Crackling in chest when laying on back

[Uppy]

Hi all.

Just interested to know whether others have experienced a crackling feeling in the lower left lung when laying on their backs?

The left side of my upper back and shoulder became stiff and painful last night. I had felt well prior to this although my chest started to feel tight when I was cooking with the door open. I felt the cold had got into my back - I know it sounds daft as my GP said it was 25 degrees yesterday but I explained that since my second pneumothorax in Dec 2011, I’ve noticed my chest gets affected by any wind which I usually feel in my back even if it’s hot.

I felt ok when laying on my right side last night but every time I lay on my back, I could feel a lot of crackling movement in my lower chest. I’ve had 2 pneumothoraces previously so I can recognise them by the bubbling feeling which has previously been at the top of my left lung but this is more of a crackling feeling at the bottom of my chest which I’ve never experienced before.

I managed to convince the GP I need to be seen so I have an appt just after 3pm today. He initially advised painkillers and rest but I feel there’s something going on in my lungs which needs to be treated and don’t want to be worrying all weekend.

In addition to this, I’ve had a little upset stomach since Tuesday. No cough but I did briefly feel quite hot last night and one night earlier in the week but it only lasted a few minutes.

I’ve been diagnosed with asthma as I’ve had life changing breathing issues alongside upper body chronic pain since my second pneumothorax so I take clenil and have been given Symbicort as clenil doesn’t help much in the winter.

I have found this site very helpful and learned a lot since joining as it can be a very lonely place when you are going health issues.

Would be very grateful to hear from anyone who may have some knowledge or had similar issues.

Many thanks in advance.

[mylungshateme]

Hi,

Hmmm...first I would say you know your own body and trust your judgement if you feel something not quite right. Could maybe be start of an infection or a flare up of asthma and inflammation due to change in weather and pollen. As you've had upset tummy and feeling hot maybe worth doing a covid-19 test for your own piece of mind. You can get them delivered to your home depending where you live. But I would say if no better mon give gp another ring. Sorry not much help. 🙂

[Uppy in reply to mylungshateme]

Hi.

Thanks for your reply.

I have thought about the covid test but I didn’t feel hot consistently or for long enough and have no cough so I don’t match the symptoms required for a test.

The crackling stopped after I drank a teaspoon of turmeric in warm water so by the time I was seen by the GP he checked and said there’s enough air going in and out of lungs. It was the first time this has happened so it really frightened me.

I think it is some kind of virus as my son felt ill for a few days too.

Thanks for your advice 😊

[mylungshateme in reply to Uppy]

Glad your feeling better what ever it was!! 🙂😉

[Uppy in reply to mylungshateme]

Still feeling under the weather but not as bad thank you. Will take a few days hopefully. 😊

[HannahBenson]

Hi Uppy, Sorry to hear that you have had those sounds in your lungs...I have them sometimes after a lingering infection as I have Bronchiectasis and it isn't unusual to have some remaining infection even after antibiotics but clears up eventually. I have never, however, had a pneumothorax which, of course, causes you to be nervous. The sounds in my case were more due to asthma than anything else and I have had several years of trying to control with Prednisone ...I'm on Nucala now, and just continue to take my symbicort at a reduced dosage.I have taken Symbicort for about 20 years and it has helped my asthma and still does... it sounds like you have asthma so , like I said, the sounds could be coming from that. It is truly frightening when you hear those sounds in your lungs but I when you have asthma, you can get pockets of air, infection etc so best to always check with your Dr. and get a CAT scan of your lungs if you are not having any relief no matter what you do. Do you have sinus problems also?...usually goes with pulmonary problems and post nasal dripping can cause some nausea. Being worried causes a lot of stress as well but it is hard to not worry when you have had some frightening things happening as you have had. I use to freak out when I would hear a sound and was convinced that I had pneumonia, or some terrible bacterial thing but many times it was just asthma causing bronchitis or some type of infection that would get better with antibiotics. You have to be more aware as you have had the two pneumothorax episodes....You know your body and if you have to get checked over and over again....you have a right to do just that so you can have peace of mind. Symbicort will definitely help your breathing so I would take it...you are your own advocate so if you feel you are not getting enough answers as to why the night sweats and pain...get another opinion. It's your body...Hope it all turns out ok...I have a feeling it will. Take care, Hannah

[Uppy in reply to HannahBenson]

Hi HannahBenson.

