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Intense Chest Pressure/Burning

Posted by kahkej @kahkej, 3 days ago

Hi, I need some advice/insight regarding my current symptoms. I was diagnosed with NTM bronchiectasis last October after being misdiagnosed as having Giant Cell Arteritis due to severe head pain and high inflammation levels. After the NTM bronchiectasis last October, I was on, I think, 2 antibiotics for less than 3 months but I can’t remember how long.

This past June I had severe fatigue, some chills, and intense chest pain. I was given doxycycline 2x a day for 7 days and felt better. Currently, I have the same symptoms and started doxycycline yesterday. However, I feel worse. I had a nasal swab and a chest X-ray at my pulmonologist office. No sign of pneumonia and now prescribed to take amoxicillin along with doxycycline 2x a day for 7 days. I use a saline nebulizer twice a day and a flutter valve. I also have been taking azithromycin every other day. I produce no sputum so that is not an indicator for me.

I don’t know what is going on and am worried that the antibiotics won’t help this time. My pulmonologist is responsive but doesn’t explain things. If I don’t feel better, I can ask for another CT scan. Does anyone have any suggestions or has a similar experience? Thank you very much for any feedback. It is appreciated.

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pacathy | @pacathy | 1 day ago

I'm sorry you're feeling so bad. If you aren't feeling a lot better today, I'd certainly encourage you to get medical advice now with complaints of chest pressure and intense burning. Do you have any history of cardiac or reflux issues?

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scoop | @scoop | 1 day ago

GERD/reflux can cause chest pressure and burning. Might your symptoms be that? Your stomach might but a bit topsy turvy with all the antibiotics.

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kahkej | @kahkej | 1 day ago

Thank you both for your feedback. I do not have GERD or cardiac issues and my chest pressure occurred before taking the extra antibiotics. The increase in chest pressure is an indicator, for me, of some kind of flare. I am feeling a bit better and have asked my pulmonologist for a follow up appointment on how I can manage my bronchiectasis better. It seems like I need another bronchoscopy to see if I still have NTM in my lungs…. I’m at a loss.

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scoop | @scoop | 1 day ago
In reply to @kahkej "Thank you both for your feedback. I do not have GERD or cardiac issues and my..." + (show)
Profile picture for kahkej @kahkej

Thank you both for your feedback. I do not have GERD or cardiac issues and my chest pressure occurred before taking the extra antibiotics. The increase in chest pressure is an indicator, for me, of some kind of flare. I am feeling a bit better and have asked my pulmonologist for a follow up appointment on how I can manage my bronchiectasis better. It seems like I need another bronchoscopy to see if I still have NTM in my lungs…. I’m at a loss.

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I hope you get some answers and relief. The reason I mentioned gerd is because I also contacted my doctor and insisted on an x-ray etc because I had such chest burning. I was convinced I had some chest infection it hurt so. Turns out it was gerd, which was silent at first then turned symptomatic.

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