Things that help False Shortness of Breath (SOB) or pseudo-dyspnea

I have this from esophagitis like mentioned in your link 24/7. I need help. It won't stop and I don't know how to fix it. It is not anxiety related.

@lstabe Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are a group of patients helping others. Before I can guide you on this I need to ask a couple of questions. How do you know that you have esophagitis? If a doctor prescribed this what kind of doctor?

I forgot to put this link so you can learn more about this
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/esophagitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20361224
Have you seen any other doctor other than your PCP?

I as well have had this my entire life. I started taking omeprazole (20 mg once daily) when I was 25 and I'm now 30 and still on it. The quality of my life is tenfold. Without the omeprazole I have labored breathing and feel as though my body is in constant fight or flight mode. I know I have a false shortness of breath because it only bothers me when I'm at rest. I can go for a run and it is effortless breathing. There are some negative side effects to taking omeprazole and I would like to get off of the medication. I wish there was an alternative, but when I do go a day without it, I realize how grateful I am to have it.

@benjvandenheuvel- Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. MY GI doctor suggested that I try FDgard (caraway oil, I menthol) to help stop that awful pain and burning. I find that it works beautifully. I take one Omeprazole a day. I have no idea if you could ever use this alone in place of your medication.

Have you had any lung testing or seen a pulmonologist? Have you tried any exercises?

I don't have any burning, just the false shortness of breath and indigestion without omeprazole.

I have had lung testing and was diagnosed with asthma. I have tried many different inhalers, but none seem to improve breathing. Actually makes it worse. I workout 5 days a week. Exercise neither improves, nor worsens symptoms.

I also have been to the Mayo Clinic and had extensive testing with a Neurologist who said there was no neurological damage causing this. A different local neurologist felt it was gastrointestinal. I've had an upper scope, colonoscopy, tested for chron's and ulcerative colitis. Everything came back negative. I've basically seen every doctor from here to the Mayo Clinic and everyone seems to give me the same answer. "Yes, this doesn't seem quite right, but I don't know what is causing it."

@benjvandenheuvel- Good morning. There are several possibilities here that could be causing this. Sometimes people get what is called Exercise-induced Asthma (EIB). This happens when the tubes that bring air into and out of your lungs narrow with exercise, causing symptoms of asthma.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/exercise-induced-asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20372300
https://acaai.org/asthma/types-asthma/exercise-induced-bronchoconstriction-eib
EIB associated with more generalized asthma is prevented with controller medications taken regularly (such as mast cell stabilizers, inhaled steroids, and leukotriene modifiers) or by using medicines before you exercise (short-acting beta-agonists such as albuterol). When EIB symptoms occur, they can be treated with short-acting beta-agonists.

In addition to medications, warm-ups, cool-downs, and wearing a mask or scarf over your mouth may prevent or lessen EIB symptoms. You may want to limit exercise when you have a viral infection, temperatures are low, or pollen and air pollution levels are high.

I have no damage from acid reflux or GERD. My tests were negative too. Might you have this and need to take something for the acid in your system?

Have you heard of EIB?

I have been diagnosed with pseudo-dyspnea, caused by GERD - stomach acid. I take omeprazole 40 DR twice a day. Exercise helps reduce it, lying down after food or bending provoked shortness of breath. My relatives have a rescue asthma inhaler. Is it safe to try it when I have shortness of breath? Can inhaler make the problem worse?

Welcome to Mayo Connect, a community of people living with a wide variety of diseases and conditions, who support each other along the way. We try to be informed medical consumers, and our own best advocates in our care. We are not medical professionals, so not able to provide medical advice. We can tell you what has worked for us (or not) and provide you with information and conversation about your questions.

So, you need advice on the use of an asthma inhaler from your doctor. Every person's situation is different, so not only do you need to ask about whether to use an inhaler, but also which one is right for you.
Sue

my PCP said that it is OK to try asthma inhaler, but since I do not have asthma it is unlikely to help.
My shortness is definitely related to GERD / stomach acid, since it goes away with exercise and is provoked by lying down and bending

Could you do yourself a huge favor and visit a chiropractor? Just go and explain your situation, you might get mindblown.