Sudden Breathing Problems in the past year - Can't inhale all the way,....

[Annelle]

Im a female, 27, used to smoke but don't anymore.  I first starting having this weird breathing problem over a year ago, and no doctor has been able to diagnose me yet.  I woke up in the middle of the night (about 4AM) with this awful pain in my chest, it felt like a hear attack or something.  I remember that I could not get a breath in at all (for like a minute or two).   The pain went away after about 10 minutes, but ever since that night, I have had breathing problems where I can't seem to get a "good" breath in.  
    It's like somebody else said, I'm breathing enough to stay alive, but most of my breaths stop at a certain level and do not go any further.  It's like a blockage of some kind, and the only way to get the "full breathe" is to force myself to yawm or to hold my breathe until my body "sucks" the air into my body.  I know that sounds really weird but that's exactly what it's like.  I am very athletic, really good shape, and this "thing" came out of nowhere.  
   SInce last year, I have seen every kind of doctor imaginable, but they all tell me that nothing is wrong with me.  One DR diagnosed me with asthma but the asthma medication did nothing for me.  I knew I didn't have asthma anyway because this breathing problem is not sporatic throughout the day, it's there ALL THE TIME.  From the time I wake up in the morning until the time I fo to bed, I am struggling for those "good" breaths.  My exhales are always fine, it's the inhales that are the problem.   I have had chest xrays, a cat scan, and asthma tests, and they all come back okay....except for some of the asthma tests that indicate that I'm not getting enough oxygen into my bloodstream (but I guess that's because of the mystery disorder).  

If anyone has any idea what the heck is wrong with me or knows of someone that could help me, please let me know.  This breathing thing has not gotten any worse over the past year, but it has not gotten any better either.  I am really worried that all this gasping for air all the time is going to damage my lungs or heart even further.  It also really hurts my chest because I try forcing the breaths down and they just won't go in.  
Thank you for any help or advice you can give me.

[National Jewish]

What you have described suggests that your upper airway is blocked when you inhale.  I assume your chest x-ray is clear.  You should have a pulmonary function test, with special attention to the flow-volume loop.  You should also have direct fiber optic laryngoscopy by a doctor experienced with this technique.  This will evaluate your throat for inflammation, masses, and movement of your vocal cords.  You should also have a pH probe test in case you are having reflux of digestive juices from your stomach into the esophagus.  This could result in inflammation of your throat or spasm of your vocal cords.  Based on the description that you have given, this may have been what happened during your initial episode when you awakened and could not breathe in.

[Abbey]

I'm having the same problem. I have herniated disks in my neck but the doc's can't tell me if that's what is causing the problem. I have had lung scans, pulmonary testing, ewverything imaginable. Also being treated for gastro problems.

It's frustrating, isn't it? Also, I don't smoke.

Abbey

[Concerned lady]

Can you go to Nat'l Jewish Medical & Research Center, in Denver, Colorado? You would get correctly diagnosed there, because they are EXPERTS at all kinds of respiratory problems.

Call the LUNG LINE, at 1-800-222-LUNG(5864) and speak with a LUNG LINE nurse about your situation.

There are many things that may be going on, and you really need some expert docs to help you get an accurate diagnosis, and good treatment, soon!

I wish you the best.

Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[starion]

This is just a "wild guess," but you might ask your doctors whether you might have vocal chord dysfunction (VCD), described more completely on the accompanying link.  Gastric reflux CAN also affect our lung function, but VCD isn't always considered because not all docs are familiar with it.  It CAN cause severe and even life-threatening breathing difficulties, but it can be controlled and improve with proper treatment.

http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/vocal.html (link about VCD)
http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/reflux.html (link about Reflux)

I'm sure the LungLine nurse will ahve additional suggestions.
Aloha,
Starion

[Annelle]

Yes, I've been tested for VCD (vocal cord dysfunction) as well.  They said that I didn't have it.   I have been tested for every major problem, and the results have been nonconclusive.  It's so depressing having to deal with the breathing problems every day, and there doesn't seem to be any doctor that knows what to do.  And every time I have to visit a new doctor, we have to re-hash all the symptoms, etc..
Thanks for listening, and thank you for your advice.  I will definitely call the Helpline, and also look into that Respiratory center that you mentioned.   If anyone else has any idea what might be wrong with me, please let me know.  Thank you again!

