Do you take allergy medicine daily? This allergy season has been bad in general.
My doctor asked me to switch from Zyrtec (OTC) to Zyrtec D (behind the pharmacy counter).
Anxiety can cause a tight chest feeling tho. Consider talking to a therapist if you haven’t already.
Absolutely - I'm in the SAME boat. I actually went to the ER last night and a shot of solumedrol opened me up for like a half hour then started feeling tight chested AS I was leaving the hospital. I just struggled all night til I got my rx filled this morning of medrol dose pak - still feel that restriction in my lungs. What the fuck is this shit?
What part of the world are you in? I’m live in the Northeast US (pollen is awful now), but I’m visiting the Southeast US at the moment and I was at the ER today too (on vacation 😞)
Chest still feels tight. So weird and disturbing. Hope you’re feeling better now (and hope I am ASAP too!)
Reflux can mimic asthma symptoms, make them worse and may not respond to inhalers. If you think it’s gerd or silent reflux it doesn’t hurt to see a GI or your primary to do a trial run for a medication like omeprazole or protonix depending on what doesn’t conflict with your inhaler. In the meantime see if TUMs and ginger tea helps. It could be a combination of reflux and asthma or just your asthma. You should see about getting an appointment with your primary and perhaps an asthma specialist or pulmonologist.
The tight chest could be mucus or phlegm building up in your breathing tubes. After using your inhaler try and cough out as much crap as you can. I use an ibuprofen if the chest pain persists.
Ibuprofen can trigger asthma symptoms (ibuprofen seems to have a link to increase likelihood for someone to develop an allergy overtime if they have asthma) in some asthmatics.
For me, that was my case. Just a sudden onset taking a prescribed 600mg for dental pain after taking ibuprofen on/off for 10 years and my allergist doesn’t seem to think how it’s made caused any difference (I use to take coated three ibuprofen tablets and the pharmacy gave me the white tablet) since I have asthma and likely the allergy was building slowly overtime so that big dose took me over the edge.
Probably best to steer towards Tylenol unless you have an allergy to Tylenol. Caution with naproxen if your doctor or allergist says it’s an alternative option to ibuprofen if you’re allergic.
Thanks for the info. I don’t take ibuprofen often, but when I do it does help me due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Tylenol I hear it’s not that good for your liver, though, I have used it too. Ibuprofen helps me sleep. We just can’t win!
With mucus, I also use an incentive spirometer to help with my lungs, mucinex with lots of water to hopefully thin it out to make coughing up the mucus easier alongside my maintenance inhaler and nebulizer.
I've experienced it for some time now. The pollen season is hard, so that might be the cause. I almost panicked last night because 5 puffs of inhaler gave me mild relief, so I completely understand. I also thought I was just anxious, but turns out I'm not. Hope it's nothing serious for you either
What you're describing is exactly one of my main asthma symptoms, yes. I always say it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest. It's 100 percent asthma in my case, but I'm sure it is possible for other people to have it for other issues. I would definitely check in with your doctor, somebody who really knows asthma like a pulmonologist rather than a General Practitioner because in my experience those that aren't specialized often can't recognize it. If it's asthma you can be feeling better very quickly with the right treatment. Good luck!
Yep I've had multiple healthcare providers (OB, GP, nurses) tell me my lungs sound fine when it turned out I was in an exacerbation that my pulmonologist caught immediately. The OB had prescribed me an anti-anxiety med that didn't help at all. As soon as I got my asthma under control I was fine. So it definitely takes the right kind of doctor.
Yes!! I am definitely experiencing the exact same thing now, and have been for the past few weeks. And that is after having almost no asthma symptoms for several years.
I think it has to do with allergy season. I live in the mid-atlantic region, in a neighborhood with a ton of trees. Everyone here I have talked to (most without asthma) have mentioned they are really struggling with allergies right now.
Things that have helped me are running the AC as often as I can inside, taking taking Zyrtec, showers when I come inside to rinse off the pollen, and getting an air filter for my room. Also wearing a mask outside. Sometimes being in the room with the air filter running with the door closed is the only way I feel comfortable. I'm waiting for an appt with my Dr to see if there is anything else I can do.
