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Strange sensation / tightness in chest and upper throat

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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

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  • tstone
    tstone rai27

    Posted

    I hope someone is still connected to this conversation because I need help, BAD!!!!!

    A little background information:

    I am 19 years old, female.

    Been suffering since August, so 7 months of hell with no answers. I have hardly any energy to give a full explanation but I'm going to insert the symptoms I've recorded in my notes.

    I've seen all the doctors/ specialists mentioned in this conversation, gi, ent. Had endoscopy and the ENT endoscopy. All that was ever found was red irritation in throat

    All they've said is GERD so I tried PPIs and they actually made it WORSE

    I threw up almost every single morning for 6 months PRIOR to the last 7 months (cause unknown)

    Recently became medical marijuana patient.

    SYMPTOMS:

    Gurgly feeling in throat after certain things like dairy, fat, smoking

    Can't consume a lot of fat= throat issues, sick feeling and terrible gallbladder pain (not anymore i just got it removed 5 days ago still in excruciating post surgery pain can't tolerate pain meds at all)

    Chest pain // heart burn

    Chest tightening constantly

    Dairy also makes it worse- get scratchy swollen feeling

    Feel like I can't breathe

    All creates terrible panic attack

    And Causes symptoms to worsen!

    If I can't use my medical marijuana bc smoking makes my throat feel distressed too... I'm not getting the benefits.

    Bile reflux could be destroying my throat along with acid reflux

    Also chest tightening to the point of I can't even really breathe asthma?

    Mucus in throat gets stuck

    Highly allergic to dust suddenly

    Benadryl itchy eyes throat etc

    Always BURPING bubbly feeling in chest and sometimes it's acidic vomit or it's something else that doesn't burn feels very

    "Pop rocks" noise comes out of throat when hungry and after eating can't figure out when or why tho. It's like a quiet crackling noise in throat

    Ideas :

    aspiration pneumonia

    Esophageal stricture - benign

    Achalasia

    **** I do not smoke cigarettes, only medical marijuana and I have barely been able to for the past 7 months but prior to that I was smoking marijuana concentrate in large amounts, daily.

    • Johnnyspeaks
      Johnnyspeaks tstone

      Posted

      Hello Tstone

      Sorry to hear about your problems and that you're worrying. I've not been active in this thread for a wile but i still read the Reply-mails i get in my inbox, since it's a topic that've been close to my heart the last couple of years.

      I've had all the symptoms and problems as you describe, but my anxiety and concern have always been that my Voice went terrible bad in 2011 and never got the same again (well, until now.) 

      as in most western sciences we focus alot about the symptoms and the visual/kinestetic sensations. "oh no, there is mucus there, now i need to get an anti-mucus pill." We often neglect the deeper psychological reasons for our problems.

      Long story short, i went with Depression and anxiety from 2011-2013 after breaking up with my sick girlfriend and leaving the church i was attending at the time.

      After Extended (read INSANE) research i've tried every kind of solution offered from the Doctors meny (examinations, medication etc.) and the spiritual newage market out there. (Diets, exercise, yoga, meditation, being quiet for a long time etc.) And even though all those things helped each with a small fraction with building up my overall health state of being, it didn't really get to the cause of the problem.

      What finally tipped the crux in the right direction for me was actually 2 things, both which is equally important.

      1. I started breathing deeply, consistently through my nose (makes your throat less dry than mouth breathing)

      i used to hold my breath between sentences wile speaking with people, when i went to restaurants with friends i barely breathed wile we were eating/conversing. Wich have always lead to an unbearable anxiety, that show's itself as tenseness, dry throat, hoarse voice, chest tightness, excess mucus on the vocal chords etc. These symptoms have been remedied by at least 85% since i started controlled deep breathing through my nose.

      2. Second, this is a bit more spiritual. But essentially i became more mindfull of my own state of being, i lowered my expectations of myself wich were pushed by other people, stopped expecting high flying results from myself to please other people. I've gotten alot more aware of my body and how it tenses up in certain situations, and now i live alot more in the flow of life and accept things as they are, instead of trying to controll the outcome of the situation. This subject is quite deep and i could go on and on, but essentially i became more consious and self loving.

      I do have certain tips that have worked better for me than others on my journey, and now 5 years later after struggling i'm about 95% recoverd to my fullest potential again, and i don't want anyone else to need to go through that smile 

    • martin0
      martin0 Johnnyspeaks

      Posted

      So what your saying some of the problem is in the mind and the rest is mucus 

       

    • sal32861
      sal32861 Johnnyspeaks

      Posted

      Hi Jonny,

      I had all these same symtoms mentioned and I tried this breathing technic and it has helped me alot. It seems to free my sticky vocals and clear out my mucus.  Will continue with this.

      I think this is more to do with:

      -Stress - (Try to be stress free)

      -Posture - (correct posture is important)

      -Life style (socialise, Do exercise and carryout these breathing technics)

      -Anger (control it, so you don't strain vocal chords)

      -Diet (general balance diet should also fix this)

      I think above should help.

