Why is my chest tight and breathing laboured but tests are all normal?

[BreatheRight]

Hello!

I'm new to this site and see that others over the past several years have posted having the same symptoms that I'm having, and I'm wondering if anyone figured out what this could be: for over 6 months I've had a persistent cough, occasional stuffy nose, tightness of chest and laboured breathing - although I can exercise without issue and sleep well. Some days are better than others but for the most it is a persistent feeling like an elephant is sitting on my chest. I've had normal blood work, clear ENT nose exam, clear chest X-ray and CT Scan. A round of antibiotics ruled out a bacterial infection, and GERD medication ruled out Acid Reflux. A neck ultrasound detected an enlarged lymph node above my left collarbone but so far cancer has been ruled out with these other tests. (I'm having a follow-up ultrasound in a month to see if the lymph node is growing.) I was told since all of my tests were normal/clear, the enlarged lymph node is my body reacting to some kind of infection but no one has been able to tell me what is infected. I've been to a respirologist who said I "may" have asthma and gave me Symbicort inhalers which I haven't started using yet as I'm not convinced it's asthma - I've also read that others posting on this site have not had success with Symbicort for these symptoms. If anyone reading this has had these mystery symptoms and has been diagnosed, and has had success with treatments, I would so appreciate learning about your experience.

Thank you!

[christina1947]

Can I ask have you had a spirometry test they can rule out asthma there and then if you haven’t had ask your doctor for one. Take care xxx

[BreatheRight in reply to christina1947]

Thank you for your reply! Yes I had a spirometry test and my breathing was a bit better after the inhaler than before, however I don't have regular asthma symptoms in that this tightness and shortness of breath is all day every day. Some days are better than others but the symptoms never subside.

[Kristicats]

Perhaps you could try the inhaler for a week and report back to your Gp?

[BreatheRight in reply to Kristicats]

Yes, I know I should try it but since the Respirologist wasn't 100% sure it was asthma I just really wanted to get to the root cause if possible before I start medication of any kind. I guess I should bite the bullet and see if it works or not. Thanks for your input!!!

[jmsutt73 in reply to BreatheRight]

Is it possible that you need to use the inhaler as part of the diagnosis? J

[BreatheRight in reply to jmsutt73]

Hi there. Yes it certainly is. Just not wanting to give in to meds until there is no other recourse I guess. I'm being as stubborn as the illness LOL!

[peege in reply to BreatheRight]

Yes I think bite the bullet, if works you won't have that awful tight chest. It's not a good idea to live with tight airways. It's important for lungs/airways to expel any little bit of mucus, otherwise it's leaves a perfect warm place for bacteria to grow

[BreatheRight in reply to peege]

I will give it a try and see if I get relief - I should rule it out at the very least. Also looking into "functional medicine" to see if some answers may be hiding from traditional medicine's sight. I have an enlarged lymph node which seems to be baffling the doctors as all of my tests have been negative/clear. I have a follow up ultra sound on that and perhaps a biopsy if it's growing.

[peege in reply to BreatheRight]

Sincerely hope that all ends well re the lymph node. Very worrying for you. P

[BreatheRight in reply to peege]

Thank you so much for your well wishes! If I find any miracles will post them here.

[Ern007]

Interesting post. I would like to know why you are reluctant to take your Symbicort? Symbicort is a steroid "Budesonide" and "formoterol fumarate dihydrate" the latter a long-acting bronchodilator used to prevent bronchospasm - Note I say "Prevent" - You really should take what is prescribed.

Having said that Symbicort is not a reliever - For that you need an inhaler to work instantly "Salbutamol" - Have a word with your doctor.

You wrote and I quote "Some days are better than others but for the most it is a persistent feeling like an elephant is sitting on my chest" - Other things can cause that, have you mentioned that to your GP - he may wish to do an ECG to rule out Angina. Do not get scares I have had it for 30 years - probably not that but heavy or crushing feelings in chest needs Angina ruling OUT IMO as I am not a doctor...

Probably not that can also be anxiety, you have had a lot of tests and most bar one negative.. so keep smiling see your doctor and take your inhaler and ask would a reliever help and tell him about that feeling in your chest. Above all do not brood and try not to worry, that can cause symptoms that cam mimic certain complaints... Best of luck and wish you well.

[BreatheRight in reply to Ern007]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and the well wishes!

I will certainly mention Angina to my GP. I'm reluctant to take medication of any kind but I may have to in this case. In the past I've just ignored aches and pains and they've gone away but these symptoms are being stubborn. I will ask about the instant inhaler which makes total sense.

[knitter]

Has your sputum been tested again to see if your underlying infection is in your lungs?

[BreatheRight in reply to knitter]

Thank you for mentioning this! No, actually it was never tested. I will ask my GP about having that done.

[Kjg14]

Had all the tests finally diagnosed with COPD and Emphysema.

Take all the meds but still feel the same - breathless

[BreatheRight in reply to Kjg14]

I'm so sorry you haven't been able to find relief for the breathlessness even with the meds. That's why I'm hesitating to become reliant on Symbicort or anything just yet.

I was recently told about "functional medicine" - looks into what is causing the symptoms, so proactive vs reactive and focuses on the individual vs the disease. If I'm able to make any discoveries I will certainly post them here.