Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

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?
181 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Anytime a doctor or researcher can't come up with a diagnosis, they come up with a word for what they can't figure out what is wrong with you. And so many doctors think that things are in the heads of their patients when they can't find whats wrong. I've been going through this for years. I have unstable angina almost daily. Forget trying breathe. When this first started in 2009, I was given a stress test. It showed everything was fine. Later another stress test and again everything was fine. Two days after this test they were putting in three heart stents. Still have trouble and I've been in the hospital so many times it isn't funny. Anyway, since 2009, I've had thirty-one heart caths. I have twelve heart stents, have had countless angio's and in two weeks I'm going in to get a pacemaker. Sadly, there are still people who think it's in my head, even people in the ER who are getting tired of seeing me.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been a shallow breather as long as I can remember. No allergies I'm aware of. I'm now 33 and 4 days ago I woke up short of breath, unable to yawn fully, or breath deep, and the only comfort is laying down and sleeping. But if I go out and occupy myself I catch myself wondering why I can breath. Then as soon as I'm done I can't breath again. This has got worse each day and today I actually thought I was going to die. My body went numb and limbs tingled and lightheaded dizzy etc. So I managed to find a proper Inhaler and it has helped a great deal. I'm still stuck catching myself breathing deep and thanks to muscle memory I stop breathing mid inhale. Some perspective. I'm overweight and my diet consists of soda and junk food. Unfortunately I'm an addict of prescription medications as well. Xanax, Ambien, Oxy.... And I smoke. Seems like I know the answer and the answer is scary. But all that said, I'm actually fairly active. Golf, Fishing, Playing catch, going out and eating etc. And this shortness of breath thing is out of control. This is day 4 and I'm very much set in my ways. So a typical day is no longer typical. Its now go to sleep for relief and wake up hoping its gone and 20 minutes later BOOM! Can't breath deep or yawn. It started after I was most active I've been in 10 years. I'm really scared that its Heart Failure or Lung Cancer. But I did have a thyroid thing I never had treated and I read that can contribute. Anyway none of you are alone. Everyone has something and this something is really something. I just know if I see a Doctor I'll find out horrible news and be dead in a week. But I'm going as soon as I can. Best of luck all.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Same symptoms, same hopelessness...add paralyzed vocal cord to the mix....and LPR. I'm on valium, nexium for life, practice my breathing techniques daily and STILL think about my breathing 24/7 and feel as though I'm not getting enough air.. Stress makes it worse, drinking excessively cold liquids makes it worse. It's nice to know I'm not alone, but I feel bad for all of you. God Bless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi john,

please share videos of that breathing exercises to all. god bless you.
my email I'd ***@****
waiting for your reply
thank you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi , read ur post in medihelp about ur problem with shortness of breath . I am having the same problem last 6 months . U still having it ?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm sorry for all my comments but I just want people to google chronic hyperventilation because I'm really sure many of you suffer from this and I want you all to get the help you need because I know how this mentally starts to wear on you, you feel there's something wrong but nobody seems to believe you :)
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community

Top Anxiety Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?