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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?
Lung Health | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (3422)Comment receiving replies
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?!?
Replies to "Good afternoon! Have been silently reading all of these stories for the past few days. I’m..."
@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.
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Hi @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?