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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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@arandompenguin, have you had an ENT do a nasal endoscopy where you make sounds while the camera is near the vocal cords? I was so resistant to believe my shortness of breath could be related to the vocal cords, yet that is what the problem is! After having a tracheotomy, I can finally breathe. Of course, my problem of bilaterally paralyzed vocal cords may not be yours, but it may benefit you to check out your vocal cords. A person can still eat, drink and speak with many vocal cord problems. Also, the majority of vocal cord problems can be solved without having a tracheotomy. Best wishes to you.
I took Prazepam and Sertraline. I had Prazepam for 8 months and Sertaline for about 7 months. I felt like 2 or 3 better after the medication so if you're going through this using the "exhale holding breath" is definitely what made it better.
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1 ReactionHi @arandompenguin, thanks for sharing this! The breath holding technique you describe is similar to what the Buteyko Breathing method teaches which is what method I use to manage my symptoms. I had pretty bad anxiety when this first started which led to panic attacks spurred on by the condition, but like you, I learned to manage the symptoms and the anxiety was less and less over time.
As for your sinuses- do you attribute sinus issues to allergies or general inflammation?
I never had any vocal cord issues, I mean, how am I supposed to know if it's related to that or not? What was it that you were diagnosed with?
@arandompenguin,
I was diagnosed with Bilaterally Paralyzed Vocal Cords. According to one ENT, vocal-cord issues are not uncommon in people. This is true for people that have undergone radiation for cancer, have had Covid, even viruses can cause the vocal cords (VCs) to malfunction. My first indication was not being able to cough out mucus. It was trapped by the paralyzed VCs. In my mind, how could this be when I could still eat, drink and talk? Yet, it is highly possible. The second indication was my lack of ability to take deep breaths. This became worse as time went on, to the point of not being able to do any physical labor no matter how small. Although I am not asthmatic, a Primatene Mist inhaler helped open up my airway enough to help me make it to the tracheotomy surgery date. These inhalers (designed for asthma) can be purchased over the counter, without a prescription. An ENT can do a nasal endoscopy (NE) in office, and within a few minutes can tell you how your VCs are functioning. An ENT explained it this way: Your VCs are like the front door to your house. If it's open, the air flows through. If it is partially closed, very little air can flow in. The NE is virtually painless, just a bit uncomfortable. There are many curative techniques available for people with malfunctioning VCs. Unfortunately, these techniques are not available for people that have undergone radiation therapy because the tissue could become necrotic.
Best of wishes to you.
Afrer a year with my sob, im saying definitely the cause of sob its diffrent for everyone
Anxiety , sinusits,thyroid,gerd,asthema and ...
But the most reasons is : anxiety or Gerd
For mine its anxiety
And im on medication and feels good better 70 80 percent
But its not gone completely and im see my doc every 2 months for change medication and up or down theyr dosages
But if gerd reason of sob
Im sure its gone or better with ppi or h2 blockers medication and good diet
A friendly suggestion
If really you feel better with anxiety's meds even less
Probably Your sob cause is anxiety even your not feel it like me
So go and search for medication and dosage that it has most effect on you
Good luck
I doubt Anxiety for my case as well. I have this for 2 years up and down.
I will feel better when am happy and worse on sad or depressed.
Do you experience also tight neck upper chest pain some time?
When the medication started to work ?
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1 ReactionHave you had an X-ray of your neck to check for herniated discs?
I do intentional breathing (Weil's 8 in x 4 hold x 8 in). After Covid, despite normal PFT and echocardiogram, this comes to me now and again. I also have a flutter valve (available online, but I got mine from hospital) that seems to help.
Hi everyone,
I am back. I was wondering if anyone on this threat has had surgery in their throat? I was told my throat looks "crowded" on the Continuous Laryngoscopy and I hadn't stopped thinking about that.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/laryngotracheal-reconstruction/about/pac-20384652#:~:text=Laryngotracheal%20(luh%2Dring%2Dgo,windpipe%20to%20make%20it%20wider.This is the surgery I found about and I have reached out to my doctors asking. It's definitely hard living this way.
Tahir