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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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No meds and healing is the way to go. I wish you well
Hi Gabe, is this still an issue for you? I have this exact same problem and at times it gets severe where it causes me anxiety when I can't get that deep satisfying breathe and have to keep trying and trying. I don't have all the answers, but I have noticed that for me it often seems caused by tense/tight muscles and tendons. I have Fibromyalgia, so I am very attuned to my body and notice the slightest aches/pains and soreness that others might not notice. Whenever I get SOB or the inability to get a good satisfying breathe and keep having to try and try to get that breathe, it seems to be related to tightness in my pecs/chest, sternum area, upper back, diaphragm and abdominals. When it's all of these places at once, I am in a bad spot and cannot get a satisfying breathe. There are two tendons in the stomach region that in particular get very tight for me...they are on either side of my belly button and travel from the chest into my pelvic region. It often feels like I am wearing some kind of steel armor that is restricting my breathing when these tendons are tight as well as my pec muscles. It literally feels heavy and tight when I try to breathe. I find that stretching is the only thing that can even get me a tiny bit of relief. I stretch my neck constantly by tilting it in all directions and holding the stretch with my hand on my forehead or back of head. There's also a doorway stretch for the chest that helps. You may find it helpful to look up various stretches for these areas. I think one of the main causes of this is sitting at a computer all day long for days on end as I sometimes find relief when on vacation from work. I also think overdoing exercise can make it worse too, so if my abs are sore...I feel that as a restriction in my breathing. Basically what I'm saying is...there may be nothing wrong with your lungs, nose or anything else, it could be muscle/tendon related. Sometimes after doing stretches I can get that deep breathe. That said...nothing has made this go away and it keeps coming back for me too. It's incredibly frustrating and interrupts my sleep. Right now I'm exhausted from not sleeping well for days. I get up in the night and stretch and sometimes that helps. Anyway...I hope this is helpful info, even if it doesn't fully solve the problem.
Definitely doesn’t sound normal! Lol. It sounds counterintuitive but what initially helped me was to take in a deep breath as infrequently as possible and just breathe shallow breaths only through the nose. It’s part of the Buteyko method but it helped my breathing after a few days of doing that. It’s not very comfortable, I know, but try to hold off with the deep breaths as much as possible and see if it helps after a couple of days
Thank you!
Hi @victoriaag, I know how it is, especially with symptoms coming and going. Mine are much more stabilized these days but still experience ups and downs. I've thought about the possibility of something with my diaphragm but have you had yours checked out by a doctor? Yours seems to be related to your fibromyalgia, and the breathing issue may be a symptoms, but I don't know much about the disorder.
Not having any medical education.All I know is when I was diagnosed with copd no cough no weezing just shortness of breath the first thing my family doctor order was a xray of my lungs. The doctor who read the xray said I had ILD wich is a very fatal lung disease ended up being totally WRONG I went to my Pulmonary Doctor he told me 🫁 xrays are a joke the only way to see what is going on with your 🫁 is a CAT SCAN. IN my case that means I can manage it and live a long life thru breathing exercises and cardiovascular exercises. I don't know if I help your cause but GOD BLESS YOU!
I have been diagnosed with COPD multiple times. Then I find a reputable pulmonologist to verify the diagnosis, and the pulmonologist each time tells me I don't have COPD. Rather, I have a bunch of genetic issues (I have checked it with a few genetics labs to be sure). Then I forget the COPD until another session. I really would like to know the whole picture, but I am learning. I know I have a pile of things... bronchiectasis, Clarkson's, many cancers (Barrett's, basal cell, etc.), Gelsolin, Warren-Warburg, several encephalopathy forms, etc. But no legitimate test has uncovered COPD. I am beginning to think that COPD, like so many other "diseases" are most commonly diagnosed when the doc simple has no idea what is wrong. There may really be a COPD, but I think at least half the diagnoses are mistaken. A good Whole Genome Sequencing would be much better.
Hi everyone,
I'm a 39 year old male, weighing 285 lbs and standing 6'4". A few months ago I started having an issue where I felt like I couldn't take a full deep breath. In order to actually get a satisfying breath I'd have to make myself yawn, but the satisfaction would be short lived and I'd quickly feel like I couldn't take a deep breath again. I soon developed anxiety over this feeling and found myself in the ER. They did an EKG and tested me for COVID, as well as for clots and any indication my heart was having a problem. Everything was fine and the concluded it was anxiety related. They gave me a few Ativan and Hydroxyzine to take home before I could see by PCP. They didn't help with the breathing, but they made me able to sleep.
I eventually went to my PCP who started me on Zoloft and gave me referrals to some specialists. I had a pulmonary lung function tests done and my lung capacity was 113% and all other functions were as expected. The portion of the test where I used an Albuterol inhaler showed no increase in function which pretty much ruled out asthma. I had chest X-rays which showed no signs of infection or pneumonia, etc. I saw a cardiologist who conducted an "echo", stress test, and put me in some machine that took pictures of my heart function. Everything was fine. I went to Gastro who didn't do much, but concluded it likely wasn't GERD or gastro related. I have occasional acid reflux, but treat it with Pepcid. Everyone concluded it's anxiety. I dealt with it for about 2 weeks before it got better. Since then, it's been coming and going and I can't figure out why.
I have general anxiety and depression. My psychiatrist prescribes Adderal which helps with my anxiety by allowing me to refocus my anxious energy. I know many people point to anxiety for this type of thing, but I really feel like I have my anxiety under control and the only time I get anxious is when I have this feeling of not being able to catch a breath. I used to smoke cannabis and would occasionally the same kind of feeling, which caused me to give it up entirely. I'm not sure if there was a connection there, but thought it might be relevant. Additionally, I have mild sleep apnea and use a CPAP. I also have fatty liver, but I'm working on weight reduction to help with that. I don't think it has any relevance, but thought I'd mention it.
Does anyone have any idea where I should look next to find a potential cause or treatment?
Threat level midnight~One of my favorite episodes of The Office! You chose a fun @name.
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
Not so fun is the breathing issue. You’re not alone in this!
We have a very active group of fellow members experiencing similar issues. @gabrielm @sprucy11 @jenh1128 @eamon11235 @vfparker are all currently having conversations with similar symptoms. Hopefully they’ll be able to offer some suggestions for you.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mysterious-shortness-of-breath/
Was there anything that changed in your eating, health, or activities that you can correlate with the first event?
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1 ReactionHi @threatlevelmidnight, I'd like to add my welcome. I have moved your message to the existing discussion called Mysterious shortness of breath as @loribmt suggested. I did this so that you can connect with members talking about similar issues that you're experiencing, like @gabrielem and how they've found resolutions.
You may also be interested in reviewing these related discussions:
- False Shortness of Breath (SOB) or pseudo-dyspnea: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/false-shortness-of-breath/
- Not sure if it’s anxiety or something else: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/not-sure-if-its-anxiety-or-something-else/
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