Chest Pain, Tightness, Congestion and dry cough and breathing problems

[necrosilk10]

Hello everyone.

Might be a long post and i hope i get to help someone that is going through the same as me.

I have been suffering from Chest congestion , dry cough, breathing issues, and tightness for about 8-9 months now.

I have seen ALOT of different doctors.

PCP, ENT, ALLERGIST, PULMONOLOGIST also ER and URGENT CARE doctors.

I have had multiple chest xrays and EKG done and all come back normal.

I also had a spirometry test done and normal.

I recently had a CT scan on chest (a lot of radiation i know ...) and normal with just a beningn calcified granuloma which doctors say its nothing just past scar tissue.

Allergy test , Allergic to dust mites, dogs and cats and mild on birch and ragweed

I am 25. I am going crazy not knowing what it is and doctors not having a clue either.

I was very athletic couple years ago. Never smoked cigarettes just weed when i was 16-17.

I am also having neck pain and some mild back pain from laying on bed watching videos on phone in weird uncomfortable positions for a while.

I had this coughing and breathing problems episode for about 3-4 months 2 years ago and it went away but this time it came back with new symptoms ( chest pain for weeks on and off, chest congestion, tightness and upper back pain as well.)

I also feel pleghm building up to my throat.

I have tried inhalers and they dont do much. Allergy pills.

Please someone help me

[Caspiana]

Hello necrosilk10 , 👋

Reading the first few paragraphs of your post it reminded me of myself going through numerous tests in which they could not identify my problem. My CT also did not show anything of interest. And don't worry too much about radiation. I get "radiated" as often as every six weeks. 😅

The difference is that my my very first spirometry test showed I had severe obstruction and my lungs were then working at 32% or thereabouts. I was diagnosed with Obliterative Bronchiolitis. I was also active and a swimmer for many years so it was a blow.

You mention having allergies. Mites are often a big culprit. This is why I have no carpeting in my house and only use rugs that I can wash in the washing machine and hang outside to dry. Bedding also can be questionable so I would definitely make sure your pillows, mattress , sofa etc. gets treated for mites. I have a futon dryer. It blows very hot air and it goes under your blankets it kills mites very effectively. Putting bedding in the sun is the best thing too. Dust can be very sneaky by hiding in all sorts of unsuspecting places. Clean often and well and air out your rooms even when it's cold. Ten minutes will do. Mold can also be a terrible trigger. So check your place out for it even in the drain pipes.

The solution to this "I am also having neck pain and some mild back pain from laying on bed watching videos on phone in weird uncomfortable positions for a while." Is simple. Stop doing it. Lying in funny positions concentrating on a little screen is not a natural position for your body.

If as you say the issue did go away before , I feel like it is more of an allergy/ irritation issue rather than a lung disease. The above is all the help I can give you. I'm sorry it may seem inadequate.

Best wishes,

Cas 🍀

[necrosilk10 in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you for your reply

I took allergy pills for months and i felt it did nothing to help me but instead give me drowsiness. I also bought bedding,air purifier, dehumidifier and a hepa filter vaccum to combat dust mites and still no significant relief.

Doctor told me it could be "anxiety or gerd" i took omeprazole couple months ago and no relief. The only anxiety i have is not knowing what this is and doctors not being helpful what so ever. Im pretty sure "anxiety" didn't cause this months ago when i was very happy.

If you don't mind me asking, why are you being exposed to radiation every so often?

My pulmonologist suggested a G.I doctor but i just feel its a waste of time and risky going to these offices in the middle of a pandemic.

[Caspiana in reply to necrosilk10]

I think you should follow every lead and that includes seeing a G.I. doctor. Because that could lead to some other unexpected route. Doctors in general will only suggest treatment if they find something to treat. And it all goes by test results. We can feel absolutely awful, but if the tests say we are fine, then according to the numbers we are fine and no further action will be taken. In a way, I can understand it. As what do they treat if they can't find the ailment. But for us it can be very frustrating. I have several autoimmune diseases and it took a very long time for them to diagnose it, as it didn't show up in my blood work at all initially. I thought I had lost my marbles. It eventually went on to destroy my lungs. I had a lung transplant fifteen months ago, which is why I have CT scans regularly to check for rejection.

