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Tight Chest, Congested Feeling no Cough, Discomfort Taking Deep Breath
Hi. This is my first post. I hope that someone can provide some insight. I've read several posts but cannot pinpoint the exact forum to be in.
I am 49. Quite fit. Normal blood pressure. Normal lab work. Low CT scan number (which I had done in the middle of all this). Chest x-ray normal.
Suddenly in April of this year, my chest started feeling a little tight like I could not take a full deep breath. It was intermittent and mild. Later it developed into what felt like chest congestion but I had no cough. My doctor thought that I might have a mild infection and prescribed antibiotics which seemed to help. It later returned and we discussed if I may have asthma (which I never have had). I have no trouble exhaling or other asthma-like symptoms. However, we tried an asthma-allergy medication for a couple of weeks which made no difference.
I consulted a friend (who is a primary care doctor), and he suggested that I may have silent-reflux (LPR). I've never had any digestive issues or anything to even hint at reflux. My diet was already healthy but I cleaned it up even more, cut back on coffee, alcohol, and tried PPIs (prilosec and pantaprozole) for a month. It really made no difference.
I visited an ENT who used the scope and saw "some" swelling around larynx and agreed with the LPR diagnosis. He encouraged me to keep on the PPIs for another month or so (which I did, along with diet changes), but in the end has made no difference.
My primary doctor suggested that I visit a pulmonologist for their opinion and breathing tests (if required). He thought that I was fine, agreed with LPR diagnosis. We scheduled breathing tests just in case my condition did not improve. After a month of the same, I had the breathing tests done. I was told that my lungs were "pristine" and I should consider a gastroenterologist.
I visited a gastroenterologist and he disagreed with the LPR diagnosis and said that I really have no symptoms of reflux. He offered to do an endoscopy (just to cover the bases) but implied that he did not think it was necessary. I told him that I had been taking the PPIs and he asked if I felt better. He said I should be feeling "like a new man" if it were reflux. I told him that my symptoms had remained constant. He suggested that I stop all PPIs and see if my symptoms change. He even suggested that I may want to see a pulmonologist (which I had already done). I hate taking unnecessary meds, so I stopped. Sure enough, my symptoms have not changed. Still the same daily chest discomfort, tightness.
So here we are nearing the end of September and I still feel the same. I'm not sure where else to turn. My wife thinks that I should get the endoscopy done just to be sure, but to me it really feels like a lung issue. When I take a deep, I feel resistance. It feels like bronchitis without the typical symptoms.
Thank you.
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@trishia67, Your mention of “ I also sometimes feel a radiation up to my neck when deep breathing” caught my attention. I’m chasing a different issue unrelated to the discussion here, but I have recently learned there is a nerve called the ‘phrenic nerve’ which stems from the cervical spine, C3 C5…and this nerve has something to do with the function of the diaphragm, which of course is part of breathing. My shortness of breath gets better when I lay down (so it is positional) and I do have known issues in my cervical spine. No answers for me yet but I felt better just after finding the connection between these 2 dots. Best to all who read this…I hope it helps someone!
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1 ReactionWhat about pulmonary hypertension? Some of your symptoms sound similar to some I have had and I do have diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. Good luck!
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1 ReactionYes, C3, 4 and 5 keep the diaphragm alive. Christopher Reeve when he broke his neck had to be on ventilator to keep breathing. This is an extreme example on how nerves from the neck fire their impulses for us to breathe, but you are on the right track that any issues in cervical area can pose problems with breathing. Good luck !
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3 ReactionsHas your gastroenterologist done an esophagram to test for bile reflux?
My reflux test was normal even though I had 5 pages of incidences so they did the above test and I had severe bile reflux. Had lost my voice so I was out of work for four months (I talked for a living). The valve at the bottom of my esophagus wasn’t closing tight anymore (caused, we think, by a CPAP machine and my underlying EDS). Bizarre but true.
Here's some information I found online. For me, combining the first three during allergy season has been very helpful. All of it makes pretty good sense.
1. Diaphragmatic breathing
These techniques can be used for people who are experiencing lung problems related to asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, as well as healthy individuals.
Diaphragmatic breathing uses the awareness of the diaphragm muscle, which separates the organs in the abdomen from the lungs.
By concentrating on lowering the diaphragm as you breathe in, you’ll get a much deeper inhale. This is the technique that professional singers use to increase their lung capacity.
2. Simple deep breathing
Deep breathing can help you get closer to reaching your lungs’ full capacity.
As you slowly inhale, consciously expand your belly with awareness of lowering the diaphragm. Next, expand your ribs, allowing them to float open like wings. Finally, allow the upper chest to expand and lift.
Then exhale as completely as possible by letting the chest fall, and then contracting the ribs and, finally, bringing your stomach muscles in and up to lift the diaphragm and expel the last bit of air.
3. 'Counting' your breaths
You can also increase your lung capacity by increasing the length of your inhalations and exhalations. Start by counting how long a natural breath takes. If it takes to the count of five to inhale, it should take to the count of five to exhale. Try to keep them to an equal length.
Once you’ve discovered the count for your average breath, add one more count to each inhale and exhale until you can comfortably extend the length of time it takes to fill and empty your lungs.
The idea is to avoid straining or causing discomfort — it should be a gradual and easy process.
4. Watching your posture
Since the lungs are soft structures, they only take up the room that you make for them.
You want to occasionally sit tall and reach overhead to make more room for your lungs. A simple technique for giving your lungs even more room is leaning back slightly in a stable chair, lifting the chest and opening the front of your body as you breathe deeply.
5. Staying hydrated
Getting enough water is as important for the lungs as it is for the rest of the body.
Staying well hydrated by taking in fluids throughout the day helps keep the mucosal linings in the lungs thin.
6. Laughing
Laughing is a great exercise to work the abdominal muscles and increase lung capacity. It also clears out your lungs by forcing enough stale air out that allows fresh air to enter into more areas of the lung.
7. Staying active
Regular, moderately intense activity is great for the lungs, and when you increase your daily activity you get three things done at once: healthy lungs, a healthier heart and a better mood,
Aim for at least 20 minutes of consistent, moderately intense movement daily, like a brisk walk or a bike ride.
Regards,
Sagan
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3 ReactionsPlease try stopping all strenuous exercise and running for a week to see if symptoms go away. There is something called exercise resistance asthma
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2 Reactions….and oxidative stress
I have had a lung transplant and have found that when I push myself hard on a treadmill for example, I am unable to breath properly. I find myself gasping for air if I try to talk while doing it. I am doing it at 9.5 speed which is reasonably fast, but I try and raise my heart rate for at least 20 minutes a day. I will be looking into this condition and cross comparing what I have experienced, as in my case it could mean a number of things some possibly life threatening.