Can't Get Enough Air?

[waterlily-]

I'm gluten intolerant but I'm not completely gluten-free as I'm still trying to get a grip on things & change my diet. I've been experiencing for about three months now of feeling like I can't get enough air. I breathe in as deep as I can through my nose & my mouth and yet I still feel like I'm not getting enough air. I want to start jogging and I tried to a couple of weeks ago, and I started out slow but even then, I had to stop because I was near the point of gasping for air and it was really freaking me out. So I'm wondering, can gluten cause this? I know that excessive weight can cause some problems (which is why I'm trying to get into running) but like this?? I don't have a doctor or insurance to see one so I'm looking online for help til I can.

Any ideas?

Thank you!

[JillianLindsay]

Hi Waterlily,

Because celiac disease is an auto-immune disease, it is co-morbid (co-occuring) with other auto-immune diseases, such as asthma. I very frequently feel like I can't quite get enough air, and when I exercise I wheeze. I am very active and have my asthma well controlled with medications. Of course, only a DR can dx what you're experiencing, but discovering asthma in adulthood is certainly possible. I hope you're able to get coverage and see a doc soon. Good luck!

Jillian

[rosetapper23]

Your description sounds exactly like Vitamin B12 deficiency. The way they describe it in medical texts is that you're "gulping" for air. When I developed a B12 deficiency last year, I felt as though I just couldn't get enough air. I would wake up several times during the night gulping for air, and during the day I felt winded just walking across the room.

It's easy to find out if this is the cause--simply buy some B12 sublingual tablets and dissolve them on your tongue. Believe me, if this is the problem, you'll get relief within hours. Try taking 4,000 mcg immediately, and then take 2,000 mcg each morning and evening thereafter.

And, yes, gluten most likely caused this deficiency. Try it--it can't hurt....and B12 sublingual tablets are cheap.

[waterlily-]

Your description sounds exactly like Vitamin B12 deficiency. The way they describe it in medical texts is that you're "gulping" for air. When I developed a B12 deficiency last year, I felt as though I just couldn't get enough air. I would wake up several times during the night gulping for air, and during the day I felt winded just walking across the room.

It's easy to find out if this is the cause--simply buy some B12 sublingual tablets and dissolve them on your tongue. Believe me, if this is the problem, you'll get relief within hours. Try taking 4,000 mcg immediately, and then take 2,000 mcg each morning and evening thereafter.

And, yes, gluten most likely caused this deficiency. Try it--it can't hurt....and B12 sublingual tablets are cheap.

Thank you, I'll look into it! :]

[waterlily-]

Hi Waterlily,

Because celiac disease is an auto-immune disease, it is co-morbid (co-occuring) with other auto-immune diseases, such as asthma. I very frequently feel like I can't quite get enough air, and when I exercise I wheeze. I am very active and have my asthma well controlled with medications. Of course, only a DR can dx what you're experiencing, but discovering asthma in adulthood is certainly possible. I hope you're able to get coverage and see a doc soon. Good luck!

Jillian

Thank you!

[kareng]

Are you anemic? If you are anemic, you can't get enough oxygen in the blood to make your body happy. Iron & B 12 can help with that.

[IrishHeart]

Three kinds of anemia may cause this: Iron deficiency, B-12 deficiency AND FOLATE deficiency.

I had shortness of breath as a major symptom and walking the length of my driveway was a task. I was heaving trying to breathe. Had to stop going to the gym.

I had my iron and ferritin storage levels checked (ok) and B-12 supplemented (it was very low) and still...fatigued and breathy.

What the heck???

I read about how Folate levels are impacted as much as B-12 and iron in celiac disease, so I asked for that test--& there it was: Very Low.

Doc script-supplemented me for 2 months and that gulping for air thing is gone.

Hope you find your culprit!

[Skylark]

That sounds like my exercise-induced asthma. My doctor prescribed a puff of albuterol before I exercise and it makes a big difference. I have a much more difficult time exercising outside becasue of pollen so I usually take indoor dance classes or work out in a gym.

[celiash]

Ok so this may sound weird to you but I was having the EXACT same thing happen to me for quite a long time and it turned out to be anxiety, and it's not like I was having full blown panic attacks or anything at this point but was having breathing troubles. After I was diagnosed with anxiety I read alot and learned how to control my breathing when I was short air (espicially while working out because your doing something new your bodies not used to and change can be a definite trigger). Once I was diagnosed with Celiac last summer I did alot of research on it and found out anixety is actually a symptom... who would have thought. I have been fully gluten free for about 4 months and notice that this shortness of breath has almost gone completely away. If you want more information to see if this could be what your going through google "Air Hunger"

[Mlsherrod]

I have the same symptoms of "gasping" for air. My daughter unfortunately has the same issue. Out for pizza and within 2 bites we're both yawning and trying to just "breath". Been like this for 20 years. No Dr has ever helped me find a root cause.

I'm off wheat & bread products and the change is amazing so far. Good luck!