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Concerned about Tight Chest: Testing for asthma

Posted by emtaylor @emtaylor, Mar 29, 2025

Hi, I have good health profile, normal test results, no improvement on PPIs. I've had laryngoscopy, endoscopy, chest x-ray, pulmonary function test, many blood tests, etc., and I'm on allergy meds. Thanks for any insight you might have - it's driving me a little nuts, although I'm aware that overall I feel very healthy.

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emstiles | @emstiles | Aug 9 9:45am
In reply to @normagal "Does anyone else have chest tightness? When I lay down at night, or sit quietly I..." + (show)
Profile picture for normagal @normagal

Does anyone else have chest tightness? When I lay down at night, or sit quietly I am aware that my chest feels tight when I breathe. I had been on Symbicort, and recently started Breztri. Last night I decided to get back out of bed and take my albuterol inhaler--it didn't help. They're not considering my asthma really bad, but it doesn't seem like whatever med I am using is helping. I had a full pulmonary function test at the hospital that supposedly proves I have asthma as it improved about albuterol via nebulizer. I'm trying to be extra vigilant in using my inhaler properly. I haven't had any scans or anything of my chest or lungs. Just haven't felt great since early January--it's getting really old.

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Also, are you an anxious person. I know when I had trouble breathing, I would become anxious. They always tell you to relax, but easier said than done!

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Aug 9 10:00am
In reply to @normagal "Does anyone else have chest tightness? When I lay down at night, or sit quietly I..." + (show)
Profile picture for normagal @normagal

Does anyone else have chest tightness? When I lay down at night, or sit quietly I am aware that my chest feels tight when I breathe. I had been on Symbicort, and recently started Breztri. Last night I decided to get back out of bed and take my albuterol inhaler--it didn't help. They're not considering my asthma really bad, but it doesn't seem like whatever med I am using is helping. I had a full pulmonary function test at the hospital that supposedly proves I have asthma as it improved about albuterol via nebulizer. I'm trying to be extra vigilant in using my inhaler properly. I haven't had any scans or anything of my chest or lungs. Just haven't felt great since early January--it's getting really old.

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@normagal I have allergy induced asthma and also a condition called thoracic outlet syndrome or TOS that causes chest tightness. It’s something that many doctors miss. I have worked with a physical therapist who does myofascial release work and that helps a lot. We have a discussion on that here where you can learn more. I can feel when my lungs build phlegm and then do MFR stretches and open up the airways to get it moving out. MFR is basically a stretch to create a shearing force on the skin and you just wait until the tissue releases. It helps me a lot and I can self treat to manage my condition. There is a provider search at mfrtherapists.com. Also see myofascial release.com. I also use antihistamines. Sometimes the respiratory diaphragm gets tight too. Working with a PT helps a lot.

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normagal | @normagal | Aug 9 9:17pm
In reply to @normagal "Does anyone else have chest tightness? When I lay down at night, or sit quietly I..." + (show)
Profile picture for normagal @normagal

Does anyone else have chest tightness? When I lay down at night, or sit quietly I am aware that my chest feels tight when I breathe. I had been on Symbicort, and recently started Breztri. Last night I decided to get back out of bed and take my albuterol inhaler--it didn't help. They're not considering my asthma really bad, but it doesn't seem like whatever med I am using is helping. I had a full pulmonary function test at the hospital that supposedly proves I have asthma as it improved about albuterol via nebulizer. I'm trying to be extra vigilant in using my inhaler properly. I haven't had any scans or anything of my chest or lungs. Just haven't felt great since early January--it's getting really old.

Jump to this post

I see an allergist--not a pulmonologist. I was having bad headaches, shortness of breath, and exhaustion for months. I've had a cardiac echo (normal except mod. mitral valve regurgitation), nuclear stress test (normal), sleep apnea test (normal) MRI of brain (normal). I think that's everything. My pulmonary function test in office is not horrid per dr, but not normal. Had a full pulmonary function test at hospital that was told confirms that I have asthma.

I'm gathering from what I am reading that I have to give the Breztri a few weeks to work,but I would think the albuterol inhaler would help with the chest discomfort.

Jennifer-interesting what you are saying about TOS. I'm very tired of going to drs and having tests, but wondering if a pulmonary dr is warranted if things don't improve. I'm better than I was a few months ago, and will be a lot better when hot weather, humidity and poor air quality aren't a factor.

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