Constant shortness of breath

[zambrotta19]

Hi,im a 22 year old male and i've been dealing with this constant shortness of breath for over 5 years now , and doctors have no idea what's wrong with me. The only thing they say is that its anxiety, but i truly dont believe it. It just started spontaneously out of nowhere. I tried to take a deep breath one day and couldn't:(. After that for about 2 years i was constantly taking deep breaths and not able to get a satisfied breath. I was yawning and sighing all day. 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 went away. It then came back 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 hat doctors cant detect. My doctor has put me on xanax and it seemed to cut the edge off a lil but its still there. Its not *** bad and when i first got it but it still disrupts my life. I dont work i don't go to school  and i don't have much of a social 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 with sinsation of lump in throat and a very small irregular heart beat  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 with no results. when im sitting or laying down its seems to be fine but when i stand up or more 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. Has anyone heard of chronic hyperventilation syndrome? or phrenic nerve damage? if anyone can be of help please email me or post a message? My email is ***@****

[RandomPerson1233412342342]

http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/jared-bunch-rhythm-of-life/is-it-anxiety-or-heart-disease-sometimes-its-hard-to-tell-the-difference/

Since google brought me here, I thought i'd leave this for anyone else who gets to this page...  

It kind of explains how the anxiety can cause physical symptoms, and physical symptoms can cause anxiety -- so doctors aren't always wrong for saying it's in your head, but they shouldn't dismiss you - there are real treatments for anxiety that - if nothing else- should help you deal with an unresolved medical condition...

[Dacquiri]

I'm a 57yr old female, non-smoker, with recent onset of the same problem: shortness of breath, exactly as you describe, with no apparent cause. I have a mitral valve prolapse (floppy heart valve) which usually causes no problems, but I am wondering if there is a link. Heart & lung monitoring at the weekend showed no abnormality. That sensation of having to take a deep breath just to get enough air is pretty scary. Am seeing my GP this week, but am trying to prepare for him saying that it's all in my head (not likely)!

[zambrotta19]

Thanks for the advise and prayers Terri. Next time i visit with the doctor i will ask about the sniff test. I heard about phrenic nerve damage but not palsy. Is it the same thing? My Internist sen me for a CT scan and MRI but my insurance wont cover it. I also was diagnosed with  Laryngopharyngeal Reflux and i heard that can also cause breathing problems.

Thanks helpingutah. Im actually taking xanax with Cymbalta

[HelpinUtah]

I'm so sorry you are going through this.  But, I can say that I suffered from panic attacks several years ago and what you are explaining is exactly what I felt.  I felt like I couldn't get enough air.  When you said it came back following smoking a cigarette, that makes sense.  Nicotine can make anxiety much worse.  If the doctors have checked you out for everything else, then perhaps it is anxiety.  Either way, you will be in my prayers!  

Also Xanax might not be the best choice for you if you are not reacting to that medication.  Have you tried Paxil?  When I was going through the anxiety and panic attacks, my doctor put me on Paxil.  It helps with depression and anxiety.  It worked wonders for me.  Perhaps go see a psychiatrist or psychologist and see what they think?  I also now take Tranxene sometimes at night when I can't sleep.  It's a longer acting benzo that helps with anxiety.  Maybe something like that would work better!?

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Terri165]

I feel so bad for you-  I've been having difficulty breathing for 2 months following surg.   I don't think It's in your head.  DId you ever have a sniff test-it's an easy xray that'll show if your diaphragm is paralyzed?  II would just keep looking for another opinion.  Of course you are going to get anxious if you can"t breathe right.  Good luck.   Google phrenic nerve palsy.