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
  • killacidreflux
    killacidreflux rai27

    Posted

    Hello

    I see you are having some of the same problems as me.

    I also see people are telling you its acid reflux.

    Well i have those same symptoms and have had an endoscopy with NO acid reflux. My neck now swells on and off all day and it has developed into throat ear and stomach pain.

    So pls get it checked out and dont just start taking ant acids without a doctor doing an edodcopy. Ant acids cause more harm than good.

    Be well ☺

    • ricardo03
      ricardo03 killacidreflux

      Posted

      As mentioned in an earlier post my problem was acid reflux which was suggested by my Doctor. He is the one who prescribed the 150mg twice a day to avoid these problems until further notice.  I have not had any reoccurance of the breathing problems  but still have acid reflux because I can not resist some foods.   I fully agree with killacidreflux to check with your Doctor before taking any thing.
    • casper43737
      casper43737 ricardo03

      Posted

      boas ricardo, estou a sentir uma esntranha sensaçao na garganta que me faz querer tossir , é muito ligeira simplesmente acho que necessito de tossir , achas que vem do refluxo acido do estomago?

       

  • misflo_96701
    misflo_96701 rai27

    Posted

    I am so glad I came across this, I was beginning to lose hope thinking i'm battling alone. It's been 3 months now and the doctors keep telling me the same thing - the scans don't show any abnormalities. All i need to know now is how i can make this go away, I literally sit up in bed all night as lying down makes the tightness in chest and cough much worse.  I have even stopped going to gym
  • LayneTX
    LayneTX rai27

    Posted

    Same symptoms.  I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica (multiple joint serious pain) in December, 2014.  Prednisone 20 mg... I felt chest tighness for months as I was tapering the prednisone.  I'm down to 8 mg but my throat/esophagus has become so irritated.  Now I'm having Thrush (oral yeast) in my mouth and throat. Only diagnosed by sight symptoms thus far. Taking anti fungal, but not sure it's working yet, only been 5 days on it.

    Rheumatologist had me get xray and called yesterday saying moderate COPD...no do NOT smoke, nor around smoke, nor love in polluted city...

    nor do I feel I've had acid reflux symptoms.

    have GI doc in two weeks...

    But, I'm seriously considering it might be Candida in my lungs! My liver level also elevated Rheumy said, but could be Prednisone or drinking too much red wine.  Now wine taste awful!!! So no alcohol for me, bummer.

    I'm going to get back to taking serious probiotics and NO sugar, which I've only eaten meats and veggies for last 7 months...and well...lots of red wine. 

    With my stress in life and Prednisone bringing my immune system down and doctor NOT letting me eat yogurt and NOT telling me take probiotics in pill form...I'm betting this caused my issues. 

    Phone we can all feel better sooner rather than later!!!

    Layne

  • mary_jo_38201
    mary_jo_38201 rai27

    Posted

    This is exactly what I have been feeling for the past three months too and am worried my dr gave me a steroid pack that seem to help but not completely and then it would just come back  

    I went back to dr and she gave me a steroid inhaler qvar 40 which did not help at all. Then back on another steroid pack that helps a little. But then comes back again.  My feeling in throat feels like a lump in back of throat and tightness in chest.  It seems to happen more in the evening when I am tired .in the mornig I am just fine but then as the day goes on I start to feel it getting worse.  It kinda make me feel just unhappy and just not feeling like right kinda tired and not hungry or excited to do anything just a bummed feeling .  I don't know what to do next. I don't want to go through all those crazy test that you went through. Thank you for your post. It has helped a lot.  What did you end up finding out that helped ?  Waiting for your reply thanks again.  Do you think it's contagious.?  I don't think so since my husband and other family members have not gotten it. 

  • neil_10481
    neil_10481 rai27

    Posted

    I have the same thing happening to me now a weird felling in my throat stomach and chest similar to your symptoms fells weird swallowing feels like there's something in your throat but there' s nothing there when clearing it . My chest also feels like yours so the symptoms are very much the same I have had this now for a couple of days and it came on suddenly no other symptoms before it happend.
    • rai27
      rai27 neil_10481

      Posted

      Hi Neil 10481,

      Thank you for replying to my post. Sorry to hear you have the same symptoms. Please keep us posted how you are getting on. Are you on any meds? Have you seen any doctors?

