1. < Lung Health
Mentor

Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?

Posted by Gabe, Volunteer Mentor @gabrielm, May 31, 2018

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Health Support Group.

mostafamahjoori | @mostafamahjoori | Dec 16, 2023
In reply to @yessir321 "This story upset me. I was diagnosed with a hernia I wasted 6 months miserable waiting..." + (show)
@yessir321

This story upset me. I was diagnosed with a hernia I wasted 6 months miserable waiting for sob to go and go and it never would I was scared to do anything I felt like I was gonna drop dead any second. Six months after a scope saw a hernia I did an ultrasound where there was no hernia or no significant hernia that would cause sob. Months later I finally saw what it was anxiety, I know you’ve been told this before and I would’ve said get out of here too. I really believe you have it. Look at my other posts. Dare, Shaan kassam and Claire weekes. Acceptance is how it goes away, doing nothing is how it goes away, stop caring about it and start only caring about life. It fixes itself by you doing nothing. That is acceptance. You have to live your life 100 percent as normal and bring this uncomfortable however horrible feeling(s) with you. It’s the only way. The more you try and focus on fixing it the worse it’ll get. And do not come back to me and say oh it’s been two weeks and it hasn’t worked. Anxiety is a paradox the more you care the more your body cares and looks for it the more it’ll find it be scared and produce more of it. I had zero mental anxiety when I had bad physical symptoms, but because I had it for so long and of course that means my reaction to symptoms was very poor I had to work on mental anxiety afterward when I stopped feeling physical sensations. But it is the same thing allowance. The more you try to rid yourself of a physical sensation/or a mental thought or whatever the worse it’ll get.

Jump to this post

Hi
I had zero mental anxiety when I had bad physical symptoms,

This is the key
I experience this too
When i getting sick and physical symptoms i forget this sense of anxiety 100 %

REPLY
vic83 | @vic83 | Dec 17, 2023
In reply to @gabrielm "@dcasta1, your situation sounds like mine from years ago when my breathing issue first came about...." + (show)
@gabrielm

@dcasta1, your situation sounds like mine from years ago when my breathing issue first came about. The panic attacks are definitely not fun. There were times it was bad and it triggered the feeling of panic so I had to learn how to calm down and deal with those.

I'm glad you were able to learn some things to keep the panic at bay. Have you looked into breathing exercises? As were a lurker in this thread, were you able to read about any breathing methods mentioned here? The one I always recommend is the Buteyko breathing method. There are a few people who teach it, but out of everything I've done, this breathing method is what helped me the most. It helped the air hunger go away completely for a couple of years early on when mine first came up, but I still use it today to keep the air hunger at bay. I especially learned "rescue exercises" which helped if I felt a panic attack coming on.

I've been able to do physical exercise which has also helped with the breathing greatly. Are you involved in any sort of exercise routine?

You mentioned about a possible link between your diet and air hunger symptoms. Sometimes eating a lot of food or eating heavier foods can cause some interference with the diaphragm, which could exacerbate the underlying air hunger. It does the same thing for me; if I eat too much I find it more difficult to breathe, so early on when I was looking for ways to manage symptoms I would eat smaller meals spread throughout the day or fast for hours in the day or a few days. That seemed to help me a bit.

Jump to this post

I recall growing up that one was not to go swimming for an hour after eating....and I now do not exercise for an hour after eating. I have noticed more difficult if I do not wait.
Digestion requires support and that takes away from demand muscles have

REPLY
jasullivan3 | @jasullivan3 | Dec 19, 2023
In reply to @gabrielm "It sounds like it's possible that it could've been caused by getting Covid, but not for..." + (show)
@gabrielm

It sounds like it's possible that it could've been caused by getting Covid, but not for certain. I've heard of something called "long Covid" where some the symptoms either linger for a long time after the onset of initial symptoms or it leads to other symptoms that linger over the long term.

Yes I believe there are many ways to deal with the issue and improve it over time, and maybe even eliminate it.

Have you been able to exercise or do you normally exercise and how does the breathing issue affect that?

Jump to this post

Yes, I do feel it when I exercise, but it doesn't seem that intense. I do feel some relief after exercise, but it usually comes back within a few hours or the next day

REPLY
1 reply
jasullivan3 | @jasullivan3 | Dec 19, 2023
In reply to @tahiristan "Your sudden onset sounds a lot like mine. I wrote a whole article about it but..." + (show)
@tahiristan

Your sudden onset sounds a lot like mine. I wrote a whole article about it but I haven't posted it anywhere. If you're interested, I can message you.

I don't have a solution yet but I am working on one.

I mentioned LNB before on this thread, not sure how many people saw it but this is the closest I have found to a solution to this issue.

Jump to this post

I went ahead and decided to purchase the LNB course. Has anyone else had success with LNB or the Alexander Technique?

