Shortness of Breath

[NancyJaneP]

For nearly two years I am having episodes of shortness of breath that typically occur between 9:00 and 10:00AM.  Usually, but not always, it occurs with mild physical activity like walking or giving a gentle massage.  In the beggining these episodes were very rare, but the frequency has increased to approximately three to four times a week.  There is a discomfort (but not pain) in the chest area and heart rate increases to approx. 84 (once activity is ceased) and often there is heart fluttering or skipped beats.    With lying down episode of shortness of breath goes away within 20 minutes.  If I persist with physical activity tremoring results.  At that point if I lie down, I easily fall asleep even though it is only mid morning.

Afternoons and evenings feel very normal with normal energy level.

Otherwise for past month there is a mild ache in low back noticeable only with movement.  About 8 mos. ago I had an episode of acute gall pain.  Four olive oil and lemon juice cleanses resulted in many stones being passed and thelast cleanse resulted in no stones being passed and currently thereis no gastrointestinal distress.

I take no medications.  Thyroid blood tests show hypothyroid with a TSH of 6.73.  However I seem to be resistant to any thyroid medication, i.e. I do not sleep well when taking even a mild does of thyroid medication and I've tried synthroid,levothyroxine, armour thyroid and cytomel?.  Blood tests show level of 34 as antibodies to natural thyroid. Had hot flashes in specific dermatomes which have ceased with soy isoflavones.
I am age 47 female.

[National Jewish]

The occurrence of these episodes of shortness of breath, only during a specific one-hour period, is very peculiar.  It suggests a possible relationship with other things happening in your life at that time.  For example, when and what you eat for breakfast, time of awakening, or quality of sleep.

You should get a thorough evaluation of your lungs and heart during an episode.  I recommend that you arrange a visit to your doctor.  While in your doctor’s office, engage in one or more of the activities that seems to cause the episodes.  Then your doctor can examine you, check your vital signs, measure your breathing and do an EKG to assess your heart rhythms.

If all this proves to be normal, another consideration could be that you are having panic attacks.  This could be an expression of underlying anxiety.