It only happens when laying on my back and taking a deep breath... But it's driving me crazy! IM a 32 yrold female 5'6 140 lbs. No other symptoms. No medical problems. I was in the hospital over a year ago . I was very sick with fever and horrible back pain turns out I had fluid around my lungs and heart all due to a viral infection. I had many xrays and two echo cardiogram my heart is perfect so I know it's not that. Is it possible that it is acid reflux without hat burn? His do I get rid of this??? At my wits end!
Gurgling/vibrations in or around my lungs after laying on back and taking deep breath?
Question posted by nickimcd on 16 Aug 2015
Last updated on 16 April 2023
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
16 Answers
Bornagainpixel
22 May 2022
@lady hutch
They also found a hiatal hernia on me, and guess what? I got the surgery, and it did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for me. And I never had reflux from it but they try to convince you your cough or vibration is from that. It wasn't. The lying on my back having gurgling thing in my lung finally went away though, a couple years after surgery (not from surgery). I'm guessing it could have been allergies from my dog because he died last year and it fit the timeline for symptoms starting and stopping. It started around the time I adopted my dog, stopped shortly after his death. Anyone else have animals with this issue? I've never had allergies from animals or really anything else that I can think of but I think this dog in particular may have been causing it.
lady hutch
10 June 2022
Interesting. Not sure. Like you, I too have a myriad of allergies. I sleep next to the bedroom air purifier, but this only happens when I'm laying down. Did your dog sleep with you? Mine is predominately in my left lung, but I have noticed it in my right (just not as often).
Bornagainpixel
10 June 2022
My dog would sometimes sit up on my bed, lie down in my room, and I would play with him. Definitely enough to be affected. I still have an annoying cough that won't go away though but luckily the gurgling thing when I lie down on my back went away shortly after my dog passed. He was a long haired Chihuahua.
lady hutch
22 May 2022
I've had this for 2 years. After laying on my back, breathe in once, left lung expands, I esophagus-cough, and have a back-ache in same location. Been to heart doc, lung doc, gastro doc. All tests fine. BUT... the gastro doctor did find a HIATAL HERNIA that I knew nothing about. I'm on omeprazole and watch what I eat. It helps a lot. I also looked up and found that Hiatal Hernias can cause a weakening of the diaphragm AND they push and crowd the lungs, AND can affect people at night when they are lying on their back (because if you've eaten or snacked or drank at night, the stomach can push through the the hernia hole. There can be a back up of GERD that can affect your lungs, creating Asthma-like or early COPD symptoms. I believe this is all related. I can't find any sight that explains all this, but it's what I've gathered from lots of time on the computer over the last two years. Let me know if anyone has similar findings
kaxaela
16 April 2023
Have you managed to find out what it was yet? I feel the same for over a year, it only happens when I'm lying on my back, it started in my left lung and now I feel it in my right too.. I'm really afraid it's something serious in the lungs Has anyone had a diagnosis?
Symptomaniaic
19 May 2022
Has anyone gotten any answers to this problem. Has it gotten worse for anyone?
kaxaela
16 April 2023
Have you managed to find out what it was yet? I feel the same for over a year, it only happens when I'm lying on my back, it started in my left lung and now I feel it in my right too.. I'm really afraid it's something serious in the lungs Has anyone had a diagnosis?
Nope333
5 April 2022
I've been to a cardiologist- healthy heart, and just left a pulmonologist. Lung doc said it be the COVID-19 vaccine altered my immune system and made my asthma worse. This started for me 4 months after first Pfizer shot.
Notcrazyimjustright
3 March 2022
As a preface always listen to your doctor, they're like mechanics with bodies. A good one more or less has a feel for it by now.
So I have a few thoughts on it, been dealing with the same problems too. I think it might have to do with inflammation in the lungs due to either : lung disease, acid reflux creeping into lungs, other things like food or drinks you've had, and smoking. Or any combination of the above. The lungs get trapped in between the ribs and pop out. If the diaphragm is involved I wouldn't be surprised, ill have to look into that. I'm 22, smoked too much weed and tobacco, vape and will sing(well scream I can't sing) with a pouch in my mouth and have def inhaled some of that nasty shit. Point is my lungs are fucked. Been diagnosed with "smoking induced asthma" but I personally think it's early early COPD because all the smoking and other shit that has been shoved down my lungs.
