Connect
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.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Health Support Group.
Connect
@mostafamahjoori, thank you for the update! I'm glad that what you are doing is helping
Hi @rainerl, it's definitely possible that food could be a factor in something like this. Some foods cause allergies, inflammation, GI issues, etc. It's always worth making changes in diet to see what works and what doesn't. How long have you been dealing with the air hunger?
Good afternoon! Have been silently reading all of these stories for the past few days. I’m in shock about how many of your stories resemble mine. First, I quit smoking in March of 2012 after approximately 25 years of 3/4 packs per day. For the past 10 years I’ve experienced intermittent chest pains. I’ve had every non invasive cardiac test done and all came back normal. The diagnosis ended up being Costochondritis. In February of 2021, I tested positive for COVID. Symptoms were pretty mild only lasting 1-2 days. But I began experiencing intermittent SOB. They type of SOB where I can’t catch a satisfying deep breath that I starve for. Eventually it achieves the deep breath and it’s satisfied but only for a short period of time. At first, the SOB was sporadic. Every few days lasting for a day or two and then resolving and staying away for a week or longer but it always returned. In the summer of 2021, I was diagnosed with hypertension. All cardiac tests (CT w/contrast of the chest, ECHO, stress, Holter etc. etc.) were repeated and all tests were found to be normal. No plaques or blockages by CT. The SOB continues and became more frequent. In November of 2021, I saw a Pulmonologist. Pulmonary Function Tests were performed and I was cleared for COPD and any lung disease. SOB improved slightly for a period of time. In February of 2022, I tested positive for COVID AGAIN. This time the virus seemed to get into my lungs as I had a respiratory infection for about a week or so. It took a couple weeks for it to totally clear but the SOB returned much more frequently. In May of 2022, I saw a different Pulmonologist. He ordered PFT and sleep apnea study. As of this morning June 22,2022 I’ve been cleared of COOD and any interstitial lung disease by two different pulmonogist groups. Further, my yearly ECHO done in early June was normal. Where do I stand?!?!? I have pretty consistent SOB, starving for air, excessive yawning. No cough, little to no sputum or phlegm, under control BP and heart rate. I ran 4 miles last night w/ any issues. It seems when I climb stairs my legs get very tired quickly. The NOT KNOWING is really bothering me. Anxiety?!? I’m taking Buspirone. GERD?!? I take Protonix! I’m at a loss. I’m 5’9 and weigh 210 lbs. I’m a pretty muscular guy with some extra weight. Could it be I need to lose a few pounds?!? Diaphragm issue?!?
I also struggle with SOB. I am 48. For me it started after I had Covid. I assumed it was related but now I don't know. The first time it didn't last that long. Then it went away for a about a year and returned. I go to the gym 5 days a week and don't have any issues working out, but throughout the day I struggle to get a breath that is satisfying. I have been to the Dr's. No heart or lung issues detected. Dr gave me Xanax. Said it was probably anxiety. It's not anxiety. Don't get me wrong we all have those stressful days, but I can assure you it's not anxiety. I try different breathing techniques to get through the day but not knowing what is causing this is frustrating.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi @dcm8299, I'm sorry that you're going through this. I know how you feel, especially when I also felt like I was at a loss when it first began for me. Sounds like you've been tested for a lot of breathing related issues. Have you had other tests done, such as blood draw/analysis, spirometer lung test, allergies, etc? You mentioned about GERD- was this something you have or something you could be tested for?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi @zkingsley, how often do you struggle with trying to get a good breath? Is it all day every day or does it comer and go?
If the anxiety medication isn't helping, it may not be anxiety. Though breathing exercises certainly do help with anxiety or other stressors. What sorts of breathing exercises have you been doing and how often? I've been using the buteyko method for a while to maintain my breathing and it has helped me in a variety of situations.
It is daily, and throughout the day. I use breathing exercises which definitely help. I just wish it would go away.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHello, I have been following this thread off and on since my SOB started back in the spring of 2020. Seems like alot of us are experiencing the exact same symptoms. I can go days and even weeks without alot of issues then it returns just as bad. For me it will usually get worse through out the day, just depends on the day. Like many others if I don't dwell on it and am really busy at work or something to keep my mind off it. But the minute I start thinking about it it gets worse! I've been to a couple of doctors they have no answers for me. Went to the ER one morning because my anxiety got the best of me. Chest xray EKG and oxygen levels all normal. It's been so frustrating and no one understands when I try to tell them about it. I'm 48 years old and in good health. Had asthma as a kid and still have some allergies. The one thing I do have that has been strange is excessive burping. I'm on Omeprazole and don't have much acid reflux issues. But I think that the burping and SOB are some how related? It's been very frustrating last few years!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@dcm8299, I am a 63-year-old woman, and had Covid twice--even after being vaccinated.
After the second bout, all the breathing symptoms you describe sound exactly like mine did.
I should add, that I went through radiation for throat cancer a few years prior, which did cause much mucus build-up. However, the breathing issue did not arise until after the Covid.
It took over one year, many doctors, all the usual pulmonary test, x-rays, (all normal) etc., before I received a scoping of the esophagus (in-office procedure). It was determined that my Vocal Cords are bilaterally paralyzed. My ability to eat, drink and speak are fine, but air could not get through properly, thus, the shortness of breath. I ended up with a Tracheotomy, which has greatly helped me. Also, Primetene Mist--the inhaler sold over-the-counter--was a miracle for me. Before the Tracheotomy, I would almost pass-out just bending over to pick something up off the ground. The Ephedrine in the inhaler is a God-send, and a must try. If the Pharmacist had not recommended that inhaler, I do believe I would have died. I hope you find out what is causing your shortness of breath.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you Gabe for reaching back out to me. To make a long story short, I’ve have lots of different blood work done and it’s always come back relatively normal. Cholesterol is good. Triglycerides are borderline high. ALT (liver enzymes) are borderline high, need to give up the hard liquor.
I’ve seen two different pulmonologist groups, both administered pulmonary function tests both resulted in normal lung function with one exception. The second group afministered and ABG (arterial blood gas) draw and found mild hypoxemia, 72. The doctor wasn’t all that concerned saying that the rest of your studies were way above average and that hypoxemia could be lots of things not to do with lung function or gas exchange. With regard to GERD, I still have some reflux depending on the foods that I eat. I’m trying to figure out specifically if a particular type of food triggers it. Meanwhile, I am on Protonix. It appears to be aiding in reducing the frequency of the reflux. I’m in the process of trying to convince the GI doctor to perform an endoscopy.