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1 reply
Mentor
Gabe, Volunteer Mentor | @gabrielm | Dec 19, 2023
In reply to @jasullivan3 "Yes, I do feel it when I exercise, but it doesn't seem that intense. I do..." + (show)
@jasullivan3

Yes, I do feel it when I exercise, but it doesn't seem that intense. I do feel some relief after exercise, but it usually comes back within a few hours or the next day

Jump to this post

What sort of exercise do you do? If your breathing improves afterward and into the next day, there may be some benefit to doing mild to moderate exercise daily with slow and controlled nasal breathing.

REPLY
1 reply
dcasta1 | @dcasta1 | Dec 19, 2023
In reply to @gabrielm "@dcasta1, your situation sounds like mine from years ago when my breathing issue first came about...." + (show)
@gabrielm

@dcasta1, your situation sounds like mine from years ago when my breathing issue first came about. The panic attacks are definitely not fun. There were times it was bad and it triggered the feeling of panic so I had to learn how to calm down and deal with those.

I'm glad you were able to learn some things to keep the panic at bay. Have you looked into breathing exercises? As were a lurker in this thread, were you able to read about any breathing methods mentioned here? The one I always recommend is the Buteyko breathing method. There are a few people who teach it, but out of everything I've done, this breathing method is what helped me the most. It helped the air hunger go away completely for a couple of years early on when mine first came up, but I still use it today to keep the air hunger at bay. I especially learned "rescue exercises" which helped if I felt a panic attack coming on.

I've been able to do physical exercise which has also helped with the breathing greatly. Are you involved in any sort of exercise routine?

You mentioned about a possible link between your diet and air hunger symptoms. Sometimes eating a lot of food or eating heavier foods can cause some interference with the diaphragm, which could exacerbate the underlying air hunger. It does the same thing for me; if I eat too much I find it more difficult to breathe, so early on when I was looking for ways to manage symptoms I would eat smaller meals spread throughout the day or fast for hours in the day or a few days. That seemed to help me a bit.

Jump to this post

I tried some breathing exercises I learned through the Calm app, but I did not feel that it helped me much. Regarding exercise, I used to do some light jogging for 30 minutes 3 times a week, however, I stopped after my second panic attack. I was so scared of having another panic attack that I stopped doing anything that would trigger my symptoms. I don't have any exercise routine at the moment.

Symptoms Update: I have been doing the colon cleanse for 5 days now. I also read a bit about the LNB and I'm not sure what has helped me the most.

Day 2 of the colon cleanse, I was still having the symptoms at a 75%. Meaning I was still having the urge to take a deep breath a least once every 1 to 2 hours and not being able to complete the deep breath at least 1/3 of the time. I did change the colon cleanse from taking the supplements to taking Olive oil and Lime on day 4.

I started to look into LNB the night of Day 2. I noticed the following.

- When I'm dealing with the symptom, I noticed that my stomach is sucked in. Kind of like flexing my stomach to not look fat. I was not aware of me doing this until I paid attention to my body.
- I try to take a deep breath with my chest and 1/3 of the time I'm not able to. Things that stood out are that I try to push my chest forward/upward and move my chin up trying to get that last piece of breath.

I'm currently doing the following after noticing the above.
1. Relax my stomach when I start to get the feeling of taking a deep breath. It gets a bit hard because at this point I switch to manual breathing since I focus on my breathing too much. So, I need to make sure I breathe slowly and through my stomach.
2. Take a deep breath with my stomach instead of my chest.

I would say that the symptoms are at a 95% controlled. The feeling sometimes goes away by just relaxing my stomach muscles and breathing slowly. If the feeling does not go away, then I'm able to take a deep breath 100% of the time by using my stomach instead of my chest. I'm giving it a 95% because I still get the feeling every few hours.

One thing that stands out is that the feeling of taking a deep breath feels different when I do it with my stomach than my chest. When taking a deep breath with my chest, I seem to breathe in until I feel some sensation in my chest that would indicate that the deep breath is completed, it's hard to describe the feeling. however, when I take a deep breath with my stomach, the deep breath is short, but fulfilling. More like a sigh rather than a yawn. Not sure if that makes sense.

I'm going to complete the 15-day cleanse and continue breathing through my stomach. I will update you guys in a few days.

REPLY
1 reply
jasullivan3 | @jasullivan3 | Dec 20, 2023
In reply to @gabrielm "What sort of exercise do you do? If your breathing improves afterward and into the next..." + (show)
@gabrielm

What sort of exercise do you do? If your breathing improves afterward and into the next day, there may be some benefit to doing mild to moderate exercise daily with slow and controlled nasal breathing.

Jump to this post

I try to run/jog a 5K 1-3 times a week & play basketball once a week for a few hours.

