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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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can u check ur pulse oximetry? this was the only indicator that something was off lung wise for me. it would drop while sitting and I did lots of yawning and have now had zero energy for over 3 yrs. I couldn't even move in my one story home without getting short of breath.
2 weeks ago I finally started oxygen 24/7 and it's given me a new lease on life so I can do chores around the house plus walk the dog and ride my bike. I'm so sorry u r feeling this way. it's so frustrating when tests come back normal too cause we feel and know somethings not right!!!
Hi @aircasar, I'm glad you found this forum! When you were checked after your fainting spell, did they do any exams that included bloodwork, heart rate, oxygen levels, etc? Did they rule out acute heat exhaustion, and are you aware of any condition you might have that could cause fainting?
I think there is a lot of connection between the gut and overall health. I'm always learning about that, but working on the gut health I think will help a lot of things, maybe even breathing issues.
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1 ReactionHi Everyone!
I started experiencing "air hunger" / "excess yawning" / hyperventilation at the end of November, 2019. I'm so glad to have found this thread. It helps to see some of the other paths you've all tried, and where you have or haven't had success. I thought I'd add my experience to the discussion.
I have always thought this started initially for me from stress/anxiety, because I had a very stressful week and seemed to literally be hyperventilating. The problem with the stress/anxiety as the whole picture / underlying cause, is that, since that first incident, the correlation between my mental state and my breathing issues is tenuous at best.
I would describe my situation like this: it starts with air hunger, just the feeling that I'm not filling my lungs as much as I need to, or getting enough air with each breath. Eventually, I start yawning, and then can't stop yawning or arching my back to try to get the air I feel I need. On the worst days, this starts morning or afternoon, and seems to gradually get worse until I finally go to sleep at night. On better days, it doesn't start until I literally lie down to sleep. I go for weeks or sometimes months with none of this at all. I play tennis, singles, and I can play an entire match without issue. Sure, my pulse goes way up, and I'm tired at the end, but most of the time I don't even think about my breathing more than once during the match. Activities where I bend a lot (gardening, house cleaning) sometimes trigger it. So can conversations where I'm talking a lot. I occasionally have chest pain, almost always on the left side, and sometimes I cannot sleep on my left side at all. I occasionally experience the pain in my left shoulder someone else mentioned (from yawning so much). I am occasionally tach-y, and have a fairly high resting heart rate to start with (runs in my family). Lately I've also noticed more chest-pounding when I first lie down at night, or change positions lying down. I occasionally feel dizzy upon standing, but have never fainted.
These are some of the things I've considered and some of the actions I've taken.
I got tested for asthma. Not only do I not have asthma, but tests indicated my lungs performed slightly better when exposed to the asthma-inducing stuff. Chest xray, nothing. Saw a pulmonologist. He dismissed the entire thing. I had a D-Dimer done on a day I was symptomatic (family history of emboli, maternal grandfather died at 62 of PE, and now with all the Covid-->clotting ...). That was negative.
I saw a gastroenterologist. He does not think it's GERD for me, but he did give me an Rx to rule it out (I haven't taken this, because I am hesitant to introduce new drugs). He was going to do an upper endoscopy to rule anything out there, but I have not gotten that scheduled yet (insurance, blah).
I know what pleurisy feels like (experienced this a lot from bleach exposure in my teens and twenties), and I know it's not that.
Correlations I've noticed: menstruation. This has become pretty clear. I've done some research, and it seems low progesterone / dropping progesterone can negatively affect breathing possibly for multiple reasons. I'd like to talk to my doctor about this further.
Cold air: As this has been going on for three years now, I've noticed that when the air turns colder (and/or dryer), that seems to make symptoms worse. What concerns me about this is that I read somewhere that if cold air causes dyspnea, it could indicate underlying cardiac problems. I have not been to a cardiologist or had any heart-related tests done.
Dust/Allergies: Do seem to be a possible trigger. I've even wondered whether there is something in our house causing issues. I no longer take Zyrtec because I read that long-term use could cause chest pain (which I was experiencing). I do feel that I often have low-level drainage. I suspect dairy. I have not tried to eliminate it.
POTS or related: I did a blood pressure test to check for this, and that was fine. Nonetheless, as I mentioned, I often become lightheaded when bending over and/or changing position frequently. I seem to have weird issues changing positions lying down.
