting correctly.
The knot also gives other symptoms which will make your life miserable, you will feel so much better once you follow the advice i gave you all.
You probably also need to visit an osteopath to get straightened out.
You'll notice what i mean once you go.
Good luck!
Hi @6months, there are many underlying conditions or causes that can lead to shortness of breath. Sharing experiences can help people who are still searching for answers with their medical teams. However, as a community of patients, the community guidelines underline that members should not tell other members what to do or make a diagnosis. Instead it is better to describe what worked for you.
This is a good reminder for all members of Mayo Clinic Connect to review the Community Guidelines here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/
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1 ReactionI agree, however the breathing issue the people on this page are describing is related to knots, how ridiculous it may sound.
Obviously when suffering from any health issue it is not even a question whether or not to visit a doctor/ hospital.
The people i have responded to have done the necessary medical tests and they came back negative which is always the case with knots.
Doctors do not find knots, they will give a patient multiple false diagnosis because they just don't know any better.
Drugs are not always the answer.
We also should not ignore the fact that pharmaceutical companies pay hospitals / doctors and pharmacies to prescribe their drugs to people.
Omeprazole is such a company.
Anyways, those who suffer from this and really want to get better will try what i mentioned and i hope they get better.
Changing posture, getting massages and exercising isn't negative advice.
Although it seems to me that for some reason you want to make it seem that way.
Which is something to think about for those who read.
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2 ReactionsHi Gabriel,
My name is Zach and I'm a 35 year old male. I've been experiencing what you describe for a really long time, to varying degrees. I get an urge to yawn that is similar to a craving to itch or to sneeze that builds and builds until I yawn. After yawning, I feel relieved but the urge slowly gets worse until it becomes unbearable. On particularly bad days, I may yawn once every minute or so. Not only is it really frustrating, but it can also be really embarrassing if I'm in a social setting. I've researched this topic extensively, and though I have come up with some ideas as to what is causing this, I haven't really found any silver-bullets yet. Surprisingly, science still has not really explained in detail why humans (and almost all other animals) yawn. It used to be common knowledge that yawning was due to low oxygen in the brain, but experiments have totally ruled that out by showing that people in environments with lower oxygen levels don't yawn more than a control group. The prevailing theory now is that yawning is the body's way of cooling down the brain, but that's still fairly ambiguous. I do think my issue is at least partially related to hyperventilation syndrome and my failure to not exhale fully enough. If I force myself to breathe out fully, then I do get some relief but it's only temporary and partial. I've tried acid reducers in case it's related to a damaged esophagus, but to no avail. One other tidbit I've found is that stimulants like amphetamine make my issue much, much worse. Also, cannabis can make it worse sometimes. Some antidepressants also exacerbate it, like Effexor. This initially led me to think that anxiety was the root cause. However, I don't think that's the whole picture because I can't really find a definite link between days or moments of high anxiety and increased yawning. I do need to look into the breathing technique that you mentioned, though. I was really hoping that somewhere in the myriad of responses you got to your original post there would be some magic cure for our problem, but it appears this issue is much more complex than I was hoping it would be. I've noticed many of the people responding on here don't really have the same issue you described. They have some other version of shortness of breath that doesn't really fall under the really narrow description you spoke about. That's not to belittle their own suffering, but when I read your description it was really uncanny how similar it was to what I have been going through for at least the last 20 years or so. I've tried to speak to doctors about it, but it really is such an esoteric issue that they don't have a clue how to treat it or what it even is. It's beyond frustrating, but at least I know there are other people out there going through a similar problem. I'm glad that you do seem to be getting better if your recent posts are anything to go by and I'm hopeful that means maybe I will, too.
I have this problem for4years can i have your telegram addres i go to any doctor but no result