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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.

debkl | @debkl | Jan 12, 2022
In reply to @tahiristan "Hi Gabe, I just came across your post and read it thoroughly. I haven't read the..." + (show)
@tahiristan

Hi Gabe,

I just came across your post and read it thoroughly. I haven't read the comments but I do plan to.

Here's my story: So one fateful day while at work at the time (Lowe's), I accidentally cut some pressure treated lumber. A few weeks prior, a co-worker had told me to never do that because of the "toxic chemicals" they use to treat the wood.
I did it anyway, and immediately after, I started having trouble breathing. I freaked out. I had asthma as a child and my last Asthma attack had been at least 6-7 years prior. So I ran to the pharmacy next door and got my inhaler refill. But nothing improved. After months of many ER visits, misdiagnoses and doctor visits, I concluded I may have VCD after doing research. I finally saw an ENT and SLP and they said "I likely had it". I guess it meant they couldn't trigger it while they did the Laryngoscopy.

Eventually I got better but the breathing issue was always there, running the background. Sometimes it would get worse. Bad air, running, getting sick would all trigger it. but it had been manageable. I could still hike, run short distances, workout, etc..

However, about two months ago, I was shopping at Lowe's and I walked by the Lumber area, just to reminisce where it all started. And guess what? This issue is back and as worse as it was in 2013. The poor air quality here in Salt Lake City hasn't helped either.
Mine isn't life threatening. I have monitored my O2 for years and my O2 never goes below 92. So It obviously won't kill me. But it is uncomfortable and I am really worried what happens one day when I can no longer get the "breath in" and I pass out.

I am questioning if I have some other psychological issue? I get the throat tightness and difficulty inhaling but no stridor. I have to yawn or sigh to "force the breath in".

I want to add this, I don't know if VCD is considered a type of Dystonia but I also have Dystonia. I find it hard to believe I would have two very rare neurologic disorders. My Dystonia is "multifocal" so it mainly occurs in my eyelids, facial muscles and sometimes abdomen. These are involuntary muscle spasms. Those spasms aren't constant but can be triggered as well.

I recently just tried taking muscle relaxers and it's only been one day, so hard to say if it makes a difference.

Currently I have found no breathing exercises that have done anything to help. I can relate to your story and I really question what is going on. I can't imagine living the rest of my life like this.

Tahir

Jump to this post

Pressure treated wood is no different from other wood. Safety precautions are needed to prevent inhalation of wood dust or getting it into eyes, nose and on skin. Unfortunately for employees and customers of HI stores, the air quality is awful. Lowe's was one of my accounts a few years ago and I had to visit 2 sites for audits. I used my inhaler before going in and stayed away from the lumber and fertilizer areas.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 12, 2022
In reply to @debkl "Pressure treated wood is no different from other wood. Safety precautions are needed to prevent inhalation..." + (show)
@debkl

Pressure treated wood is no different from other wood. Safety precautions are needed to prevent inhalation of wood dust or getting it into eyes, nose and on skin. Unfortunately for employees and customers of HI stores, the air quality is awful. Lowe's was one of my accounts a few years ago and I had to visit 2 sites for audits. I used my inhaler before going in and stayed away from the lumber and fertilizer areas.

Jump to this post

My brother has asthma as well as many allergies and severe reactive airway disorder. He always uses an N95 mask when cutting or sanding any wood. I have bronchiectasis, asthma & milder reactive airway disorder, and I have long worn a dust mask for similar work.

Last year when we were sanding a table on his patio, he insisted that I wear a "real" N95 respirator - while uncomfortable in the Texas heat, I had no breathing issues the next 2 days. All summer, while working on my daughter's old house, I wore one faithfully, and had neo asthma attacks or bronchiectasis exacerbations!

If you have any lung or breathing problems, with or without a specific diagnosis, a well-fitted mask to keep irritants out of your lungs is important. As for "can't wear one", I truly believed I was in that group - until a severe lung infection scared me, and I taught myself to do it. When I am not around others, I wear one with an exhaust port that makes exhaling easier.

Deb & @tahiristan , have you tried wearing an N95 mask in lung-irritating situations?
Sue

REPLY
2 replies
debkl | @debkl | Jan 12, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "My brother has asthma as well as many allergies and severe reactive airway disorder. He always..." + (show)
@sueinmn

My brother has asthma as well as many allergies and severe reactive airway disorder. He always uses an N95 mask when cutting or sanding any wood. I have bronchiectasis, asthma & milder reactive airway disorder, and I have long worn a dust mask for similar work.

Last year when we were sanding a table on his patio, he insisted that I wear a "real" N95 respirator - while uncomfortable in the Texas heat, I had no breathing issues the next 2 days. All summer, while working on my daughter's old house, I wore one faithfully, and had neo asthma attacks or bronchiectasis exacerbations!

