Breathing problem...help, does anybody have similar symptoms?

Question

For many years now, I have had trouble breathing. Although I've been to the hospital and done countless tests, the doctors figured that there is nothing wrong with me. One doctor ruled out asthma, another one prescribed me ventolin. It doesn't seem to work.

Here's what my experience everyday.

I find it very hard to breathe and it seems that air won't go in my lungs as I want it to go in. I often have to take very deep breaths in order to feel comfortable. Often, it doesn't work so I have to try to yawn to be able to get those deep breaths in. If I am unable to get a deep breath, I have to get up and walk perhaps near something that will give me air (fan or window). It's been years and nobody has a clue of what it could be. They all tell me that it could be stress. I don't understand though. It happens all the time no matter what I do. Sometimes it's not as bad as other days. Sometimes, it's just hard to breathe 3-6 times a day, but other times,

it's every 2 minutes.

I need help. I need to know what it is and what to do to make it better. I've seen 3 doctors and everybody says that there is nothing wrong with me. Why does it feel like I could just drop on the floor one day because I can't breathe?

BTW, I don't smoke and never smoked in my life.

just further details, I am 5'3 and weigh 125 lbs.

Oops, details: I am 24 years old, don't smoke, never smoked in my life, I am 5'3 and weigh 125 lbs. I don't live with anybody who smokes and never had.

Answer 1

I also had a breathing problem, and it came on suddenly. I was told I had adult-onset asthma, then emphysema, three years later, getting worse, a second opinion at Mt Sinai in NYC was sarcoidosis, a disease of inflammation that prohibits deep inhalation because of inability to exhale enough (obstruction.) For the sarcoid I was put on Prednisone, a steroid with nasty side effects, such as thinned skin, distended abdomin along with un-deserved weight gain, moon face, eventually cataracts (young age is no defense), and many others. However, the Prednisone is supposed to combat the inflammation of Sarcoid, thus helping you breathe - didn't do much for me. Other organs can be affected, including skin and the brain, but usually is the lungs. I really can empathize with you. After MT SINAI, I went to Yale Medical, and then Mayo Clinic - both said no to sarcoid. And at Mayo I found out my heart valve (Mitral) was worse than I previously was told, and it could have caused my whole lung condition. If you haven't had a second opinion, PLEASE DO! And make sure your heart is looked at. Good luck to you. Email me if you want to discuss symtoms/details.

Answer 2

Couple of questions will help. Do you hear any whistling noises when you breathe? Also is it hard to breath in or out or both. I work as a Respiratory Therapist and deal with respiratory patients. It is too early to diagnose anyone just by reading a message. If you have any allergies, Singulair might help. If that doesn't help there is a medicine called Advair 250/50 which is a prescription medicine. It has a bronchodilator which will dilate your breathing airways and an Anti-inflammatory medicine that will reduce any swelling in your airways. The normal dosage is 1 puff once a day.
The medicne that you are using Ventolin is a form of Albuterol which is a bronchodilator. Using another form of bronchodilator like Spiriva 1 pill once a day or Combivent might be helpful. Before you start any therapy your physician will have to check your blood pressure and heart rate to make sure they are normal because most of these medicines can increase your heart rate and pressure. So, Singulair, Advair or Spiriva might help. Also if nothing works and the symptoms are hard to handle, a Pulmonary rehab might help. We have a great Pulmonary Rehab at our hospital which can help you get used to daily activities and also help you breathe better. I just don't know if you will qualify.
No matter what, if ventolin is not helping, there is a need to change the medication. Ventolin is usually the best, but there are many alternatives that your physician can help. Ask your physician about any anti-inflammatory drugs (Steroids).

Answer 3

I do not know you so here goes. If you have been checked out by doctors and have a good bill of health. Then, it sounds like anxiety. Vitamin C crystals dissolved in water will go into your system full strength. (sold at Trader Joe's - take the amount on the bottle - do not over take) This will open up your lungs.
Get a good Omega 3 capsule (great earth vitamins are really the best) It will take about 1 months for the omega 3 to kick in if taken daily. This will act as an anti-depressant - anti -anxiety supplement Do not take any of this without consulting your physician. I am not a doctor - but I am cured.

