Difficulty in getting a breath

[Peachesncream1]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone else is in the same position. For the past month and a half, I feel like I am not getting a deep breath in and am constantly sighing and yawning. It started off as a pain in my bottom right rib cage spreading to the back. The pain has all disappeared but the shortness of breath is still there. I have been to A and E and had a normal chest x-ray and ECG, except that it showed scoliosis, which I have had since I was a child. It didn't show the curve getting worse so I don't think these symptoms are being caused by scoliosis. I have also had heart palpitations. I have had a ct scan and 2 MRIs of the heart which were all normal between 2019 to 2021 as I was getting palpitations then as well. The only thing abnormal have been my folic acid levels in January which were 2.7 and my ferritin levels of 25. At that point, my GP did not mention anything as this was all in the normal range but since I am trying to conceive and my folic acid levels are borderline I have started taking 5mg of folic acid. Has anyone else experienced this? The rest of my blood tests have been normal including thyroid and full blood count. It is definitely better than before but comes and goes.

I've had this and it was all due to anxiety. I ended up having CBT which helped me lots. I used to have to sit and think to myself "it's not real, it's not real" over and over when I would get particularly worried.
I also had palpitations and all the other symptoms and all tests came back clear.

Google chronic hyperventilation syndrome and see if it sounds like it. I've had exactly this, it turned out to be that after a period of heightened anxiety. It just lingered. Annoying and frustrating, but harmless. If it is that you have to essentially retrain your brain how to breathe for a few days.

Your ferritin is low. Under 30 is a deficiency. It can cause issues with shortness of breath, palpitations etc. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anaemia-iron-deficiency/diagnosis/investigations/

this is the thing it happens when I’m not anxious as well like it will just come on and there will be this strange feeling of not get a full breath but maybe is subconscious anxiety. I am getting help from minds but it seems to be more of they just asking about how’s your week and it’s not helping much I’m going to ask about CBT the next time. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

I have heard of Chronic hyperventilation but I don’t think I’m breathing too much. But maybe it does apply to me since I’m concentrating on my breath and sub consciously maybe with that I’m having shallow breathing or something. I found the website of respiratory physiotherapist last night it’s a bit expensive at £180 initial consultation but I think I might just do it. They help people with breathing problems after covid and other hyperventilation etc. I will let you all know how I got on.

Those are the exact symptoms I get when my ferratin is low. Under 30 is deficient.
try some iron supplements. Spatole is good and gentle on the stomach.

Oh my goodness me I have just read the nice guidelines. According to the lab anything from 10 is normal and no one told me this although I have recently started taking vitabotics liquid iron although I suspect this is not going to raise the iron levels fast enough. Thank you for telling me my gp didn’t mention anything except take multivitamins that included iron for conception. It’s only recently I realised that my folic acid is low and I started taking 5mg and now after reading nice I believe I need a stronger dose of iron tablets to bring my ferritin up.

I used to get those symptoms with acid reflux and indigestion. I have seen people say they had hyperventilation with hiatus hernia too. Obviously, if it's that, you'll need to tackle the stomach issues, but if your symptoms continue after the cause has been addressed, try Buteyko breathing.

Loves to drink milk what helped with your hiatus hernia. I have a hiatus hernia and never had these problems I was put on 20mg esomeprazole but recently my gastro told me stop as he did a capsule recording of my acid levels and said the ppi will do more harm than good and just focus on diet and lifestyle changes. I am not going to lie I’m what you call a skinny fat where I’m skinny with a belly so might have to start losing some weight around belly area. I did try to go back on my ppi for a week or so but it didn’t help.

Potato bum yes so ironically I have just had a chat my my friend who is a gp in Australia at ferritin levels of 25 she said they even offer iron infusion to patients in Australia especially if they are trying to get pregnant. My blood film came back as red blood cells anicytosis or something and she explained that means the red blood cells are different in sizes due to anemia. It’s unfortunate that the gp didn’t even initially suggest any iron supplements because I’m not a classic anaemia patient. I am trying the haemoglobin vitabotics but my friend said it’s not going to touch it so I have decided to order some ferrous fumarate tablets and I will let you know how I got on as my bro in law started taking them 2 months ago and he’s had stomach cramps everyday since 😳

Long term ppi use may also affect iron absorption. It can also affect b12 etc so you may want to get that checked?

there is some new evidence that taking iron every other day may be better for absorption.

I got my B12 levels checked, and they were normal. You are right. I have also heard that iron tablets should be taken every other day. Thanks for responding will try taking iron tablets on alternate days.

@Peachesncream1 I know this post is very old but I have similar symptoms as you had and was wondering if you ever got to the bottom of it and if you feel better now?

@Hannahbt582 Hey yes it got better after a month by itself I think it might have been anxiety but didn’t know the reason for the anxiety