Chest Pain and Pressure- Can't Breathe
Posted , 2 users are following.
For 2-3 years GI's told me my chest/rib-cage pain, chest pressure and lack of air was due to reflux. Now I have Barrets and Gastritis but they are saying my symptoms are not related to this. I have seen every specialist on the book including Pulmonologiest and they just can't tell me what my problem is. I have chest pain that never goes away, rib-cage pain sometimes and I also feel pressure on my chest all day long and lack of air which is aggravated when I talk, walk and eat. The chest pressure doubles/triples when I go in to a pool with water up to my chest. It sure feels like a lung issue but my Pulmonologiest and even VA said is not COPD. I just contracted another functional medicine which order 2 more test to see if it has to do with food sensitivity but he actually does not believe it does. He did say that maybe is a nerve issue which happens to be his specialty besides functional medicine. The only time the pressure and chest pain goes away 80-95% is when I go to sleep or completely lay back. I do have gluten sensitivity (I'm gluten free) and my cortisol levels are high which is no surprise if you have to live with pain every single day with no answers. Btw, I have normal acid levels and apparently the reflux is a response to stress. Any comment is appreciated! ;-) God Bless!
0 likes, 11 replies
aitarg35939 papote53
Posted
I wish I had something more meaningful to offer. Someone far more knowledgeable than I am will surely pop up here soon.
papote53 aitarg35939
Posted
Yes, it has been a nightmare and the physical part has my mind going fast and viseversa, but I have faith I will get better and even a cure. What I do know for now is that 3 1/2 years ago I already ha this pressure but only when I got into a pool, now this pressure is all day long except when I sleep and when I get into a pool within 1 second I feel like I'm 50-75 feets under water because the pressure is way to much and breathing is almost impossible.
Btw, today I did the 2 lab test the functional Doctor order so maybe in 2-3 weeks I have an answer. X-rays and CT's shows nothing of concern and I know for a fact anxiety is not the issue. I also see a psychiatrist which supports this ;-)
God Bless!
Jose
Vee2 papote53
Posted
I think probably you will get more from posting on the Barretts forum.
Just put Barretts in the patient UK search box top right.
Hope you get some understanding of what you are experiencing.
You pulmonologist said not COPD so its highly likely not.
papote53 Vee2
Posted
Thanks, but the Barrets My GI said I have is mild and he clearly started it has nothing to do with my chest pain, chest pressure or lack of air. I had so far 3 endoscope and 1 PH Bravo and just recently the barret showed but I had these smptoms for 3 1/2 years. Actually, I believe the Barrets is all due to stress created by the chest/rib-cage pain and lack of air. I have normal acid levels and my valve is working properly (esophagi's manometry), but stress can open the valve and allow reflux to come up. So to my ndersatnding this daily pain and lack of air (16/7) is the reason for Barrets. My blood test did show high cortisol, which points out to stress again. I have a beautiful family and life, I'm retired (military) and have no need for extra money. My only stress which is present all day long is the pain, pressure and lack of air. Now, some of my x-rays do show hyperinflated lungs but clear. Chest and Heart CT showed all perfect. I had so far 2 COPD test with negative results. Actually, for 2 years they told me it was mild reflux and mild gastritis, and now they are saying is not related after they ran out of options. ;-(
Vee2 papote53
Posted
Both Barrets and Gastritis can cause shortness of breathe according to google.
I think only your doctor /specialist can determine the cause of your health symptoms. Hope you get to the bottoms of it.
papote53 Vee2
Posted
That's the problem, is also confirmed not GI, Cardio, Rheumatologist, Allergist but when you get in a pool and the symptoms is aggravated 200/300%, then is almost for sure is something with your lungs. Like I said, I do have gluten sensitivity but this time I'm waiting for the results of a complete sensitivity test which could give me a better idea what the problem could be.
Believe me, I have been all around with all these specialist which have not found the problem and the worse part is that is not getting any better which makes me believe it could be a food sensitivity problem because is getting worse.
I saw 2 GI's (one from Mayo Clinic Jacksonville FL, considered best in the USA), they both told me after 4 endescopes, 1 PH Bravo, 2 Barium swallows, 1 manometry, 2 colonoscopies and many more test that my pain and lack of air is not related to my mild reflux, barrets or gastritis.
That is the reason I posting here, looking for answers because is not getting any better and Doctors have done nothing for me. ;-(
Vee2 papote53
Posted
If you think its allegy related, hopefully you will get to the bottom of it.
I don't think anyone here can give you answers. Maybe lung usa helpline can help you if you still think its lung related. Perhaps just wait for your test results to come through before thinking it could be this that or the other. Test results are a good indication of what is or is not happening.
In UK its a process of illmination to find the cause of symtoms, sometimes that can take a while. It took 10 months before I was diagnosed with emphysema. I had many tests, scans, barium meal xrays. It was a CT scan that revealed all. You say you have had that done and it showed everything perfect so that says it all, if there was a lung issues it would have shown on the CT scan.
This forum is for COPD support and queries.
papote53 Vee2
Posted
The reason I posted here is to see if anyone here had any idea what this could be. Going to a reflux forum is not going to help, did it for 2 years.
I already took a complete food sensitivity test yesterday, hopefully in 1-2 weeks I will have an answer.
I'm actually not allergic to anything, but I could be sensitivite to many things which with time gets worse if not attended. This test will tell me this- He also ran another test which cost my insurance $4000, which I wil have the results soon. This Doctor is also a nerve Doctor, which is the other condition I believe could affect the chest and ribs including your breathing. So hopefully this Doc will have some asnwers.
You will be surprised how many people have similar symptoms, so I have to keep an open mind and stay positive.
Jose
God Bless!
papote53
Posted
Vee2 papote53
Posted
Breathing issues can be cause by many things. COPD is just one, this you have said you do not have.
I shall refrain further from communicating with you. I am sure others will answer you if they wish to.
Hope you find all your concerns soon resolved.
papote53 Vee2
Posted
I appreciate your comments but please understand that extreme chest pressure in the water is more likely a lung issue which doesn't mean is COPD. I did come out 3 times with hyperinflatted lungs on 3 x-rays which by itself is not prove you have COPD. Now, don't get me wrong- Not having COPD is a bleassing and I pray everyone here will get better but having the symptoms with no answers or medication is not easy. This has been going for 3 1/2 years and I have seen all the Doctors money can pay for with no answers. So I go where we all go when you get no answers from the professionals; here! My only option right now is to post on any forum that might be related to my symptoms and hopefully one day someone will say I had those symptoms and this is what I did. ;-) To be honest, thanks God I have God because He is the only one that pics me up when I'm down. '-)