What causes strange burning feeling if not asthma

[JintyA]

Hi

I am looking for some advice and wonder if anyone else has this annoying ailment

I am a 63-year-old lady reasonably fit play golf tennis and go for long walks up to 4 hours.

My problem first started around 4 years ago

The problem I have is that sometimes when I’m walking I feel a burning kind of sensation at the very top of the chest I think it is in pectoralis muscle area and up to the scapula.

My GP sent me to respiratory clinic and they tested me for asthma but said I do not have asthma.

I do have asthma in the family. My daughter has allergic asthma My mother got asthma when she was older, we also are very allergic to things like dust cats feathers if I am near a cat or feathers I can hardly breathe. Needless to say I try and avoid them.

Every morning I wake up feeling as if I have a cold with itchy eyes, runny nose and a bit of an itchy irritated chest. I have bought an allergy covers for bedding anti allergy pillows, wash, bedding at 60° once a week Thoroughly vacuum carpets use wet cloth to wipe dust but still have this problem with my breathing.

I did feel when tested for asthma that slowly walking on a treadmill did not replicate conditions. I was told I have very good lung power better than for my age

I can walk for hours but when I climb up one flight of stairs, I feel a bit short of breath.

I do not have chest pain it’s more of feeling of burning running up both muscles and into where throat meets top of ribs.

I gave up playing league tennis because if I run quite a lot then I also have this burning feeling.

So now I am not sure whether I should go back to the GP again or just accept it’s my age which is what the last GP said to me.

[Homely2 Administrator]

A couple of ideas.

Go and stay in a hotel for a few nights and see if your symptoms change. If they change then maybe you are reacting to something in your house. If they do not, you have ruled out one possibility. Also go and stay somewhere with nice clean air.

Whenever people talk about asthma, they ask if you have Gerd. I was dismissive of this, but it turned out that when I took treatment for Gerd my asthma improved.

If you are not convinced re being told it is not asthma, then ring the asthma UK hotline on 0300 2225800, office hours, and go through it with them.

Do not just accept that it is old age, somewhere there will be a medic who can help, so talk to anyone you can.

I play tennis, with a group who have definitely given up running.

[Oldandgray]

I would ask your GP if you have acid reflux as most of the symptoms you describe can also be caused by a Hiatal Hernia. Sadly many of us as we get older will develop one!

[Bevvy]

As previous responder it sounds like reflux to me. Try sleeping in a more upright position to see if that helps. Also speak to gp about it. They can prescribe medication that helps.

[Patk1]

Do u take antihistamines

[Poobah]

Apart from a treadmill, what other tests did they do?

Asthma doesn't always present the same in all patients and it's not uncommon to have "good lung power". Just because one is fit, doesn't rule out asthma. Your description doesn't include the the usual tightness or constriction experienced by many, but some asthmatics don't typically show symptoms as expected. But you do pin point shortness of breath and this should be taken into account by your doctor in order to rule out the most common causes, beyond asthma.

Definitely have a chat with the Asthma UK nurses in order to explore your symptoms and they can advise on your next steps.

[Troilus]

Hi Jinty. It could be acid, might not be but it could. Try carrying a sucking an anti acid lozenge if it comes on while you are out and about - see if it makes a difference. Worth a try and they taste alright 😁

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I agree with others - especially that 'good lung power' doesn't rule out asthma, and to call the helpline. You may not have asthma, but if you do it's variable and tests can be completely normal if you're not having problems currently. I think too many healthcare professionals forget that.

If you can, avoid the GP who said it's just your age. That is such an unhelpful cop-out from them, whether or not you have asthma. I'm younger than you (38) but it feels like when a dr isn't that interested in helping they will come up with a reason why it's normal and then you're left to struggle because it's normal for your age/it's just your period/it's stress/everyone has aches and pains/you're just unfit (but the patient is someone who mentioned they ran a marathon last month) etc.

My friend was told *aged 25* that her symptoms were 'just to be expected as you get older'!! (She actually had coeliac disease).

[Mandevilla]

That's ridiculous - you shouldn't be written off at 63 'because of your age'!!!!

I second advice to ring the helpline - they may be able to come up with some helpful suggestions. Also, see if you can see a different GP at the same practice for a second opinion. Keep pushing. It's scary the number of GPs who seem to think that anyone over 60 (younger in some cases) is at death's door so no point bothering with.

[JintyA]

thanks everyone for helpful advice. People are so kind .

( to answer a question..I do not take antihistamines at present)

After reading all the replies …….

I called the telephone number suggested and spoke with an asthma nurse who was very supportive and helpful.

As per her advice I am going to ask a different doctor to prescribe

For allergy

mometasone nasal spray

Fexofenadine .. an antihistamine

For acid

Omeprazole

I will try these for a while and see how I go.

[Brittleasthma47]

it could be acid reflux and asthma.