Thanks for the detailed suggestions - it makes sense that it could be an infection or asthma flare up. It is worrying when you experience new abnormal sounds and feelings in your chest. It’s very useful to learn from others with similar issues as most doctors don’t explain these things well.

I’m still learning a lot about asthma and feel you are likely right about the sounds and cracklings related to asthma. I really do not want to experience another pneumothorax again.

I really struggled before I joined here because I don’t really know anyone who experiences what I do, don’t have a supportive husband and just felt alone.

I have found Symbicort causes my heart to beat faster which I particularly notice at nighttime - my asthma nurse suggested taking one puff rather than two. It does however, help prevent my chest tightening which has been a real issue for me daily.

I do suffer with having a blocked nose which is largely around the grass pollen season so I’m using the Vicks nasal spray to help with that.

I started to take a high dose vitamin D which has improved my asthma and chronic pain. I took 20000iu over the last two days to speed up recovery.

Thanks for your reassuring words - I have found a good GP that listens now so will only go to see him once this virus is more controlled. I found many doctors quite dismissive at times or didn’t really listen and couldn’t answer questions which just makes it more challenging. I am doing my best to look after myself as I have two sons to care for and love.

I wish you good health always. Thanks again 😊

[HannahBenson in reply to Uppy]

Hi Uppy, I'm glad I could be of help a little bit. I know how things can be overwhelming when you are dealing with breathing problems. May I ask how you the pneumothorax occurred...twice? That is enough to make anyone nervous and although I now have my asthma under control, there were times when I just couldn't even go outside because it made my breathing so labored. You, fortunately, do not have eosinophilic asthma which is rare but you do have other things that have been equally difficult to cope with. I know what it is like not to have a support system and to have to raise two children...especially when you feel so terrible at times yet are expected to not miss a beat. You will be able to manage though because you are able to reach out and trust, ask for help and hope that you are understood and you are. If there is anything I can help you with...please don't hesitate to text here because I have had to really become knowledgeable due to many many things that impact my lungs and my health. I found the help I needed at the Mayo Clinic in 2018 after years of going for different analysis from one professional to another. I soon realized that I had to become knowledgeable myself as Drs. (no matter how excellent they are) simply do not have the time to research my many issues. By the time I went to Mayo, I had read up on every angle of treatment for so many chronic things that I have to treat. I could not tell you one thing if you had a back problem, skin problem etc. but the lungs, well I just read all I could before going to the Drs. Some thought I was out of bounds but I knew I had eosinophilic asthma years before I finally received the treatment...I had every symptom but my dr. did not know much about it so just kept treating me for regular asthma....that's what I mean about being your own advocate. Finally, as far as Symbicort dosage...I find that the one puff I take morning and evening is sufficient to control my wheezing. Be well, Hennah

[Uppy in reply to HannahBenson]

Ah thanks HannahBenson.

I agree we need to advocate our own health. I’ve been doing similar to you over the last eight and a half years which is when I started having breathing issues and chronic upper body pain which worsened with cold weather.

Back in June 2009 I suddenly felt back pain which went into my left arm - I got checked at A&E and they nearly sent me home saying it’s muscle strain but I knew something was deeply wrong so I asked why is my chest hurting? Another Dr suggested an X-ray which revealed a spontaneous pneumothorax - it was out of the blue and I didn’t fit into the category to have one as it’s usually Caucasian young thin males aged 18-40. It healed by itself. Prior to this I’ve always been a fit active woman who eats “healthy foods” only, drinks more than 2 litres of water a day and walks for miles (I used to run on the treadmill at the gym for 90 minutes when I was free and single!).

Second pneumothorax happened spontaneously as I slept on my left side - my pneumothorax was the left side. I recognised it straight away and was sent to A&E by my GP after he checked my suspicion. I cooked for my little boys, packed a bag and drove myself to hospital to find I was right after an X-ray showed partial collapse. Again it healed by itself.

