breathing issue

[lyndsey77]

i am a 31 year old female who has been experiencing shortness of breath now for over two months.  i have had a chest x-ray that says i have a flattened diaphram and hyperinflated lungs.  i do not smoke, nor have i ever.  i'm 5 ft 104lbs.  i went to a respirologist and he sent me for a pulmonary function test and a methacholine challenge test. both came back 'normal'.  i have been "diagnosed" by my family doctor as having anxiety.  i see a psychologist once a week to see if it would help me out.  it has helped in other aspects of my life but not with the breathing issue.  does anyone know what could be wrong with me?  i have also had a stress test (on treadmill) and a doppler on my heart and both of those were normal as well.  i would like to become pregnant in the near future but i am worried about this breating issue.  it's a feeling of having to raise up my cest and reach for a good deep and satisfying breath. it is so annoying and worrisome as well. i hope someone can help me out! please!!!

[National Jewish Health]

Anxiety could be causing or contributing to your shortness of breath but anxiety, alone, does not cause a flattened diaphragm and hyperinflated lungs.  Given those findings, it is surprising that you would have normal pulmonary function tests (PFTs).  It would be important that the PFTs would include lung volumes and a carbon monoxide diffusion test and, equally important, flow volume loops, both inspiratory and expiratory.   You should ask the respirologist if these tests were done and, if not, request that they be performed.  At your age, one of the most common causes of new onset shortness of breath would be asthma and that could be the problem despite the “normal PFTs” and the negative methacholine challenge.

Other possibilities to be considered in the circumstance of a young, healthy woman, with no prior history of shortness of breath, with recent-onset shortness of breath would be:  1) pulmonary emboli, commonly known as blood clots to the lungs; 2) vocal cord dysfunction; 3) the hyperventilation syndrome, which of the 4 possibilities would be most consistent with the normal stress test; and 4) diseases that can lead to airway obstruction such as bronchiolitis or endobronchial sarcoidosis.  If your respirologist is uncertain about the cause of your shortness of breath, a CT scan of the lungs would also be in order.

You might want to ask your respirologist about the above and any other diseases that could result in shortness of breath in a non-smoking young woman.  You might also ask him/her what might other conditions, besides asthma, are capable of causing hyperinflation and a flattened diaphragms.

Good luck.

[lyndsey77]

well, i actually had an endoscopy done as well because i was having so much stomache trouble.  all was clear there. the gastro doctor said everything looked great!  

[meamoron2]

Lyndsey,

This may seem odd but please consider Acid Reflux or GERD.  My shortness of breath virtually disappeared within 3 days of starting medicine for GERD.  Stress is a known cause for GERD.  It took over a year and 4 doctors before one finally diagnosed GERD by simply looking at my throat. Good Luck, Mea

[sasquatchula]

I am in the same predicament. All my tests, exams, come back with stellar findings. My airflow in and out is great, no fluid or build up. EKG and chest XRAYs are clear. Yet I struggle for a full breath almost nonstop.  From 5/13-5/21, it was unbearable. Felt like I was being drowned all the time. I thought it was sudden, severe asthma. But doctors find no evidence of asthma, or anything else for that matter. First I was told I was getting over the flu(which I was) When things worsened I was told bronchitis, given antibios and Albuterol to dialate the bronchii. When I didn't respond to any of the meds, I was told panic attacks, given sedatives and told to redirect and retrain myself into believing I am as healthy as I am.
I'm 38, no history of asthma/allergies, otherwise healthy. An active sport cyclist, both road and Mtb. and health conscience eater.

At this point, I have no solution, as it is just 10 days into my ordeal. I just want to add my voice, and if possible, a cyber-shoulder for some to lean on.
Cheers!

[brdean]

Lyndsey, I came here a week ago looking for a solution to my own shortness of breath problem. Most folks seem to be in the same age category as us and with high stress levels or anxiety. I am also 31 and in very good shape, but not as good as I used to be. I found I wasn't exercising enough these days and that my anxiety (I am self employed) was building up, not having a vent. When I started going to the gym again after a year and a half off (during which my anxiety began), I began again to feel like a million bucks, no shortness of breath after even if I had it the night before. When I don't, I find my symptoms come back. For me, it is worse when I am tired at night (especially from not enough sleep), and doubly so when I eat too much + being tired. I felt it tonight, and I'm not even that stressed, I just didn't get the energy out and I feel this ball in the lower part of my inner chest, like something is pressing against my diaphragm and won't let me breathe in.. slight dizziness too. I think we smaller people might even be more prone to this kind of thing (I am 5'9" and 140lbs). Chances are you're getting all the oxygen you need, but something else is giving off bad signals that you're air-starved. Stress + who knows what else. Just get that energy out of you in a positive way, maybe try an aerobics class or even light weightlifting, but use those muscles and get the heart pumping is my best advice. You'll feel better overall, focus less on the problem, and the anxiety will have a good outlet..
Best of luck.

[lyndsey77]

just to add, i hadn't had shortness of breath for about 2 weeks. this past tuesday evening it returned and it is now thursday and i still have it.  i had a somewhat stressful event at work and i don't know if that is what 'set it off' but it is back and so frustrating. just when i was back to feeling 'normal' it came back.  i'm just so worried that the doctor is missing something more serious.  
lyndsey

[lyndsey77]

i went to see the respirologist yesterday. i mentioned the fact of pulmonary emboli, he doesn't think it is that.  he also by looking at my x ray doesn't believe that i have hyperinflation of my lungs or air trapping. he says the x ray is normal.  so i guess the radiologist was 'wrong'  in conclusion, he says i have hyperventilation syndrome.  he checked my pulse in my ankle and behind my knee, listened to my lungs again and said everything was normal. i just hope they are not missing anything just because i am otherwise healthy.  i thank you for responding to my concerns. it was much appreciated.

lyndsey