Strange Chest Ache in the Morning

[asthmaticclimber]

Hi,

I have been BLEESED in that ive had 4 months of not having to change my asthma medication at all which is unheard of. Have had 2 chest infections but both cleared up with only a short course of steroids and antibiotics which is also UNHEARD OF!

However I was just wondering if anyone else has this symptom:

I currently take fostair 200, montelukast, spiriva respimat (tiotropium) and a nasal spray for chronic sinusitis + or minus steroids and antibiotics.

When I wake up first thing in the morning regardless of whether I sleep til only 7am or 11am, I have this deep ache and tightness over my chest. Predominantly in my right lung. I’ve had problems with my right lung previously with it doing very little work and generally being icky. I’ve had pleurisy 3 times in the last few months and really I have some form of pleuritic pain most weeks.

I’ve ruled it downed to my evening meds wearing off or my lung getting a bit sticky overnight but the first few deep breaths I take in the morning are really scary and my lung feels like it’s welded to the inside of my chest.

Not really sure if it’s worth mentioning to my GP just have seen some suggestions that even if your asthma isn’t waking you your breathing might not be 100% overnight if you have symptoms in the morning.

Anyone else get this?

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, yes I do tend to get an achy chest sometimes in the mornings. Not quite like you describe with the sticky lung but sounds quite similar - intense ache round the lower ribcage. I sometimes get it when bad in the daytime too.

I tend to get it either after an admission (feels then more like everything had a massive workout and it's muscle strain), or when my asthma is getting worse - so I do also wonder if it's linked to night-time asthma. I know I often have asthma overnight without waking up properly (it gets into my dreams and makes me have poor quality sleep, but I can't get this across easily to drs so I tend to just say that my sleep was disturbed, even if I didn't wake up properly). When this happens I will usually have symptoms when I wake up too, and this does seem to be associated with the chest ache.

Have you noticed you're more symptomatic in the daytime too? Even if it's just night-time symptoms, those are definitely associated with worse control and you need to pay attention - so probably worth mentioning to your GP/asthma nurse. However, from experience it can often be a little hard to get things across with asthma if they seem atypical, so it's worth mentioning how this seems to relate to your other asthma symptoms.

It may also be worth having a chat with the AUK nurses about this - their number is 0300 2225800 and they're open Mon-Fri 9-5. You can also reach them during the same hours on WhatsApp - 07378 606728.

[asthmaticclimber in reply to Lysistrata]

Thanks for your reply. My sleep quality is always quite poor and wondering if it is actually linked to me having breathing difficulties even if I don’t wake up. I have had a few days of having worse symptoms however I think your right it is worth mentioning to a asthma nurse. Might also contact asthma uk. Thanks for your help!

[Poobah]

If this morning symptom has only started since you've had pleurisy then definitely talk to your GP. It's important to ensure that the infection has been fully addressed. There may be some breathing exercises you can do before bed time to prep the lungs for the night - or tips that your GP can share.

All the best.

[hilary39]

I've been getting chest pain on and off since I started spiriva again. It is is a possible side effect. Maybe something to check with your GP about?