[necrosilk10 in reply to Caspiana]

How did they eventually find these autoimmune disorders ?

I really have no choice if i really want to get to the bottom of this. I will make an appointment with a G.I doctor.

[Caspiana in reply to necrosilk10]

They continued to test until they discovered that I had a very elevated C-reactive protein level in my blood which is an indication of inflammation. Previously it didn't show up. It took almost six months of a lot of pain, fevers, and debilitating fatigue to finally find the cause.

[necrosilk10 in reply to Caspiana]

I really appreciate your time and help so much.

I just started taking famotidine and i will give it couple days or weeks to see if it helps but if i get a horrible side effect like i did from omeprazole i am stopping right away haha.

[Caspiana in reply to necrosilk10]

Keep following the trail. You may not quite be at the end of the road. 😊👋

[necrosilk10 in reply to Caspiana]

Quick question.

What type of blood test were u given? Just to see if i can suggest my doctor.

[Maricopa in reply to necrosilk10]

Yes. You should heed Caspianas advice. She is very knowledgeable and knows what she’s talking about!

[Caspiana in reply to Maricopa]

Not really knowledgeable Maricopa just a little experience. Have a lovely Sunday. xx ☀️☕🌳

[Maricopa in reply to Caspiana]

Such a humble gal!❣️

[knitter]

Hi and welcome .

I thought at first that your difficulties may be allergy based , as my three now adult daughters have various allergies and their symptoms are similar. I am allergic to birch....had to cut down a tree that was just outside my bedroom window .....but you have tried to remedy your allergic reactions . There are different kinds of antihistamines , have you tried various types to see if one works .

No allergies to food at all?

Have you had blood tests to see if you have any underlying infection ?

A spirometry test before and after a bronchodilator to see if asthmatic?

Any recommendations as to diet....plenty of fresh fruit and veg?

Any exercise regime offered .....very gradual ? Just a bit of movement every hour say at first .

Anxiety , you say was mentioned .....any help offered for that ? Mindfulness meditation helps me to slow my breathing rate down . Always nose breathe , gently gently breathe.

‘ Past scar tissue ‘ did they suggest any reason for this ?

Hope you are not offended....but do you still smoke ?

Have you been offered a preventer inhaler, not just a reliever ?

I just hope you find some help and relief soon.

Best wishes.

[necrosilk10 in reply to knitter]

Hello thank you for the reply.

I have tried all the OTC Antihistamines.

I don't have allergies to any food based on my recent allergy test (done 1 month ago)

I had a physical blood test done couple months ago. Everything was in normal ranges except for LDL cholesterol being slightly elevated of 133 and Calcium being also slight elevated 10.5mg/dl but some doctora have told me that is nothing to worry about (calcium).

I am having another breathing test in 2 weeks.

I will increase the intake of fruits and vegs, i haven't been eating much of it recently.

Well the only reason if i do feel anxiety is from this unknown problem i have and side effects from medications i took.

I was told by my allergist and pulmonologist to not worry about the calcified granuloma since its benign and they don't ever go away or cause symptoms. I read someone where online that they can.

No i never smoked cigarettes but i did smoke weed for a year back when i was 16 to 17.

Yeah i was giving a preventer inhaler for 2 weeks by pulmonologist which was breo ellipta, i noticed no significant changes. My pulmonologist and allergist doctor think its not asthma related but pulmo gave me a advanced breathing test in 2 weeks to confirm that.

I really hope i find a relief, this issue is definitely effecting my quality of life :(.

[Ergendl]

As you report your symptoms coming and going, may I suggest you write a simple diary listing date, time, food, drink, actions, and symptoms. Sometimes the body has a delayed response to triggers, and that is one way of identifying what they are.

