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Constant Shortness of Breath

Hi,im a 22 year old male and i've been dealing with this constant shortness of breath for over 6-7 years now. I written on a forum about this before but just hadd to write one again. Its hard to say but doctors have no idea what's wrong with me.I see so mnay people dealing with this problem and it seems like theres no diagnosis. It just strated outta the blue I went to take a deep breath and i couldnt get that last bit of hair to satisfy the breath and this whole vicious cycle started. After that for about 2 years i was constantly taking deep breaths and not able to get a satisfied breath. I WAS CONSTANTLY YAWNING>SIGNING AND TAKIN UNSATISFIED DEEP BREATH ALL DAY LONG. I had reached the point when i was staying home in my bed just hoping i would die so it would stop.  After 2 years or so it seemed to just go away. It then came back right after i smoked a cigarette . Ever since then its been an ongoing struggle. I feel as if i have no control of my life, and im constantly thinking of my breathing. I feel hopeless and feel as if no one understands what im going through or that i have this disease that doctors cant detect. My doctor has put me on xanax for anxiety and it seemed to cut the edge off a lil but its still there. Its not as bad as when i first got it but it still disrupts my life. I can only work 2 days, i don't go to school  and i don't have much of a happy life .I've gone to cardiologist, ent's, gi's, pulmonary doctors. I've gone through xrays, PFT, EKG, stress tests, endoscopy . Only thing i have is GERD/LPR with sinsation of lump in throat and a very small irregular heart beat. I also am constantly clearing my throat.I heard that can be because of the Gerd/LPR. I just took a new PFT test and my breathing is normal. i did have a deviated septum but got that fixed..My lung specialist says its just all in my head and that i have this because ive become aware of my breathing pattern. i've used advair, singular and breathing pumps for asthma with no results. when im sitting or laying down its seems to be fine but when i stand up or move it kicks in more. I'm losing hope on what's going on with me. Does anyone have this?If so can anyone recommend anything else i should look for? the only thing i really want to do is a MRI or CT scan but doctors say 99 percent sure nothing will show.Has anyone heard of chronic hyperventilation syndrome? or phrenic nerve damage? if anyone can be of help please email me or post a message?
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Avatar universal

on november 14th 2015, i woke up and relaised i couldnt draw proper breath, i had ecg done and everything read normal, i started exercsing alot and have lost over 30 pounds during this time, there are times the shortness of breath is intense, i had it checked out by alot of doctors and they say is anxiety, but i worry about it continuously, i am scared something happens to me, i am a 31 year old male, my wife doesn't understand sometimes what i am going through, i am bothered by it and is like i am monitoring my own breathing when i shouldnt be, i find this very difficult most times, i am glad i saw the comments here but the worry about it is intense at times."



















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Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Get your thyroid checked ASAP!!
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Avatar universal
Iv also been having shortness of breath for about a  month i first went to the Dr and they treted me for broncitis after week i still had the shortnes sof breath i went to the Dr again and she gave me a steroid inhaler. The 3rd time she did xrays and my xrays were clear i also got a chest MRI and it was nothing urgent . So i went to see a cardioligest got a EKG and ECO of my heart heart i also got a stress test done because he wanted to make sure i did not have any clogged arterys everything came back clear. It sucks i cant even walk for long periods of time without feeling like im gasping for air. In the morning a wake up feeling ok but throught the day i start feeling it again .. iv been having bad heart burn so i think that may be it iv also been feeling really really anxious for no reason ill be going back to the dr soon and see what eles can be done i hate feeing this way.
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Avatar universal
Happie
been having shortness of breath since 2016, and m sick of it cause it makes me uncomfortable and I yawn countlessly, I am 21 years old, although I'm not scared cause I know Jehovah has my back, but iwanna know, even my doctor thinks I am fine, m just not comfortable,
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Avatar universal
I have had the same experience, seemingly out of the blue. After months of this problem i realized the symptoms woyld go away when i took something for heartburn. I discovered i had acid relux  when my ENT saw it on the scope. I read up on acid reflux and how it effects the breathing. See of this helps
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Avatar universal
I'm 13 and I have (yes, have.) the same case as you but I don't smoke cigarettes. I've told this to my parents and they already took me to a doctor a lot of times and they NEVER found anything wrong with me. Every year, my breath gets shorter and shorter. Right now (as I'm currently writing this) I'm wishing to just die already. I can't sleep and I have to attend school tomorrow. I can't sleep because I can't breathe. I can't help but wonder what would happen to me in the next 2-3 years. Heck, (pardon the cursing) I don't even know if I'll still last for another year. If I already can't handle it now, hpw can I een do it in the following year? Someone.. please tell me what's wrong with me..
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Avatar universal
Hey guys! I've been dealing with this too - and from the comments above, one thing I've noticed that we ALL have in common is anxiety. Think that's a coincidence? :)

I hope this helps: In addition to the 4 7 8 breathing technique (which totally works), I've turned to jogging, and it works wonders.

