Connect
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.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Health Support Group.
Connect
@lindatonkin1, I understand. I know it can be nerve racking when it's possible you get a misdiagnosis or a dismissal of symptoms. What helped me is that I started thinking of this as a journey and part of the journey is to both find out what's not wrong with you and to improve all aspects of your health a little at time. And also, to know that whatever doctors say, you know yourself so you have the power to take what they may say with a grain of salt (if warranted of course). And to not be too disappointed if they don't turn up with anything or they misdiagnose you. Easier said than done of course, but I would offer to consider this a journey with a roadmap to learn about yourself as much as possible.
@gabrielm thank you for posting your experiences. I started having very similar symptoms in 2010 and wanted to share some of my knowledge. I went to the state hospital where I had chest X-rays, stress test, brain mri, abdominal ct, pulmonary function, and a few more with no conclusive results. I was eventually referred to psych where I was heavily medicated to reduce what they determined was stress induced SOB… that didn’t help either and eventually came off the meds. I then went to an allergist for allergy related stuff, and he gave me a test that measured how I breath in, and showed almost like a shake when I inhale. He had me do some breathing exercises that do help (basically sticking out my tongue and exhaling in huffing sounds). The other visit that help was GI were I was found to have a very acidic stomach and was put on Prilosec. I have noticed a correlation between eating certain foods like onions and garlic that lead to more heartburn and my air hunger symptoms… but not always. I have noticed that when I become overly tired, or after a workout the symptoms appear. I wish I had an answer, but after a decade have concluded I may have to deal with this the rest of my life. Sometimes it gets so bad, it triggers an anxiety attack, so I sympathize with everyone who has to deal with these “attacks” of breathless yawning.
It’s awful isn’t it? Have your spine X-rayed. I had a breathing problem due to pinched nerve. I had cervical anterior disckectomy with fusion which took care of it.
Hi @rrose, you've had this pretty much as long as I have. Thankfully I've been able to manage my symptoms for many of those years, and I hope I can offer some kind of help to manage yours.
What kind of exercise do you do and you push yourself pretty hard?
Has the Prilosec helped to reduce your air hunger symptoms at all?
Hi @ruthsobek, sorry that you’ve been experiencing this. I know it’s hard not knowing what the future holds but if it’s any indication, many people do find ways of coping, or otherwise become much improved over time.
Have you gotten any tests done at doctors recently to see if it could be sports induced asthma or something else?
A while back I was prescribed an inhaler as just something to see if that would change anything. Even if you don’t have asthma you could ask for an inhaler to try once or twice to see if it changes anything for you especially after exercise.
You do seem to have a healthy heart rate so there may be nothing with the heart. But if you’re seeing a doctor, it’s always good to get their opinion on if you should have heart tests done.
For normal breathing, do you breathe a lot through your mouth that you’re aware of? Any snoring at night?
Hello friends, I am Esra, I am writing to you from Turkey. I have been dealing with this problem for 3 years. I went to the doctor, they said reflux, they said anxiety, but my problem did not improve, I used antibiotics, I used stomach medicine and it did not go away. I can't breathe deeply, I'm trying to breathe by yawning. There is pressure in the stomach
Diaphragm problems are mentioned in my research. On Wednesday, I will go to chest diseases, otorhinolaryngology and general surgery, I will write everything in detail, we suffer from the same problems, I do not want to lose our communication, I will write again. I hope you don't mind my typos.
We are experiencing the same things, this incredible 3 years have been going on with me. But do not be afraid, everyone's disease may be 6 different. On Wednesday, I will go to chest diseases, otorhinolaryngology and general surgery, and I will write everything in detail, maybe it will help.
It's unbelievable, I have bulimia too, I'm so sorry, I'm really sorry to see that it's really caused by this, what is your latest situation, I have the same problems
Thanks for sharing @esra, I'm glad you know you're not alone. Thank you for offering to share your experience when you see the various specialists.
I wonder if there is something in or around the stomach that's causing this pressure. Something of an obstructions or maybe a diaphragm issue. But glad you're getting this looked at. Let us know what you find out!
I felt like I was reading my own story. I have been suffering from SOB for a couple of years. They have ruled out all medical causes. I was put on inhalers and antihistamines to no avail. Endoscopy, bloodwork, x-rays, pulmonology - nothing. I am exhausted and get into bed and can’t sleep for 3-5 hours due to SOB. Even during the day, just watching TV, I have SOB. I eat healthy, am thin, am doing all the right things for my body, I just can’t breathe. I’m glad and sorry that others endure this too. Maybe we’ll find a solution soon. Happy breathing to each of you.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction