My worst problem is a tightening of chest muscles and difficulty breathing. This comes and goes with other symptoms.

[Gladyscon1]

Just take sinamet.

[Lindylanka]

Have to agree. Staying medicated helps, and not getting cold helps. Also big movement exercise and singing are said to help.

[Floriea in reply to Lindylanka]

I just got out of the hospital I thought I having a heart attack my ekg was ok and the doctor told me my muscles in my chest was tightening making it feel like a heart attack what can I get to release the pain my name is Jeannie

[movinngroovin]

Gentle Yoga too!

[Jocee]

gladyscon1, the chest muscles tightening was one of my first symptoms 25 ys ago. I had it once a day or so. Miraculously, it went away and i've never had it again. It lasted about a yr. This is such a strange disease! My difficulty breaathing was/is anxiety.

[Gladyscon1 in reply to Jocee]

If I've learned anything since reading these blogs, it's that there is no solution more than partially applicable to others with what may seem a similar problem. We are all so very different. In response to my statement about tight chest muscles and breathing difficulties, solutions kindly offered ran the gamut from regular vigorous exercise to a high protein diet, suggest-ing a complete physical exam. Mostly ignored was my claim that this problem always comes and goes with the other symptoms. Several cardiological tests have virtually eliminated the heart as the cause. It suggests to me a needed major change in type and dosage of medication.

[Jupeter]

I am having similar problems now, 12 years after diagnosis. Have had an ECG (I have AF), and currently waiting for results of CTScan to check lungs, see my consultant next week.

It is very strange, it comes on whether I have been active or inactive. Frequently in the evenings while watching TV. Feels like a panic attack but I know it isn't one. But it is sometimes so bad that my wife is on the verge of calling for an ambulance. My stomach muscles are badly affected by the shallow, fast breathing, over which I have very little control. However, once I lie down in bed, it quickly goes away! Weird!

[Hikoi in reply to Jupeter]

There are a few threads now on breathing problems, this is the longest.

healthunlocked.com/parkinso....

But I have found there is virtually no information by PD organisations about this for patients.

[arbet1 in reply to Jupeter]

My problem of extreme chest and throat pain in late evening followed by immediate relief by lying down was "solved" by reducing sinemet dosage from 3 tablets to 2 per day and adding a 4 mg Neupro patch.

[ddmagee1 in reply to Jupeter]

I have similar problems. When I lie down, I get better in a bit. I've had all kinds of heart and chest tests and everything is fine. I wonder if it is PD related? It is strange to me, too. I have not gotten a medical explanation for it from either my GP or Neurologist-so it's interesting to see that other "Parkies" have similar problems.

[fishwife]

Hi Gladys. I find my breathing gets labored when I am not active enough. Do you exercise, and get out a bit? When I have a tough time for a few days, and sit in the trusty recliner too many days, I tend to get really short of breath doing the slightest thing. When I am able to stay active it isn't as bad.

[scottyt]

You might consider Pilates...

[quirkyme]

you might check and see if you have sleep apnea or if a CPap might work to help you breathe at night.

Depression, too, can make you feel like you don't have enough energy to breathe or take the next breath (I'm not the patient, my husband is) but I have depression and a CPap helps me with that listlessness and feeling like I am too tired to take the next breath. (I have some breathing obstructions, which could contribute to what you are going through. Maybe check things out with a ENT doctor (?). My husband has a CPap machine for his sleep apnea but isn't using it now.

[beauxreflets]

Decompressing the spine exercises may help - The ones I do can be found here sites.google.com/site/beaux...

Physiotherapy may also help, as the qualified muscle injury therapist will know and design the best exercises for your current condition and muscle tone in the various back muscles that may be causing the problems.

Hope you get it sorted

[Dennis]

This pain in the chest has sent me to many doctors concrning this pain. It at the xyphoid process. Nothing thus far has helped. I may have 4 hours a day without pain. I sure hope you can find the help you need.

[arwenmark]

protein also causes Sinemet to not work properly. You seem to think your protein will cure everything, To me you sound like you are blowing sunshine. There is no cure for PD don't mislead people into false hope and spending money on snake oil.

[Norton1 in reply to arwenmark]

I concur entirely what you say.

Norton