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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?
Lung Health | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (3422)Comment receiving replies
Hi, I have had all the symptoms of SOB that you have had for 30yrs.
I’ve gone from doctor to doctor to doctor with all of them saying nothing is wrong with me, also eventually telling me it was “all in my head” & to see a therapist about stress. I also don’t have a stressful life. I’m happily married & don’t work because I have financial security.
I do have acid reflux which I also treat with a ppi. I also have hypertension which was caused by lack of exercise because of the 30 years of SOB. I try to exercise as much as I can tolerate but it’s becoming less & less tolerable. Recently I was diagnosed with sleep apnea which isn’t surprising considering I have to yawn a lot to get a full breath. I’m suspicious that the sob is caused by an inefficient upper airway and that’s why we’re constantly yawning to get air in through the mouth since yawning opens the airway some. I started using a cpap machine for 4 hours every morning after waking. I’ve had good results. There’s some research showing how cpaps can help with SOB by strengthening the opening in the upper airway.
I’m also going to see an ENT to see if there’s some kind of narrowing in my upper airway that can be repaired. I have read some about how constantly yawning to get air Can weaken your upper airway making the sob worse. I definitely noticed the sob getting worse as I got older.
I Can relate to your frustration and would love to here about anything you discover that helps. I’ll follow up on here after my ENT appointment. Please let me know your thoughts if possible
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Hi @treesahni, wow 30 years! That's great that you have such financial security. Definitely a big plus with a condition like this. It is certainly frustrating when faced with people who tell you it's in your head. I've learned to give doctors the benefit of the doubt in realizing that most are generalists who don't know quite know where to point you, but at least try to point you somewhere.
As for the acid reflux, how long have you been on PPIs? Have you ever had any 'breakthrough' symptoms, i.e., every now and then still have some heartburn despite being on PPIs?
What sort of exercise have you been doing? While I do some moderate to heavier exercise such as weightlifting as much as my breathing can tolerate, I've recently found that frequent walks (about 20-30 min twice a day) serves as adequate exercise while allowing my breathing to be maintained as normal. Have you considered mild exercise such as walking?
Seeing an ENT I think would be worthwhile; they may also check for Vocal Cord Dysfunction which can also possibly cause this air hunger sensation. Let me know how that appointment goes- I'd like to know if they end up finding any abnormalities.