    • sal32861
      sal32861

      Posted

      Also consider:

      Also try mucus clearing device, this is sometimes due to airways being partially trapped and causing tightness on throat and neck. Or do simple  breathing excercises:

      Rather than clearing your throat or using a hacking cough, deep coughing requires less energy and is much more effective in clearing mucus from your lungs and throat.

      The deep coughing technique uses the power of your stomach muscles to expel air and thus removing thick and sticky mucus.

      Deep coughing is a must know airway clearance technique for patients with COPD as apart of their breathing treatment.

      Step 1: Sit down in a chair or on the edge of your bed with your feet firmly planted on the ground; lean forward slightly.

      Step 2: Cross your arms across your abdomen, then use diaphragmatic breathing to take a slow deep breath through your nose and hold it for 2-3 seconds.

      Step 3: Press your arms up against your stomach and use the strength of your stomach (abdomen) muscles to push out the air, then deep cough 2-3 times.

      Step 4: Make sure to exhale using pursed lips.

      Step 5: Repeat until mucus is cleared from your airways. 

      or

      2.

      Clear and relax your vocal chords:

      Take a long, slow breath in through your nose, first filling your lower lungs, then your upper lungs. Hold your breath to the count of "three." Exhale slowly through pursed lips, while you relax the muscles in your face, jaw, shoulders, and stomach.

      Please let et me know if this helped.

    • kasie86313
      kasie86313 sal32861

      Posted

      I'd love to say that helped the feeling in my chest or the coughing of sticky dark phelm but I try and it didn't work like always.

    • robinred
      robinred kasie86313

      Posted

      Have you seen a pulmonary specialist? He/She will have you cough up the sticky dark phelm and can test it for bacteria. I think you need to rule this out.
  • myko02648
    myko02648 rai27

    Posted

    Hi guys. I have very similar symptoms like most of you for a few days now, however I decided to try some simple traditional methods to improve respiratory and seems it helps me out. Here is very simple what you need to do and very recommended:

    1. Hot water.

    2. A bowl.

    3. Body towel

    4. Thyme

    5. Chamomile

    So, fill the bowl with hot water, add a table spoon of dried thyme and chamomile flowers. Then get yourself over the bowl and cover with a towel and breath until a vapours get cold. Inhale through your nose exhale via mouth and otherway inhale through your mouth exhale via nose periodically.

    After that make the same consistence tea, but use one tea spoon per each herb for a one cup ot tea.

    This theraphy should be done before bed time. Try it out and I guarantee you'll get better.

     

  • Guest
    Guest rai27

    Posted

    Hello,

    This sensation sounds very similar to what I was experiencing with GERD. Has GERD been ruled out?

  • maxe033103
    maxe033103 rai27

    Posted

    Hi there rai27, just ckecking how are doing now? Is there any new medication your having right now? I am asking becuase my wife has the exact condition with you. Kindly give us some up dates, we are very interested on how can my wife be better.

    Thanks rai27

    • rai27
      rai27 maxe033103

      Posted

      Hi,

      Sorry to hear your wife is experiencing the same symptoms.

      To give you an update on my situation, my symptopms are still slightly there. You probably read my earlier post stating the test I have had. The latest is that nothing has been found and it's therefore put down to acid related. I am therefore on esomeprazol and just continuing with that. I have seen a chest specialist and an ent specialist however, what is now left is for me to see a gastro specialist to help me in my journey to find answers. I must say that my symptoms of that strange sensation has slightly gone down but I can still feel that it's still there. I'm also taking gaviscon each night.

      Rai

  • sabzway
    sabzway rai27

    Posted

    hi rai27,

    i saw your discussion when i was very ill....i promised myself if i feel improved or better i will definatley join the discussion to help you out as my symptomd were exactly like yours,, ,my story started with heating not working one day at work and i had to work in freezing cold morning of london for 8 hours,,,,next morning i started having a fever which changed into very bad chest infection....it went deeper in my lungs GP gave me amoxicillin i took it four days but my condition was getting worse so bad on fourth day i went to hospital and they said to me to stop amox and gave me clarithromycin i did the course for seven days my infection was cleared but i was feeling my chest very tight specially very heav feeling right where my neck meet my chest upper chest area...its like someone has placed two bricks thier and i couldn't breath properly....i feel my lungs are not expanding and i feelinh griding when i take deep breath in my lungs anyway went to GP again and he gave me steroid course >_< for 5 days and i hate prednisolone....i took it for 5 days and i was feeling agitated and depressed and after five days my chest was the same....i thought i developed asthma as my dad had it and i was off work for whole two weeks.....i was feeling out of breath even if i go upstairs and walk few steps and my body had no energy.....finally i said to myself okay after steroid and antibiotics whatelse gp can prescribe me....i started thinking of other options but regular medication....with help of god i booked appointment with homeopathis doctor.....i went to see him had 45 minutes consultation with doctor he took very deep and even unimportant details from me of whole thing and he prescribed me medication.....i can't be more thankful to god after taking it for few days the heviness of my chest is gone completly and my lungs and expanding normally.....i can finally breathe after two weeks and i am feeling much better in myself....as when i read this discussion i knew exactly what you are going through i thought i will let you know what helped me.....normal medication only deal with symptoms like paracetamol only deal with pain but do not heal the reason of that pain.....steroids too only deal with symptoms you stop them and all symptoms will come back but i feel homepathy heals the reason of that pain or problem very spiritually.....and to me it was a miracle smile

    i wish and pray for everyone here going through tough time and will suggest strongly to consider homeopathy and it has no side effects and you can take it with your regular medication too.

