what's causing my shortness of breath?

[meg1974]

I've had shortness of breath for about 2 years. I had spirometry tests, with mixed results. Some of the tests indicate problems, while some say nothing is wrong. I've tried several short term and long term corticosteroid inhalers, but none of them help. I also found out I have airborne allergies. My allergist says my symptoms are subjective. He never finds problems when he listens to my chest. One pulmonologist said I have asthma, and another one said he isn't sure if I have it. I use the peak flow meter, and it always says I'm okay.

I don't have wheezing and have never had an all out asthma attack. I just feel like I'm not getting enough air sometimes. I also have an achy feeling in my chest sometimes when I breathe in.

If I don't have asthma - what could be causing my shortness of breath? If I do have it, what can I do to get some relief?

[hava]

This relaxation technique will help you improve the lung function naturally. Do it with concentration and with eyes closed. Breathe into the lungs.Start today and come back to report your progress.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 10 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

[allmymarbles]

Are you always short of breath, or just sometimes? If it is not constant then I think of allergies.

[Tammy2009]

If you haven't had a methacholine challenge test you definetely need one.  It shows how twitchy your lungs are and proves or disproves the asthma diagnosis.

Look into both vocal chord dysfunction and hyperventialation sydrome.  Both could give similar symptoms to asthma and a lot of doctors don't know about them.