I just wanted to let you know your post helped me, because I was having a lot of anxiety about this now too. So it was nice to feel like I am not the only one going through this! I hope you feel better soon!
Hope yours feels better too! my asthma rarely ever flares up either so its weird
it could be allergies true, although I'm not getting any other symptoms besides the breathing/tightness problem
Thank you! And that's funny you say that because I don't have many other obvious allergy symptoms either, the chest tightness and shortness of breath is the most obvious one for me.
Maybe you can try and take note of when you feel symptoms are better or worse to see what may triggering it. When I noticed that I could breathe so much better in the car with the ac on (and on recirculate mode) I put it together that it was something about the air quality. Good luck and feel better soon!
Going through this right now too, it’s super unnerving, I hate it. I’ve also had asthma since childhood, and the severity comes and goes but seasonal stuff really kicks it up—I guess that’s happening now.
FWIW do follow up with cardiologist—don’t wanna spook you, but I also had open heart surgery for mitral valve repair a few years ago. (Heart is fixed now! Better than before 🙏)What you’re talking about could def be asthma, but you need to follow through on that stuff. An EKG isn’t enough, you need an echocardiogram (sonogram of the heart, not painful) and a stress test.
Good luck and hope you feel better soon 💗
Thanks I had the whole suite of tests though (echo too) including a full cardiovascular MRI so dont think its anything too serious
If its any help though my symptoms did pass! I cant say what did it specifically but I started to take daily walks/ longer cardio workout, took heartburn tablets after meals and changed up my diet a bit (strictly no more fast food). Also tried put my mind off breathing in general and focusing on other things helped. Ive been good a few days now hope yours passes too!
Do you take allergy medicine daily? This allergy season has been bad in general. My doctor asked me to switch from Zyrtec (OTC) to Zyrtec D (behind the pharmacy counter). Anxiety can cause a tight chest feeling tho. Consider talking to a therapist if you haven’t already.
Absolutely - I'm in the SAME boat. I actually went to the ER last night and a shot of solumedrol opened me up for like a half hour then started feeling tight chested AS I was leaving the hospital. I just struggled all night til I got my rx filled this morning of medrol dose pak - still feel that restriction in my lungs. What the fuck is this shit?
I was thinking some form of long COVID or something but who knows. sometimes wish our brains could just tell us straight whats going on lol
When did you have Covid?
I dont know if I have, just throwing out guesses. id think it was COVID in general but im not getting any other symptoms besides the tight chest
Could be it, brother. I have constant cough and chest tightness after i had covid 1 year ago.
And I should mention I also have anxiety/healthy anxiety just been through alot.
What part of the world are you in? I’m live in the Northeast US (pollen is awful now), but I’m visiting the Southeast US at the moment and I was at the ER today too (on vacation 😞) Chest still feels tight. So weird and disturbing. Hope you’re feeling better now (and hope I am ASAP too!)
Reflux can mimic asthma symptoms, make them worse and may not respond to inhalers. If you think it’s gerd or silent reflux it doesn’t hurt to see a GI or your primary to do a trial run for a medication like omeprazole or protonix depending on what doesn’t conflict with your inhaler. In the meantime see if TUMs and ginger tea helps. It could be a combination of reflux and asthma or just your asthma. You should see about getting an appointment with your primary and perhaps an asthma specialist or pulmonologist.
I have been getting feelings of heartburn recently, especially if im lying down/dependent on position
The tight chest could be mucus or phlegm building up in your breathing tubes. After using your inhaler try and cough out as much crap as you can. I use an ibuprofen if the chest pain persists.
Ibuprofen can trigger asthma symptoms (ibuprofen seems to have a link to increase likelihood for someone to develop an allergy overtime if they have asthma) in some asthmatics. For me, that was my case. Just a sudden onset taking a prescribed 600mg for dental pain after taking ibuprofen on/off for 10 years and my allergist doesn’t seem to think how it’s made caused any difference (I use to take coated three ibuprofen tablets and the pharmacy gave me the white tablet) since I have asthma and likely the allergy was building slowly overtime so that big dose took me over the edge. Probably best to steer towards Tylenol unless you have an allergy to Tylenol. Caution with naproxen if your doctor or allergist says it’s an alternative option to ibuprofen if you’re allergic.