A CT scan was undertaken which revealed small blebs at the top of my left lung. The consultant warned me that I need to have an operation to remove the blebs and stick the lung to the chest cavity otherwise he said I would end up in an emergency situation where I have to have the operation. The risk of recurrence becomes 50% after a second pneumothorax and 75% after the first. I decided to do my own research as the operation frightened me as I had no family/friends to support me as my family live in another city and my in-laws don’t support anyway. My husband wasn’t supportive either. I prayed and made the decision not to have the operation. I read about people having on going severe breathing issues and even further collapses after the operation so decided against it at the time.

My breathing problems all started after this but the GP could not tell me what was wrong every time I went (I didn’t go much as was so busy with little boys). I was struggling with everyday life and would need to rest after doing the smallest task. This changed after my work colleague suggested taking black seed oil which I refer to as “my life saver” as I felt so much better after just taking it for a week. Not fully better but much better than having to lie down all the time.

I read up a lot on lung health whenever I can so I can take precautions and eat the right foods to improve my own health as I found doctors don’t have all the answers.

Sorry for waffling on - I thought you could get a better picture of how it happened.

Wishing you good health and thanks for sharing so much valuable knowledge! 😊

[HannahBenson in reply to Uppy]

Hi Uppy...thank you for sharing...I will certainly have to look into the black seed oil. Holistic items sometimes give more relief than standard medications. You have had some frightening things happen to you. When your children are young...it is an added pressure because, if you are like me, I would worry that if something were to happen to me...what would happen to them. They are grown women now but I still worry. They are both divorced and one is very successful and makes her own way and the other has yet to see any child support but she has been doing very well selling real estate and I help her out as much as I can. With this coronavirus issue, it is impossible for me to look after my 11 year old grandson who is on spectrum but he is doing much much better....very articulate but does not have the social skills. I started him on guitar lessons and I hope he will make friends there. Well, you never stop worrying about them but I have to say that I've never been happier since they got a divorce. ...to not have to put up with their husbands who needed to control everything in their life...and meant excluding their mother..but things got back to normal. I live in NYC and we have the virus count down pretty low now. The southern states have it hard but they don't seem to want to wear masks. I don't like it either, especially with asthma but it is a courtesy to protect others as well as yourself. Everyone in New York wears a mask. Well, remember when you are feeling tired that they grow up mighty fast...and as hard as this can be (and I have 3 grandsons so I know how hard boys can be) it is over before you know it and then you wish you could do it all over again. Keep staying well and strong...write whenever you would like to. Best, Hannah

[Uppy in reply to HannahBenson]

Hi Hannah.

Thanks for your reply. I agree the holistic approach can be more beneficial than medication. I have also found mixing one teaspoon of cayenne pepper in warm water has loosened my tight chest faster than my inhaler.

It good to know your daughters have grown up and are happy. You are fortunate to have grandsons. I already miss my sons being so young as they are 13 and 10 now. They have shown me a lot of love and care since the covid pandemic. My eldest offers to make me a cup of tea! They are the most precious gems in my life - I worry about them more than my health and so I want to be as healthy as possible for them.

It seems NYC has already experienced the surge which appears to be managed well. We sometimes watch CNN - the Governor for NYC appears to have a sensible approach from what I’ve heard him saying. It’s a pity that people in the south are refusing to wear masks. I live in South Yorkshire England where most people are wearing masks in stores and public buildings which does me feel safer for some reason. I have struggled to breathe through the mask when worn for over an hour but I’m fortunate to be able to continue to work from home but will need to go out for school runs soon.