That being said it's entirely possible to live with it for years at a very minimal state of discomfort and symptoms which is one of the reasons it gets misdiagnosed, its more or less a general term for lung damage. I have acid reflux too. I usually get the weird feeling is upper chest with deep breathing or coughing, but I'll also get it when I'm lying down and stuff like that. It makes sense to me that there's something going on with the inflammation, and considering there's many more muscles than the diaphragm responsible for breathing that's 100% a possibility, it might be tired or reacting to acid reflux getting acid in between the lungs and ribcage. I take apple cider vinegar for my acid reflux and it helps a ton. Get some gummies and start taking that, drink lots of water too. And if any of yall smoke quit, I am trying to do that myself. Good luck, and def comment if you get a solid answer
Also about the whole COPD thing, There's evidence that it starts a lot earlier than the diagnosed criteria and common age of onset which is around 40-60. The disease itself and other lung diseases are commonly misunderstood and the nature of it is a progression of damage... it doesn't happen overnight. To boot asthma is a common initial misdiagnosis because the symptoms are pretty identical. They don't diagnose it until it reaches a certain point because catching it earlier is difficult due to the similarities to other issues like allergies and asthma. Asthma itself is weird, and can contribute to COPD but some asthmatics won't ever get COPD and live a full life with the same or similar level of discomfort/disability. Which makes me thing it's more or less the same mechanical issue with the lungs that just hasn't progressed due to proper health care
Bubbles1017
14 Feb 2022
Has anyone figured out what this is I am 21 year old male having the same symptoms for about a year now.
Jkal31
14 Feb 2022
Sorry haven’t gotten any answers even after
Multiple tests ! Still have it it’s been almost two years.
Bubbles1017
14 Feb 2022
Have you had your spine looked at for any injuries or clues there yet?
Jkal31
14 Feb 2022
No that is interesting though
Have you heard it could
Be the spine?
Bubbles1017
14 Feb 2022
I do not think it’s impossible that it couldn’t be. I have a hard time believing it’s the lungs since it’s our only symptom and it happens only on our back. I’m going to the doctor today. I’ll ask. I wonder if we are putting pressure on something we have messed up in our mid back or something? I’m just at a loss. This has been happening for months with 0 answers any where.
Jkal31
14 Feb 2022
I hear you, it’s frustrating. I’ve been told it’s reflux… I just kind of gave up looking for answers because I tried a few times. Hope you have better luck, keep me posted !
Jkal31
15 Feb 2022
Hey how are you? Hey any insight today ?
Thanks
Bubbles1017
15 Feb 2022
The doctors had no idea what could be causing this. All my test are normal. Blood, ultra sound, X-ray, spine, heart, lungs you name it. He said he might think its muscular and probably nothing to worry about. I’m at a dead end I think. I’m going to try chiropractic therapy and see if that helps it could be something is a little tweaked and needs to be shifted a bit over time? But over all he seemed not concerned. I’m just really surprise literally no one has a clue about this nor is there anything on the internet about this?
Stephwin12345
16 Feb 2022
Yeah I’m very shocked and surprised at this as well, one of my doctors suggested doing another CT scan but having me lay down for a while first and then as they do it take a deep breath so they can look at the lungs. Mine only happens if I’m laying on my back for a certain amount of time, and then after the big first breath I take with the rumbling in my chest it goes away after that until I continue laying down a while longer. I did break my back about six or seven years ago it was my T10 T11 vertebrae. But I’m not sure that has anything to do with it honestly. Sometimes I do cough up mucus, and I did learn that I am allergic to dust mites. Wonder if there’s just phlegm in my chest from allergies. But it doesn’t get better when I take allergy pills. I’ve sort of given up honestly. I’m at a loss for words and apparently so are doctors. I’ve also had random lip swelling over the past year, my doctor said it’s called angioedema.
I was tested for factor five and that was negative but upon some research I learned that factor 12 could have something to do with it. Not sure if that would be related with what’s going on in my chest or not.
Jkal31
16 Feb 2022
Hey mines the exact same laying down and then the first breathe sometimes second too and it clears up. No clue what it is. I cough up mucus sometimes as well.
Bubbles1017
16 Feb 2022
I’m starting to think it’s possibly a compressed nerve or something causing our issues. It seems we all have back pain and issues there. Maybe a chiropractor or a neurologist will have a better idea?
Bubbles1017
16 Feb 2022
I’m starting to think it’s possibly a compressed nerve or something causing our issues. It seems we all have back pain and issues there. Maybe a chiropractor or a neurologist will have a better idea?