[necrosilk10 in reply to Ergendl]

This only happened once before in the past but it was with out the chest congestion. 2 years ago it started with dry cough than chest pain and breathlessness for about 3-4 months. This time is a lot worse going for 8-9 months.

[Gypsy1930]

Hi mate, im on holiday now, but i will get back to you or you can message me next week, then we can chat, DONT give up just time to find the little bugger, stay safe in thease time, paul, im nearly 64

[necrosilk10 in reply to Gypsy1930]

I am trying to stay positive for my self and family but it's tough when there symptoms as well.

Thank you for your reply

[Bluenotes]

Hi . I also get delayed action to allergies and stress , so makes it hard to know the cause . Good luck , keep smiling. 🤗

[necrosilk10 in reply to Bluenotes]

Hello.

What symptoms do you experience?

[Bluenotes]

Well , I do have emphysema . but do have really tight chest , which gets worse as the day goes on . Also pain in neck and back . I know that allergies can make it worse , finding out what they are is difficult . Don't know if that helps , as I do have a definite diagnosis. 🤗

[necrosilk10 in reply to Bluenotes]

Thank you for reply.

Can emphysema be detected by a Chest CT scan?

What are you allergic to? I have pain in the neck for dumb reason for last 1-2 years that i never fixed.

I also read and was told that GERD can cause all these problems like chest pain,upper back pain , extra phlegm which can cause chest congestion, dry cough etc which is why i am giving famotidine a try (prescribed by doctor).

[Bluenotes in reply to necrosilk10]

Hi again . Yes , exray , ct scan , breathing tests , all show up emphysema .I don't know about GERD , but inflated lungs can cause digestive problems . I know I'm allergic to pollen , cats , most cleaning fluids , even the stuff they have in shops to wipe trolley handles . Also weather conditions make a big difference. I'm almost sure if you have a lung problem they would have seen it by now but I'm no expert on such matters . 🤗

[Fruitcake100]

I had a lot of the above symptoms, some which I still have. Lots of tests but recently gave up omeprazol, started taking Peptac and tried an acid free diet. Three weeks later, very little coughing, no sore chest, no choking with mucus and generally feeling a lot better. check out the Gerd and silent reflux info site on line.

[necrosilk10 in reply to Fruitcake100]

Which symptoms exactly and for how long?

I personally don't believe its Gerd or acid reflux causing all of this. I think it has to do something with the respiratory system. Either asthma or severe allergies but doctors are really not helping me here. They are saying im ok from the CT scan.

[Patk1]

Have u tried a steroudnasal spray to help with allergies and cattarh?

Do check side effects of any meds eg bblocker can cause dey cough.your v fortunate in having been checked ouut so thoroughly. Its a gd thing that tests r all normal.altho,frustrating for u.

Personally,id say dont be lying n bed,watching fone.get up,do gentle stretches and deep breathing exercises - u will feel much better for it.plan some meals,enjoying what u have cooked.drink plenty of fluids.try get into a routine - go 4 walks.it WILL help.do u work x

[necrosilk10 in reply to Patk1]

Hello. Thank you for the reply.

I have tried nasal steroid spray and it does nothing but i think causes me to have anxiety.

I do go for walks or runs , i just wish i can find the cause of this and get treatment or cure for it but doctors seem clueless specially now that the CT scan came back normal they seem to believe it has nothing to do with respiratory system.

[Catlover432]

Can’t help with most of you problems, but I don’t think you should worry too much about radiation from your CT scan. It’s very low. I’ve had 10 or more X-ray 2 CT scans and a DEXA scan in the last 18 months, and I’m not unduly worried and they are all necessary. I’ll be due another X-ray next month. All chest

[necrosilk10 in reply to Catlover432]

Hello.

I was worrying for a while but now it doesn't cross my mind anymore. The symptoms i am experiencing is what keeping me insane.