REPLY
1 reply
emmamary | @emmamary | Dec 21, 2023

Hi everyone,

I have the same problem.
I personally think it is due to anxiety. Anyone can suffer anxiety, in fact we all do. It is a natural state of our nervous system - your flight state to be more precise. It is pretty common for people to feel this flight energy if they aren't living the life they truly want to live, being on autopilot. This explains why a lot of people don't think they have anxiety when in fact they do. They just don't realize how subtle it can be.
In my case SOB is the biggest symptom of anxiety.
Also, you can fix your GERD problem with a low vitamin A diet. I can't go into to much detail but to put it simply excess Vitamin A can make bile go to your stomach. Bile is alkaline and neutralized your stomach acidity. Bile also paralyzes muscles, that is why you get lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction which lead to reflux and then SOB.
If you want to learn more I suggest you check out NutriDetect on twitter.

REPLY
Mentor
Gabe, Volunteer Mentor | @gabrielm | Dec 22, 2023
In reply to @jasullivan3 "I try to run/jog a 5K 1-3 times a week & play basketball once a week..." + (show)
@jasullivan3

I try to run/jog a 5K 1-3 times a week & play basketball once a week for a few hours.

Jump to this post

I remember back when my air hunger was worse, I would seem to benefit from some exercise, even intense exercise, and feel ok during whatever I was doing, like running. But then shortly afterward, the air hunger would return sometimes worse.

You mentioned about having well-controlled asthma. Did any medication dose change at all especially after Covid? I wonder if your level of exercise might be over doing it. You should definitely still exercise to your comfort level, but if your situation is like mine was, I had to taper down the amount and intensity of exercising I was doing. Going from running 2-3 miles in a day, to light jogging for maybe a mile, and incorporating mild weightlifting 3-5 days a week. In fact, the weightlifting seemed to benefit my breathing the most; I would life weights without pushing myself and my air hunger went down quite a bit. It seems you do a lot of cardio, which at some point might have diminish returns. A suggestion would be to replace 1 or 2 cardio sessions with mild to moderate weightlifting with controlled nasal breathing and see if that helps at all. What do you think?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Gabe, Volunteer Mentor | @gabrielm | Dec 22, 2023
In reply to @dcasta1 "I tried some breathing exercises I learned through the Calm app, but I did not feel..." + (show)
@dcasta1

I tried some breathing exercises I learned through the Calm app, but I did not feel that it helped me much. Regarding exercise, I used to do some light jogging for 30 minutes 3 times a week, however, I stopped after my second panic attack. I was so scared of having another panic attack that I stopped doing anything that would trigger my symptoms. I don't have any exercise routine at the moment.

Symptoms Update: I have been doing the colon cleanse for 5 days now. I also read a bit about the LNB and I'm not sure what has helped me the most.

Day 2 of the colon cleanse, I was still having the symptoms at a 75%. Meaning I was still having the urge to take a deep breath a least once every 1 to 2 hours and not being able to complete the deep breath at least 1/3 of the time. I did change the colon cleanse from taking the supplements to taking Olive oil and Lime on day 4.

I started to look into LNB the night of Day 2. I noticed the following.

- When I'm dealing with the symptom, I noticed that my stomach is sucked in. Kind of like flexing my stomach to not look fat. I was not aware of me doing this until I paid attention to my body.
- I try to take a deep breath with my chest and 1/3 of the time I'm not able to. Things that stood out are that I try to push my chest forward/upward and move my chin up trying to get that last piece of breath.

I'm currently doing the following after noticing the above.
1. Relax my stomach when I start to get the feeling of taking a deep breath. It gets a bit hard because at this point I switch to manual breathing since I focus on my breathing too much. So, I need to make sure I breathe slowly and through my stomach.
2. Take a deep breath with my stomach instead of my chest.

I would say that the symptoms are at a 95% controlled. The feeling sometimes goes away by just relaxing my stomach muscles and breathing slowly. If the feeling does not go away, then I'm able to take a deep breath 100% of the time by using my stomach instead of my chest. I'm giving it a 95% because I still get the feeling every few hours.

One thing that stands out is that the feeling of taking a deep breath feels different when I do it with my stomach than my chest. When taking a deep breath with my chest, I seem to breathe in until I feel some sensation in my chest that would indicate that the deep breath is completed, it's hard to describe the feeling. however, when I take a deep breath with my stomach, the deep breath is short, but fulfilling. More like a sigh rather than a yawn. Not sure if that makes sense.

I'm going to complete the 15-day cleanse and continue breathing through my stomach. I will update you guys in a few days.

Jump to this post

Very interesting between the chest vs. stomach/diaphragm breathing. I believe it is more natural to breathe with the diaphragm as opposed to chest breathing. I'm glad that your symptoms are mostly controlled. Keep doing what your doing. I asked about breathing exercises because that's what has benefited me the most. The Buteyko method, which I recommend simply because I've done it and it worked for me, requires dedication and daily exercises and keeping them up over the course of weeks/months, so it definitely takes time. Not sure how long you did your breathing exercises, but thought I'd share since this symptom requires a lot of effort of trying different things to keep it at bay.

Let us know how you are after your cleanse!

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