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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?
Lung Health | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (3422)Comment receiving replies
I also have been suffering intermittently my whole life, but daily since May 2020 when I thought I had COVID but tested negative. It is tolerable most times, but unsettling at others. I have also had various pulmonary and cardiac tests with normal results. I am mainly dismissed by doctors due to my fitness level and appearance. I am a runner and lift weights. My running pace has declined from averaging 8 minutes per mile to just under 10 and just under 9 on good days. I have to keep my pace down to maintain a tolerable breathing level. I notice steep climbs and a faster pace have to be toned down as the need for air is too strong to overcome. Also simple tasks such as standing from kneeling, climbing stairs, reaching for items in upper cabinets, getting up from a chair, etc. all cause a need for a full breath I cannot achieve. I have decided, as many of you have, to ignore it. I sympathize with you all and hope you find relief as I also pray for myself. It’s at least somewhat comforting, as crazy as it sounds, that others are also dealing with similar symptoms, although I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. Good luck and please share if you find something that cures it for you or if something is found that can be treated. Thanks for reading and take care
Replies to "I also have been suffering intermittently my whole life, but daily since May 2020 when I..."
This thread has really made me realize that we are not alone. I imagine what would happen if we started a group or a movement? Alone we are not strong but together we are. It's a rare condition, so the medical community doesn't pay as close attention to it as they would other things. It really does suck the joy out of life. Especially like you, I love to be active but in the last 2 years, I have barley gone running and because of depression and anxiety, I have gained weight. I was 185lb when this problem started 9 years ago and now I am 280 lbs. I have tried so many times to get back into running, there was a time I could run 7 minute miles for 3-4 miles straight, but not anymore. I want to get back to that.
Have you ever been diagnosed with Dystonia? I have Focal Eye Dystonia, and they say it could be the Dystonia is causing it but there's no solution that has been presented to me yet.
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@hard2breathe, glad you found this forum, but sorry that you're going through this. I also can only do as much physical activity as my breathing will allow. At the time this started for me, I tried to see if there was a nutrient deficiency that might have caused it, but pretty much everything came back normal. Did you get bloodwork done as part of your testing?
Do you notice if you're a mouth breather? Or do you breathe through your nose mostly?