Chest tightness

[sinclair61]

Is it a daily occurrence for most people or does it suggest I’m on the wrong inhaler?

Thanks

[Annbeth]

am also interested in this question as a newly diagnosed copd er, my chest tightness has improved a bit since also put on omezaprole (sorry about spelling) as it seems I might have silent acid reflux aswell, but still not gone altogther, although some days differ - weather related ?

[Badbessie]

Hi chest tightness can be due to a number of reasons. Many people on this site have reported chest tightness after using various products for cleaning. Or using air fresheners etc. A number of these products can trigger a reaction. Obviously smoke or dust is also a problem. So check environmental factors and try to eliminate them. Keep a diary of when you have a tight chest and try to link it to what action or product you have been using. Also people report that that the weather can have an affect. Hot cold etc. I personally find that when the barometer is high it can affect my breathing. It can be due to the way you breath or stress. As I said there are lots of reason. Best advice would be to speak with your respiratory nurse and go through what can cause a tight chest before looking at your inhaler or medication. There are a number of medications which can also cause a problem with breathing.

[sinclair61 in reply to Badbessie]

Hi,

Thanks for your response. I should clarify that my breathing is never affected. My breathing is fine but I just get chest tightness. I’m pretty sure it’s my inhaler unless it’s just a case of something you have to expect with COPD.

Sinclair

[Badbessie in reply to sinclair61]

Chest tightness my not affect your breathing, oxygen saturations etc but can still be caused by other factors rather than just your inhaler.

[sinclair61 in reply to Badbessie]

I understand that and I have tried to isolate what is causing it and the only consistent thing is my inhaler unless it is just to be expected with copd. Enivironrntal factors don’t really affect me aside from cold weather which is my biggest trigger. But I am always very careful to not expose myself to the cold air.

Sinclair

[Badbessie in reply to sinclair61]

Perhaps a talk with your respiratory nurse is in order then. I am stage 2 and only get a tight chest if it is triggered by something. But normally I have good periods when my chest feels ok. If you have eliminated all else then time to do something about it.

[sinclair61 in reply to Badbessie]

My FEV is in the high 80s and I agree I shouldn’t really have it as often as I do. It’s frustrating because it is pretty much my only seroius symptom.

Thanks for the advice

[Hidden]

I think a daily occurrence is worth a check-up and a med review. You may need a stronger or a longer action bronchodilator.. I have 4 inhalers these days, since June, a record 😃 but I find they complement each other.

Take care x

[shadow4me]

If you have copd chest tightness will come and go part of the illness sadly the meds do help us but wont cure us anything can affect us from the weather to a smell .But if your FEV is high 80s and you are suffering a lot with it I would go to GP xx

[knitter]

A couple of inhalers have made my chest tighter....,one gave me bronchospasm.

Other people are fine with them though....we are all different.

As I have asthma / COPD I have a peak flow meter and I can record the effect of different inhalers.

[sinclair61]

The last possibility that has occurred to me is if it caused by overdoing exercise. I do go for intense runs quite often and sometimes will forget to take my inhaler beforehand. Although I don’t really think it matches up and invariably any chest tightness is the following day, surely exercise induced chest tightness would come on quite quickly?

[soulsaver]

There are loads of inhalers for lung issues; if you think it's that, ask your GP/Nurse if you can try a different one.