I wish you good health always. Thanks again for sharing your perspective. It really is encouraging. Take care 😊

[HannahBenson in reply to Uppy]

Hi Uppy,

Hope you are doing well. Yes, the situation in the US is disturbing...people refusing to wear a mask is just the sign of the selfishness prevalent in many parts of this country and even here ... although almost everyone wears a mask in the city . Once you go out of state...it is different. I can't figure it out but I think Trump had a lot to do with it as he does not wear one and has ridiculed people for doing so. I think we here in America have to really re-think just how much power we give our Presidents. England had their mad King George and we have our version only I think ours is a lot worse. For people like us with asthma or underlying health issues, this is a very scary time because it does not seem as if anyone knows what they are doing as far as finding the best way to control this virus. I think New Yorkers view America very differently as most of us live here in the city because we don't want to live anywhere where there are no different cultures and customs. We like to know about others and are more curious and accepting of differences. That is what enriches life. I see since this election that there is a lot of country here in the states that I have never seen but with people who feel very threatened to not have everyone exactly like they are. To me, that would be a boring way to live and I guess that is why I get bored when I venture far from Manhattan. I love what you said about your oldest son looking after you with the cup of tea. I see how my grandsons are respectful of my daughter too. That is the good part about this time, it is more of a time where women are getting more involved in making decisions and we show our sons how to be kind as well as strong. I made sure that both of my girls had a very good education and could provide for themselves...which they have ...they are no longer married but continue to be the breadwinners and I think they are doing a good job. I know what it is like to have so few choices and I did not want that to be their life so yes...they are well rounded and very happy...happy with who they are. That gives me a lot of peace of mind. It is never easy getting there and especially when you have illness but it is well worth it. I hope you continue to stay strong and focused. You have those boys and in the final analysis...that is the most important thing as we both know. Take care...any questions...always here...Hannah

[Uppy in reply to HannahBenson]

Wishing you and your family good health always 😊

[HannahBenson in reply to Uppy]

Thanks Uppy...the same to you!

[Uppy in reply to HannahBenson]

My chest started crackling and bubbling again yesterday straight after I came home after seeing my GP for breathing issues on and off since Sunday. The cracklings have eased and my left lung and back area just feels very sore and stiff.

My GP said I need to go to A&E for an X-ray but I don’t feel comfortable waiting there amongst others for several hours to have an X-ray so I thought I’d wait and see if it subsides as it did last month. It’s so worrying as I’ve never had this before. I can’t do much around the house either.

[HannahBenson in reply to Uppy]

Hi Uppy...I am so sorry to hear that you are having this same problem. I had to have a CT scan last month before I could be taken off some meds. to see if I had a worsening situation in my lungs...the report said that it was the same which is not all that good but it is what it is. Here in NYC, they stagger the appointments so that when you arrive, they take you right away. The same with my Pulmonologist and when I have to go once a month for a Nucala shot for asthma. I always wear a good fitting mask ... I have had many appointments over the last three months and have not caught anything (not the flu, a cold or anything else)...I wash my hands as soon as I come home. I don't know how high the virus count is in your area but here in NY, it has come down a lot. I am surprised that they would have you wait for hours inside for your turn to get an X-ray as I thought there were guidelines that had to be upheld in every medical setting. I would check with the Radiology dept. to see if they do in fact have these guidelines to follow...where they would only allow a few people at a time and you would arrive close to the time of your appointment. If your GP thinks you should have an x-ray, perhaps he hears the noises in your lungs and they may just want to rule out pneumonia. I can't tell you over the years how many times my bronchitis was actually pneumonia where I just felt tired and achey but no fever...once I had the X-ray show pneumonia and started Levequin (which is a good antibiotic for pneumonia) I was good again within a week. I know you are worried but there is only one way to alleviate that worry and that is an X-ray or CT scan to show what is going on in your lungs. I have bronchiectasis so I get pockets of impacted mucus which can get infected and really make me feel so sick...and only an antibiotic can fight it off. We are a lot stronger than we think we are Uppy, and we can take a lot of illness with pulmonary issues, which come and go sometimes with the seasons. Right now, I am having seasonal allergies and since I had a CT scan last month, I know I don't have pneumonia but I felt so terrible last week I went to get a. covid test which was negative. Now I am staying inside with the air conditioner on a lot more and not exposing myself to more allergens in this high allergy season. I feel much better but thought for sure there was something wrong. As I said, I would call the radiology department or the clinic if it is not part of a hospital setting and find out the procedure. Don't be afraid to find these things out because you need to inform yourself and fight these pulmonary issues. You can't treat it if you don't know what it is. Sometimes we really can't find out what it is...but at lease you can have a baseline X-ray or CT scan to monitor your lungs so that in the future, your doctors can know if there has been any deterioration or you have remained stable. Good luck and let me know what you decide to do...I'm here if you need to vent, ask questions or just get a have me listen...take care...Hannah

[Uppy in reply to HannahBenson]

Hi Hannah.