If you have any lung or breathing problems, with or without a specific diagnosis, a well-fitted mask to keep irritants out of your lungs is important. As for "can't wear one", I truly believed I was in that group - until a severe lung infection scared me, and I taught myself to do it. When I am not around others, I wear one with an exhaust port that makes exhaling easier.

Deb & @tahiristan , have you tried wearing an N95 mask in lung-irritating situations?
Sue

Jump to this post

Yes

REPLY
rits | @rits | Jan 13, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "My brother has asthma as well as many allergies and severe reactive airway disorder. He always..." + (show)
@sueinmn

My brother has asthma as well as many allergies and severe reactive airway disorder. He always uses an N95 mask when cutting or sanding any wood. I have bronchiectasis, asthma & milder reactive airway disorder, and I have long worn a dust mask for similar work.

Last year when we were sanding a table on his patio, he insisted that I wear a "real" N95 respirator - while uncomfortable in the Texas heat, I had no breathing issues the next 2 days. All summer, while working on my daughter's old house, I wore one faithfully, and had neo asthma attacks or bronchiectasis exacerbations!

If you have any lung or breathing problems, with or without a specific diagnosis, a well-fitted mask to keep irritants out of your lungs is important. As for "can't wear one", I truly believed I was in that group - until a severe lung infection scared me, and I taught myself to do it. When I am not around others, I wear one with an exhaust port that makes exhaling easier.

Deb & @tahiristan , have you tried wearing an N95 mask in lung-irritating situations?
Sue

Jump to this post

Sue, would you share the brand of mask with a valve that you use? There are so many available that my head is spinning and you are such a great researcher. Thanks in advance.
Rita

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Gabe, Volunteer Mentor | @gabrielm | Jan 13, 2022
In reply to @tahiristan "Hi Gabe, I just came across your post and read it thoroughly. I haven't read the..." + (show)
@tahiristan

Hi Gabe,

I just came across your post and read it thoroughly. I haven't read the comments but I do plan to.

Here's my story: So one fateful day while at work at the time (Lowe's), I accidentally cut some pressure treated lumber. A few weeks prior, a co-worker had told me to never do that because of the "toxic chemicals" they use to treat the wood.
I did it anyway, and immediately after, I started having trouble breathing. I freaked out. I had asthma as a child and my last Asthma attack had been at least 6-7 years prior. So I ran to the pharmacy next door and got my inhaler refill. But nothing improved. After months of many ER visits, misdiagnoses and doctor visits, I concluded I may have VCD after doing research. I finally saw an ENT and SLP and they said "I likely had it". I guess it meant they couldn't trigger it while they did the Laryngoscopy.

Eventually I got better but the breathing issue was always there, running the background. Sometimes it would get worse. Bad air, running, getting sick would all trigger it. but it had been manageable. I could still hike, run short distances, workout, etc..

However, about two months ago, I was shopping at Lowe's and I walked by the Lumber area, just to reminisce where it all started. And guess what? This issue is back and as worse as it was in 2013. The poor air quality here in Salt Lake City hasn't helped either.
Mine isn't life threatening. I have monitored my O2 for years and my O2 never goes below 92. So It obviously won't kill me. But it is uncomfortable and I am really worried what happens one day when I can no longer get the "breath in" and I pass out.

I am questioning if I have some other psychological issue? I get the throat tightness and difficulty inhaling but no stridor. I have to yawn or sigh to "force the breath in".

I want to add this, I don't know if VCD is considered a type of Dystonia but I also have Dystonia. I find it hard to believe I would have two very rare neurologic disorders. My Dystonia is "multifocal" so it mainly occurs in my eyelids, facial muscles and sometimes abdomen. These are involuntary muscle spasms. Those spasms aren't constant but can be triggered as well.

I recently just tried taking muscle relaxers and it's only been one day, so hard to say if it makes a difference.

Currently I have found no breathing exercises that have done anything to help. I can relate to your story and I really question what is going on. I can't imagine living the rest of my life like this.

Tahir

Jump to this post

@tahiristan, thank you for sharing your story! Have any doctors given their opinion on if they believe the conditions you mentioned might be a cause or contributor to the breathing problem?

I wonder if the lowes incident might’ve trigger the asthma somehow and it’s still affected by it.

Have you looked into Buteyko breathing method? That’s the method I used early on and still use which has helped to keep my symptoms under control.

REPLY
1 reply
tahiristan | @tahiristan | Jan 13, 2022
In reply to @gabrielm "@tahiristan, thank you for sharing your story! Have any doctors given their opinion on if they..." + (show)
@gabrielm

@tahiristan, thank you for sharing your story! Have any doctors given their opinion on if they believe the conditions you mentioned might be a cause or contributor to the breathing problem?

I wonder if the lowes incident might’ve trigger the asthma somehow and it’s still affected by it.

Have you looked into Buteyko breathing method? That’s the method I used early on and still use which has helped to keep my symptoms under control.

