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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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Hi @mjaussie70, I'm sorry to hear about these symptoms. I'm glad you're managing what you can through diet and exercise and sounds like it's helping at least manage the diabetes. Would you describe your shortness of breath as something you'd feel while exercising where you're breathing heavier, or do you feel a sort of "hunger" for air that you can't satisfy with a deep breath?
Chest tightness can indicate a few things, so hopefully your doctor can give you insight into what might be causing that.
Do you experience any wheezing, coughing, or labored breathing while doing normal every day activities?
I believe your doctor should be able to help, especially with the symptoms and things that are common for many people. Once those are taken care of, I think there will be some freedom to explore solutions to anything else, such as the breathing problem. But I certainly hope your doctor can discovery any solutions for that, or that it's connected to anything else you're dealing with.
Let me know how it went with your doctor.
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1 ReactionHi Gabe, I've been having the exact same issue. It started about a week ago where I felt as though my body was forcing me to take a deep breath in every couple of minutes. I've tried ignoring it and resisting the urge but it just results in discomfort and a feeling that my SOB is getting worse. I've also had multiple tests done that have all come back negative, however I have also been diagnosed with GERD. Hopefully you see this and we can keep in touch to try and figure this out.
@chillman1971, I was in the same boat years ago. I didn't think anyone else experienced this air hunger feeling and that it was a thing with many others. But like many others here, tests came back normal and doctors just couldn't pinpoint what might be the cause. I'm glad your tests are coming back normal. Though it's frustrating that they don't discover a cause, it's also a relief that it's nothing serious.
I still definitely keep up with this thread since I want to help as many people as possible through their symptoms and with possible solutions or at least coping tools such as breathing exercises or treating other conditions.
I think many people find at least one thing that can help them overcome this breathing issue, or at least learn a way or two to cope with it until there is a solution. While I still experience the air hunger, it has been pretty mild and only flares up if my sinuses flare up due to allergies or sickness. I've learned ways to manage the symptoms, specifically doing various breathing exercises primarily using the Buteyko Breathing Method (something worth Googling or reading more about on this website; https://www.learnbuteykoonline.net/).
Do you know or when it started for you? Was there any kind of event that you can relate it or, or was it more out other blue when it started?
Thanks for you kind words. It’s a hunger for air. I can still exercise, it makes no difference, it just looks silly when in trying to yawn all the time.
The Dr order an ECG- all good. She looked at my neck and said your thyroid looks enlarged. So I’m having an ultrasound in a few days, then blood tests if necessary.
Be sure to have them do an X-ray of your spine for possible pinched nerve causing the feeling of shortness of breath. Just a thought from my experiences.
Yep check your nerve thing in your back … just my thoughts from my experiences.
Thanks. I went to the hospital tonight. The nurse listen to my back with a stethoscope, there was crackling which indicates an infection. It was an 8 hour wait, I will return tomorrow. The GP wouldn’t give me anything a month ago when I said I think I have an infection. I’m hoping this is the cause and antibiotics can fix the swollen thyroid and shortness of breath.
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1 ReactionHi @jackoss11, I know the feeling well! When it began for me, I remember resisting the urge as much as possible then finally taking a deep breath when I felt like I absolutely needed it, and the issue temporarily went away after about 2-3 days of doing that. So might be worth trying to resist the urge as much as possible and seeing what happens. I also learned to breathe through my nose as much as possible, which I think also helped me.
Yes, I would very much like to keep in touch and know how you are doing. I have managed mine over the years through breathing exercises and physical exercise, and I definitely hope you can find an answer.
Did it come about suddenly a week ago and did it happen just during the day?
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2 ReactionsI hope so too! I've researched thyroid issues in the past, and certain thyroid issues can definitely cause breathing problems. Please do keep in touch here and let us know how it goes with treating the thyroid issue and shortness of breath.
Hi Gabe, It came on suddenly during the day. I felt a bit short of breath and when I tried taking a deep breath in I wasn't able to. I am still trying to resist the urge but feel short of breath when I do so.
I'm hoping that its just a temporary thing caused by anxiety or stress as I find it pretty difficult to deal with and can't see myself being able to cope with it for a long period.