Strange sensation / tightness in chest and upper throat
Posted , 218 users are following.
I'm hoping for some help please..I have been feeling this strange sensation in the chest and lower throat. It's a sensation which I can only describe as a heavy feeling (no pain) and a tickling cough sensation in the chest. This then moves upwards to the lower throat area and makes it as though it is becoming tight. It makes me clear the throat and try to get the mucus out. I can feel a bit coming out but not much. The sensation makes me want to cough.I have been to doctor many times and he has listened to my chest and back. He's said that it's all clear. In the end he gave me antibiotics which I took for 7 days but it made no difference. He's also given me ventolin but it made no difference. I had chest x-ray and that showed clear. He referred me to ENT specialist who did a nasal endoscopy and that was clear. I have also done a barium swallow and that was also clear. However, I am still having this problem. I have also noticed that when I cough, I hear a grinding noise in my chest which sounds like friction. I've now been referred to a respiratory specialist and my appointment is next Friday. I'm really worried as I don't know what it can be. Has anyone else has this strange feeling? Can it be infection of the lower airway which has not cleared up? All this has been going on for 3 months now and I'm really worried and not sure what to do...Any help would be really appreciated. Thank you..
6 likes, 439 replies
smartbass1 rai27
Posted
Good afternoon all...Well, not sure if all this makes me feel better or not...identical symptoms to most, and same ok test results,i.e, cardio, oxy 100%, ..etc. Recent endosocophy which showed some effects of GERD and a hiatal hernia. For the last several months now, I've had this feeling of swallowing wrong and tightness in my chest. Feel like lungs are reduced, but no wheezing or shortness of breath, just the sensation. Unlike, some of you, symptoms are either gone or greatly reduced by bedtime...have a rare problematic night, but too few to count. I have the occasional break from symptoms (almost seems cyclic), usually on weekends, but not quite a pattern. My real issue...nothing seems to work. I'm now on Dexilant for 10 days or so and seemed to be a gradual lessening of symptoms but a sudden chest tightness today threw that theory out the window. The tight feeling remains for hours. Severe anxiety sets in and i'm trapped at work...without any Xanax...but i get through somehow. My fear is this is not cureable and i can't function like this. My only hope is the Dexilant eventually changes something.
ilbleon smartbass1
Posted
I have the same symptoms as you. What was most puzzling was the symptoms would ease over night and start again in the morning and would sometimes ease on weekends.
This triggered a thought that the flare ups are happening at my most stressful times. After I knew what to look for it all fell into place.
Search for 'Nervous cough symptoms'
It's an anxiety disorder that manifests with physical symptoms.
I hope this helps
martin0 ilbleon
Posted
Hi I because I have been watching this disscusion and I think your on the right track. I have all the same symptoms and find like yourself they ease over night and the weekend and since i've started mountain biking they have eased after a good ride. Although i have a lot of plym in the morning and I'm thinking that is something else. Good to see we are getting close
smartbass1 ilbleon
Posted
Thanks for your post....I wish I could say "definitely" or "completely", but I agree a noticeable lessening, more often than not, away from work and/or not thinking too much....
neil_10481 martin0
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Hi I'm also having the same problem I have had these symptoms for over a year now I have been to my docs so many times they got to be fed up with me by now. I find to the symptoms go at night maybe it could be that the body more relaxes at night prior to bed time. In the morning then it's back to square one lump in the throat chest tightness and felling of restricted breathing and the doctors are clueless has to what it could be
susan43614 rai27
Posted
I will get symptoms as a lot of you describe (have them just now) after or during a cold, but I do have asthma.
hiral21025 rai27
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melissa53667 hiral21025
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martin0 rai27
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natallia04776 martin0
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Hi! I didn't get. Who has got it?
dale11221122 rai27
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melissa53667 dale11221122
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Any updates from anyone? Still suffering over here. Started singulair and its helping the asthma symptoms a bit- but not the sensation. Hi Dale. Sorry to hear you're experiencing these symptoms. No one has found out what it is from yet- check back frequently.
Melissa
jacqueline63157 melissa53667
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Sorry I haven't responded in such a long time! I am actually feeling much better. The chest sensations have virtually completely gone away. I am giving credit to the singulair that I was prescribed. I am still congested and have a runny nose, but not nearly as bad as it was a month or two ago. The congestion turned into a small sinus infection which resulted in a low fever, but cleared up in less than a week. I was just diagnosed with gastritis due to stress at work. The doctor said my stomach is irritated and creating a crazy excess of acid. I am now on a bland food diet for the next two weeks plus medication, which sucks. Cough is gone too which I thought would never go away. I honestly can't believe it. I hope this relief lasts for me and I hope you all feel back to normal asap!
jacqueline63157
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natallia04776 jacqueline63157
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Get well soon.
smartbass1 melissa53667
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'Afternoon...two more doc visits, one with my ENT..same conclusion..pain,feeling in throat, asthma acting up, etc : GERD. The Dexilant is slowly working; definitely improving symptoms and along with that, decreasing anxiety. It all ties in. IMHO, all this seems to have started with stress, then real physical symptoms, anxiety, the asthma, etc. Now that something's working, all fronts seem to be relaxing. Hang in all, there's hope for all this. It's going to be slightly different for all, and all the doc visits are good to eliminate anything else. It's going to get better...prayers for all....P.S. don't want to leave with the wrong impression, I still have uncomfortable issues, but improving. I'm going to work a little harder on diet and the right juicing combo. Peace out...
allison38201 smartbass1
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Snap.. my problem has been diagnosed it's inflammation caused by acid reflux.. now I know for certain it's nothing more sinister, I am relaxing and symptoms subsiding. Looking carefully at diet. I have actually stopped juicing as this makes symptoms ten times worse. At the height of theowirst discomfort I was juicing every day. Ive stopped and so has the pain.
Doc said stress is a huge factor, this alone can cause the acid reflux. Acid reflux causes inflammation and inflammation causes ulcers.
Good diet,along euthanasia relaxation techniques should ease the problems. I am just thankful I now have answers. Good luck with your recovery...
melissa53667 allison38201
Posted
Happy to read everyone's updates! Looks like some of us are doing a bit better. I'm on day 5 of Singular and it is helping the asthma symptoms more than I expected. The asthma stuff causes the most anxiety with me because I fear the worst will happen when my chest tightens. I have to have the scope still (I am very anxious about this) because my doctor wants it done BC the discomfort is still present in my throat and chest. Keep in touch everyone. Would love to know how/when it goes away and what we all did to make it subside. I'm sure people in the future who read this thread will appreciate it too. Sending love to you all!
Melissa
martin0 allison38201
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melissa53667 martin0
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Hi again friends. Here to update- not to scare anyone. About a week ago I noticed my right tonsil was much larger than my left tonsil (all of my issues are on my right side). It is super swollen but no pain. I do have pain in my right ear though. I had a funny taste in my mouth so I decided to take a look and BOOM.. I've been putting it off (aka trying not to be anxious about it) hoping it would go away or it was just related to acid but I am thinking its more and more unlikely. Google is scaring the s*** out of me quite frankly and my chest discomfort is off the wall. I'm super anxious and down in the dumps. I just want to feel healthy again. Please send prayers this way.
smartbass1 melissa53667
Posted