The thing is, my brain has tricked me into thinking that my body needs more air when it doesn't. By running, I force it to come to grips with what needing air REALLY feels like. This has accomplished so many things for me:

1.) I'm in better shape, and more healthy
2.) It's like a reset button when I'm having one of those "attacks" where I focus too hard on my breathing
3.) Running in general improves anxiety symptoms
4.) ...but it also improves anxiety for people who "worry that they'll die" from not being able to breathe; because really, how can that be true if you can run?

If you're unable to jog for whatever reason, no worries at all - just do something to make yourself feel out of breath, and try to do it every day. And if you're having trouble at work, use the 4 7 8 technique.

I really hope that helps! Our minds are our biggest enemy, and if there's one thing I've learned, that's a problem that only smart people seem to have. :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sounds like stress and anxiety. The body goes into a fight or flight mode when it is under a tremendous amount of stress whether your brain actually realizes it or not. Which can cause unnoticeable shallow breathing. The feeling of shortness of breath that goes away when busy or occupied points to the symptom of actually having too much oxygen in the body, creating an imbalance of oxygen and C02. A form of hyperventilation. It causes a decrease in the amount of a gas in the blood (called carbon dioxide, or CO2). This decrease may make you feel lightheaded, have a rapid heartbeat, and be short of breath.  It also can lead to numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, anxiety, fainting, and sore chest muscles. There is a breathing technique that I myself thought was total BS until I ran out of straws on why I was short of breath. I had Chest X rays done, blood tests, breathing tests and all came back totally normal. The breathing technique is called the 4 7 8 breathing technique.  Look it up and do it. I swear by it. It really does lower heart rate and increase GABA levels in your body which is the natural chemical your body produces to give you that calm and settled down feeling. The breathing technique also balances out the imbalance of C02 and oxygen that is making you feel like you are short of breath. Try it, I swear by it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had this problem since forever, I think I got it when I was 15 and I'm 38 now! I even can't remember how I got it and why, went to many dr's through the years did a lot of tests and there's nothing physically wrong, they all say it's physiological and it's a nervous tic and that I should stop it! And quit smoking...I've been having anxiety and panic attacks for the last couple of years, took some medications for depression, I'm always tiered I have no energy, have shortness of breath all the time down most of the time and I have 2 kids and a husband that I have to take care of and be nice with, I'm always edgy and scared, I developed severe fear of flight...I'm really missreable! Please help
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1 Comments
Hi there,
I've been having the same issue. As soon as I wake up, it starts. It can be really uncomfortable and annoying and very scary. This causes me to get even worse with my panic attack. I use to have this issue in 2003 and it lasted 2 years and one night I had major panic attack that my husband called 911 and after the peramedics arrived they ran some tests and said that I need to see a doctor for it. I was prescribed Lexapro and was great for 2 years and with the help of my doctor I wanted to stop the meds. I can say I went without any medication from 2009 to 2015 for 6 years I didn't feel any panic nor anxiety or shortness of breath until August 2015 after having an A**Hole manager at work, my panick attacks returned and shortness of breath has been there since then. I can 100% say that my manager triggered it for it to come back again. Now I'm back on Lexapro started at .05mg but I feel it doesn't help me like it did the first time.
Avatar universal
I am a 47 year old. I have had anxiety and depression on and off since I was 30. About 2 weeks ago I got up to a normal day and was yawning then later in the day I started the shortness of breath after a few days went to the er they admitted me. I had a stress test heart is fine Cray of lungs fine, doc said it was anxiety, maybe it is all in my head and I'm missing a certain chemical, but I am glad I have found others with this whatever it is and I am not crazy. Also it seems when I am concentrating on a project I don't have the urge to get that deep breath, and when I am sleeping. Thank you all for sharing.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That is because you are scared to take the xanax. I had the same problem.  I have sever anxiety disorder and depression.  Take your med. / If you are too scared then just take a half of one and relax yourself.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had this for years.. I do have anxiety disorder and depression. I also have COPD. I have gerd too.  But I wanted to know if any of you have had your thyroids checked. If not, please do so. This is how all my problems with the breathing and anxiety started.  I have hypothyroids.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello, Im a 34 yr old female and Im going through the exact same thing. It started May 1st after I had inhaled bleach and I have been through hell and back. Im constantly crying depressed on disability for another 3 weeks and nothing. I Was admitted to hospital for 6 days and have been in and out of hospital in between. Last but not least Im waiting for my insurance to approve for me to see a speech therapist to see if I have vcd ( Vocal Cord Dysfuction) which if you read about it you will see that our symptoms are very similar to the diagnosis. Have u found a solution to your problem? I know you wrote this back in 2009
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I hate having this the restless nights I cant be at home alone or I start thinking something is going to happen to me where it got to the point I wanted to pay people to hang at home with me bcuz I was scared
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1 Comments
That's my problem now too! Have you found a solution to your problem?
Avatar universal
Hi I have the same as you been in and out off hospital 17 times in 12 months still no joy no one is listing to me you got c.o.p.d that's it. No how you r feeling ..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hello! this post is old but i decided to post incase any other person  was having issues and for others that will have this issue and come here and ive been reading this for over 2months because I am/was having the same issue majorly shortness of breath

After being depressed for months finally (God help me) found it... we seem to be overlooking it.

the shortness of breath is caused by your GERD/acid reflux ....that's it! how it affects your breathing? well I was too excited that I'd finally found it to even try to understand how it affects the breathing, guess you will have to google it

I've been on asthma drugs which didn't help, it made me think the sensation of lump in my throat, the bloating was because of its side effects.