Bubbles1017
16 Feb 2022
Appears it could just be a diaphragm issue. Doctor suggest being more active and taking medication for acid reflux. Do all of you have acid reflux or possibly less active then usual.
Bubbles1017
16 Feb 2022
Appears it could just be a diaphragm issue. Doctor suggest being more active and taking medication for acid reflux. Do all of you have acid reflux or possibly less active then usual.
Stephwin12345
18 Feb 2022
Hey guys this is gonna sound crazy, but no one has mentioned this yet, and I haven’t talk to any doctors about this, but the exact area that I am feeling the rumbling sensation upon taking deep breath’s, only once I’ve been laying on my back though, has been right near my gallbladder. I know gallbladders store bile from the liver… I wonder if something is happening around the gallbladder upon breathing in. Thoughts?
Bubbles1017
24 Feb 2022
I’m going to push for an MRI and see if that shows anything today.
Bubbles1017
24 Feb 2022
I’m going to push for an MRI and see if that shows anything today.
kaxaela
16 April 2023
Have you managed to find out what it was yet? I feel the same for over a year, it only happens when I'm lying on my back, it started in my left lung and now I feel it in my right too.. I'm really afraid it's something serious in the lungs Has anyone had a diagnosis?
Bstssrg
29 Nov 2021
I’m a guy so I haven’t had kids and I’m 25 and the same things been happening to me for a couple years now. It usually only happens at night and mostly after I’ve been laying on my back for a while. When I breath slightly or even deep, I feel a gurgling or vibration or like theres a small flap rattling coming from my mid back on my left side and once I get to the end of my breath you can hear a wheezing sound while breathing in and out. I’ve been very confused on why this is happening and have been thinking possibly since maybe not being physically active for a long time or maybe weight gain constricting my insides I don’t know. My 3 month old has recently gotten a cold and has lots of mucus and now when breathes in or out you can hear and feel the gurgling/vibration so it made me think maybe it’s just connected to having an excessive amount of mucus in your body. Has anyone had any progressive updates with this issue ?
kaxaela
16 April 2023
Have you managed to find out what it was yet? I feel the same for over a year, it only happens when I'm lying on my back, it started in my left lung and now I feel it in my right too.. I'm really afraid it's something serious in the lungs Has anyone had a diagnosis?
Calvotribe
30 Sep 2021
I have the same issues which when googling them give you terrifying results. I do have mild asthma but when I took a pulmonary test everything came back normal. My allergist said he thinks I have mild asthma due to allergies. Either way my lungs are fine. I even seen a cardiologist and did numerous test which showed my heart was fine. I asked the cardiologist what could be causing this sensation and he said he’s heard of it in patients with acid reflex and it has to do with the diaphragm. When I went on this forum I was surprised that others mentioned their doctors said this too because I was still skeptical when he said this. I dealt with this issue over 5 years ago after I had my son but my primary doctor at the time said it could be bronchial spasms due to mild asthma. It must have went away for awhile because I didn’t really notice it again until this year and that’s when I got a pulmonary test and seen a cardiologist.
Everything came back clear. It’s so weird but I’m just going to wait and mention it to my primary doctor here at my yearly appointment and see if she wants to do any other testing. Please let me know if any of you find out anything also.
Stephwin12345
1 Oct 2021
Thanks for letting me know yes It only happens when I lay on my back, not when I’m on my side or anything like that. It’s been going on for almost a year and a half now. I’m sort of giving up on answers. But I am assuming it’s probably allergies and asthma. I do have allergies, I’m allergic to dust mites, minor asthma and are used to have a acid reflex a lot. A couple months before this started happening I was vomiting and I think I vomited up a lot of acid I wonder if that had something to do with it. All the tests are coming back clear as well so I’m just gonna try and not worry about it! Keep me posted if you find anything else out :-)
Bubbles1017
16 May 2022
Any new answers, or anyone getting better?
Bubbles1017
16 May 2022
Any new answers, or anyone getting better?
lmakk
31 Aug 2021
I have this too. I can’t tell you how relieved I am to find others with the same issue. I too have been at a loss trying to explain this to numerous doctors.
I first noticed it towards the end of 2017, when I was 29 yrs old.. I am now 33 and still have this issue and it has gotten worse. I feel it the most when I wake up in the mornings and it gives me this intense cough when I breathe in deeply. After a few deep breaths it goes away. Any time I lay down for longer than a few mins, esp on my back, the vibrations come back. Sometimes I even feel it when I’m upright and going about my day. I haven’t had babies yet. I’ve had lung X-rays and recently a lung function test/spirometry which have come back clear. No one has suggested diaphragm but I’m seeing a gastro in a few weeks so will ask about it.
