Chest

[Will1982]

Hello,

Is a sore chest a symptom of asthma? You know the heavy feeling sometimes accompanied with chest infection. I dont have a cough, but the last week I’ve had this sore chest feeling. Thoughts welcome!

[twinkly29]

Yes definitely - tight chest or heavy chest is a common asthma symptom. It can be other things too (anxiety, for example, can cause a similar feeling, in all people, not just asthmatics). Does using your blue inhaler help (if will take about 15 mins to kick in)? If so then it's likely asthma that's causing it at the moment.

[Will1982 in reply to twinkly29]

It doesn’t help no. I’m on symbicort, and use that as and when needed as a reliever at the moment. Could be viral maybe.

[twinkly29 in reply to Will1982]

Ah. Symbicort should help if it's asthma (as extra puffs) - I can't remember from when I used it as a reliever if it kicks in as quickly as ventolin would.

If you've been struggling recently anyway it could be muscular maybe as the chest gets overworked.

And anxiety too - which would be normal in your situation being new to this and being uncontrolled (and can be worsened by the steroids actually) causes similar feelings.

[Will1982 in reply to twinkly29]

Yeah. Allowed to use up to 10 puffs a day at the moment. Had it about 45 mins ago but no change. Could well be muscular as you say. Thanks for replying! 😊

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to Will1982]

The formoterol in symbicort should start working in 90 seconds .... ventolin is faster at something like 45-60

However you can get a number of things that can be *more common* in asthmatics but not necessarily asthma ....

Pleurisy... more common if you have asthma and can cause quite unpleasant pain

Costocondritis/tietz ... some inflammation in connecting tissue around the breast bone that connects the ribs again very painful and common if you have been coughing alot (but can also randomly occur)

Muscle issue (pulled/overworked) maybe ?

However if it doesn't start to ease its always worth getting it checked .... just incase it is an infection or something that needs attention

[Bwv945]

I frequently have a sore chest, just a bit tight, nothing to up medication for but sore inside, not muscular more like you’ve had a pot scourer run through your tubes! I’d be interested to know if that sound similar to your issue!Kath

[Will1982 in reply to Bwv945]

Yes I’m with you. Mine comes on mid afternoon at the moment and he’s done for about a week. It’s stressing me out a bit tbh. Didn’t think asthma did that. Maybe it’s inflammation? Who knows

[twinkly29 in reply to Will1982]

Tight chest is definitely a common asthma symptom. I know you said the symbicort doesn't help (or didn't when you took it as a reliever the other day) but....- what is your usual morning and night dose/number of puffs?

- maybe trying a regular extra 2 puffs at say 1pm ish would help to boost things before you get to the mid-afternoon time of tightness (which might be the morning dose wearing off)? If you preempt it and sort of get in there first, it might help more than trying to fight the fire.

[Will1982 in reply to twinkly29]

At the moment I’mTaking up to 10 inhalation’s per day as ordered by the specialist. Whilst it helps with wheeze, it’s not taking away the sore chest symptom. I’ve got inflamed throat also, according to consultant but no throat pain, and she said I’m very blocked with nasal polyps. Gross-sorry! 😂 feeling very run down too, as I’m not sleeping, so oh so tired 😑. Perhaps it’s unrelated. I’m not sure. But hopefully the steroids will start to help. Day 2 of 14 today. 40mg pred.

[Will1982 in reply to Will1982]

Dr google doesnt help either, currently thinking I’ve got a pulmonary embolism, or lung cancer. Anxiety through the roof. Might have to add a whiskey to my chamomile ☕️

[twinkly29 in reply to Will1982]

Ah ok. Yes the pred should help if it's asthma related tightness (which sounds likely as they said you'd got a lot of inflammation going on). It can take a few days to kick in properly so fingers crossed you notice an improvement soon. Unfortunately the pred will probably screw up your sleep which isn't great.

If you're doing say 2 a.m. and 2 p.m. of symbicort, with others randomly as required, I'd maybe try adding a definite 2 midway between your morning and night doses (then the others if required whenever) just in case it helps having it a regular intervals for now. Although obviously if the specialist has given a different/specific plan then stick with that.

Hopefully things will start kicking in soon and you'll start to feel better (or at least less awful!) Drink plenty in the meantime as being well hydrated helps the lungs.

[Will1982 in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks for your posts twinkly29, much appreciated x

[Bwv945 in reply to Bwv945]

I think it’s likely to be inflammation, I’ve had this as one of my symptoms for many years