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
Rose361 rai27
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emi47657 rai27
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In combination with your heavy chest symptoms, did any of you previously get sick with H1N1 flu, back in 2009 or since that time? Or do any of you have recurring pneumonia? - or non-symptomatic "walking pneumonia"? What about this, do any of you have "tonsil stones" also known as, “tonsiliths”, or issues with internal inflammation? Do any of you have eczema, psoriasis, empty sella syndrome, or problems with your pituitary gland? What about menopause or other hormonal imbalances?
In trying to figure out what is causing my own feelings of a heavy chest (which feels like the pressure of someone pushing on it), I have come across possible connections with all of the above conditions.
In the spirit of collaborative research and sharing of ideas, I was very interested to read someone’s post, from about 10 months ago, regarding a candida yeast infection in the lungs. (I am going to ask my Dr. about how to test for that.) But, even though we may have different ailments, we do share a lot of common symptoms and from this, I can tell that something is wrong with me and I want to find out! I sure didn’t feel like this when I was a kid and young adult until around the time I turned 47 or so.
Like others, I have had numerous tests and scans over the last 8 years and nothing abnormal was found. So, still today, it is a mystery to me why I have the feeling of a heavy chest, why it hurts when I am very tired, why I am sensitive towards getting respiratory and sinus infections, etc.
I will continue to read this forum in search of enlightenment, and, of course, if I learn anything of value, I will share such knowledge with you. Currently it is June 2016, I am 55 years of age, and live in the US.
Thank you and kind regards, to all.
melissa53667 emi47657
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Hi Emi,
I, too, and suffering with these horrible symptoms. I am interested in the yeast idea that you have because I have read something similar while searching for a cause to this discomfort. I suffer from tonsil stones as well as psoriasis. I do believe that I also have a hormonal imbalance due to different 'factors' (as per my GYN) but it has not been confirmed. Any updates? I know it has been a few months but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you have new news.
rayanna61127 rai27
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heather49582 rai27
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carlos24290 rai27
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Hi:
After many recommendations from people here why havent you gone to a gastroenterologist to do an endoscopy ? You say that youre "thinking to go" ?
Why havent you gone ???
annan48176 rai27
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I also 've the same discomfort
purplereign rai27
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I'm a 17 year old male and have been going thru many of the symptoms mentioned in this discussion. I had Flu A before the whole ordeal, which started with chest pressure and then the tickling sensation in the lower throat. I also experience sharp pains in the chest and pack intermittently and the muscle groups in the area are really tight and tender. I've had multiple chest x rays, a CT scan of the chest, a spirometry test and an echocardiogram. All have come back fine. I'm really stumped as to which direction I should go, as most of the doctors/specialists I've seen have yet to find a definitive source/cause of these unexplained symptoms. Does anyone here have any updates to their situation?
melissa53667 purplereign
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polly1995 rai27
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Hi Rai27
could you give us an update please?
I have very similar symptoms and I am worried it could be throat cancer with a tumour blocking the air passage.
i woke up with a choking feeling the other morning as if my air passage was sticky and closing and I'm drinking a lot more water than usual in an attempt to keep airways moist and open. I can see how this brings about a panic attack and I'm trying to remain relaxed until my doctors appointment. Thanks
martin0 polly1995
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Hi Ive been to the doctor and he said its usally cardio but I've done all the test for that and come clear and healthy. Im still working obn thecause but I think if you can stop the phlegm you will have your answer. Best of luck martin
melissa53667 polly1995
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Alex1010 rai27
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I am so thankful to have come across this, I had no idea others were facing the same challenges I am going through. It feels like a never ending battle. There's no pain but its just so annoying to have the chronic cough just lingering so consistently. I notice for me that the cough and the phlegm often gets worse when I work out or eat really greasy food. I notice a constant tingling sensation near the bottom of my mouth and esophogus area a bit of pressure on my chest(about the feeling of someone having their hand pressed on my chest). I actively participate in sports and am about 22 years old, don't smoke. I've had this cough and constant phlegm for about 3 years. All the doctors are baffled and just keep referring me to others, have tried all the freaking antibiotics they've had to offer and I still don't have an answer as to what this issue could be honestly. Have you had any recent breakthroughs in this? I've read the replys on here and it seems a lot of people has had a lot of tests and have all still come up to nothing
melissa53667 Alex1010
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Alex, do you have any new updates on this issue? I have been dealing with the same exact symptoms for almost 3 months now and I'm at my wits end. My doctor can't give me an answer. Chest CT scan and chest xray were clear. Blood work was normal. No gallstones. UGH.