    • neil_10481
      neil_10481 rai27

      Posted

      Hi rai27

      Seen my doctor today she has prescribed me some antibiotics. If no improvement then gotta go back for further tests will post back withing 2 weeks. Is when I got to go back thanks for your reply

  • liling
    liling rai27

    Posted

    Hi, jz wanna ask that, since many shared that most possibility is Gerd or acid reflux, if leave it untreated, what could it become. Actually Im have this symptom for quite a period of time. I ever went for x ray and heart specialist and blood test, it is cpear. I only kept tried on the supplement which help relief a bit. Anyway, if i get angry or frustrated the tightness on my right throat would suddenly become worse and followed by my chest. Does it related to our body hormone. I felt that I easily get angry which i am not used to be. But my most concern is that if leave it untreaten would it cause anything?
    • cassper22
      cassper22 liling

      Posted

      It wouldn't cause anything but it would reduce how smarter,confident,comfortable and less tense you should be.
  • amy72680
    amy72680 rai27

    Posted

    I am so sorry to hear that you are struggling with the same symptoms I am having. I am a healthy 57 year old. I got a Uti and took a sulphate drug which I was allergic to and now having the same exact symptoms as you all. It is so confusing and frustrating. I have elevated my bed and am taking nexium and Zantac but no relief.  Has anyone had any breakthroughs?
  • BellaBond
    BellaBond rai27

    Posted

    I am so relieved to have stumbed across this fourm. I typically shy away from googling my symptoms but I am glad I did this time. I am 20 years old and have been expierencing my symptoms for the past 4 months now. I have extreme tightness in my throat and chest. A feeling like I can not take a full breathes unless I try for several minutes. I cannot walk as far or be as active as I was months ago. I have had severe acid reflux (GERD) since I was 6 years old. Due to this conditon I deveoped esophogitis. When I got diagnosed I had the barium swollow and endoscopy done and then had them again when I was 15. I take omperazole and it works wonderfully. My doctor does not think that these new symptoms are related to my acid reflux. I also have asthma and have used an albuterol emergency inhaler and QVAR for most of my life. My asthma does not explain my symptoms. I also have IBS and heart palpitations. 

    I read all the posts on this fourm and I find myself in such a similar place as all of you. I am not allergic to gluten or dairy. I have had chest x-rays,an EKG and blood tests to see if I have a clot or water on my lungs. Everything is normal. I am going to have a stress test this week. I have heart disease in my family and have a direct link with my mother. Have any of you been tested for Supraventricular Tachycardia?? The symptoms are:

     A racing or fluttering feeling in the chest (palpitations).

    Chest discomfort (pressure, tightness, pain).

    Lightheadedness or dizziness.

    Fainting (syncope).

    Shortness of breath.

    A pounding pulse. You may feel or see your pulse beating, especially at your neck, where large blood vessels are close to the skin.

    Sweating.

    Tightness or fullness in the throat.

    Tiredness (fatigue).

    Excessive urine production.

    I have every one of these symptoms and its possible this is the cause of what is the most annoying and uncomfortable tightness in my chest and throat I have ever had before. I did not see this conditon mentioned so I thought I would throw it out there.

    • neil_10481
      neil_10481 BellaBond

      Posted

      Hi Bella bond I have had these symptoms for 2 months now my doctors done some tests and found out I was diabetic type 2 it's been playing around with my gastric system for quite some time it started with strange tightness in chest and throat and really bad acid reflux my body's genetic index was 55 well above average I'm now taking metaformin for it. I'm also experiencing extreme fatigue headaches and dizziness with excess sweating in the nights and peeing a lot also my nerves have been damaged has I'm suffering with really bad nerve pain. I hope they get to the bottom of your problems very soon and you start to feel better all the best to you
    • Kate2015
      Kate2015 BellaBond

      Posted

      Hi Bella

      It's a relief to find someone in a similar situation- I'm 34 and started having a strange sensation of a tightness in my throat or something stuck in my throat. Also hoarseness and throat clearing.

      I am also asthmatic and take QVAR 2 puffs twice a day but recently my asthma has been worse too.

      I've seen ENT who put me on Lanzaprazole for 2 months, the symptoms are better but I still have a bit of a tight throat. I suspect this could be due to a tight sternocleidomastoid muscle. I grind/clench my teeth (wear a night guard) so this could be related.

      I'm fed up of constantly thinking about these symptoms 😔 how are you getting on now?

    • derek76
      derek76 BellaBond

      Posted

      All of those symptoms could also point to anxiety or the known side effects of the drug.. Has your doctor discussed that with you?  Have you tried stopping the omeprazole to know if you still need it? If you read the leaflet that comes with it all of of the symptoms you list are also possible side effects from it. It also tells you that it is not for long term use although I had a doctor who had been taking it since it came on the market.
    • Adg801
      Adg801 cassper22

      Posted

      I have the exact same symptoms for the past 8 years and it's ruining my life. I have 3 kids and really need this to go away. It affects me driving, watching a movie, and sleeping. Please let me know what you did to fix yourself.

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.