[alcott]

annelle-

strange that i came about this site...i to have what seems to be  the same problem. i have had ever test you could possibly think of...asthma, heart cath, gallbladder, etc. all to no avail.  please take a look at this site i think you might find what you are looking for.  i found this site by entering chest wall pain + breathing problems.  it is called " COSTOCHONDRITIS" it causes chest pain and pressure at the sternum and through out the ribs. it is an inflammation that causes breathing problems for me. some have the breathing problem some do not. it hurts like hell. it is like a huge rubber band cinching in tighter and tighter. i can not take in a deep breath - it always seems to stop right below the breast line. i have been on anti-inflammatories + pain killer for about 5 months and it has helped tremendously. have you had trauma to your sternum or rib cage. they day this is what can cause it. mine started as a breathing problem with no pain...i hope this helps. i spent the last two years trying to make myself crazy seeing as how all of the doctors kept telling me it was anxiety. it has been a ride & I am not crazy...just in chronic pain. let me know if there is any resemblance to your case .  take care -carrie

[Concerned lady]

I agree with everyone's advice to you. I think the Lung Line nurse's advice should be very helpful to you, because it is detailed, and I hope you will follow the nurse's excellent advice. You should also consider going to Nat'l Jewish, to be diagnosed!

You said that your problem started over a year ago, out of the blue. What happened, that was DIFFERENT, around that time, that might be related to CAUSING your breathing problem?

For examples:

1)Did you have any respiratory infections? (bacterial, fungal, viral, etc.)

2)Did you change where you live &/or work? Might you be now exposed to outdoor air pollution, or "indoor air pollution", causing a "sick building syndrome", or "building related illness"? Do the windows open, at home & at work? Might the ventilation system be bad? Have all central air conditioning ducts been cleaned on a regular basis?

a)When all this started, had you done any remodeling? Examples are: NEW carpet, NEW insulation, NEW particleboard (toxic resins), NEW paint, NEW stains, NEW tile (strong glues), NEW hardwood floors (glues), NEW upholstry (foams outgass toxic fumes), NEW mattress, NEW wallpaper (glues), NEW plaster or drywall, (toxic dusts) etc.?

b)Might you have been exposed to TOXIC MOLD, from water leaks or floods?

c)Are you exposed to agricultural pesticide spraying?

3)What kind of work do you do?

a)Are you exposed to latex (rubber gloves, etc.)? Might you have a latex allergy?

b)Are you exposed to ozone (toxic) from laser printers or copy machines, or bad outdoor air pollution?

c)Are you exposed to printing chemicals? Chemical fumes from making stain glass? Toxic photographic chemicals? Beauty parlor sprays? Other chemical sprays?

4)Did you have any surgery? Or, any injuries?

5)Had you travelled overseas?

6)Have you been exposed to birds?

7)Do you have any digestive problems? Many, many people have a high up type of gastric reflux, called LPR (Laryngeal pharyngeal reflux). The LPR often causes breathing problems, including during the night. A very good ENT (Ear, nose & throat) doc, could do a "laryngoscopy" on you, to see what's happening in your throat & vocal cord area, as the Lung Line nurse suggested.

8)Does your breathing problem continue during the night, now, or does it stop, when you fall asleep?

9)Follow all the others' good advice, and I hope you get this figured out soon!  

I wish you the best. I can personally recommend Nat'l Jewish Center (from having been a patient there, several years ago). They are the best Respiratory Medical Center! I think you need at least a "second opinion" by better docs!

Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[Concerned lady]

Annelle, another question for you: Are you taking any medications? Did you start to take any new ones, around the time that your breathing problems began? What over the counter meds do you use (if any)?

The reason I ask, is that there could be bad side effects.

Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[Jennel]

I have been having the same problems I even went to the emergency room they said it was a panic attack. Well 6 months later still have the same problem. I know this sounds crazy but sometimes I am scaried to go to sleep thinking I am going to stop breathing in the middle of the night. Anyone else ever feel like that? I have this sharp pain in my chest everytime I take a breath and it feels like I am gasping for air. If you have any information that can help me please email me at jen4204@com
I am 26 stopped smoking 3 months ago.

[Concerned lady]

Jennel,

You should post your own question, because this spot is at the bottom of the webpage, here, and the LUNG LINE nurses won't see it.

Also, you should telephone the LUNG LINE nurses, by calling the toll-free number: 1-800-222-LUNG(5864), so that you can get some good advice.

Have you seen a lung doc yet? (Pulmonologist)
Have you seen an ENT (Ear, nose & throat doc) yet?

Good luck to you.

Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[aldane2003]

I am in a huge amount of pain. My doctor tried to give me nerve pills for something that I feel is not about nerves. I had a very bad mold build up under 3 rooms of my home here in Indiana. We replaced one section of our home , but did not get new carpeting in our bedroom

I am currently off work for 7 days because my breathing problem is really giving me problems. I hack up yellow thick stuff, have pains in my chest and cannot sleep at night because as soon as I lay down my lungs go flat.

I tried to tell my doctor about this mold problem and he has currently wanted nothing to do with me. I have no idea how to find out if the mold under my house is giving me the problems or if it has something to do with my tropical birds.

My parents want us to consider getting rid of the birds. hOWEVER, I feel it is the mold that has been under my bedroom dining room and family room that brought on this problem.

In the meantime, I suffer from not knowing what this is all about and I really feel the mold is the source of my problem.

Who can answer ? My hands are numb ....My chest hurts so bad. I have already had an xray, ekg, and cat scan.

[aldane2003]

I am in a huge amount of pain. My doctor tried to give me nerve pills for something that I feel is not about nerves. I had a very bad mold build up under 3 rooms of my home here in Indiana. We replaced one section of our home , but did not get new carpeting in our bedroom

I am currently off work for 7 days because my breathing problem is really giving me problems. I hack up yellow thick stuff, have pains in my chest and cannot sleep at night because as soon as I lay down my lungs go flat.

I tried to tell my doctor about this mold problem and he has currently wanted nothing to do with me. I have no idea how to find out if the mold under my house is giving me the problems or if it has something to do with my tropical birds.

My parents want us to consider getting rid of the birds. hOWEVER, I feel it is the mold that has been under my bedroom dining room and family room that brought on this problem.

In the meantime, I suffer from not knowing what this is all about and I really feel the mold is the source of my problem.

Who can answer ? My hands are numb ....My chest hurts so bad. I have already had an xray, ekg, and cat scan.

[Cindy39]

I am having the same symptoms that annelle described.  I've been to a pulmonary specialist and had a full pulmonary function test, ct scan of my lungs, echocardiogram, and tests for asthma.  All tests came back normal.  The specialist suggested that I have anxiety - I was very dissapointed in this diagnosis since I am not feeling depressed or anxious about anything other than this breathing problem I am having.  I have gone back to my regular doctor and she put me on a low dose of buspar which I have been taking for two weeks now and I'm still feeling the same.  Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to what I should look for now?  I'm 39 years old and have been running for about 4 years now, so I am in generally good shape - I have stopped running due to this breathing problem.  I feel fine when I go to bed at night, but when I get up and start moving around I can't always get the deep breath I need - I can breath normal, it's the deep breath I can't always catch. Thanks for any comments.

[Steven78]

A related discussion, Breathing problems every day was started.