Connect
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.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Health Support Group.
Connect
Very interesting insights here, thank you for sharing. I'd not heard of claude.ai so I will definitely have to check it out. AI may turn out to be a powerful aid in our search for answers.
One other thing that seemed to help me in the beginning was taking iron and Vitamin B12 supplements. When I took those, the air hunger almost entirely went away. I don't know if that was just a coincidence or if there was anything there, but the fact that symptoms disappeared minutes after taking the supplements led me to believe that maybe I was deficient in those or other nutrients. So something to consider- maybe check if there are nutrient deficiencies.
Have you considered abstaining from the vaping or weed for a while? Sometimes abstaining from certain things for a while can also lead to various connections and insights about what sorts of things help or exacerbates symptoms.
That's interesting about the yawning theory. I too thought that maybe there was just something disconnected between how the brain and respiratory system communicate; perhaps there's some disconnect where the brain thinks your body needs more air, while your lungs and respiratory system are functioning just fine, but there could be a lack of "signal" there somehow. Anyway, just a theory.
@gabrielm
As I read your post, it’s like a copy paste of what I have been going through for the last 5 months.
My SOB started after a second tachycardia, first in Sep, and Second in Oct last year, it is Feb now. This was due to very high thyroid levels, from a thyroid supplement prescribed by a doctor.
At the time my T3 and T4 levels were double what they were supposed to be. They did other tests while in hospital, thyroid is also perfect, liver was slightly fatty, and I was pre diabetic, but only slightly, but since then I have lost 14KG through calorie control and eating a low carb sugar free diet. Whole Foods and quality fats. My pre-diabetes is gone. I was eating clean in general but now just control my portions.
I still carry a lot of muscle mass from my weight lifting days over 15 years ago.
The next day I stopped the thyroid supplement, T3 and T4 levels have normalized. The second tachycardia happened the day after the endocrinologist suggested I take thyroxine to reduce my slightly elevated TSH. I stopped that the day after and have been fine since. Every blood test shows my TSH is coming down so I let will just let my body do it’s thing.
I have had lungs and heart fully checked and monitored, cardiologist and pulmonologist say lungs and heart are perfect, all blood works are great, no deficiencies.
I did an allergy and food tolerance test. I don’t have any IGE allergies but do have intolerance for egg white, almond and milk. I have recently stopped eating these foods to see if it improves anything.
I saw Physcologist to understand if it was anxiety etc, but it’s not, even though at the time, I was getting anxious from the SOB, but since then I know it’s not danger, but just discomfort.
I went to see a gastroenterologist to check if I had a possible hiatal hernia, but he examined me and reviewed all my other tests results and did not it see a need for a scan or endoscopy.
I get enough sleep, walk minimum of 7000 steps a day, but go for 10000+ steps almost every other day. Try do weights when I can.
I practice butyeko breathing as well, which does make it more comfortable.
I take a quality vitamin supplements, D3/K2, B complex, C, probiotic.
I feel physically, emotionally and mentally feel great, except for this SOB that comes through out the day.
I have discomfort in the middle of my chest, like just where my diaphragm and stomach are, in that area, it varies from day to day. Not sure if this is the cause or from trying to get full breaths throughout the day, at times the sensation gets worse if I don’t eat anything or too take too long between meals.
I don’t get “out of breath”, I can exercise ok. Functionally my breathing is normal.
The feeling of having to yawn, but not hit that sweat satisfactory spot is frustrating, as well as the feeling of not being able to get a full breath throughout the day and having to “try” is also frustrating.
I don't know what else to do and what is causing it. Some days I get very frustrated by it.
Have you been evaluated for paralyzed diaphragm? I was recently diagnosed with this, having many of the same symptoms. Best wishes on your journey to find answers and results!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYour journey sounds like mine… for 9 1/2 years I struggled with shortness of breath on minimal exertion ( two steps up and rest) and went to so many specialists of so many parts of the body at several major hospitals with no diagnosis. I let it go and lived at a slow pace until it got so bad I couldn’t walk from bed to bathroom. My husband suggested a Dr check my spine and I had a herniated disc… saw neurosurgeon who did an anterior cervical disckectomy with fusion at C5/6 and I could breath again and run up steps! I also had the ‘trying to catch a good breath’ that went away.
I also watched my diet and did weight lifting. Good luck
Hi @robonobo
I hear you-- your experience sounds incredibly familiar, and I completely understand the frustration of searching for answers while everything on paper looks “normal.” It’s exhausting to go through so many tests, make lifestyle changes, and do all the right things, only to still be left with this constant air hunger.
It sounds like you’ve tackled this from every possible angle; thyroid, heart, lungs, diet, anxiety, gut health-- honestly, I’m impressed with how thorough you’ve been. The fact that you’ve ruled out so many things and still feel great overall makes this all the more baffling.
That discomfort in your chest and diaphragm area caught my attention. I’ve heard others describe something similar, especially when there’s a connection to digestion or diaphragm tension. Have you noticed if eating smaller, more frequent meals helps? I also wonder if something like gentle abdominal massage or diaphragm-focused breathing (like from the Buteyko method) could make a difference for you.
I totally get how the constant need to "try" for that deep breath can be the most frustrating part. Some days, it’s just mentally exhausting. Have you found anything, whether distraction, posture changes, or even certain types of movement-- that helps make those moments more manageable?
You’re not alone in this, and I really appreciate you sharing your story.
I just wanted to add, that I have been doing yoga regularly, and I am not sure if its placebo or something else but it does seem to sort of help or manage it to keep the SOB at a low level-- I would recommend folks to try it out! It still comes and goes for me, if I eat some things, but maybe.. yoga has been helping.