1. < Lung Health

Where to go for Shortness of Breath?

Posted by pedrito @pedrito, Jun 1, 2021

Several are the causes of shortness of breath. Most prominent are the lungs and heart. Both have been discarded in my case by specialists. I am considering a second opinion with a doctor at Mayo. However, who I should see? A cardiologist? A pulmonologist? Any suggestions? Also, it is true that Mayo has an multidisciplinary group of doctors who will review you case if the treating doctor cannot find a cause? Your responses/views will be highly appreciated. Is this the right group to ask for guidance?

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barbark3 | @hcgardner1 | Feb 9, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Have you tried any deep breathing (or belly breathing) exercises when you begin getting these episodes?..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Have you tried any deep breathing (or belly breathing) exercises when you begin getting these episodes?
Sue

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I’ve been abdominal breathing for months. I've also tried deep breathing. This does calm me down but it doesn’t stop my body from feeling like I constantly need to take a deep breathe.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Feb 11, 2022
In reply to @hcgardner1 "This happened before months ago and stopped up until now. i’ve gone to the doctor and..." + (show)
@hcgardner1

This happened before months ago and stopped up until now. i’ve gone to the doctor and hospital multiple times before and they did run blood tests, did an endoscopy too. They’ve written it off as anxiety every single time in the end which it might be. I just don’t understand how my anxiety can cause me to have SOB 24/7.

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A lot about SOB is still unknown. I encourage you to do as much research as you can and specifically the posts on this site, to read as much as you can. There is nothing like hearing first-hand experiences, is there?

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grandma72 | @grandma72 | Feb 12, 2022

I understand as I’ve experienced this, as well, with no resolution. I can tell you it isn’t a health problem with my heart or lungs, stomach etc. I’m good 🙂 not anxiety … and so on. I’ll keep ya posted if I come up with an answer.

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debkl | @debkl | Feb 12, 2022
In reply to @pedrito "Hello Colleen, Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and, also, for providing..." + (show)
@pedrito

Hello Colleen, Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and, also, for providing me with some very valuable information. These two years have been very stressful and frustrating. You go from doctor to doctor and from test to test looking for answers and there is not a single result that could dictate the way to proceed simply because nothing wrong has been found. However, the shortness of breath and a dry cough persist. I am currently trying to convince my wife to go to Mayo but she is hesitant in doing so given the time to be spent on the road and her frail condition. She thinks SHANDS is a more practical option given the fact that is much closer to home. As I said, shortness of breathe has last for about two years. She also has fibromyalgia and this she has experienced for many years. I have read about False Shortness of Breathe and she took several tests prescribed by a Gastro doctor (endoscopy and esophageal barium (?), among others and the diagnose was that there was nothing abnormal with her digestive tract. She often experiences heartburn, though. Needless to say that I thank you for having moved my discussion to the other forums where, probably, I will be able to get even more valuable information. Thanks a ton!

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Have you had any neck or back problems? An often ovetlooked cause of SOB is C5-6 degenerative disc disease or compression of the brachial plexus. Some of the peripheral nerves can be compressed. That might be missed on MRI of the C-spine if the roots look patent. You might need EMG/NCV to look for compression peripherally.

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1 reply
grandma72 | @grandma72 | Feb 13, 2022
In reply to @debkl "Have you had any neck or back problems? An often ovetlooked cause of SOB is C5-6..." + (show)
@debkl

Have you had any neck or back problems? An often ovetlooked cause of SOB is C5-6 degenerative disc disease or compression of the brachial plexus. Some of the peripheral nerves can be compressed. That might be missed on MRI of the C-spine if the roots look patent. You might need EMG/NCV to look for compression peripherally.

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Omg I should’ve written more I guess as I just had anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at 5/6 and it relieves me of shortness of breath appointment works or so but I’m still experiencing this other kind of shortness of breath ( like trying to catch a good breath). However , I’m thinking I’m only two months out of surgery so this symptom may resolve as well.

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1 reply
debkl | @debkl | Feb 13, 2022
In reply to @grandma72 "Omg I should’ve written more I guess as I just had anterior cervical discectomy and fusion..." + (show)
@grandma72

Omg I should’ve written more I guess as I just had anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at 5/6 and it relieves me of shortness of breath appointment works or so but I’m still experiencing this other kind of shortness of breath ( like trying to catch a good breath). However , I’m thinking I’m only two months out of surgery so this symptom may resolve as well.

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Let your doctors know so they can rule out any nerve damage.

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Mayflowers | @4mayflowers | Feb 13, 2022

Hi, I’m Dia and posting for the first time. My situation is similar. Where to start?

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1 reply
Mentor
Gabe, Volunteer Mentor | @gabrielm | Feb 14, 2022
In reply to @4mayflowers "Hi, I’m Dia and posting for the first time. My situation is similar. Where to start?" + (show)
@4mayflowers

Hi, I’m Dia and posting for the first time. My situation is similar. Where to start?

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Hi @4mayflowers, can you describe more about your symptoms and how long you’ve had this issue?

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debkl | @debkl | Feb 15, 2022

This mght be a duplicate reply. There can be neuromuscular disorders that affect breathing. Cervical spine degenerative disc disease affecting the phrenic nerves, brachial plexus compression affecting the neck and chest respiratory muscles, trigger points in and around the scalenes in the neck, can all cause SOB..

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