Yesterday I decided to try omeprazole which another doctor (I went to a lot of doctors to do tests....which came back clean) and two of the many docs I went to prescribed omeprazole (aka prilosec or something like that) and well I decided to try it....after weeks or leaving it in a bag doubting it would ever work and I gate taking drugs anyway, I hardly take the drugs docs prescribe (believe the body is self healing) but this shortness of breath is a whole different story.

voila! just one day I felt immensely better. (took one tablet in the morning... in the evening I felt betterl

I had to share it. hope you all get better.

it is NOT anxiety or all that nonsense your doc would try to make you believe, it's not that you are not exercising because in my own way I exercise (and who prescribes exercise to someone that cannot breathe) and its not that you have forgotten how to breathe

its so good to be able to breathe and wake up in the morning get up and not feel like I just ran a Marathon

pray (I'm a Christian) go to your doc get him to prescribe your the omeprazole or sth... and pray to God it works.

Have a nice day
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I am happy that it was just gerd/reflux for you, but you have to realize that it probably is not for 99% of the people in here. Most of the people in here including myself have had every test imaginable, and have been to GI doctors. Digestive issues are one of the first things they look for after everything else checks out fine. And PPI's are the first thing they give you. Im sure almost everyone in here has taken PPI's. I have some reflux and was diagnosed with eoe, which is a newer esophagus disease that causes difficulty swallowing, and is usually caused by some food allergy. I do think everyone in here should get there blood tested for allergies, and I believe Anxiety is the main factor. I have had this for 3 months. Mine is constant, but does get worse at different times especially at night and when I try to go to bed. I can't exercise anymore. It definitely is taking over my life, and it is difficult to work or do anything. I am going to start doing some breathing exercises like Buteyko or something, and prob go see psych doc. or maybe functional medice.
Avatar universal
I got the same problem like a week ago. I was able to overcome it. I am writing to help you because I know how hard it can get having gone through it myself.
Now do this. Do NOT open your mouth to take deep breaths, you are breathing just fine actually we are all stuck in this cycle of breathing deep to catch that last breath. Because you know when you are talking and sleeping you are breathing just fine as soon as you become conscious of your breath , you start hyperventilating. I promise this will work, dont deep breathe, slow you breathing down. Do not open you mouth to breathe , or dont force air through your nose. I forced myself on this for a few days and I doing fine now. I even started exercising
I hope this helps you. Best of Luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I got the same problem like a week ago. I was able to overcome it. I am writing to help you because I know how hard it can get having gone through it myself.
Now do this. Do NOT open your mouth to take deep breaths, you are breathing just fine actually we are all stuck in this cycle of breathing deep to catch that last breath. Because you know when you are talking and sleeping you are breathing just fine as soon as you become conscious of your breath , you start hyperventilating. I promise this will work, dont deep breathe, slow you breathing down. Do not open you mouth to breathe , or dont force air through your nose. I forced myself on this for a few days and I doing fine now. I even started exercising
I hope this helps you. Best of Luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I got the same problem like a week ago. I was able to overcome it. I am writing to help you because I know how hard it can get having gone through it myself.
Now do this. Do NOT open your mouth to take deep breaths, you are breathing just fine actually we are all stuck in this cycle of breathing deep to catch that last breath. Because you know when you are talking and sleeping you are breathing just fine as soon as you become conscious of your breath , you start hyperventilating. I promise this will work, dont deep breathe, slow you breathing down. Do not open you mouth to breathe , or dont force air through your nose. I forced myself on this for a few days and I doing fine now. I even started exercising
I hope this helps you. Best of Luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi zambrotta and all of you who are suffering from anxiety like me, please try magnesium glycinate and stay away from caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas and liquor). Magnesium will helped me a lot. PLEASE TRY!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
this kinda ***** but we will definitely get through and cure this, people do not understand what is going on and they start criticizing you, why can't you keep a job, why can't you do this why can't you do that, why don't you think about your future while all I'm trying to do is lessen my anxiety by not thinking about my future, or worrying about anything, they make you worry even more.
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Avatar universal
hey how are you now it has been 6 years since you first made your post, how are you doing right now how did you get cured, what medication did you take and what helped you get over this problem, thank you so much for starting this movement, I really appreciate what you did even though you might not think it was anything of importance, I can't wait to hear back from you, best regards.
-Eli
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Can you give me the cure, exercises to do daily, a herbal medication that reliefs stress, anything like that anyone?
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Avatar universal
same thing here, can anyone email me or reply to me with the solution, i am not scared but I am tired and my lungs are tired as well, is there anyone here from lebanon? perhaps we can meet
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