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.

@tomascid

@gaberielm thank you. Believe it or not, I skimmed all of the 198 pages of this discussion. Like many other people on this forum, it's so validating to hear that others have the same experience. I've been experiencing symptoms like what you described in your May 31, 2018 post for the last seven years or so.

Have you heard anything about this course? [Can't post links yet, but Google or Youtube "Air Hunger Explained (1/2): Causes of Chronic Breathing Tension, Dyspnea, Yawning, Breathlessness" with Simon Spire]

It seems like a pretty good description of the symptoms, but I'm generally wary of paying for online courses without knowing if they're legit.

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Hi @tomascid, wow you’re a trooper skimming the whole thread! Lol. Lots of pages. But I’m glad you found us and know you are not alone. I haven’t seen that specific video you made reference to but other breathing methods mention chronic yawning or chronic hyperventilation which various breathing exercise courses deal with. So I can’t say anything about that course since I haven’t taken it but might be worth at least researching. How are your symptoms? Is the air hunger constant or does it come and go?

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@breathlessness

I have had the same problem since I was in grade school. I'm now 65. I exercise 6 days a week. My shortness of breath is primarily when I resting. Distraction seems to work best. However the shortness of breath sometimes wakes me up at night. Like you, I can only get a satisfying breath about every 5 breaths mixed with yawning. Often I hold my mouth open waiting for for a good breath. It's hard to describe. I wish I could solve this. My nephew has the same problem.

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Hi @breathlessness, fitting username! Wow you’ve been dealing with this most your life. Sorry to hear that. You’re definitely not alone. Many of us here including myself have found at least some coping mechanisms and the ability to keep it at bay. Did you ever see a doctor about this at all?

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@sheebacat

I was told by the respiratory therapist to only breath through the nose. Try to suppress opening of the mouth to yawn or sigh. Instead, swallow or drink a sip of water. If you MUST breathe through the mouth, hold it at the top and release very very slowly.

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I like that @sheebacat, I do that myself especially the part holding the in breath at the top and exhaling slowly. I do that if I catch myself breathing heavily a lot. It’s a good way to slow the breathing back down

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I have. Blood gas, metabolic panel, x-rays, paper bag, medication, counseling. Best thing for me is distraction. How are you Gabe?

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Has anyone tried The Breather? See screenshot below.

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@breathlessness

I have. Blood gas, metabolic panel, x-rays, paper bag, medication, counseling. Best thing for me is distraction. How are you Gabe?

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@breathlessness I am well, thank you! I’m glad that you’re able to take your mind off it sometimes. Mine haven’t been too bad but I also find that it helps when I do something like play guitar, or woodworking. Being deeply involved in those type of things can help both in distracting from the air hunger but also help slow the breathing down

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This type of air hunger is so puzzling to me. When it happens, which seems multiple times daily, I'm aware that I'm moving air in and out of my lungs but feel like I could die because my brain isn't registering. I've read that you can't die from this. I hope that's true.

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@breathlessness

This type of air hunger is so puzzling to me. When it happens, which seems multiple times daily, I'm aware that I'm moving air in and out of my lungs but feel like I could die because my brain isn't registering. I've read that you can't die from this. I hope that's true.

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Early on for me, when I didn’t know what was going on, it was scary because of not being certain about getting enough air. But over time, especially as multiple medical tests came back negative, I had to reassure myself that I wasn’t going to die and to relax and not panic. Also, monitoring my O2 levels with a pulse oximeter helped reassure me since it always showed normal blood oxygen levels. If you don’t have one, I recommend getting an at-home one and monitor your O2. I think this will help with reassurance

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i have been experiencing the same thing, less intense however. i am a 14 year old female, if that information matters to this. i usually experience this when i am trying to sleep. for example, in class i lay on my desk and try to sleep. this is always when it occurs. i remember experiencing this when i was younger as well, maybe around 8 or younger. i dont have it all the time, only sometimes but i do get it every day. usually it feels like i cant get a full deep breath that satisfies my lungs therefore in desperation i keep attempting to take deep breaths and i force myself to yawn to get the deep breath. this may sound strange, however i usually have to curl my tongue to get the full breath and i have to repeatedly open my mouth to force a yawn out. the yawns don't always work though. im not that concerned about this, im more curious and it does make me uncomfortable to deal with it. its a lot harder to get a good breath without curling my tongue. i came to this forum since i already have enough issues and my mother might think of it as another "issue" or think of it as an exaggeration. my mother does take what i say seriously, but she always makes it seem like im exaggerating maybe to convince herself it is nothing bad so she doesn't worry myself. she is listening though, i just thought it would be easier to ask about it on here. i apologize if this is too long, i enjoy typing.

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@vapor

i have been experiencing the same thing, less intense however. i am a 14 year old female, if that information matters to this. i usually experience this when i am trying to sleep. for example, in class i lay on my desk and try to sleep. this is always when it occurs. i remember experiencing this when i was younger as well, maybe around 8 or younger. i dont have it all the time, only sometimes but i do get it every day. usually it feels like i cant get a full deep breath that satisfies my lungs therefore in desperation i keep attempting to take deep breaths and i force myself to yawn to get the deep breath. this may sound strange, however i usually have to curl my tongue to get the full breath and i have to repeatedly open my mouth to force a yawn out. the yawns don't always work though. im not that concerned about this, im more curious and it does make me uncomfortable to deal with it. its a lot harder to get a good breath without curling my tongue. i came to this forum since i already have enough issues and my mother might think of it as another "issue" or think of it as an exaggeration. my mother does take what i say seriously, but she always makes it seem like im exaggerating maybe to convince herself it is nothing bad so she doesn't worry myself. she is listening though, i just thought it would be easier to ask about it on here. i apologize if this is too long, i enjoy typing.

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@vapor, you’re always welcome here! Does this happen in certain
situations like when you’re in class or does it also happen when you’re trying to sleep at home?

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