Thanks for your reply. My GP did not find any abnormality when he listened to my chest - I went to do some shopping after the appt so the crackling and pain all started as soon as I got home.

When I called my GP yesterday, they just advised to go to hospital and wouldn’t see me. She said if I want to go for an X-ray by appt then it’s a one week wait. Anyway, I spoke to my friend - she is an experienced GP and offered to listen to my chest which she did today. She didn’t find anything and said it sounds clear although suggested it could be pleurisy (inflammation) or possibly a clot although she doesn’t think it’s likely.

She kindly looked after me all day with hot drinks and a massage which really helped. The cracklings are minimum today although the lower left side of my chest and ribs feel sore. She said she will call the hospital and ask them to see me at the chest clinic where they perform various tests all day rather than going to A&E so I’ll see how I feel tomorrow.

I’m wondering if there’s something new going on in my chest.

It’s good to hear you have been out to appts and not got a cold or other virus - I do wear a mask and practice god hand hygiene but I seem to pick up colds etc very quickly. On a more positive note, my chest does not feel tight as it usually does whenever I pick something up.

Well I wish you good health and hope you stay well throughout the colder months. Take care, Uppy 🤗

[HannahBenson in reply to Uppy]

Same to you Uppy...I still think you should get a CT scan just to make sure it is not anything serious. Let me know how you are doing. Hannah

[Uppy in reply to HannahBenson]

I had an X-ray which showed another small pneumothorax. I was gutted. Follow up appointment on Friday morning and will be hospitalised if it has not recovered by then as it’s my third.

[Uppy]

Thanks. They don’t just do CT scans here unless there is a very good reason. I’m going to see if I can be seen at the chest clinic tomorrow.

Thanks again for your support 🙏🏽

[Uppy]

Had an X-ray today and found I have a pneumothorax again but smaller than last time.

[HannahBenson]

Hi Uppy, I an so sorry to hear that you have another albeit smaller pneumothorax. Do the Dr's have any idea about what is causing this to happen over and over? Better to know what is going on in your lungs although I understand how devastating this is for you. They have to get to the bottom of what is causing this. No wonder you have been feeling so tired and having pain. Let me know how this progresses and I know you will be ok....you just have to get through this awful time and get to the bottom of the problem. I will keep you in my thoughts and hope you will get the help that you need. Here if you need a friend...Warmest and best regards, Hannah

[Uppy in reply to HannahBenson]

Hi Hannah.

Thanks for your words of much needed reassurance and support.

A CT scan from over 8 years ago showed blebs at the top of my lung - when they burst, then my lung collapses. I think they will do another me on Friday to see what’s happening now.

I will be asking them to investigate this fully on Friday and am hoping it will recover as I really don’t want to be hospitalised although that’s ok if that’s what needs to be done.

I will let you know how it goes if I come back home as I don’t know if I can get WiFi at hospital. Take care, Uppy 😊

[HannahBenson in reply to Uppy]

Dear Uppy...Good luck with everything!! I will be thinking of you and I just know you will be OK and on your way to getting an answer as to why this keeps happening. Let me know how it goes. Hannah

[HannahBenson]

Hi Uppy...I'm just checking up on you to see how everything went on Friday and if you are home now. You have been on my mind and I hope you are doing well. Let me know how you are...Hannah

[Julie14]

Hi Uppy if often experience this crackling & for me it is when i have a flare up with my Bronchiectasis i also have Asthma which doesn’t help. Last time when on phone to my GP she could hear the crackling. I hope your feeling better now x

[Uppy in reply to Julie14]

Hi Julie.

Thanks for sharing. It happened again 2 weeks ago along with bubbling so I had an X-ray which showed I have a small pneumothorax - it’s my third. I will be having a CT scan in the near future to check what’s going on in my lung.

Wishing you good health 😊