Constant air hunger sensation?

Hello to all who take a few minutes to read this . Since August of 2018 out of nowhere I developed what is called air hunger or should I say “dyspnea” and may I say it has to be the most uncomfortable sensation I’ve ever delt with . I’m 28 y/o 165lb and healthy . Iv had every test under the sun performed. PCP/Pulmonologist/ENT/cardiologist/GI/
Allergist , even a mental health doctor and not a single doctor has come up with a diagnosis except yea... I’m sure you’ve already guessed it “ANXIETY” witch for some reason I find is complete BS in my opinion. I had a blood taken and thyroid checked as well all normal . This sensation has been 24/7 since the day it came on last August not a single medication these doctors that I listed above have helped . Now to conclude that this may be anxiety... my PCP has me on Xanax witch is doing absolutely nothing for this sensation. all it does is makes me feel like not moving wonderful drug.... and In the past being this has been going on for 8 months I was put on many other benzo’s that also did nothing for this urge to take deep breaths . I was completely fine before this complete nonsense has come into my life and destroyed it. The only thing I had issues with was my temper witch kinda runs in my family. And stress from normal things in life witch I think every human being goes through. I have an amazing girlfriend of 10 years a great family, job I work hard at, and anything a young man could ask for . But now life is extremely uncomfortable and doing every day things is just horrid . I don’t know how I’ve even made it this far with this debilitating symptom. Nothing is making sense here and I’ve literally been praying for just an answer and a cure for this evil sensation. Now... I did use marijuana pens for about 8 months prior to this happening simply for pain from motocross accidents(broken bones) and like many others I enjoyed a calm and happy high hanging out at home or with friends listening to music and tinkering with our bikes . It worked . Deff with pain and fatigued from being a mechanic witch is hard on your body . I will never touch a pain killer or get sucked into the opioid usage. The horror stories I’ve heard... so that being said I came to a complete stop with the Weed pen thinking this could have been the cause of this symptom. Well 3 months had passed and nothing got better so I kinda ruled that out but I figured I’d share that . It’s sad that I see others out here on these forums searching for answers from this literally silent but completely life altering symptom and we are getting no answers . All I ever hear is it’s all in your head ... but it’s a physical symptom and never goes away even with the treatment of these “head” medications that just make you feel like crap on top of feeling suffocated...? So as of this very moment I’m waiting for blood test back from the labs to see if Lyme or any infections related to Lyme may be the cause. but all my tries to curing this have gone down in flames . Just would like my life back . I have so much to live for so much to enjoy so many good people in my life . This has made me a miserable person and I’m so tired of it . So please if any one has anything new to mention or even an answer to this evil be my guest. We all need to get better ! Thank you for reading


Garrett

Post Edited (GarrettV91) : 5/7/2019 3:48:35 PM (GMT-6)

Hello Garrett… I don’t know if what I experience is exactly what you have, especially since it doesn’t hear that you’re suffering from anxiety but… I have experienced anxiety on and off all of my life and it has brought on a variety of physical symptoms. One of those symptoms is chronic hyperventilation where it feels like you’re running out of breath but in fact you are breathing too much, even though it doesn’t feel that way, and that causes the same sensation you’re experiencing I think. It’s almost as if you have forgotten how to breathe correctly. There are only a couple of things that help me with this condition. One is taking a deep breath through your nose and blowing out slowly through your mouth. If that doesn’t work you can breathe into a paper bag like they always suggest for hyperventilation. Are you sure there’s nothing going on in your life that could because in some anxiety which in turn would make you manifest this particular symptom? I’m just passing this information along because I know what it’s like to suffer from that feeling of not getting enough air… In my case, as unreal as it seems, I’m actually getting too much air and not the carbon dioxide. I don’t know if this will help but I certainly hope so and I hope you can find some relief from this most disruptive element .

Hi Garrett,

I would encourage you to continue to seek answers to your breathing issues from a medical standpoint. As you say, it is pretty telling that a benzodiazepine doesn't give you any relief.

I really hope that you find the cause of your issues and that it is an easily treatable one!

Keep us updated if you care to...and know that if you do end up needed anxiety support, that we are here for you.

Best wishes!

Scaredy Cat

Obviously, it must be something else since Bronchial Spasms can't last that long. Plus you have no wheezing or coughing. Sorry, back to Anxiety, I guess.

Hi Garrett, how are you getting on? I've been having the same sensation for the past 3 months. Mine was precipitated by a viral infection of some sort. I became suddenly short of breath. The cough went away as did the fluey symptoms but the air hunger remained. I cannot sleep well at all and have decreased stamina. Have had multiple x-rays, CT and all the doctors have told me that my chest sounds clear. They don't take me seriously because I present normally. It is unfortunate because this is debilitating and has totally ruined my life. I don't know when it will end.