Long Covid: Covid is causing so many post-acute-infection issues at the vascular level and to all organs. The only infection I know for sure I had was in January, 2022, but with all the exposure we've all had, even taking precautions (I still wear an N-95 mask), I wonder.
Anyway, thanks for starting this thread, and I will report back if I ever feel I get more definitive information about my own situation. I wish you all the best, too.
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1 ReactionAfter fainting I saw a heart specialist and they put something on my chest to record heart beat for 2 weeks. I forgot what it’s called. EKG was normal. I used to have a heart murmur but that also appears to be gone. I’m only 140 pounds 5’11 so pretty skinny. While it was hot out the day I fainted, I could tell right away I was getting dizzy because when I chased the ball, my heart rate increased and my breathing became heavier. I felt I wasn’t getting enough oxygen. I have a monitor to check blood oxygen and it typically is at 99 but drops to 94-95 a lot when I felt I was struggling. Not a massive drop but might be something. The drs best guess was I had a lot of gas build up and it could be causing the feeling of not getting a good breath. It’s worse when sitting by far. Especially with seat belt. I’m able to manage things better and am hoping maybe they are right but I just have a hard time believing it’s that simple.
I initially believed I had a heart attack because I was very stressed for months leading up to the symptoms becoming very bad. I knew I wasn’t handling stress well. The drs just ordered for more
Blood work. I just gave blood 4 months ago and was told nothing looked out abnormal. I will go in and do that next week. Thanks for your response
Hi @erinmck32, I'm glad you found this forum too! The good thing for you is that it that the air hunger seems to come and go. When mine first started, it was constant except at night when I was sleeping. Now, it varies from mild to not as mild, but isn't too bad.
You seemed to have ruled out a lot of possibilities, which is good. Other things I've read that could contribute or cause air hunger would be certain mineral deficiencies, like vitamin B12, or iron. Something to consider as you mentioned that your symptoms coincide with menstruation. It's possible there is some deficiency along with that. People have mentioned Vocal Chord Dysfunction, so something to look into if you haven't yet.
Do you plan on getting your heart checked out as well with a cardiologist? It would be interesting to know if there's anything there or if that can be ruled out as well.
At least you can rule out heart issues, unless there's something there that a more in depth analysis would catch. But usually normal EKG and heart monitoring seems to indicate your heart functioning normally. You also seem to have normal blood O2. Mine is anywhere from 91-98 at any given time, but I don't notice any difference if it's on the lower side. But for you, as you said, it could be something. Have you been checked for asthma or sports-induced asthma? People who have sports induced asthma can experience shortness of breath, air hunger, or get extremely tired and exhausted after short sessions.
Have you explored trying to pinpoint the gas possibility? Like maybe with OTC gas medicines or change in diet? Gas build up can certainly interfere with breathing muscles especially if there's a lot of build up.
I was diagnosed with paralyzed right diaphragm earlier this year while being evaluated for post Covid lung scarring. It seems to be a problem when walk-in “up” stairs.
Since Covid I have also been diagnosed with poly peripheral neuropathy and anxiety which comes out of nowhere and daily bouts of fatigue, which kicks my butt.
I am beginning to think this is my “new normal”.
Best wishes for finding the answer and then doing what you can to minimize the effects it is having on the quality of your life.
Thanks for sharing @kid2thdr. Can the doctors do anything about the paralyzed diaphragm? And does it just affect situations where you’re exerting yourself like waking up stairs as you mentioned or do you have a constant shortness of breath?
It appears there is no treatment. Many people evidently have it and don’t even know it until found in a routine CXR by a radiologist with keen eyes.
Mine is paralyzed in the “up” position, which places my lung in the “smallest volume” possible.
It seems to affect me most when walking up stairs. I can handle 2 flights, but then it’s as if someone sucks the air out of the room. So I am learning to be “mindful” about any unnecessary exertion when possible.
Interesting. I've never heard of that before, but could definitely explain what you're experiencing. I know there are different diaphragm strengthening exercises, so I'm wondering if you can do exercises to help strengthen it, and maybe even get it to move somewhat normally again. If you Google 'diaphragm exercises' there are some good videos that I've used in the past to help me to use more of my diaphragm when breathing, which are also good strengthening and exercise moves. You might also be able to do lung expansion and breathing exercises to help expand the lungs. I'm partial to the Buteyko method, though it's not really to expand lungs but more of learning to breathe less, but I've looked into lung expansion therapy and various breathing exercises designed to both slow breathing while expanding the lungs such as the 4-7-8 method.