Alex1010 melissa53667
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Melissa, I've had quite the journey with this! At first my doctor thought it might be acid refux(as it appears everyone else thinks too). They put my on omeprazole, that didn't work at all. Then they decided to try over the counter medicine, such as cough spray and mucinex. To no suprise, that didn't help at all. We took an x-ray and the x-ray came up with no issues that could be seen. We then tried inhalers to open up the lungs. Still no changes. He then put me on an antibiotic that was typically used for some post nasal drip(don't remember the name) but that didn't help either. They went ahead and referred me to an ENT specialist, and from there we tried a steroid in pill form(why? I don't know particularly but he said it would rule some things out). We then x-rayed and looked at my sinuses to find out that those look all normal and nothing out of the ordinary(sigh). I am now being referred to a lung and allergy specialist, not for the allergies but more for the lungs I guess. This as of right now, is the most current update I have for my issue. I plan on making an appointment early this upcoming week.
Alex1010 melissa53667
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melissa53667 Alex1010
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Hi Alex. Seems like you're getting quite the run around like myself. I went to the gastrointestinal doctor and he wants to either do an endoscopy or a barium swallow to see if there is anything going on with my esophagus. I went to the ENT last week and had a nasal scope put up my nose and down my throat and there were 'no signs of reflux'. I am still on Prilosec for gerd but it isn't making a difference. All I've noticed is less burping and the other thing..
lol. But no difference in the chest tightness nor the lumo in throat. I've been having this weird symptoms of itchiness in my throat now too- same place I was having pain and discomfort for the past few months. Like what the h*** does that mean now?! Its almost scaring me more because I feel like I can't breathe properly (I am also asthmatic). Please keep me posted on your progress and doctors visits.. I am scheduling my barium swallow on Monday.
melissa53667
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I just wanted to add.. I can't help but thinking why this itching is occurring because it hasn't been a symptoms at all (and I've been dealing with the tightness, lump in throat and discomfort since June- its September). The first reason I would normally think would be something allergy related. Sometimes when I'm around dogs or cats I get this allergy itchy feeling in my throat. Second, sometimes this is an initial symptom when I start getting a respiratory infection. Lastly- here's the kicker, don't things usually itch when they heal? Like a scab on your skin, a burn, etc? What if something within my throat/chest is healing. Maybe it is esophagitis and its beginning to heal finally. Or maybe I'm just trying to be positive. Who knows.
Alex1010 melissa53667
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melissa53667 Alex1010
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Sorry to hear you're back at square one. You're not alone. Keep us posted.
Alex1010 melissa53667
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Hello, it's been a while since I last posted I realize. It's never an issue unless it really has an effect on you. Well I wanted to mention that I did find out my issue, after a long battle of trying to figure it out. So I wanted to post and hopefully it helps some people along. After getting referred to another doctor my friend(luckily) saw something for a cough specialist and allergy doctor. Well I went specifically for the cough specialist as at the time I thought I didn't have any allergies to worry about(No allergies to food, medicines, or anything in the slightest). Well comes out that the cough specialist ran an allergy test on me(weird, I know). And it so happens that I am allergic to about every kind of pollen and on top of that had a small sinus infection. Well, unfortunately me being naive this whole time never thought that allergies were really an issue to me. Well, proves we always have something to learn about ourselves. Anyways. The doctor then prescribed about 5 different medications along with allegra. I don't remember the names at the moment but they treated my sinus infection and the other medications are used to treat my allergies. They also want me to get allergy shots to help build an immunity to them to stop this from happening. I actually plan on it( I mean who wants to live like this) I just have to wait for the new year to pass by. I hope this helps and I will also be posting again letting everyone know my success. I hope this helps you some! and good luck on your battle. You were awesome at staying active on this forum.