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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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Also I breath through my mouth (rather than my nose) and wonder if this may have some relation to the disordered breathing.
Mouth breathing could indeed have some relation, and that's one of the issues that comes up when learning about the Buteyko Breathing Method. They taught us that if we were habitual mouth breathers, to put a little piece of tape over the mouth at night and during the day (not in public), and it trains people to breathe through just their nose.
When I did reduced breathing through my nose years back, it did help a lot to return my breathing to almost normal. That could be something you could try- retraining yourself to be a nose breather.
I remember going through a period some years back where I also had trouble swallowing. I'm not sure what it was exactly; whether psychological or physiological. It just sort of went away and may had to do with my GERD, but not sure.
Have you had any bloodwork done and you know of any nutrient deficiencies?
Hi Gabe
I had blood work done a few months back - can’t remember exactly what was tested but assume would of tested basics like iron and zinc - that all came back normal. The nutritional deficiencies is interesting though bc I have coeliac disease and one of symptoms of coeliac, if untreated, is nutritional deficiency... do you believe there could be a link to the SOB?
- the ED suggested I get a sallow test done with a gastro. I will do this in the new year, I already have a gastro who I know quite well bc of the coeliac.
- I also plan on seeing a lady who specialises in breathing techniques to see if this helps (funnily enough my little boy 4 yrs old had sleep apnea and I spoke to this lady then re his mouth breathing and whether it could be a contributing cause to his problems)
- finally I will also see a respiratory specialist just to put my mind at ease bc at the back of my mind I still worry that it might be something scary
I will keep you all posted!
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1 ReactionHi everyone,
Happy and sad to join the conversation at the same time. I had no intention of posting, but so many people have shared their experiences.. And Sueran, I share the anxiety trait with you.
I had a terrible "attack" last night. It started with a shortness of breath. At first I didn't realize the connection, but that shortness of breath I believe caused a tension headache in my neck/right side of my face. It was not painful, but a classic rubber band feeling of pressure that spanned from my neck up through my face and up around the eye and temple. Just on the right side of my face. Me being my normal anxious self, I begin to think I have symptoms of a stroke and lay in bed fighting in my head for a couple hours about whether I am okay or if I need go to a hospital. In retrospect, as I sit here with shortness of breath and taking deep breaths, that struggle to take the deep breath puts a pressure on the exact muscles that I felt were exhibiting those stroke like symptoms - which again I believe was just a tension headache. I have had this same experience a couple of times before as well.
To note, as well as the anxiety, I am also 100℅ a mouth breather. I didn't even realize this was an issue or abnormal until recently (I'm not super young either, not sure how I missed the memo!). I have also been told by my wife my sleep is terrible - from convulsing to teeth chattering and grinding. I'm beginning to work through this with my doctor. I recently requested a sleep study for this - as well as for the fact I have a very low resting heart rate. I use Whoop to monitor it, and at sleep it usually ranges between 34-37. I exercise daily and eat, in my opinion, very well. But that's not always been the case..
Back to the SOB (that's a great acronym for it btw), I've always sort of attributed it as being a symptom of the anxiety. But honestly I can't ever say which is which. Is the anxiety from the SOB or is the SOB from the anxiety?
I can say that over the last 15 minutes at least, focusing on deep breaths through my nose has helped. I feel like I'll never be comfortable consistently doing it though.
Sorry for the long introductory post! Hope everyone is breathing well tonight.
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1 ReactionI think there could be a link between nutrient deficiencies and air hunger. I’m not sure exactly what it would be since I’m not a doctor but in my research, low iron could mess with blood CO2 levels and lack of vitamin B12 could also be a factor. I took those nutrients in pill form back in 2012 when the issue first appeared and almost immediately after, the air hunger/SOB went away (though it was only temporary). So I still have a sneaking suspicion that there could be a correlation but am not sure.
I’m glad you’re taking those actions and pursuing possible causes and solutions. Please do keep us posted on how these tests go, as well as results of the possible solutions you try. I think that would help a lot of people here get encouraged to try things that might work for them.
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1 Reaction@jschuty thanks for posting! Glad you joined the conversation with your experience.
That’s good that nose breathing helped you. That’s a good sign and something you can continue to do as you search for solutions.
Those other night issues you mentioned recently may have something to do with anxiety, but as you said, and I agree, that it’s hard to tell what came first;
Symptoms or anxiety.
Has your doctor done any tests that show anything abnormal (so far)?
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1 ReactionHey Gabe,
Just wanted to say it's awesome seeing someone so willing to put in the time to help others.
To answer your question, I've had tests done over time - nothing specifically targeting the cause of the shortness of breath though. As I mentioned before I always thought of it as just a symptom of anxiety, so for the most part I just try to deal with it.
In terms of abnormalities on tests, I recently found out my liver was enlarged. My liver enzymes have also been steadily rising for a while now. No damage, however, was found through an ultrasound. I have followup tests in January to see if things are getting better. Since that initial finding I have taken it upon myself to drastically overhaul my diet. I'm hoping that aids in that problem. I have adopted a plant based, whole food diet and a month in and have had nothing but positive changes so far.
As mentioned before I have a sleep study upcoming as well. That should be interesting.
Going on one full day of doing my best with nose breathing instead of mouth breathing. I can honestly say it has helped my shortness of breath. I still feel the need to take what feels like way more deep breaths than I should, but they are going down that "tight" spot in my throat better. I'm really hoping that effect doesn't wear off. I'm going to attempt to use one of the many devices to help the nose breathing at night, and I'm hoping that also has a positive impact.
I'll update as I go and hope my experiences can help someone as well.
Happy holidays!
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3 ReactionsNo problem and I’m so glad you are doing many things to improve your health and take the matter into your hands and be on top of it!
A lot of people, including myself, have GI issues like acid reflux. But I think a healthy diet would definitely help if you have any GI issues.
You mentioned a tight spot in your throat- when you can’t take the deep breath, does it feel like it doesn’t take to your lungs, or does it feel like a struggle going through the airway?
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1 ReactionHey just thought I would update after about 10 months since my last post. I had an echocardiogram a few months back and that came back normal, also blood work was mostly normal a few low but my doctor said that probably isn't causing my SOB.
Still taking the meds for GERD (PPI, H2 blocker) and have noticed an improvement with throat tightness but not helping with the breathing. Next up in the GI section is getting an endoscopy sometime next year *hopefully*.
I also was made aware of the term "sensorimotor breathing OCD" which honestly could be it. I've noticed when I hyper-focus on something else the issue goes away for the most part. Here's a good article if anyone is interested: https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/when-automatic-bodily-processes-become-conscious-how-to-disengage-from-sensorimotor-obsessions/
Hopefully, everyone is having a great Christmas and a happy new year.
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3 ReactionsMerry Christmas @itsnotanxiety, and thanks for the update. The breathing OCD is new to me, but something for me and others on this forum to look into. I notice that sort of happens with me; about not noticing the issue when being very focused on something else. I find that when I do go through bouts of air hunger, I have to distract myself with a game or an activity that can keep my mind off the issue. I suppose this may be true for a lot of other issues as well- if someone is in pain, the pain is not as noticed when distracted. But this is great food for thought. Thank you!
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