Sharp pain in chest, no relief from inhalers

[MillieKimber]

Recently diagnosed asthma (6 months ish). Symptoms are only shortness of breath and a sharp pain in the centre of my chest when I breathe in. It feels like it's inside my lungs but how would I know! It's particularly bad in a morning, like I have to gradually increase how deeply I'm breathing otherwise the pain is severe. If I do breathe deeply I cough (dry) and it's very painful, as is yawning, sneezing etc.

By the afternoon it's much better whether or not I take my inhalers (Fostair and Bricanyl). I get no relief from them. I also take 10mg prednisone daily and 120mg depomedrol every three months - both for seemingly separate autoimmune conditions.

Been to the doctor to explain it's getting worse, I can't walk and talk at the same time. He gave me a check over and everything is fine (chest sounds clear, oxygen, blood pressure, temperature all good). So he said just to leave it and come back if I start coughing up blood and he'll refer me to respiratory.

I'm really not happy. Not sure what my options are though? Back to see the asthma nurse on the 15th March - she wasn't available today and that's my next planned appointment. But when you're in pain and short of breath that feels like a very long time away. The doctor couldn't even suggest anything to ease the pain.

Any thoughts/suggestions about my situation?

[Shellc]

I sometimes think when your like this your are better going to a walk in centre , you know yourself it’s not right , go by your instincts

[Splurge in reply to Shellc]

I found this ! It feel such a long time to wait especially when your Symptoms are not controlled !

I have tried several different inhalers which only the Ashma nurse at the hospital would prescribe ! The doctors are crap and won’t change them unless the nurse sends over a fax with a new prescription.

Once I have seen the Ashma nurse at hospital if my symptoms persist after 7-14 days after I call the hospital and requests she calls me. Once I speak to her over the phone she generally try’s a new inhaler and faxes the docs to prescribe !

Lesson here is ... call the hospital and request to speak with the Ashma nurse. When she call back tell her you can’t carry on like this and can she prescribe you a different medication to try ! Hopefully that works for you !

If in doubt and you are having pain or Symptoms that won’t go away call in to A&E !

Let us know how you get on

[MillieKimber in reply to Shellc]

I don't feel like I'd be taken seriously at the hospital given everything appears outwardly normal. Though it's been a year since my last chest x Ray and both my GP and asthma nurse say there's no need to repeat because everything was fine. Recent spirometry was fine too. I just feel like I'm trying to prove that there's something wrong...I've been here before and it's a very frustrating and worrying road.

[mas7656 in reply to MillieKimber]

I know exactly what you are going through. I had a spirometry test done end of Nov and said that I don't have normal asthma. I also had bloods taken for allergy testing and a ct scan done on my lungs.

I had an appt with an orthopaedic consultant who told me I am allergic to house dust mites 3 times over the limit and animal dander etc.

I am still waiting to hear from the respiratory consultant after making numerous calls to the hospital.

I am on fostair 100/6 and have a blue inhaler but think that to still be waiting 3 months for results is ridiculous. My gp says that he has to wait for instructions from the consultant as what medication to try me with next. Oh and the consultants Secretary told me Im due back at the respiratory clinic end of March which I know nothing about

[Jandm]

Hi milliekimber

This must be very frustrating for you. It can be rather difficult to try and explain how you feel when all your tests come back as ‘nirmal’ For me, I would try 2 things. Firstly, is my sleeping position causing me musculoskeletal pain (since the pain ebbs as the day progresses). Is it controlled with analgesia? Is it possible that coughing or some trauma that you’ve had and brushed off as a little trip or slip may have caused an injury that will settle through time?

If the first one doesn’t apply, then secondly i’d head for the minor injuries when the pain and breathlessness was in its most acute phase so that it could be assessed more thoroughly. Going when the symptoms have subsided won’t give them an accurate picture of your discomfort.

Hope it resolves quickly for you

[MillieKimber in reply to Jandm]

Thanks Jandm. I will see about sleeping differently, perhaps propped up as I've seen a few things online about reflux causing a kind of chest pain.

Pain killers don't help and I don't recall an injury. I do have costochondritis that plays up when my steroid injection wears off, but this is a very different pain and in a different location. Cheers 😊

[Smoggy1990Boggy]

I would give the Asthma U.K. nurses a call they are really knowledgeable and friendly and may have some suggestions ti help MillieKimber.

[MillieKimber in reply to Smoggy1990Boggy]

Thanks Smoggy, never called them before but sounds like it might be helpful.

[Matman]

If you’ve not previously been referred to a Specialist Consultant on th NHS, you could insist on that option. However, if your condition is not categorised by your GP as urgent, you might typically have to wait 6 to 12 Weeks, maybe longer in some odd cases.

You could consider a Private Consultation which would happen much quicker (week or two if you bi-pass your GP and approach one direct by Self-referring) possibly a bit longer if you go via your GP who would first need to get round to writing a referral letter after you’ve managed to see him / her.

Cost wise, a Respiratory Consultant’s fees (excluding costs of Tests - which can be expensive) would typically be around £300 for an intitial appointment. (But best to get a price in advance as some are a lot more). Once a Private Consultant has seen you and written to your GP, you might then be able to get any recommended investigative Tests for free on the NHS more rapidly if your Private Consultant indicates to your GP that follow-up Tests are pressing and should not be delayed. (If you go Private, ask your Consultant to specify in writing any follow-up Tests considered necessary).

Don’t know where you are based but a Private Consultant connected with one of the specialist hospitals in a major City (like London, for example) might be a good bet if you decide to go for a Private Consultation.

[MillieKimber in reply to Matman]

Hi Matman, unfortunately a private consultation is way out of my financial reach. I have a return appointment with my asthma nurse on the 15th of next month so I will discuss a referral.

I haven't taken my inhalers today and haven't noticed any difference in my breathing or pain, which would suggest they aren't working, so perhaps the nurse will suggest stepping me up before a referral. Peak flow is following the usual pattern.

I have several autoimmune conditions and do wonder if this could be linked, but the rheumatology department near me is in disarray and 3 month return appointment wait times are currently sitting at about 9 months. Which leaves me about 4 months away from seeing my rheumatologist!

Wish I had a wee savings account right about now.

Thanks for your advice 😊

[Matman]

Best of luck, maybe get firm with your GP / Nurse and insist on a Hospital Consultation - especially if the pain feels serious. Don’t want to panic you, but severe Chest Pain might also suggest Heart Issues (labouring that point with your Medical Adviser might help get you a more urgent NHS Consultant Appointment). If the pain gets too bad, can always visit the Hospital Emergency Dept or ring for an ambulance, Ive heard of folk doing that for what sounds like crazy reasons, stubbing their toes etc. If you arrive by Ambulance you might get some faster Tests.

[Yellow75]

The sharp pain could be a chest infection or it could be indication of a lot of inflammation in your airways. If your oxygen levels and peak flow are OK it could be a problem with smaller airways. I know it's frustrating but if not getting any relief I would contact doctors/walk in centre or AE.