If anyone has found any further answers, please please report back! At my wits end and worried because it seems to be worsening. Thank you!
Contigo
25 Oct 2021
Any update?
Jkal31
2 Jan 2022
Hey! How did you gastro appt go? Mine has honestly just gotten so bad this last week to the point where I feel pain everytime I breathe deep. The vibrations are only once I lay on my back and in the mornings omg so bad. This morning it was horrible it was so uncomfortable to breathe deep to try and get rid of it. Ugh
Happy new year though
Stephwin12345
16 Feb 2022
Any updates?
Hb3161
25 May 2022
My symptoms are exact, have you gotten any answers yet?
Hb3161
25 May 2022
My symptoms are exact, have you gotten any answers yet?
RoseNoss
3 July 2021
Did you find any more answers? I have this too. It’s been very scary and no one can tell me what it is. In fact some docs look at me like I’m an idiot. I have three kids (youngest 3.5 yrs) but mine only started 6 months ago after I had serious internal bleeding and required emergency abdominal surgery and blood transfusion. Possibly the bleeding has irritated my diaphragm or something, but I’m purely speculating here as no one has actually told me this. I’ve had chest X-ray and a ct scan but all came back clear. Always worse when I lay down.
Jkal31
16 May 2021
Anyone ever get any answers? I have this now and I’m so stressed. Can’t get any answers. I even get an irritation at the base of my throat/chest when I get the vibration in the mornings. It’s so scary. I just had babies a few months ago as well.
Hollslee
24 June 2021
Do you have back pain neck pain? I’ve been trying to figure this out my self I really think it’s pregnancy related/ postpartum. Go see your ob/gyn. it’s not the lungs. Cause tour lungs are in the upper part of your body where your shoulder blades and breast are. I get the feeling in my back where my lower ribs are. Mid back. I’ve had three kids. This last one I had two years ago I started this problem but I’m still alive so hopefully nothing sinister. So relax take deep breath’s. one lady said sleeping on the stomach works and it does strangely!!! It’s not as bad. It’s very strange and unsettling no pain just weird and scary when I take a deep breath after lying down. It goes away almost instantly after a couple deep breaths. Only happens after lying down. I believe our body’s are just messed up after having babies lol
Jkal31
24 June 2021
Hey thanks so much! Yeah it’s so unsettling. My neck is okay but I have some back pain. Not sure what it is either. Having a breathing test to make sure it’s not something else. I’ll try sleeping on my stomach! It is so odd happens when I put any pressure on my back. I just had twins about 5 months ago. Just been finding it to be more and more noticeable. Thanks for responding !
Greera
11 July 2021
I never got any answers but I also quit pressing the issue because my doctors would look at me like I was insane. I’ve been having is for a year now it started about 3 or 4 months after my daughter was born. Sometimes I feel breathlessness but I think that’s my anxiety kicking in thinking about the gurgling. I’m going to bring it up again at my annual. It seems like everyone has had every test done that is available and all came back fine. It really must be random and related to carrying/birthing a child. We are just the lucky ones.
Stephwin12345
13 Oct 2020
I too am having the SAME issue... started 9 months ago. Someone mentioned is could be silent acid reflux that got into my lung... only occurs on the right side upper lung area and ONLY when laying down on my back or when I bend over and take a deep breathe... super freaked out and hoping I’m okay. Also having asthma symptoms.
Any answers?
Greera
9 Nov 2020
That’s crazy! I actually have acid reflux and saw my GI recently and mentioned it. He didn’t seem to think it was related. I have an appt with my internist to talk about it because I am also wondering if it is some kind of allergy related response. It’s incredibly annoying!
Hollslee
11 Feb 2021
So it’s the diaphragm what you guys are experiencing and it’s weak from the baby pushing on it look into breathing exercises for it and yoga just get fit and I’m pretty sure it will go away. If it’s been around this long can’t be nothing too bad. I’ve also read that organs/spine can be affected by the baby even years after birth.
Stephwin12345
14 Feb 2021
That’s what I was thinking, but my doctor said during the CT scan that when I took a deep breath he didn’t see that the diaphragm was moving up in the manner that everyone else is explaining that would cause the vibrations. And I was told that when you take a deep breath in the diaphragm goes down, so I guess I’m just confused as to why the vibration would be occurring if the diagram is moving down. I will definitely try and do a little bit more strengthening exercises that would target my diaphragm and we’ll see if that works. Also just confused as to why I cough up some phlegm here and there. Might be related or unrelated.
