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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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Hello, thank you very much for the comment. Sorry if I'm not very clear, but that's because I'm Bulgarian and my English is poor. My blood tests are normal. Years ago, my husband said that I had moments of apnea durung sleep. Now he hasn't heard. It all started after a very mild covid 4 months ago. It seems to me that they are contractions (tics) of the diaphragm, sometimes stronger and make me inhale sharply. My speech stops for a second. It's very unpleasant. I try to convince myself that everything is ok
I would be grateful to you for any suggestions and sharing of such complaints.
This is exactly how o feel. I felt t 5 years ago. Lasted for months but my 02 dropped 89%. I was anemic. But since that has been taken care of about 4 weeks ago onfelt this way again. No answers. I can't get deep breath or I have to take them often. Having another lung test next week. Sick of hearing anxiety. Sometimes I feel tight. I feel it more in the morning. I feel it on exertion, eating etc. I can't keep going like this. I have 4 children and 16 grands. Why doesn't anyone have answers? My x-ray showed prominent right hilum but my pulmonologist said it hasn't changed since 2021. I don't know. Im scared. Im only 53. Even sitting I feel like i need to take a deep breath. But when I walk a mile my 02 stays 96-98%. I need a medical grade pulse oximeter. Hoping my pulmonologist will also order a CT scan to look at my lungs. I say because my HR drops low it's causing this. But I'm being told no. For example, sitting here, and just writing this out I had to take a deep breath. I hope to have answers soon.
Anymore updates?
These steps worked for me after several months of struggling to breathe at times. Perhaps they will help you good folks.
1, Breathe deeply and slowly, filling your diaphragm first. I do it at rising, at beditime, and before exercising.
2. Visualize your lungs renewing themselves (3 right lobes, both left lobes).
3. Exercise moderately, daily.
4. Avoid eating too many carbohydrates. They metabolize into carbon dioxide which interferes with breathing. Also, low salt and sugar of course. Eat plenty of veggies and fruits. Avoid red meat. Enjoy some garlic and extra virgin olive oil on your meals. Have a few walnuts and almonds daily.
5. Personally, I found that avoiding ginger helps.
6. Inhale aroma of thyme leaves upon rising, before exercise, and before bedtime, and as needed.
7. Drink plenty of filtered water.
8. Drink 4 ounces of organic tart cherry juice at breakfast.
9. Also start the day with magnesium glycinate. I start with about 30% of the RDA.
10. Drink 4 ounces of pomegranate juice after exercising.
11. Avoid inhaling clearing agent aromas, especially those containing chlorine. Also avoid chemicals in general.
12. I drink 3 cups of decaf (Swiss water process) a day.
13. Lastly, have a regular sleep schedule of 7-8 hours a day.
That's it for me. Hope it helps others. I'm fortunately off all meds, no significant coughing, and no breathing problems. I'm very thankful at 81.
Regards,
Sagan
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2 ReactionsHello friend, I have been getting used to these complaints for 5 months now. The oxygen from the pulse oximeter is ok, but I have intermittent 10-15 short involuntary breaths. This resembles an atypical silent semi-hiccup. I am 68 years old woman. I feel better with various breathing exercises, as well as when I am active. It is unpleasant at rest and at night and in the morning. Autosuggestion is also important. I hope I reassure you a little..
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1 ReactionHi @tammyjbell. I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with this breathing issue. It's tough because breathing is so central to living that the feeling of lack of air can really affect normal living.
Did you confirm that your anemia was taken care of. i.e., did you get another test to confirm? Interesting that your 02 dropped below 90%. That could be indicative of anemia, but it could also indicate something else, like regular or sports-induced asthma.
Let me know how your lung test turns out. Maybe you've developed a breathing condition that this test will uncover, but hard to tell until you get the results.
In the meantime there are breathing exercises to help you feel better, which are basically slow breathing exercises. Try to put your mind at ease by telling yourself that you're ok and you're breathing normally. The mind is a powerful thing that can lead the body into a false sense of "fight or flight". Look up "box breathing" and buteyko breathing exercises. Sometimes doing breathing exercises helps the mind and body to reconnect after it got thrown off somehow.
Thank you for sharing. I'm glad breathing exercises are helping you. Are you able to take control of the short involuntary breaths when they happen? There are exercises to deliberately slow the breathing at the onset of fast, shallow breathing.
No, I don't control them completely, but they are decreasing overall. And I convince myself that they don't bother me
I don't know exactly these exercises.
Hi, I'm new to Mayoclinic so I'm new to these forums. Thankfully there is a place where like minded people can share their health concerns, even though final remedies still loom in dark corners at the moment. Hopefully a suitable cure will emerge sooner rather than later.
Like most people who have commented, I suffer from intense SOB. On bad days I may have attacks every 30 secs and on good days I can have none...until I remember about them then they can give me a tickle up just to remind me.
Ok, so I'm 78 years old and while playing golf about 10 months ago I suffered SOB. At that time the green keepers had sprayed a rather strong and intense weed control to some areas of the rough. This resulted in me suffering chemical burns to parts of my legs and very large blistering. At the time I didn't associate the SOB with the allergic reaction of the weed killer. I visited hospital to manage the chemical burns and was first informed of side effects such as asthma type allergies, shortness of breath, dizziness etc, that may impact me. When the SOB became worse I visited my family GP and we pursued along the line of allergies due to what I told him. After trying inhalers; Pavtide MDI 250/25, Trelegy and Ventolin, all to no avail, he sent me to a chest specialist. I was informed the inhalers were airway openers but if the inhalers weren't working then obviously my airways were already fully open. What followed were X-Rays, CT scan, blood tests, lung tests, spirometry test, which all came back normal physically and what was concluded was that it must be psychological. I agree and though I have the utmost respect for my family doctor, and his associates - my doctor has cared for four generations of my family and his associates have delivered six of our grandchildren besides being specialists in their relative fields - I think anxiety and depression, as my doctor has concluded I suffer, is rather like trying to fit square pegs into round holes, or as I put it playing football with a golf ball. Sure it fits tidily in medical terms and offers a suitable resolve, but as I keep saying to my wife, the anxiety I may suffer is akin to the feeling you might feel if suddenly awakened if you fell asleep in the passenger seat of a car after it has crashed off the road and fallen into a lake and you wake up as the water reaches your nose. Anxiety on the verge of panic caused by the inability to draw breath! When your doctor...and in my case my wife too! say I suffer from anxiety which is causing my SOB, I want to bash the pair of them over the head! To try and explain how hard it is to slow my breathing down, do breathing methods, act like a Tai Chi Master and stop the universe from rotating while simply rolling over in bed, all while an attack is happening and I'm literally gasping for breath and sucking air in crazily hoping for a satisfying full breathe to help settle me down...well that's not the anxiety they think it is. That's not what's happening in the real world.
Anyway, if anyone has found some perfect solution I would be more than grateful to hear about it, as I'm sure practically all the people that have posted here would be.
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