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Chronic Dyspnea, possibly due to overtraining, and possibly exacerbated by low carb diet and alcohol consumption.

I'm seeking ideas on possible causes for, and treatment of, chronic Dyspnea that I've been experiencing (to varying degrees) for over 18 months.  This Dyspnea had an acute onset following a strenuous treadmill exercise.  At the time my workout routine consisted mainly of a 5+ mile run on a treadmill hill course, followed by moderate weight training 4 days/wk.  Normally, when I completed my run I would be very winded, but that would subside quickly and then I would lift weights.  On this occasion, the Dyspnea following the run took days to subside to near normal levels and remains a problem.  I've reduced my overall physical exertion, and any attempts to ramp back up are met with an increased level of Dyspnea.  

Issues that I believe contributed to/exacerbated the condition were my low carb diet and alcohol consumption. In the weeks leading up to the episode I noticed that my treadmill exercise was becoming more difficult, but I ignored those feelings and kept pushing.  I've changed to a more balanced diet and reduced my alcohol intake.  I've also begun taking a variety of supplements designed to help metabolism.  I also just recently began thinking that the main cause was "overtraining," so I just began a period "rest" were I intend to not workout at all for 2-3 weeks and then begin only light stretching a toning for a period of at least 3 weeks (and longer if the Dyspnea does not resolve).  Heart/Lung problems have been ruled out through much testing.
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Avatar universal
I too have this same problem but I believe it is iron related. I have read that runners can become deficient in iron and still not be anemic when tested. However oxygen is transported throught the red blood cells and the red blood cells are nourished by iron so this makes since. You might try stopping exercise for a while and increasing your lean red meat along with Vitamin C, like from orange juice in order to help the uptake into your system. This seems to work for me.  
Helpful - 1
248663 tn?1198083095
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
From your description of gradual worsening over several weeks, culminating in persistent, unremitting dyspnea, the diagnosis that first comes to mind, especially if your chest x-ray is clear, is that of recurrent pulmonary emboli, with or without pulmonary hypertension.  You state that, 'Heart/Lung problems have been ruled out through much testing.'  You may want to confirm that your doctors have completely ruled-out pulmonary emboli.  It is a condition that can be very insidious.  What you describe is not the result of a low carb diet, alcohol consumption or overtraining.

If emboli have been ruled-out, interstitial lung disease has been ruled out by physical exam and high resolution CT scan, and metabolic disorders of muscle have been ruled-out, your next step should be to have a stress exercise test, possibly to include an echocardiogram.  Preferably this should be done at a center with expertise in exercise physiology.  Two such centers are:  
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