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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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There is actually something to the obesity issue - if you have belly fat crowding your stomach, lungs, and your diaphragm - this can over time, incapacitate your diaphragm, and change the way your body was taught to breathe in the first place. . And, crowding of all of these things, can cause some nerve damage and the way that you breathe. Do some reading on this. De-conditioning (bring out of shape) added to all of this - could be part of this also. Belly fat for men and women, can definitely cause a shift in how you breathe. Finding the right kind of doctor to adequately address this issue beyond the typical response of - “just exercise and eat less”, is a challenge! I suspect, that the first thing that may need looked at is inflammation……which is usually at the root of most issues. Have you had your C Reactive Protein tested?…….You can have inflammation going on somewhere, and not realize it. The fact that the breathing issue comes and goes, makes me question a nerve problem somewhere due to abdominal crowding of sorts - or even odors that you may not realize bother you. Sensitivity to smells/odors (can be different than allergies), may not necessarily be evidenced by increased histamine in the body…….and trying to test someone’s sensitivity to several hundred odors, is virtually impossible. What bothers you today, may not bother you next week - or it could continue to bother you for months and years - and then suddenly stop irritating you. Getting your body to ramp down on over-responsiveness and inflammation (both of which can be silent) is something you can start to tackle right away - but get some professional help with the strategy. A bonafide naturopathic doctor would be a good place to start on this issue. . Then start looking at the anatomical issues - and you definitely do have some clues to start with……
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2 ReactionsI am beyond glad that I found this post. I am always a bit wary of just googling my symptoms. I recall having this strange SOB sensation a little over a year ago; it came suddenly and obviously left suddenly because I can't remember the exact dates. In the midst of COVID it made me very anxious, but I had zero other symptoms and otherwise felt well.
Now in February I did test positive for COVID with mild symptoms, none of which were SOB. After clearing that, I started experiencing a tight chest, and SOB feeling. My doctor attributed it to COVID. It wasn't the winded feeling that I did experience during Covid, it was a strange SOB that would come on suddenly whether I was going up the stairs or just sitting still. The best way to describe is picture yourself taking a nice deep yawn, and NOT catching that last satisfying gulp of air that ends the yawn. That's what I feel throughout the day. Doctors are still giving me steroid inhalers in case asthma is involved, allergy medications, as well as anxiety medication in case it is anxiety. None of it seems to be helping. I do feel anxious and frustrated when I take those breaths and can't find that final gulp of satisfying air. I am not a big fan of lots of medications and would greatly prefer something natural, but for now this strange shortness of breath that comes and goes is quite tiring. I find myself yawning continuously sometimes just to see if I can get a complete deep breath. Or walking with my arms stretched upright to extend my torso. Going on 4 weeks with this sensation.
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2 ReactionsYou are describing everything I feel. I am similar age as well. However, I do get anxious. I did have bloodwork, and chest xray which were clear. I have not had an EKG, but am scheduled for the lung function test. I need to follow this conversation as this makes me anxious.
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1 ReactionHolding your arms stretched out above your head while laying flat, also seems to extinguish sob. I do think that our environment has changed drastically since the 1960’s - more pollution, processed foods, less down time, increased stress - has all contributed to the inflammation in our bodies - and dampered our immune systems………
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1 ReactionYes, you explained it clearly… it’s horrible. I’ve experienced this past year, as well. I recently had ACDF surgery on C 5/6 Because I was short of breath upon minimal exertion for nine years along with becoming off-balance and my thumb had gone numb. Finally after going to Cleveland clinic Johns Hopkins Hershey medical and all around Pennsylvania, a doctor that took a spinal x-ray upon my husbands request and discovered that I had a bulging disc and it was taken care of. There’s only three months ago but I’m hopeful that since the symptoms that were discussing now came on just this past year and perhaps it was related to that and once I’m completely healed it will be healed as well. I’m a little anxious that it may be due to another bulging disc at C3/4, Which would mean another surgery. But taking it a day at a time and thinking positive…
@camomma, I’m so sorry you’ve been dealing with this, but I’m glad you found this forum of people who have a similar experience. I know this makes you anxious as it did for me early on, but I just want to reassure you that despite the sensation, you are still able to get enough air and the symptoms are manageable. You mentioned you got bloodwork done- were there any abnormalities or nutrient deficiencies? How is your breathing during physical activity and sleep?
I can, and do, very much relate to your experience with this SOB situation. Mt personal journey with my SOB began three weeks after my first COVID vaccine which was May of 2021. Long, typical, story short...After three ER visits, numerous visits to my primary care..two different Pulmonologist's Dr's, Pulmonary function test, Chest x-rays, cat scans..Cartiologist exam to include EKG with a Stress test. Having prescribed various inhalers, allergy medications, anxiety medications. No determination was made for cause and, nothing has ended the SOB. Every test came back negative for abnormalities. Basically..EVERY specialist has told me I'm in perfect health and, can not recommend any further testing. As you made mention, my SOB comes and goes. I am a very active person physically but, I have found it most noticeable when simply sitting or, after a large meal. I must admit, the one medication I have been prescribed which, genuinely has helped, is Pantoprazole for, possible, Acid reflux. Could our SOB be gut related ? I've viewed several articles that it could be the root of this problem.
Hi Tonya,You may want to consider Babesia infection as the cause of your air hunger. That's what causes mine. May be a miracle answer, but the cure is a problem for some people like me (i.e., not cured by standard treatment).
Hi Jasomwg1,
I'm glad that the pantoprazole has helped you! Would you happen to have links to the articles you mentioned that relate SOB to the gut? I would love to read them. Thanks!
Hi Gabe,
Thanks for the update, happy you're managing your symptoms. As I told Tonya, you may want to consider Babesia infection as the cause of your air hunger. That's what causes mine. It also causes heart palpitations, bloating, and insomnia in me. May be a miracle answer, but the cure is a problem for some people like me (i.e., not cured by standard treatment).