Hollslee
17 Feb 2021
Do you have neck or back pain? I’d look into talking with a neurologist and a pulmonologist. I just watched a video that a phrenic nerve in the spine has a lot to do with your diaphragm and if your diaphragm isn’t working properly this nerve could be restricted And it’s not sending the right signals to your diaphragm. So when you lie on your back it could be restricting this nerve. It’s making so much sense cause after being pregnant your spine gets messed. Or either from having poor posture. Oh and if your looking at your phone a lot. I have this issue my neck isn’t t in the best condition.
Hollslee
17 Feb 2021
I also want to know if you had a C-section?
Greera
14 March 2021
I have been trying to focus on breathing with my stomach and not my chest and I still feel mine pretty much every time I wake up in the morning. I do have neck and back pain but I also have herniated discs.
I did not have a c section to answer the question above. My doctor thought maybe the epidural caused it, but nope, I did not have one of those either. I do find that my acid reflux flared up around the same time and just a weird itchy sensation in my lungs at times. So I’m wondering if it’s allergen/acid reflux related or maybe like you are saying with the diaphragm.
Jkal31
16 May 2021
Hey! Did you figure this out?
Stephwin12345
15 Dec 2021
Guys this is going to be far-fetched, but I’m still having these issues and I have a feeling it might be related to something else that I’m having happen.. Are any of you getting any sort of swelling randomly like angioedema? I’ve gotten some swelling on my lips every once in a while and I’m not allergic to anything. I’ve gotten a lot of Allergy panels but everything is normal.. Regular Anahistamines do not help. But I can’t help but think it’s somehow related to my lung issue. The Dr. still has not figured out. They told me it is not a diaphragm issue and I’ve never had kids before. Have any of you been tested for a factor 5 leighton or factor 12?
Wondering if this could be something thT is causing some of your issues?
Stephwin12345
15 Dec 2021
Guys this is going to be far-fetched, but I’m still having these issues and I have a feeling it might be related to something else that I’m having happen.. Are any of you getting any sort of swelling randomly like angioedema? I’ve gotten some swelling on my lips every once in a while and I’m not allergic to anything. I’ve gotten a lot of Allergy panels but everything is normal.. Regular Anahistamines do not help. But I can’t help but think it’s somehow related to my lung issue. The Dr. still has not figured out. They told me it is not a diaphragm issue and I’ve never had kids before. Have any of you been tested for a factor 5 leighton or factor 12?
Wondering if this could be something thT is causing some of your issues?
Greera
25 Sep 2020
I am 28 and having the exact same issue. I had a baby a few months ago so I don’t know if that’s related. I brought this up to my doctor and she looked at me like I was insane... didn’t really seem concerned because she listened to my lungs and they sound clear. It doesn’t hurt, just extremely annoying after getting up from lying down and feeling that gurgling/vibrating for a few minutes every time I take a deep breath in. Do you know what you did/didn’t do to help this get better?
Jkal31
16 May 2021
Hey did you figure this out?!
nickimcd
5 March 2020
My doctor said it was from my diaphragm. I guess when I lay down it moves up a little farther than normal which causes the vibration/ gurgle sensation. She said there is nothing to worry about and nothing you can really do about it other than not laying on your back. It has actually gotten alot better since then. Still happens once in a while... it was constant.
Stephwin12345
6 Jan 2021
None of my doctors have mentioned that it could be my diaphragm. How did she figure out that it was your diaphragm? Did you do any x-rays or anything of the diaphragm? And who would you go see for that?! My pulmonologist still don’t have any clue what could be causing it. The issue is, when I got my CT scan, I was only laying down for like 30 seconds. Mine usually happens if I’m laying down for longer than five minutes. So they didn’t see anything on the CT scan. But it is definitely still there, and only happens when I am laying on my back. I have been coughing as well, usually at night time and when I’m laying on my back, and I do get mucus that I cough up 80% of the time..
Nlayton2289
5 March 2020
I’m having this exact same thing and I’m 30 years old. Did you ever find out what it was?
kaxaela
16 April 2023
Have you managed to find out what it was yet? I feel the same for over a year, it only happens when I'm lying on my back, it started in my left lung and now I feel it in my right too.. I'm really afraid it's something serious in the lungs Has anyone had a diagnosis?
Related topics
medical, female, symptom, hospital, lungs, lung
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.