    have a nice life everyone x for="" 5="" days="" and="" i="" hate="" prednisolone....i="" took="" it="" for="" 5="" days="" and="" i="" was="" feeling="" agitated="" and="" depressed="" and="" after="" five="" days="" my="" chest="" was="" the="" same....i="" thought="" i="" developed="" asthma="" as="" my="" dad="" had="" it="" and="" i="" was="" off="" work="" for="" whole="" two="" weeks.....i="" was="" feeling="" out="" of="" breath="" even="" if="" i="" go="" upstairs="" and="" walk="" few="" steps="" and="" my="" body="" had="" no="" energy.....finally="" i="" said="" to="" myself="" okay="" after="" steroid="" and="" antibiotics="" whatelse="" gp="" can="" prescribe="" me....i="" started="" thinking="" of="" other="" options="" but="" regular="" medication....with="" help="" of="" god="" i="" booked="" appointment="" with="" homeopathis="" doctor.....i="" went="" to="" see="" him="" had="" 45="" minutes="" consultation="" with="" doctor="" he="" took="" very="" deep="" and="" even="" unimportant="" details="" from="" me="" of="" whole="" thing="" and="" he="" prescribed="" me="" medication.....i="" can't="" be="" more="" thankful="" to="" god="" after="" taking="" it="" for="" few="" days="" the="" heviness="" of="" my="" chest="" is="" gone="" completly="" and="" my="" lungs="" and="" expanding="" normally.....i="" can="" finally="" breathe="" after="" two="" weeks="" and="" i="" am="" feeling="" much="" better="" in="" myself....as="" when="" i="" read="" this="" discussion="" i="" knew="" exactly="" what="" you="" are="" going="" through="" i="" thought="" i="" will="" let="" you="" know="" what="" helped="" me.....normal="" medication="" only="" deal="" with="" symptoms="" like="" paracetamol="" only="" deal="" with="" pain="" but="" do="" not="" heal="" the="" reason="" of="" that="" pain.....steroids="" too="" only="" deal="" with="" symptoms="" you="" stop="" them="" and="" all="" symptoms="" will="" come="" back="" but="" i="" feel="" homepathy="" heals="" the="" reason="" of="" that="" pain="" or="" problem="" very="" spiritually.....and="" to="" me="" it="" was="" a="" miracle="" smile="" i="" wish="" and="" pray="" for="" everyone="" here="" going="" through="" tough="" time="" and="" will="" suggest="" strongly="" to="" consider="" homeopathy="" and="" it="" has="" no="" side="" effects="" and="" you="" can="" take="" it="" with="" your="" regular="" medication="" too.="" have="" a="" nice="" life="" everyone="">

    i wish and pray for everyone here going through tough time and will suggest strongly to consider homeopathy and it has no side effects and you can take it with your regular medication too.

    have a nice life everyone x>

  • dan8622
    dan8622 rai27

    Posted

    Hi, everyone. I've read ALL the replies and can say that I have been experiencing the same symptoms lately. Tight, lumpy throat, bottom of the throat all the way down the center chest is kinda tingly/itchy feeling and raw like I have to cough, but I really don't. I went to the doctor and was prescribed Amoxicillin for a potential respitory infection. I Felt better for about a week after taking the antibiotics, but now the feeling is coming and going. I do have anxiety issues, so that makes the feelings much worse. The throat feeling is a combination of GERD/Acid Reflux mixed with anxiety. Globus Histericus is a symptom of anxiety that is tightness in the throat and makes one feel like there is a lump that just wont go away. I make this feeling go away by keeping my mind occupied. When my mind is focused elsewhere, I forgot about the feeling. The chest on the other hand is a different story. I'm not entirely sure what it is. I know that the anxiety worsens the feeling. Hopefully the feelings will start to diminish with a new diet and workout plan I am starting.
  • jim76268
    jim76268 rai27

    Posted

    Were you exposed to a change in your life that would have increased your stress or anxiety? I've had similar symptoms for over a year, starting with a pressure sensation in the middle of my chest around the sternum as well as at times, a sensation of heavy breathing. After a year and a ton of tests I'm chalking it up to stress which is really crazy since I've been heavily stressed most of my life but it eventually caught up with me. 

    Initially I thought it was GERD but my endosocopy was clear. If you've done the nasal endoscopy you've probably already ruled out GERD as well. 

    It could be costochondritis, which i also think can be exacerbated by stress. Based on my own experience the tests I did to rule out anything serious was endoscopy, chest CT, MRI, ultrasound of thyroid, pulmonary function test, echocardiogram, cardio stress test, saw a pulmonologist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, gastroenterologist and ENT. That should be a pretty good screen for seeing if anything is wrong. Doing all the visits sucks but i thought of it as a way to do a mega physical for my turning 40. 

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