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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?
Lung Health | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (3424)Comment receiving replies
This post is so old, I highly doubt the response will even be noticed, but you described my symptoms to the letter. It has apparently become more and more prominent among people and I have started to wonder if it is a product of something environmental.
I have to be honest, at the time it all started, I smoked and was sure it had something to do with that. The lung doctor tested me for everything under the sun though, and could find no cause, INCLUDING SMOKING! 🤔
Later, I found this to be an issue for some, even if they didn’t smoke so I have come to my own conclusion that the only way to figure this out, is to find some commonality among those that suffer with this problem.
Mine has been so bad that I struggle to breathe at night. It wakes me up often. In my case, I also started snoring! So now, I have sleep apnea, which I didn’t have before.
I also have GERD, but am on long term medication for it.
I am no longer able to exercise and gave up on it because not being able to get deal breathes was making exercise EXTREMELY uncomfortable. So, here we are, two people, same problem, with no answers.
I answered your post though because I was hoping to maybe find out if they ever discovered anything or if you found something that worked.
I’d love to know because after 8 years of no exercise, I am over weight and out of shape and growing exhausted with the issue.
If you happen to see this, I’d love to know.
Replies to "This post is so old, I highly doubt the response will even be noticed, but you..."
Hi @jmsigmon, welcome to the group! Though the post is old, the forum is very active, so you’ve come to the right place!
I’m sorry that you’ve been dealing with this for so long. I have been too. You mentioned you struggle through the night. When it first started for me, I remember it affecting me less at night and more during the day. But every now and then it’ll wake me up at night until my breathing “resets”.
As far as finding something that has worked- I haven’t found a cure since I still deal with the air hunger but it is manageable and tolerable and it’s been this way for a few years. I manage it through breathing exercises using the Buteyko breathing method as well as light to moderate weight lifting and walking while doing only nasal breathing. This seems to keep it under control.
I have GERD as well but manage that through medication. I wonder if that contributes to the issue somehow, since many people here have commented that they have it. Vocal cord dysfunctional has come to mind and will be checked for that at some point so something you might want to look into.
Have you had other tests done besides lung tests? Have you had your heart checked, blood work, ekg, etc?
You mentioned not having exercised in 8 years. Now this is what I’ve noticed for me, but I believe lack of exercise is what lead to my second and third bouts of the air hunger a few years ago. Ever since then I’ve exercised at least 5 days a week for years. I would check with your doctor, but maybe doing very light exercise every day, and just do as much as your breathing allows, might help build up some cardiovascular tolerance and help your breathing. Even just very light weightlifting for 20 minutes with controlled breathing may help. And build up as your breathing improves. Something to think about.
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Hi @jmsigmon, welcome to Connect. Don’t be concerned that the original post is old. There’s no shortage of current conversations in the shortness of breath discussion.
Hang tight and I’m sure you’ll be in contact with @gabrielm @merryvonne @amirreza @buffyjane or @angelarho89 as they’ve been recently active over the past few days and weeks.
I sure hope you can find some answers or at least feel that you’re not alone in this struggle. I know you’re not able to exercise because of your breathing but do you feel confident in starting to do a little walking around your neighborhood just to get the blood flowing?