Breathless with exercise

Just a thought to have your spine checked… I was like you, very active, then boom ! Short of breath on minimal exertion plus pain/ tingling in left side chest radiating down the arm; finally had numb thumb and off balance in the last months. I went to four major hospitals, soooo many tests over 91/2 years and no one knew why. My husband suggested check my spine, they did, found I had a herniated disc at C5/6 and replaced it. I was fine went from not being able to walk up two steps without resting and panting to 72 straight up ! Now two years later we moved from first floor apartment to three story townhouse and back to 10,000 steps a day. I will never work out at the gym again as I think all that was not helpful for my spine ( extra weight n pressure) Anyhooo, sharing my story hoping to help others not have to go through so much!
I am thinking this other SOB (air hunger we experience here and discuss) is probably another disc problem but I am trying to keep it under control so no more surgery; but, if need relief and the neurosurgeon sees another disc problem, I would do it for relief as we understand here on this discussion, it isn’t fun;( good luck

I have similar problem now. Only I have a 2-year history starting with mild shortness of breath, diagnosed with multifocal lung cancer and coronary artery disease. But I exercised and could manage to it. I had two VAT surgeries on lungs, one series of radiation on lung and had stent put in. I was OK but in the last month things got much worse and I can't do anything without panting. My oxygen levels fall with exertion.
CT scan showed more weird stuff in lungs including fibrosis. They gave me 10days of antibiotics but that did not help. PFT shows decrease in pulmonary function since April (but I have dry cough so that interferes). They suspect alveolitis so I just started 6 weeks of prednisone. Otherwise back to heart catheterization to see if problem is there. I had Covid twice in 2022 but nothing this year.

I work out at the local Y. I use weight machines using light weight. I am 68 years old. I also worked out in the Y- pool three days a week. I experienced breathlessness. Long story short the high amounts of chlorine used in a public pool which is enclosed was the cause of me becoming breathless. Months after removing myself from the pool I am much much better. Hope this gives you a idea to help your situation.

Thanks. I’ve not been in the pool since July, the breathlessness is getting worse

Curious as to whether you have had COVID. Breathlessness or Short of Breath is a sign of long COVID. Praying for you.

I feel desperate. Drs ignore me. Say thatlarge hernia blockxlungs

Nomore energy or$ to pursue help🙏🏼

I had a hiatal hernia repair in May 2022. Over half of my stomach was above my diaphragm (ie very large hernia) and it would slide up more sometimes. This does put pressure on your lungs, because of space issues. Prior to the surgery, I was vomiting often. For a while I was normal after the surgery. After having my double lung transplant, I am physically unable to vomit, but I prefer it this way. So if the doctor is saying that they believe it is due to a large hernia, it is very possible that you might be better after surgery.

Hi @sgomez63, could be something similar to what I've dealt with. Would you describe this breathlessness as a "shortness of breath (SOB)" that you would feel during, say, intense exercise and that you feel like it's difficult to catch your breath? Or would you describe it as more of an "empty lungs" feeling where despite having taken normal or deep breaths, it just doesn't feel like your lungs are "full"?

The feeling is that my lungs won’t expand. Feels like trying to blow up a balloon while it’s being held tightly in your hand. Chest is tight, no pain, crust won’t expand.
I’ve had an every test possible, the pulmonary function test was normal except low DLCO. All cardiac test show normal except mild thickening of left ventricular. Inhalers have not helped. Breathless comes during non exercising, when my adrenaline goes up it occurs. It happened while watching a scary movie. Cardiac NP said nothing he can do. I’m waiting for an appt with my primary care