Burning lungs and no wheezing?

[Bienkie]

My lungs hurt, not my chest, not my muscles. I have a burning feeling in my upper airways, like before an attach, but it's the whole time. I don't wheeze, my chest xray is clear and my Sat's are fine. I think my doctor thinks I'm a drama queen. What is wrong with my lungs, can anyone help, please?

[Kitty2823]

Hi I had the same problem after my asthma attack. I took paracetamol and done breathing exercises.

[Bienkie in reply to Kitty2823]

Thank you, that's very helpful.... Good to know it happens to others too.

[Kitty2823 in reply to Bienkie]

See your GP.

[peege in reply to Kitty2823]

I'd see another GP Bienke, you are not a drama queen!

[CDPO16]

I frequently get the same feeling (as if starting with a chest infection but nothing develops). I have no idea what causes it other than I sometimes wonder if something is causing some irritation. It has gone on for so long without anything untoward happening that I now tend to ignore it.

[Bienkie in reply to CDPO16]

Thank you.... Thats exactly how it feels! But sometimes it just doesn't develop into infection or anything else.... It just stays like that for weeks. I will also try not fretting about it and just ignore..... Thanks again.

[CDPO16 in reply to Bienkie]

I hope you go on ok. Best wishes.

[Kitty2823 in reply to CDPO16]

I had the same problem after asthma attack. I took paracetamol and done breathing exercises

[CDPO16 in reply to Kitty2823]

I haven't found paracetamol to help at all but glad if it helped you. I put up with it until it settles down again as it doesn't seem to be much other than a nuisance of unknown cause in my case.

[Kitty2823 in reply to CDPO16]

See your GP. It might be heartburn. My lungs are itching today

[CDPO16 in reply to Kitty2823]

Thanks but no need to see GP. I do get heartburn but the discomfort from that is totally different and responds to gaviscon.

[Kitty2823 in reply to CDPO16]

My GP said prednisolone also causes heartburn

[Yellow75]

I have this symptom with my asthma sometimes, if you are asthmatic keep up medication regime. The other thing it may be is acid reflux.

[Kitty2823 in reply to Yellow75]

I took paracetamol for this.

[CDPO16 in reply to Yellow75]

I hadn't considered reflux though you may be right for others with this problem. I do get reflux but the discomfort is very different from the upper respiratory tract burning. For me gaviscon helps the reflux but has no effect at all on the burning.

[Bienkie in reply to Yellow75]

Like CDP016, I think this sensation is different to reflux, but you're right, important to exclude reflux. I stopped using gaviscon or omeprazole, and control heartburn with diet and probiotocs.

[hilary39]

I have that too and it's worse right now, I'm wondering if it's irritation from the heating since it's winter. I wish our lungs could talk to us and tell us what they need instead of giving us mysterious hard-to-interpet symptoms!

[Kitty2823 in reply to hilary39]

I had the same problem after asthma attack. I took paracetamol and breathing exercises

[Bienkie in reply to hilary39]

😂 So true!

[utkmybrthawy]

I’m also hesitant to go to the doc, because I’m worried about being a hypochondriac. Also: I go in because I have asthma, and after extensive tests they say “you have asthma.”

[Bienkie in reply to utkmybrthawy]

Exactly! And why is that? It's pretty straightforward, isn't it? We feel what we feel and if the doctor doesn't know what it is or how to help, surely that's their issue and not ours? Yet we come away wondering if we are being hypochondriac? That, or they come out with statements of the blindingly obvious! 🤦🏽‍♀️

[Kitty2823]

You can follow Dr rangan chatterjee for advice

[Matman]

A few years ago I read a report which stated that inhaled steroids are an airways irritant, even though many Asthmatics may struggle to get by without them.

The inhaled steroid and, likewise, the ‘reliever component present in some inhalers’ - especially if taking regular ‘high’ daily doses (or where frequent ‘upping’ of dosage to fight exacerbation applies) - may both contribute to irritation of the airway lining.

I’m not advocating that you reduce or change your prescribed daily inhaler dosage (assuming you use one), but recently - and gradually - I’ve reduced mine by 75% with no negative outcomes so far (resulting in reduced side-effects of irritation).

I should be taking Fostair 200/6 (2 x 2 Doses Daily) and have reduced to x1 Dose at bedtime. The 2x2 Dose that I was taking, would be delivering the maximum permitted daily dose of inhaled steroids (thereby increasing the likelihood of irritation / side-effects from such a high-dosage).

It’s still early days, but it will be interesting to see if my dose-reduction can be maintained without negative effects. Also, it’s important to monitor daily peak flow carefully if reducing meds (and best to reduce under medical supervision).

[Bienkie in reply to Matman]

That's fantastic advice! And it makes perfect sense. I've been wondering about that, because my lungs feel over sensitive and I guess I would describe it as brittle. I don't test my peak flow daily.... I guess I've resisted thinking about it too much.... I make a terrible patient! 😂

However. That sounds like really great advice, which I'm going to try, starting today. Thank you.

[peege in reply to Bienkie]

I strongly advise you not to change your dose of preventer without consulting your GP or respiratory nurse - particularly in winter!

I'm wondering if perhaps your asthma has changed therefore needing a change in medication.

Best, Peege

[Bienkie in reply to peege]

Hi Peege

Thanks for your advice. But as for my asthma having changed.... Really, apart from being on loads of medications, I don't feel anybody takes my asthma particularly seriously. I've been complaining about difficulty breathing from time to time for over a year. I usually don't wheeze and my Sat's are fine. So nothing is done, some lame reassurance and sent on my way, leaving me feeling unsure if my symptoms are real or if they think I'm just I'm just a bit of a drama queen. Something has definitely changed, and perhaps it is irritation from the inhalation steroid. I will proceed with caution. Thanks for your caring reply.

[Bienkie in reply to Bienkie]

Hello again Peege

It's been a while, but you were so kind, I thought I would give you an update:

I took your advice, spoke to my gp, got earlier appointment with pulmonologist, and saw a different person.... Thats how it goes on NHS. 😏 Anyway.... She was lovely! Took my complaints seriously, did some other tests and diagnosed me with intermittent laringeal spasma.... Meaning my larynx narrows, making it hard to breathe in....

. Without wheezing. She referred me for further tests, but with covid, I'm sure that's on the back burner for now. Also, I reduce my preventer from time to time just for a few days at a time, and when the tightness comes back, increase it again. That has really worked for the feeling of irritation.

So, again, thank you for your kindness, it really made a difference. 🙏🏽

Stay safe

[SheilaC in reply to Matman]

I think it can be a bit of a vicious circle. Inhaled steroids increase the risk of getting NTM (a sort of non contagious TB). I had to take 3 antibiotics every day for 18 months. I now reduce the Fostair in the summer but have to put it back up again in winter. I find sea air is good and only go on holiday to an unpolluted beach hotel. I just had three weeks in India and only had to use my blue inhaler twice at the hotel. No towns or cities for me!

We are about 20 minutes drive away from the sea. Yesterday we had a brisk walk along the prom for about 50 minutes. That's about the most I can manage.