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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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Hi @bermudezmabel, first of all, I'm sorry that you're going through this. I know just how you feel. When this first came on for me, it was 2012 and I was 26 and was also despairing that I would be dealing with this for a long time. However, when I incorporated the Buteyko breathing method, the problem disappeared for a while then came back a couple more times until it remained since about 2017. Though not as bad as when it first came about. So there is hope that it may go away, or at the very least it will improve. I know what you mean about it becoming unbearable. I felt that way too. But if it's any consolation, training my mind and my thinking over time to think thoughts of 'I'm not going to die, I will be fine' and 'there is an answer out there, I just have to keep looking' definitely helped me to come down from those moments of despair.
But part of the Butyeko method is, though difficult, to try to go as long as possible without taking a deep breath and start breathing only through your nose as much as you can. Doing these things helped the symptoms go away for me and helped me breathe more normally. I first learned it from a book by Patrick Mckeown called "Close Your Mouth". He also has other books out that are probably worth checking out.
Then I eventually took an online Zoom breathing course through this organization; https://www.learnbuteykoonline.net/
Have you had any lung function tests done? I assume so since you've seen many specialists, but how were those results?
Please keep in touch. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need, I'm happy to share more of my experience and what else has helped me.
I play a round of golf in my head when I go to bed. It helps distract me when I start coughing after I lay down with my head on the pillow. Yes, I elevate my bed also to help with the breathing. I have a breathing problem that has been diagnosed as pulmonary fibrosis -- scarring of the lungs. I do get a shortness of breath walking uphill in the winter but I try to breath through my nose as much as possible. I'm also thinking of wearing a mask or buff to keep my breath warmer. Hope some of this helps.
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1 ReactionThank you for responding, and really appreciate your staying active over all these years!
The anxiety I feel while having this mysterious SOB is similar to something like "when you are about to get called on stage to speak in front of 10000 people", or "hearing really daunting news and your heart drops" - just picture those feelings lasting hours...not unbearable but definitely annoying and concerning. I find journaling very helpful, and any type of distraction to take that feeling out of my mind is helpful (cooking, stretching exercises, going for a walk where there's something to see so that I don't have to have a conversation in my head).
As you predicted, my doctor suspected GERD (I did have GERD history many years ago) and asked me to take meds (Famotidine) for a week or two to see if it improves before doing other exams - we'll see...
@entno8, I'm glad you're doing various things to help with the anxiety. I did the same thing as well and have various things that I do to deal with the anxiety. Although these days I don't have it as much because I've accepted that I will be dealing with it to some degree and I've trained my mind to remain calm if I have a bad bout of symptoms know that I'm going to be ok. But I journal sometimes (not as much as I should- I'd like to be more consistent about it) and other forms of distractions and relaxation like walking or woodworking, etc.
Let me know how the meds help with the GERD. I'm always trying to find ways to combat that for me. Right now it's taking Prilosec daily, so that helps with symptoms but would like to ween off it soon.
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4 ReactionsWoodworking and walking sounds really nice any day! Glad to know that you find all those wonderful ways to make peace with this 🙂
After taking Famotidine for a week I feel much better in terms of the mysterious shortness of breath. Still experience it about once a day (only for a couple deep breaths) but I guess that's good enough...Thank you again for this post and all the responses! I'll check back. Wish everyone well here:)
Strange question. I haven't posted on here in a while. To update, still have mysterious shortness of breath. Woohoo. It's been , I think 4 years now. Anyways, I'm going on a vacation at the end of February and I haven't been on a plane since my sob began. I guess I'm worried it will be worse on a plane, what with the lack of oxygen. Have any of you been on a plane with your sob? Did it feel any different? Really don't want to have a panic attack on a plane.
Any replies would be helpful.
I have this exact same problem. It normally happens to me when I’m sitting - I’ve never noticed when walking around/exercising. I have no idea why. I also have bad acid reflux and a minorly elevated liver. That’s all I know at this time, but I’m also looking for answers!
That's wonderful news! I'm really glad it's gotten better and the Famotidine is helping. I've read that GERD and acid reflux can definitely cause or contribute to a sense of air hunger. I hope it goes away entirely, but glad it seems to have gotten way better. That's always great to hear. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing!
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1 Reaction@tamaracaitlin, that's interesting that you bring that up! Planes used to scare me some a while back mostly because of just sitting there. I have found that the mental aspect of just telling myself that it's no different than me going on a long drive, or sitting at my desk at work, definitely helps with that. I also just keep myself distracted as much as possible, i.e. watching the in flight entertainment, playing Sudoku on my phone, reading, etc. All these things have helped me to not worry about flying. I don't think there's a lack of oxygen on the plane, but it might feel different simply because you're flying, but it doesn't really bother me, so long as I do some of the things above, and if I can keep my sinuses clear. If you're traveling with someone, that also tends to helps me a lot because the focus of the conversation. I was having a particularly rough time a few months ago on a work trip traveling to New York only because my sinuses were flaring up, but I ended talking to a nice lady the whole way and that helped me get through it. So just mentally telling yourself you'll be fine, plenty of options for focusing on something, and conversation. Let me know how it goes! It's not bad at all so long as you have tools in the toolbox. Oh one more thing...breathing exercises and slow breathing while you're in flight. Once I am able to get the satisfying breath, I exhale as slowly as I can.
@emilyb33, we're certainly all looking for answers, so you're not alone! 🙂 That seems to be pretty common around here; when sitting or idling is when the breathing issues tend to flare up for a lot of people likely due to the fact that we tend to focus on our breathing issue when we're just sitting. Walking definitely helps me as well as being distracted. Are you being treated for your reflux?