Answer 4

You need to see a Pulmonologist as soon as possible. It doesn't sound to me like these doctors are taking you seriously. That could be because of your age. Anything that happens every day should be diagnosed. You should not live that way.

I have a lung disease and asthma. I also have frequent panic attacks. If it is stress, how can you be under that much stress upon waking EVERY MORNING? Have they done any cat scans or any tests like that to look at your lungs? Have they given the test where you blow into the machine to measure your lung volume?

I cannot believe a doctor would prescribe meds not knowing what your medical problem is.

My panic attacks act like that too, but much more severe than what you describe.

Please call a specialist and go until you can get a straight answer.

Answer 5

I have the exact same symptoms, and my lungs have x ray'd clean and clear for years, however my doctors have prescribed asthma type meds for me and they help. I take Seravent, combivent and albuterol and have not been diagnosed with asthma. I do believe that alot of mine is stress related among the fact that I smoke and live in a very, very humid area. Obviously the worse the humidity the worse I am. The Inhalers allow me to breath normally, like you I have been given no real diagnosis.
I also have been treated for an irregular heart beat of which they can't really determine the cause, seems to me that they are probably related. My doctor says that at my age they may not have the "extreme" evidence they need to diagnose, Scary, huh.?

Answer 6

Sounds like a mental issue to me! I've had that too when I was a little younger and went from one doc to another. Had allergies to pollen etc. They even prescribed me some hard asthma stuff, but it didn't work. So long story short: I stopped taking my medication and felt much better.
I think it's just stress you have. Exercise more and then you'll see what happens. If it's really asthma you should be coughing and wheezing. If not, you're good.
However, it might also be something, so don't rely on me here.

Good luck

Answer 7

It seems logical if you have a breathing problem you certainly wouldn't be smoking. Right????
If you haven't stopped smoking then no answer will help you. You don't mention age or answer the smoking thing.
But I myself have developed some breathing and swallowing problems from thyroid trouble
and allergy to wheat. I've stopped all wheat with yeast products and keep the problem under control. My problem also causes throat constriction and near choking if I eat wheat products with yeast especially.
You might consider using Ibuprofen to reduce swelling and inflammation in your tissues plus 1 Tbsp. cranberry concentrate (unsweetened from a health food store) in 8 oz water 3 or 4 times a day (before meals). This flushes poisonous (from pesticides on our food) fluid out of your tissues and reduces bloating. I lost 17 lbs. doing this and everything fit and felt better. Reducing minor swelling or inflammation in your breathing tissues might very well help.
Or Try an allergist. and Good Luck!!

Answer 8

I've had similar problems. One morning I woke up, and I just couldn't breathe. My heart was pounding real hard as if I'd been running, but it didn't make sense, because I was in bed, and I didn't have a nightmare or anything. I tried to relax and start breathing normally, but I was breathing as if I was sprinting. I told my mom, and she said that it was because of lack of exercise. If you sit at home all day doing nothing, your heart gets weak; you have to move a lot throughout the day.. and exercise regularly. So I started exercising every day, and I haven't had that problem since. So I suggest you go jogging every morning or whatever. I that doesn't work, then I don't know. Good luck.

Answer 9

I have the same problem here. My wrist gets extremely sore and difficult to move. My hands and fingers will get so sore and stiff at times where I can't write or bend my fingers without having extremely sharp pain! There are days when I can even touch the keys on the computer keyboard, because it is to painful!! My started worsening after being in college though. I am still in college and have so many things I am writing and typing,

Answer 10

It might be stress, but somehow I doubt it. Have you ever taken Metabolife or a similar product? That could well be messing you up: My grandmother did briefly, and it really messed up her strength and ability to breathe. Try a different doctor, one that specializes in lung problems.

Good luck!