Chronic Shortness of Breath

Hello.  At 29 and in otherwise good health, I've been suffering with chronic, continuous shortness of breath for 14 months.  Other symptoms are Globus (constant) and pain and pressure in the neck and jaw, ears, and sinuses, much worse after eating.  My doctors say I DO have GERD, but they don't see how GERD can cause the continuous SOB symptoms.  I've had 2 pulmonary function tests which show normal except MIPS and MEPS (breathing muscle strength) at 25-30% of normal.  My Pulmonologist is baffled by this, as I do not appear to have any neurological condition and have seen a neurologist and had MRIs of neck and brain just to be sure.  Does anyone else have or heard of this?  I am ready to go for surgery for GERD, on the probability that this is the cause of the SOB, even if there's a chance for help, because right now I'm just existing from day to day, not living.  Any response at all would be appreciated.  Thank You.

[National Jewish]

Generally surgery is considered for gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) only when medications have not helped.  GERD is a most unlikely cause of shortness of breath.  When GERD is associated with aspiration it can lead to tightening of the airways in the lungs, also called bronchospasm.  This could result in shortness of breath.
You should be seen a pulmonologist to have your lung function and shortness of breath assessed.  This may include re-testing of your respiratory muscle strength and endurance as well as an exercise test.

[ashpie3]

Hi, I also have the same problem and I've had numerous test and nothing was found..I feel like i can never get a DEEP BREATH AND that leads to always trying to make myself yawn or make myself sigh so I can breath..it has been going on for awhile and is really starting to interfere with my life because I get very anxious..I also have sinus problems and a constant drip in my throat..I am also looking for any suggestions as to what could cause this..

[krista]

Hi,

  I'm a 22 year old female, and I've been getting pressure for a couple months as well.  I have had numerous ekg's, a stress test, and chest xray, all which were normal...and recently had an upper GI.  I get pressure in the upper centre of my chest, and I would like to know what its from.  My doctor and the one I see at the University where I go to school says its anxiety.  I also have left shoulder pain, and pressure, and left arm weakness sometimes.  I just want someone to diagnose me. :) Anxiety just doesn't seem right because I never thought of myself as anxious?  I've become 'crazy' wondering if this is my heart... could it just be problems with my stomach that causes these symptoms?  I would have posted this as a separate question, but the forum is full...I just saw pressure, and it sounded familiar.

[Concerned lady]

I urge you to telephone the LUNG LINE Monday morning, at 1-800-222-LUNG(5864), between 8am & 4:30pm (Mon-Fri). Speak to a LUNG LINE nurse about your situation, to get some good advice!!

The LUNG LINE is at Nat'l Jewish Hospital, in Denver, CO. This is the best respiratory hospital, and if you could go there, I think you would be diagnosed correctly and quickly, and get some good treatment!

Nat'l Jewish Hospital not only knows all about all types of respiratory problems, they are also experts at auto-immune conditions, etc. This is the best hospital I have ever seen (& experienced). Call them Monday!

I will also post some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS in case they can help, but first you really need to see some better EXPERT DOCS!

I'll also post some SINUS TIPS in case these might help too, but again, first see a better EXPERT DOC!

Good luck to you.

Sincerely, Concerned lady
***@****

[Concerned lady]

Some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (without acid blockers):

GER=Gastro-Esophageal Reflux. (Gastro=stomach. Esophagus=food tube.)

LPR= Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux. (Larynx=voice box, containing the 2 vocal cords. Pharynx=throat, above the larynx. The larynx is above the trachea/windpipe.)

Reflux=acidic or alkaline stomach material that backs up into the esophagus (food tube), causing any of these problems: VCD/Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Laryngospasm attacks, cough, voice problems, asthma, globus (feeling of lump in throat), constant need to clear throat, worsening of sinus condition, sore throat, pre-cancerous conditions of throat &/or esophagus, etc.

SOME GER/LPR CONTROL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: STOMACH AILMENTS AND DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES, by Michael T. Murray, N.D. See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com   and, also see GER/LPR info on page 5, and on LINKS page.

PLEASE READ THIS GREAT BOOK. It may possibly be bought on-line, from Michael T. Murray

[Concerned lady]

Some SINUS TIPS:

SOME  SINUS SURVIVAL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: SINUS SURVIVAL, by Dr. Robert Ivker, D.O.  See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com  

PLEASE READ THE BOOK SINUS SURVIVAL, by Dr. Ivker!, for MORE GOOD IDEAS!!!

(1) NASAL IRRIGATIONS: THIS IS DONE WITHOUT ANY CHOKING, AND WITHOUT SNIFFING THE LIQUID UP THE NOSE! My husband does these once a day. I do them 2x a day. When I first did them, I needed to do them 4x/day. We try to avoid doing them within 1 hour of bedtime (or lying down), because some of the irrigation fluid drains out later on, and we prefer to be awake and not lying down (when possible), to gently blow the residual warm salt-water out of each nostril. Keep tissues (unscented) handy.

  (a) First, we each bought a NETI-POT, an 8 ounce little ceramic teapot without a cover, from a health food store. Some people who do Yoga use neti-pots (hence the East-Indian sound of NETI-POT). This avoids potential latex allergy from rubber bulb syringes! Also, this is a gentle gravity method, with no dangerous high water pressure. And no electricity is needed!

  (b) We put about a half teaspoon (1/2 teaspoon) of plain (non-iodized) salt (sodium chloride, NaCl, avoiding additives) into the neti-pot. We like PLAIN, ADDITIVE-FREE, NON-IODIZED sea-salt (from health food store).

  ( c) We then add a little hot water and stir, to dissolve the salt. We use well water (no chlorine, no fluoride). Distilled water would be OK, but we do not drink distilled water, which can leach minerals (like calcium) out of the bones, contributing to osteoporosis.

  (d)  Then we add a little cold water, and stir, to make the salt water warm, not hot. (I experimented, until I found the most comfortable degree of warm temperature

[jshelbcoff]

Thank you everyone, yes I will call Lung Line.

Yes, I also have left arm numbness and weakness that strikes on occasion.  I too have had a complete cardio workup.  I understand that this can be reffered sensations from the esophagus.  I also think that the doctors don't know everything they are supposed to about reflux, and, more specifically, hiatal hernia.  It goes something like this: many people have hiatal hernia with no symptoms; therefore, hiatal hernia causes no symptoms itself.  I would disagree with this assessment, or at least feel that GERD is responsible for more than they know.

These conditions will commonly be attibuted to anxiety by doctors, but only because there are some things that they don't understand.

[krista]

Hi :)

  I've had an upper GI, but I don't go back to the city I go to school in till next week.  Eventhough both doctors reassure me that its not my heart, I just wonder where all this pressure is coming from?  It comes and goes...today it was fine, but I can have it up to a week at a time....its frustrating!

[Concerned lady]

Dear jshelbcoff,

What meds are you taking now, for what conditions? Drug side effects &/or drug interactions should be considered.

Also, are you exposed to "indoor air pollution"? (like toxic molds, irritating or toxic fumes from chemicals, or "outgassing" from new building materials, etc.)

I hope you can find good docs to help accurately diagnose you.

Concerned lady
***@****
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[23aiden23]

A related discussion, Shortness of breath and odd heartbeats was started.