1. Community
  2. Chest and lungs
  3. Respiratory Symptoms and Disorders

Strange sensation / tightness in chest and upper throat

Posted , 218 users are following.

rai27
rai27

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

439 Replies

Prev Next
  • melissa53667
    melissa53667 rai27

    Posted

    Hi friends... I'm having my first endoscopy tomorrow and I'm getting really nervous. Send some prayers up for me please. I'm sick of feeling like this and I'm hoping for some answers.

    • smartbass1
      smartbass1 melissa53667

      Posted

      'Mornin' ! I hope all went well....My 2 cents is I've zeroed in, for me, ALL my weird symptoms are gerd/diet related....my bottom line, stay on the med, eat sensibly and voi la....no problems !...but it took a WHILE before the meds stablilized my system and unforgiving if missing a dose. Feel like I'm on the right track, finally...prayers..

  • martin0
    martin0 rai27

    Posted

    Hi melissa. all the best for tomorrow our prayers are with you 

    Cheers Martin

  • sam76697
    sam76697 rai27

    Posted

    Hello Rai27...i don't know but i think i habe been experiencing the same issue....i'm 24 years old...i used to smoke for 3 years but its 5 months since i stopped...sometimes when i move or turn aroumd on bed i feel slight pain and tightness in my chest and some choking sensation in my throat like somethings wants to come out...something like mucus but its always dry...i feel heavy on breathing..i can't breathe properly...my nostrils gets blocked and i cannot sneeze properly...also i have some sort of itching sensation on my exterior portion of chest and it has got worse its turned into rashes due to continuous scratching ...i went to my doctor...had an ECG...2D echo test....even had a heart monitoring device stuck on me for a day to monitor my heart ...but it all turns to be absolutely fine...i habe no issues in my heart and its all fine...but i still feel the tightness in my chest and the shortness of breath....my doc has no clue what i'm going through amd its scaring the hell out of me. Could you help me know what exactly i'm suffering with or give me some suggestions....would be really grateful ....

    • melissa53667
      melissa53667 sam76697

      Posted

      Hi Sam. So sorry you're going through this. I have the chest itching at the moment too. I'm 30 year old female.. Smoked for many years but quit over the summer when all the symptoms started. Did you have a pulmonary function test? Your symptoms sound similar to mine when my asthma is flared up. Do you have a history of asthma?

  • martin0
    martin0 rai27

    Posted

    Hi sam

    Like me the same to. i believe stress has a part to play but not sure on the other part yet. The less i think about it the less it happens. What i do know is since i started mountain biking I can laugh without coughing and thats a good sign.  When i bend down i dont get the sick feeling in my throat. cheers martin and i hope this helps in some way

  • martin0
    martin0 rai27

    Posted

    I fort to say i started swimming a couple of weeks ago as well this helps with the breathing and clears and by the time i finish the chlorine clears all the crap in my nose and brings a lot of plegm. So by the about half way through my time in the water im swimming  easier. I will say i only swim 25 meteres and have a rest as ive never been a strong swimmer
  • rob_10427
    rob_10427 rai27

    Posted

    I have the exact same symptoms! What did you find out? Do you think it's candidas? From what I have read and the symptoms I'm having,. I believe it's yeast in my chest, throat and lungs.

  • martin0
    martin0 rai27

    Posted

    Hi i think you could be right i have noticed its worse when i eat a lot of bread which is yeast based. I have been trying to cut it out
  • martin0
    martin0 rai27

    Posted

    I just looked up candidas?  and its very close alright Im going to try it but its a big food change. i wont dom it all at once but give it a big nudge
  • moonfloor
    moonfloor rai27

    Posted

    Hello rai27.  I have a different idea that I didnt' see anyone mention.  You should read up on Mitral Valve Regurgitation.  It's not a digestive issue, but a heart valve problem.  It causes people to have this strange sensation in their lower throat, making them cough.  I have it also.  I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse when I was a teenager.  I'm 37 now and the regurgitation symptoms have just started this year.  I had an echocardiogram but they couldn't see any regurgitation but I'm convinced it's because it was not happening at the time they were looking.   Its difficult to catch.  Anyhow, I usually have chest pains/palpitations around the same time that the coughing starts.  It happens a lot after intense exercise, and sometimes after I take medicines like pain meds and sleep meds...if i take them together (which can effect the heart).

    ?Anyhow, read up on it and see if it seems to be the same of what u are experiencing.

  • renee86210
    renee86210 rai27

    Posted

    I can see this was over a year ago but I'm developing the same symptoms , I have a tightness in my chest and my throat as well feels tiny and heavy almost like I dry swallowed a pill I was just wondering if u found out what the exact cause was ?

    • melissa53667
      melissa53667 renee86210

      Posted

      Hi Renee. Still dealing with these symptoms unfortunately. Have been since July, every doctor has either said it is believed to be GERD or anxiety. So that seems to be the common denominator with everyone here. I am currently on Protonix with not much change in symptoms.
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.