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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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Shortness of breath can be caused from vocal cord paralysis. Here is a description found on the internet:
Vocal fold paralysis (also known as vocal cord paralysis) is a voice disorder that occurs when one or both of the vocal folds don't open or close properly.
nidcd.nih.gov
Signs and symptoms of vocal cord paralysis may include:
1. A breathy quality to the voice
2. Hoarseness
3. Noisy breathing
4. Loss of vocal pitch
5. Choking or coughing while swallowing food, drink or saliva
6. The need to take frequent breaths while speaking
7. Inability to speak loudly
8. Loss of your gag reflex
9. Ineffective coughing
10. Frequent throat clearing
I have had radiation for throat cancer, and Covid twice. One or both caused my vocal cords to become bilaterally paralyzed. A person can still talk, eat and drink with vocal cord paralysis (VCP). I say all this because before having a tracheotomy, my shortness of breath was very bad. Just bending down to pick a dandelion would cause me to gasp for air. Yawning was the only way to get a full, deep breath. Because my tissues have been radiated, conventional treatments such as operating for VCP are not an option, as it could cause the area to literally rot. If you have an ENT perform a Nasal Endoscopy (virtually painless office procedure), you can rule out this condition as a cause for your problems. There are many options available to people with this problem if they have not received radiation. By the way, covid can cause VCP. I wish you all well, and hope you find out what is causing the problem.
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1 ReactionHave your spine checked; could be those bulging discs? Keep us posted please.
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1 ReactionAm trying vit D as well. Just checking if you still feel improvement on it.
By the way did u had a tight throat sensation as well?
I had been experiencing SOB like many of you in thread for a few years. Started following this thread a long time ago in the hopes of finding a solution. It was a battle every day to breathe calmly and get the satisfying sensation of a "deep breath".
One thing that I correlated with this issue for myself was GERD (acid reflux.) I had, for years, been experiencing nightly reflux. I have since fixed my reflux issue for the last 2 years by first going on a carnivore diet. Best thing I've ever done for health. Was a great reset to begin adding back foods that agreed with me. I no longer experience any reflux symptoms and am healthier than ever.
While the years I spent concentrating on my breathing to get through the day have left me with a sort of conscious attending to of my breath, I no longer think about breathing anymore and am experiencing satisfying breaths constantly! This issue was pure hell for me and caused many panic inducing episodes, I can finally declare myself to have corrected this issue.
Other things I have done include daily exercise once my breathing started improving, as well as sporting activities during the week (tennis.) I am posting this here in hopes someone that may have a similar cause can maybe try this. I would not wish the experience on anybody. I still do not consume vegetables. My diet is centered around animal products and fruit. My biomarkers are excellent, apart from a higher than normal cholesterol. Although, my calcification levels are zero.I do not subscribe to the school of thought around cholesterol being an indicator for declining health (in the absence of metabolic syndrome.) Good luck to any who are still experiencing SOB and I hope you can get past it.
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2 ReactionsHi @treesahni, have you been checked for the fatigue? Do you know of any other health issues that might be related?
This is a super long thread I know, but would be worth it to go through as much as you’re able since a lot of people have posted what has helped them
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2 ReactionsYes @finn22, do keep us updated. I have not had any surgery myself but it sounds like your surgery may have developed complications and side effects. Do you know if the issues you describe are related to each other?
But what mostly help alot from ur experience? Diet/medication/ just ignore the symptom?
Thank you for sharing! I believe GERD is a factor in many breathing issues. Did you ever take any medication to manage the GERD or did you just go straight to the diet change?
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2 ReactionsHello guys,
I have commented in this topic about few months ago and I just came back here because yet..no solution. Though, I have few updates that I would like to share and somethings that might be helpful to a lot of you guys.
I found out that my yawning mostly happens in the morning or at night (after I lay) which is why I still believe it's linked to my stomach. I have had H Pylori which I got rid of after antibiotics. I have taken different anti depressants for almost a year a half and I can tell you that they won't help the shortness of breath/yawning because the main cause is probably different, I had to stop the SSRIs by myself (which I don't recommend anyone taking them to do) because I felt like they're not helping at all.
Anxiety is PART of the symptoms and is definitely not the cause like everyone I met claims, I don't think I have anxiety more than others by nature but it's just what I'm going through that is making me anxious. I'm also dealing with OCD and Depression along with the Anxiety now, which all seem to be related to this yawning issue.
I always wake up bloated in the morning and that's when I keep yawning, I also do have a lot of air (I burp and fart a lot and yes they're stinky) and that's why I'm linking it to my gut still. I also have almost every single IBS symptom on a daily basis but I after 2 years dealing with this yawning drama I think I can give advices to people that are going through the same. I think my sinus issues make it worse with the dizziness and all. One very important advice I will give is that 60% of the breathing issue is worsened by the anxiety that comes with it, most of us feel like we can't hold breaths or are short of it while we really are not. Here's what helped me to get rid of the anxiety breathing and having to deal with the yawning only:
- Blow and empty your breath and lungs completely and then hold your breath (I used to do 10 secs then 20secs then 30secs) with empty lungs, it will feel really hard and scary at the beginning like it did to me (trust me you'd rather deal with the fear you'll get at first than this for a long term) but by practice I got very comfortable with it and it got completely rid of the fear I had in my mind from my breathing and do it every moment you remember it until your breathing anxiety calms down.
- Frequent diaphragm massages whenever it gets tight or the yawning makes it uncomfortable.
I also recommend trying this if you guys haven't:
- Do an H Pylori and SIBO test and check your colons with a gastrologist.
- If you have sinus issues make sure they're under control.
- Get rid of the Anxiety breathing (which I mentioned).
- Try apple cider vinegar or Betaine HCL if you think it's related to your gut.
- This won't kill you and you won't deal with it for the rest of your life, don't let anxiety/depression force a completely false idea into your head.
I think in my case it's related to either low stomach acid (which surprisingly causes heartburn and GERD) or sinus issues (which I'm trying my best to keep controlled) or SIBO. Because I have noticed that the yawning gets worse after I eat protein foods so I'm trying some different diets now. Don't let your doctors fool you, there is something wrong and we will beat this together.
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4 ReactionsHi buddy
Can i aske you what ssri medication and how long did you used ?
And if we want to measure intensity of sob
How much did you better when you used those medication from 1 to 10 ?