Feeling of not getting enough air over 1 year off and on-PLEASE HELP

[worriedhypochondriac]

For the past year or so I have been having this weird feeling where I feel like I am unable to get enough air when I breathe through my nose. Because of this I feel like I have to take deep breathes. I went to see a pulmonologist, cardiologist, neurologist, and my regular doctor. None of these doctors could find anything. I took chest xrays, labs, etc. The only thing that came out of this is that they found multiple nodules on my thyroid. Sometimes when I burp I feel better and its like i can breathe easier or even when i push on the top part of my abdomen I feel reliefe and can breathe easier. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what else I can do or ask my doctor? Any suggestions as to what this could be. I do notice some times that when I get anxious and worry about it alot i have a harder time of feeling like I can breathe. When I relax I can feel some easiness and am able to get a good deep satisfying breath of air. PLEASE HELP.

Thank you

[jrcasanova]

A related discussion, hope was started.

[worriedhypochondriac]

is the kidney and liver function test a blood test? if so then my dr just did a complete blood workup on me and the only thing that came back was a slightly elevated wbc. but i repeated the cbc and it came back normal after a week. so he had stated that i might have had a slight infection that affected my wbc.

thanks

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
It is really difficult to comment without examining you. However it should not be anything too serious as you have been to ‘pulmonologist, cardiologist, neurologist, and my regular doctor’ and you have been extensively investigated upon. Try what I suggested in my last post. Also get a kidney and a liver function test done if not already done.
Do discuss this with your doctor. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[worriedhypochondriac]

thank you for all your comments. What are the chances this might be something serious such as englarged liver, kidney, spleen, other stomach problems, etc?

Any thoughts or suggestions? I am very worried as i am only 29 years old.
Thanks

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
You have been given wonderful tip about yoga.
Since pressing the upper abdomen gives you temporary relief, I feel that is the main cause of your discomfort and not your lungs or heart.
Try omeprazole empty stomach in the morning. Avoid heavy meals. Avoid too much of caffeine, tea, fried food and drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic fuzzy ones. Avoid heavy exercises within 4 hours of a heavy meal. Raise the head end of the bed by pillows to 30 degrees. Go to bed at least 2 hours after food.
I would strongly recommend you to see a gastroenterologist (a specialist who looks after the diseases of our digestive system). It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage.  Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[hava]

In answer to "What can I do?"
The Yoga Pranayam (breathing exercises) will  help with breathing  problems.Keep a jounal of how you feel each day, and come back to report your progress.
Build up your timing gradually. If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after 1 minute.

Bhastrika - Take a long deep breath into the lungs(chest not tummy) via the nose and then completely breathe out through the nose. Duration upto 5 minutes.

Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 10 to 30 minutes twice a day. Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

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 15 to 30  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.

Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Duration : 5 to 12  times

Once you are better, continue the pranayam once a day.
Be patient, as the benefits will show over a period of weeks.Only by doing you will benefit and feel good because you are helping your body.Those who say I have tried everything....will be amazed at the result of doing pranayam.

[e_m_y]

Maybe it is a sub-conscious thing that you can't breath well. Try relaxing and forgettign about it and see if it goes away. I know its easier said than done!