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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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Thanks for sharing @drrajeshvet. It's interesting because when my air hunger first came on back in 2012, I too noticed a big difference after having taken Vitamins, which I think Vitamin D was in there, and then iron. For whatever reason, the air hunger came back after a while, but I did find it interesting that the vitamins seemed to make the problem go away almost immediately. Not sure if there was a connection, but I can't help think that the vitamins helped in some way. I'm glad this has helped you.
There is definitely a connection in scientific terms. Well, As per research, Vitamin D has been associated with better lung function. Also low levels of Vit D have been reported in the patients suffering from asthma, wheezing and chest tightness..
Conversely, as per recent studies, Vit D deficiency has been associated with reduced lung function.
I has actually proved to be very beneficial for me.
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1 Reaction@drrajeshvet - Thank you for your post. I am new here. I underwent gall bladder removal surgery last month and started experiencing chest pains, and shortness of breath shortly after. They diagnosed me with pulmonary embolism and now I am on Eloquis/blood thinners. I am experiencing dyspnea and tiredness, along with arm and chest pain achiness from what I suspect is "trying to catch that next big breath". After being diagnosed with blood clots , I did become a bit obsessive and worried about my health. So, here I am searching the internet for answers. I will be seeing a cardio dr next week for further tests, but I was wondering on the dosage for the Vitamin D that you are taking. Normal recommendation, or higher dose?
hi all!
I have read many of the older posts from this discussion and it's the first time where I think I have really found people who are going through a lot of the same things I am. I don't know exactly when it started but I would say before summertime, probably sometime in April where I was laying down one night on my phone and went to take a deep breath, and noticed I couldn't. I instantly got up and started freaking out as I am a hypochondriac and suffer from anxiety a lot. The feeling went on for about a week and then I didn't notice it as much afterwards as it was summertime and I was distracted with friends etc. I would still sometimes notice that I couldn't get a satisfying breath in but I wasn't absolutely freaking out about it. A little after this summer it came back again even worse and now it has been going on for much longer probably a little over a month now. It has been causing me to lose sleep to the point of insomnia and begin having panic attacks that make it even worse. Recently went to the doctors for this breathing and a different problem with pain in chest and arms. Got told I have costochondritis which is basically an inflammation of the rib cage as it hurts to press on the left side of my sternum. They never linked this to my breathing though, basically just telling me that it's my anxiety and to just do breathing exercises/calming music, as if I haven't tried this already. I did many blood tests too and we're fine along with my oxygen saturation. Not a chest x ray though, they told me to come back if it was still happening and it is! So I'm going back soon. Oh and also I don't know if any of you are familiar with costochondritis, but do you think it's possible my sob could be from this? I'm sure the doctors would have told me that, but just wanted to see.
I also have costochondritis. Bless you. I do not have shortness of breath with it. Have they recommended a rescue inhaler such as Albuteral (no steroids in this one) for you to try? It may be worth it. Pryaing you get answers.
Thank you for sharing @bellaroseee. I'm glad you at least found us all here and that you're not alone. I've never heard of that condition before but inflammation may be contributing to the breathing issue. Have you talked to your doctor about possible treatments? I'm curious if treatment of that condition would help the breathing improve.
You mentioned that you do get anxiety, which can also contribute to breathing issues. Have you learned any coping strategies for the anxiety- breathing exercises, mental exercises, etc?
Dear Gabe. Thanks so much for this sharing. I am having this exact "feeling" now for the 3rd time. First 2 lasted a few days, with couple of years in-between.
I mentioned it to my doctor once, he did not seem to worry or want to act on it.
Your article gave so much information I am looking for.
The hardest is not to understand what's happening.
I am just in the beginning of this crusade, your sharing is priceless. Thank you again !
I will add that during these days I have had much more burps. So maybe reflux related problems I will try to investigate first.
Also so grateful to all other people who shared their experience.
Hi @leldina, thank you for sharing. Seems yours is acute and comes up occasionally. Hopefully your symptoms will subside soon. Have you done anything yet to deal with the reflux?
Hi everyone, thank you so much Gabe for the post. I've been suffering from this for the past 2 years, without knowing what it was and I genuinely felt completely alone. I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one having this weird disorder that most doctors either think its not important or went with totally wrong diagnostics.
Like most of us here, 2 years ago when I was driving, I suddenly had SOB out of nowhere. I am an anxious person overall but that period of my life was quite normal and stress-free actually. I went to the doctor, they checked everything, found nothing wrong and sent me to a psychiatrist. I used anti-depressants for 1.5 years, it overall helped me with my anxiety but the breathing problem was almost always there. I just didn't care about it like I used to because I wasn't necessarily worrying about it all the time. Its been a while since I'm off my meds now and I had some sleep apnea symptoms last week which freaked me out. Meanwhile I was having SOB on a daily basis, pretty much living with it, yawning at important meetings since I couldn't get enough breath.
I'm also suspicious its relevance with Laryngopharyngeal reflux. I've been showing its symptoms for a long time and 99% sure I have it, wasn't aware of the connection to SOB and its severity before. I'll be seeing a doctor about it soon and will update here with some results.
Thank you everyone for posting their experiences here.
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1 Reaction@jarv, I'm glad you found others with a similar experience. I know it always helps when you don't feel so alone like I did back in 2012 when this started for me. Since then, this community has been developed hopefully as a good resources for anyone with similar symptoms who can sift through and find something that could help.
Just recently I've been focused on my health more, where I've started walking daily and slowly improving my eating habits. For the first time in years, I've been off of PPIs for an extended time for my GERD and while I've had some reflux symptoms, it comes and goes. Whereas when I've tried in years past to get off of PPIs, I would have constant heartburn and reflux. So I still think there is some connection because my air hunger has also slowly improved at the same time.
I'd definitely be interested in knowing what your doctor has to say about your symptoms especially if they discover reflux. Let me know!