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Things that help False Shortness of Breath (SOB) or pseudo-dyspnea
Lung Health | Last Active: Jan 31, 2023 | Replies (39)Comment receiving replies
Hi, I have had shortness of breath for over 10 years. It started when i was around 14 (comes and goes but when i do have it stays for a good 2 months at a time). I've tried to tie so many things together to see what the cause is and honestly have no clue! I had lung scans with a dye put in me (all clear), heart scan (all clear), an ecg for 1 week (all clear), ENT (said i have allergies so i am keeping on top of them i,e, cleaning my bedroom/bed linen regularly). However, i am still experiencing the shortness of breath. The Doctors said i have mild hyperventilation and recommended i see a physio. I have seen a physio over the last year and it's helped me to manage it better but it is still very irritating. I do the diaphragm and back exercises to loosen my trunk. I am very distressed by this. I don't like talking as much when i am experiencing this so called 'SOB'. I exercise regularly 3 to 5x a week and i am fine. This has affected my mood significantly. I am 27 and can't even enjoy life because of this. Sometimes i am talking to people and i feel like i can't get enough air i.e. SOB. I've never taken anything for acid reflux and never thought i even had it, so i am going to try this for a few days. This has caused me tremendous agony and distress over the years, so i am optimistic and hopeful that acid reflux (over the counter) medication can help. I will be so ecstatic if it does.
Replies to "Hi, I have had shortness of breath for over 10 years. It started when i was..."
Hi@shak11, sounds like you have something similar to what I do. I characterize mine as more of a “air hunger” or dyspnea than a shortness of breathe that would be more along the lines of labored breathing. Would you say you have more labored breathing, or the sensation of empty lungs with the inability to satisfy that need for air?
Hi @shak11 - you're not alone in this. I too have been dealing with this for the better, (or should I say worse) part of my life. Although I'm almost forty you sound very much like me. I was always an athlete growing and still lift heavy weights and have no problems running at least 5 or 6 miles at a time. I too, starting today am trying Prilosec starting today to see if this is what I've been looking for. Please let me know how it goes for you. Hang in there.
Travis
I have intermittent shortness of breathe primarily at night ( while lying down ) I was always properly oxygenated per a pulse ox device but couldn't get a satisfying breathe, it's extremely frustrating! I didn't experience shortness during physical activity, after much frustration and searching I found some obscure page on the internet from a Dr about pseudo-dyspnea, as related to gird , I don't experience actual heartburn. The page said take Gas-X for the simethicone and Zantac. It cured me in 10 minutes. Now several years on it has started to trouble me again and now you can't get Zantac, I looked up the active ingredient of Zantac and found it to be a histamine blocker that also happens to be the cancer causing agent so I took Claritin and Gas-X and I just had the first good nights sleep I've had in a couple of weeks.
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Hi @shak11
As you search for answers, I also encourage you to read and join in this related discussion:
- Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mysterious-shortness-of-breath/