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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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About a month ago my breathing all of a sudden became worse. Nothing helped except lying down when it would return to normal. I have since gone on oxygen but not all the time. I only use it after exertion (cleaning, cooking) and don't need it sleeping. I am hoping to ween myself off, if I can. Here in Canada the government pays for this service. I am hoping my doctor has some answers for me after my scope in January. Good luck and Merry Christmas!
Hi! Sorry about the delay. I haven't checked this forum in a while
Let me send you the link again. I am still in that program and I am doing a bit better but it does take time and patience. The big key is that the breathing issue is a learned/sub-conscious breathing pattern that isn't correct. He calls it an interference. Alexander (who came up with the Alexander Technique) also calls it that. And this interference leads to this need to take a deep breath and a sensation of breathlessness. So the whole course is intended to use the mind's eye (visualization) to release tension in the areas that lead to the breathlessness. But you will learn to release tension in your body as a whole. It's a very relaxing practice called constructive rest. The big key is that when you are super focused on something, the sensation goes away. That is huge and it makes sense that it is something that I am doing that is causing the breathing issue. Unfortunately, what we do is very sub-conscious and in order to reverse it, we need to become aware of the habits and interferences and undo them. Anyway, that's a summary. So far it is helping a little, but something makes me think this is the solution to my problem personally. It checks most of the boxes.
https://www.simonspire.com/breathing
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1 ReactionHave your spine checked for bulging discs perhaps? I had a breathing problem due to that. Good luck
Bro you were my inspiration I saw your video talking about buteyko. Buteyko kept me perfect for months but it came back two weeks ago. I was trying to find you on Facebook to ask you what your mistakes were that the SOB returned. I haven’t lost faith, I know hvs is the cause and buteyko is the cure, I think though the body goes through old symptoms at certain Cp levels. It makes me sad to know that I might never be rid of this all year round. But we both know what buteyko can do, feeling no sob for months. I’m going to talk to buteyko teachers soon, but I’ve seen buteyko rebound mentioned where the body wants to get rid of C02 so it gives you a feeling it knows will cause you to take deep breaths be that headaches, anxiety, feeling unwell, or for us SOB. I felt this return of symptoms after a day of doing the most buteyko ever, stayed for a week until I stopped doing buteyko and breathing heavy through nose my nose felt quite stuffy but I didn’t feel the sob. Came back though I believe it’s from a reaction of change in the body, and such changes in c02 happens so much when you are an overbreather your C02 will go very low to low. And that causes you to breathe more which puts you in an endless cycle of a few hours or moments of complete relief until you breathe more. If I can get your name on a different platform id really like to keep in touch, be that reddit or discord (both have a huge buteyko community). Any advice also to get rid of your returns of sob
hey. i hope you see this. although it wont be helpful. i just wanted to say that i have the same thing and it's been 10 years now since it started. i am resigned to living with it. i can get through the day just fine with all the distractions, going to bed is the scary part...when its just me and my thoughts. i went to one doctor that told me it is a "chest cramp" he gave me a medication and a chest ointment but i did it for 4 days and stopped cause it seemed pointless...if you see this message. try and get back to me. i am going back to the doctor to try the treatement for good this time. if it works i'd like to tell you about it.
i know a lot of people say "i know how you feel" when they actually don't, but you described exactly what i've been living with for the last 10 years. all i can say is to be strong. accept it for now. you wont die. it cant kill you. it's just uncomfortable.
had it for 10 years now. i'm ready to live with it knowing i can pop myself in the head if it ever gets really bad. oh well.
Hey @yessir321, I'm glad you haven't lost faith. I think it's paramount to keep up hope and keep searching for answers especially for a mysterious condition. I know it makes you sad that symptoms could come up, but I encourage you to remain optimistic that there are solutions that will keep symptoms at bay. Mine comes and goes throughout the year, but am still able to maintain a normal life despite the symptoms increasing a little bit. But there's the knowledge that they will come back down.
As far as mistakes, I would say the only mistake I made or the thing I wish I would've done was to keep up the breathing exercises and physical exercise even when the symptoms were pretty much gone. Early on back in 2014, I thought of Buteyko as a bandaid and not something I needed to keep up with, so when the air hunger came back then, it came back with a vengeance and was more difficult each time to get rid of. So now I'm stuck with it, but it is at least mild most of the time except for when my sinuses are bothering me. I wonder if the air hunger would never have returned had I kept up with regular exercise and breathing exercises.
A lot of variables can affect breathing, such as how much you exercise, your diet and lifestyle, how you respond to stress, etc. So I think there are many things to consider when trying to get rid of the symptoms, like improving the diet, exercising more, finding ways to positively respond to stress and keep a positive mindset. But it seems like you're keeping on top of it the best you can. How's your physical exercise routine? I think this is an important aspect of Buteyko; moderate exercise with controlled breathing.
Thank you for sharing your story and let me know how you progress.
Hi @roberto9319, thank you for sharing your story. I've had my air hunger for about 10 years as well. I know what you mean about going to bed. I've noticed that I tend to focus on the air hunger more when I'm trying to sleep and it seems to be worse if I'm lying down. So now I start my night sleeping sitting up in a recliner then move to the bed when I know I can fall asleep quickly. I've learned to live with it, but doing breathing exercises and physical exercise definitely helps to keep symptoms at bay. So I can live a normal life, just not do certain things like high level physical exercise or climbing up long flights of stairs. Things like that where if I push myself too hard, then I really feel extreme air hunger.
Definitely let me know how your treatment goes! It's always good to hear from others how things are going with them and how various treatments affect symptoms. I hope that the treatment helps you.
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1 ReactionPlease have an X-RAY or MRI done of your spine. I had a pinched nerve causing my particular breathing problem.
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1 ReactionI really know how you feel as I have suffered with this a lot in my life. Thankfully I don't get it a lot these days as I discovered what caused it for me just from keeping track of what I eat. I did lots of food allergy tests and they were all negative. I know that my SOB is from food, especially soya, preservatives and sulfites.
About 12 years ago I took some Omega 3 capsules, every day for a couple of weeks, I then noticed that I was feeling more anxious, very short of breath, inhalor didn't work and could feel the adrenaline flowing though my body. I could barely walk I had to bring my mother from overseas to help me with the kids. I stopped taking the Omega 3's and over the next few weeks the symptoms went away and the anxiety stopped. One thing stayed with me though and it was shortness of breath, it was so bad I felt like I had half the lung capacity and I couldn't do even the slightest exercise or walk fast. After a few weeks of this I decided to look at what I was eating. I was eating these crackers every day which had soya flour and sulftes in them. I cut out soya (oil/protein/Lecithin) completely and within 3 days my SOB thank G-d was gone! I had 100% lung capacity and that feeling of not enough air dissapeared. So on the rare occasion I'll eat a bar of chocolate without checking for soya protein and I'll feel like I have SOB. It's not asthma, I don't wheeze, its that my lung muscles feel tight and I cant get a full breath. This lasts for and hour or 2 until it wears off. I really suggest to everyone here, keep a food diary for few weeks. Write down everything you eat and write down when you feel SOB. It could be preservatives, sulfites, soy, dairy anything!!!! Read all the ingredients including the e-numbers. Look for a pattern. I think for me is that the Omega 3 was in base of soya oil, and my body reacted to it in a certain way and then from then on it trigged a reaction when I ate some. Hope this helps someone!
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