Jump to this post

Hi Gabe,

well 8 years ago, I didn't get much of an answer from Doctors. Fast forward to today, I am having a hard time finding a doctor. They're all so busy. I do have a SLP, so that's nice and I am seeing her again in 2 weeks. So it's not Asthma. I had asthma as a teen/child and when I lost over 100 lbs, my asthma pretty much disappeared. The reason it's not asthma is three fold: 1) inhalers don't work, they make me shaky but that's it. 2) my tightness is always in my throat and I struggle to inhale, whereas Asthma is a struggle to exhale and it's in the chest. 3) I have monitored my Oxygen for over 2 months and not once has it gone below 90. Plus this breathless feeling is constant, that's not Asthma.

I was looking into that specific breathing technique but as I started doing it, it made my symptoms worse. so I will have to try again, but right now it's the worst it's been since 2013. The lumber definitely triggered it but I can't help but wonder if is Psychological.

I want to add that I have Dystonia too. My Dystonia is mostly in my eyelids but it can also be triggered by misuse of certain muscles (like abdomen spasms, or writer's cramp). I saw an SLP 3 weeks ago and she did a Laryngoscopy. I am just upset because when she did that, I was having mild symptom day (just my luck eh?). She said her ENT said that there was no visible Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement (or Vocal Cord Dysfunction). She then mentioned it could be related to my Dystonia but why would it come on suddenly after that very specific event? Before that, I was a big runner. I would run 4-6 miles 4X a week and never feel breathless. I miss those days. My Dystonia symptoms started in childhood/teens but I went undiagnosed most of my life. It sucks because running, hiking, climbing is my life. It makes me feel better than anything else does.

Anyway, I want to thank you for starting this thread. I looked into CrowdMed and I plan to post my issue there. Did you have any luck on that?

Tahir

REPLY
1 reply
tahiristan | @tahiristan | Jan 13, 2022
In reply to @debkl "Pressure treated wood is no different from other wood. Safety precautions are needed to prevent inhalation..." + (show)
@debkl

Pressure treated wood is no different from other wood. Safety precautions are needed to prevent inhalation of wood dust or getting it into eyes, nose and on skin. Unfortunately for employees and customers of HI stores, the air quality is awful. Lowe's was one of my accounts a few years ago and I had to visit 2 sites for audits. I used my inhaler before going in and stayed away from the lumber and fertilizer areas.

Jump to this post

This is interesting. I still have no idea what happened then. I have thought about doing a deep meditation and/or hypnosis and going back to that time and memory to see if I can fix it, but I am afraid to make it even worse if it is a psychological thing, but where Western Medicine fails, Eastern Medicine can help. I need to see a Naturopath or something.

REPLY
1 reply
debkl | @debkl | Jan 13, 2022
In reply to @tahiristan "This is interesting. I still have no idea what happened then. I have thought about doing..." + (show)
@tahiristan

This is interesting. I still have no idea what happened then. I have thought about doing a deep meditation and/or hypnosis and going back to that time and memory to see if I can fix it, but I am afraid to make it even worse if it is a psychological thing, but where Western Medicine fails, Eastern Medicine can help. I need to see a Naturopath or something.

Jump to this post

Could be related to the phrenic nerves or the vagus nerve. Using abdominal muscles could be affecting an already sensitive vagus nerve. I had this problem. You might have done something days prior to the onset using your abs that you might not even remember. The smell and irritation from the wood could have triggered a memory which triggered your brain's limbic system, especially the amygdala.

REPLY
2 replies
tahiristan | @tahiristan | Jan 13, 2022
In reply to @debkl "Could be related to the phrenic nerves or the vagus nerve. Using abdominal muscles could be..." + (show)
@debkl

Could be related to the phrenic nerves or the vagus nerve. Using abdominal muscles could be affecting an already sensitive vagus nerve. I had this problem. You might have done something days prior to the onset using your abs that you might not even remember. The smell and irritation from the wood could have triggered a memory which triggered your brain's limbic system, especially the amygdala.

Jump to this post

Hmm, I am trying to remember. I don't remember the days before, all I can think of is the pressure treated lumber. Do you know if there's any solution for that?
Plus it makes sense to me that it may have been re-triggered when I was exposed to it again at the end of November. because between 2013 and November 2021, it was more mild and I could handle it. I am an abdominal breather but I taught myself to be that after because they say in order to relax your throat area, you need to lean to breath abdominally. If it is a nerve issue, who do you think I should see?

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 13, 2022
In reply to @rits "Sue, would you share the brand of mask with a valve that you use? There are..." + (show)
@rits

Sue, would you share the brand of mask with a valve that you use? There are so many available that my head is spinning and you are such a great researcher. Thanks in advance.
Rita

Jump to this post

I use the 3M N95 Industrial Respirator with exhaust valve. I believe it is the 8511. It is only for protecting yourself, not others, because your exhalation can contain particulates.
Sue

REPLY
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