Anxiety and Stress Forum - Persistent shortness of breath with normal blood ox

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Q: Persistent shortness of breath with normal blood ox

asked by: RideTheWalrus on February 10th, 2008

New User

For the past 4 months or so I've had these episodes of persistent shortness of breath that last for days/weeks at a time. I'm a 23 year old male.

I've had 4 EKGs and a chest X-Ray recently, all came back normal. Thyroid and blood work came back normal as well. The doc said my heart and lungs sounded good. Three years ago I had an echocardiogram done, which came back normal.

I went to an asthma doctor who did a pulmonary function test which came back normal. Whenever I go to the doctors and I have to put my finger on that blood oxygen meter I normally score 98-100%. Even when I'm short of breath I typically hit 600-650 in my peak flow readings.

So that's my problem, I have mild persistent shortness of breath throughout the day and as far as I can tell it's not my heart or lungs. Blood work suggests it's not my Iron or red blood cell count either. I'm at my wits end trying to get to the bottom of this...

Replies(3)

mominashoe

replied on February 11th, 2008

Supporter

Your shortness of breath is most likely anxiety related and this isn't something that is going to show up on a lab result. The best thing to do when you feel short of breath is to realize that you are doing it and take control of it by first relaxing and taking long deep breaths.

Sometimes we just get caught up in the whirlwind of things we have to do and it gets to be too much. Take a few moments in your take to take a time out, sit down and close your eyes and breath deeply.

Schoulayer

replied on February 12th, 2008

New User

Thanks for the reply!

I've heard about breathing techniques before they seem like limited relief for me. I'm curious, how long does it normally take to get your breathing under control using deep breathing techniques?

mominashoe

replied on February 12th, 2008

Supporter

I don't know. It depends on the person I'd think. For short term, it depends on how badly you are off kilter and how long you've been breathing incorrectly...I guess about 5 minutes average. For the long term, you may get into the habit of controlling your breathing and you might not: it depends on how bad the anxiety is.

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