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.

jessby | @jessby | Mar 10, 2019

Hey everybody! So thankful I stumbled across this page. I have also been experiencing the exact same symptoms. They started a little over a week ago. I have had GI issues in the past but never anything this severe. I dealt with it for about 4 days until my boss/husband suggested I go to the ER. I am 35 years old and healthy! I only go to the doctor for my yearly physical. In other words, I don’t like going to the doctor. I did go see a chiropractor back to back days before I went to the ER. I was thinking maybe it was muscle tightness and something was preventing me from expanding my diaphragm all the way. Long story short, they did an EKG, chest x-ray and some lab work to rule out gallbladder issues. Everything came back fine! I was relieved but frustrated at the same time. They said it was anxiety/stress related which I’m having a hard time buying that. Seems like that’s the diagnosis everyone has gotten too. I’ve started Zantac in the morning and in the evening. I’ve lost 7 lbs this past week from not being able to eat/drink much at all due to discomfort in my chest and underneath my breastbone. Have also had a burning/nagging sensation in between my shoulder blades. I feel like I’m struggling to live in my own body. I was thinking I could have possibly had a hiatal hernia as well but that should have shown up on a chest x ray right? The excessive yawning and really exerting myself to catch a deep breath has gotten to me. The only time I can really get comfortable is if I lie on my side. Haven’t been sleeping well either because of worrying. I’ll be praying for you all and believing for healings/answers. ❤️

skhan27 | @skhan27 | Mar 10, 2019

@gabrielm I have the same condition and I've had it for over 5 years as well. I went to a doctor in 2015 who made me get an x-ray and do a lung test in one of those big boxes - they ask you to breathe as deeply as you can etc and measure your lung capacity and health. The doc told me that my lungs are getting sufficient air, so I mustn't get anxious over this condition. Anyway the condition disappeared for over a year for me as well and then returned. I still can't figure it out, when I am actively thinking about my breathing and take a deep breath, it stops right before it satisfies me. I have to take 10 deep breaths sometimes to finally get one that 'goes all the way' (no one understands me trying to explain this, but I know you will), and even then, the relief only last a few seconds before I feel the need to take another one. At other times of the day sometimes I don't even notice I have a problem until suddenly i feel the shortness of breath and focus on it, then I just feel terrible.

I also don't have other medical conditions.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 10, 2019

In reply to @fracturedd "Sometimes if I pay to much attention to my breathing I can get a little panicked...." + (show)

@fractuerdd, @davek, @tkgroves,@gabrielm- Good morning. There is a huge tie-in between anxiety and shortness of breath. Sometimes it's very difficult to tell if anxiety came first or the shortness of breath, just like the chicken or the egg. I agree with @jenniferhunter that there can be underlying physical causes that can cause shortness of breath but it's not always the case. It's very common to feel shortness of breath when you are anxious. There are physical changes that take place that kick start this process: https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/effects-on-body
A couple of times I felt as if I couldn't breathe I started to feel claustrophobic when people weren't disembarking fast enough after a plane landed. It felt awful! It was scary. The first time that it happened I had no idea what was going on, which of course made me feel more anxious. I thought that one of my lungs had collapsed from lung surgery. After the second time I knew that I had to concentrate on breathing slower and it worked. I'm sure that there are hundreds examples that people can relate. Maybe this will help:
https://www.healthline.com/health/shortness-of-breath-anxiety
Please let me know if any of these suggestions work.

$Profile picture for fracturedd$

fracturedd | @fracturedd | Mar 9, 2019

In reply to @davek "Thanks for posting. I’m in a similar situation. I’m 55, in good health with stress levels..." + (show)

Sometimes if I pay to much attention to my breathing I can get a little panicked. Breathing and anxiety go hand in hand. However, listen to your body. If you think something isn't right definitely get a second opinion.

davek | @davek | Mar 9, 2019

In reply to @ashleyh "I am so happy I came across this post. I've had the same issues since July..." + (show)

Thanks for posting. I’m in a similar situation. I’m 55, in good health with stress levels no different than it’s been for the last 10 years. In December I caught a cold, used nasal spray and I’ve had this issue now for 3 months. It started in the middle of the night I thought from the nasal spray. I stopped taking it immediately. I’m recovered from my cold, chest x Ray, stress test and pulmonary exam all normal. Doctor says it’s anxiety. There has to be an underlying cause. I breath fine until I start paying attention to my breathing. It seems like I can’t take a deep breath. Full exhale helps me get back to normal breathing. There has to be a reason this is happening.

tkgroves | @tkgroves | Mar 8, 2019

I have this exact same thing. I have had it a several times in the past, lasting several weeks, and then it eventually gets better. It's constant and uncomfortable. I do have acid re-flux and anxiety, which I take medication for. I don't feel any more stressed or anxious than normal, though. It is better when I lay down to sleep, so I wondered if it was more psychological instead of psychological. The allergy piece was interesting to me, since this is the time of year when I normally suffer from allergies, even though I take medication for it year round. Maybe I will try an additional allergy medication to see if that helps. I absolutely hate this feeling and feel desperate to find a solution. I'm glad I came here and hope some of these suggestions help. Thanks!

tonyagregg | @tonyagregg | Mar 7, 2019

In reply to @jenniferhunter "@tonyagregg You are so right to advocate for yourself. I also wanted to tell you that..." + (show)

@jenniferhunter from what I was told then read up on if a thyroid nodule becomes large enough it could press on your esophagus or windpipe causing difficulty swallowing. Mine was swallowen, but I would think not that big. I had my ultrasound today so we will see.

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Mar 6, 2019

In reply to @tonyagregg "Update...i have been on Protonix for 2 weeks now and it has been 95% back to..." + (show)

@tonyagregg You are so right to advocate for yourself. I also wanted to tell you that the thyroid can't press on the esophagus. The esophagus is behind the trachea, and the thyroid is in front of the trachea, just below the "adams apple". Your doctor can feel the thyroid with their hands on the front of the neck.

Gabe, Volunteer Mentor | @gabrielm | Mar 5, 2019

In reply to @tonyagregg "Update...i have been on Protonix for 2 weeks now and it has been 95% back to..." + (show)

@tonyagregg, thank you for the update. Hopefully it gets back to 100% normal, but I'm sure you will take 95% improvement any day! 🙂 Let us know how the thyroid ultrasound goes.

Gabe, Volunteer Mentor | @gabrielm | Mar 5, 2019

In reply to @emmylou89 "Hello, This sounds just like what I experience. I came across this while doing a search..." + (show)

Hi @emmylou89. Sorry that you have been going through this. I know how you feel! There was a time when it was so bad for me that it was impossible to get my mind off it. In fact, I had panic attacks it go so bad. It has since improved a lot, but I still have the need to get a deep breath every few minutes and I still can't fully exercise. But I think you might find benefit in doing the Buteyko Breathing method; it helped me in the beginning. Then you need to keep up with doing moderate exercise multiple times a week and keep that up, since exercise (when done with the correct breathing technique- basically only breathing through your nose) builds up CO2 which helps with breathing. Look in the previous comments to see the link to where you can learn this method. Do keep us updated on how everything goes and how you are doing. If you find a solution, let us know so everyone here can explore these solutions for their own individual breathing problem.

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