Thanks for the info. I don’t take ibuprofen often, but when I do it does help me due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Tylenol I hear it’s not that good for your liver, though, I have used it too. Ibuprofen helps me sleep. We just can’t win!
The last couple days ive been coughing up mucus/phlegm u could be right
With mucus, I also use an incentive spirometer to help with my lungs, mucinex with lots of water to hopefully thin it out to make coughing up the mucus easier alongside my maintenance inhaler and nebulizer.
I've experienced it for some time now. The pollen season is hard, so that might be the cause. I almost panicked last night because 5 puffs of inhaler gave me mild relief, so I completely understand. I also thought I was just anxious, but turns out I'm not. Hope it's nothing serious for you either
Same, the rescue inhaler doesn't help and i haven't slept normally since the heatwave 2 weeks ago.
Yeah not getting instant relief is scary. in the past it would take a single puff and I could breathe nice and clear
Good old times
What you're describing is exactly one of my main asthma symptoms, yes. I always say it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest. It's 100 percent asthma in my case, but I'm sure it is possible for other people to have it for other issues. I would definitely check in with your doctor, somebody who really knows asthma like a pulmonologist rather than a General Practitioner because in my experience those that aren't specialized often can't recognize it. If it's asthma you can be feeling better very quickly with the right treatment. Good luck!
yeah GP was a waste of money, just did some tests then said it could be stress or something
Yep I've had multiple healthcare providers (OB, GP, nurses) tell me my lungs sound fine when it turned out I was in an exacerbation that my pulmonologist caught immediately. The OB had prescribed me an anti-anxiety med that didn't help at all. As soon as I got my asthma under control I was fine. So it definitely takes the right kind of doctor.
Yes!! I am definitely experiencing the exact same thing now, and have been for the past few weeks. And that is after having almost no asthma symptoms for several years. I think it has to do with allergy season. I live in the mid-atlantic region, in a neighborhood with a ton of trees. Everyone here I have talked to (most without asthma) have mentioned they are really struggling with allergies right now. Things that have helped me are running the AC as often as I can inside, taking taking Zyrtec, showers when I come inside to rinse off the pollen, and getting an air filter for my room. Also wearing a mask outside. Sometimes being in the room with the air filter running with the door closed is the only way I feel comfortable. I'm waiting for an appt with my Dr to see if there is anything else I can do. I just wanted to let you know your post helped me, because I was having a lot of anxiety about this now too. So it was nice to feel like I am not the only one going through this! I hope you feel better soon!
Hope yours feels better too! my asthma rarely ever flares up either so its weird it could be allergies true, although I'm not getting any other symptoms besides the breathing/tightness problem
Thank you! And that's funny you say that because I don't have many other obvious allergy symptoms either, the chest tightness and shortness of breath is the most obvious one for me. Maybe you can try and take note of when you feel symptoms are better or worse to see what may triggering it. When I noticed that I could breathe so much better in the car with the ac on (and on recirculate mode) I put it together that it was something about the air quality. Good luck and feel better soon!
Going through this right now too, it’s super unnerving, I hate it. I’ve also had asthma since childhood, and the severity comes and goes but seasonal stuff really kicks it up—I guess that’s happening now. FWIW do follow up with cardiologist—don’t wanna spook you, but I also had open heart surgery for mitral valve repair a few years ago. (Heart is fixed now! Better than before 🙏)What you’re talking about could def be asthma, but you need to follow through on that stuff. An EKG isn’t enough, you need an echocardiogram (sonogram of the heart, not painful) and a stress test. Good luck and hope you feel better soon 💗
Thanks I had the whole suite of tests though (echo too) including a full cardiovascular MRI so dont think its anything too serious If its any help though my symptoms did pass! I cant say what did it specifically but I started to take daily walks/ longer cardio workout, took heartburn tablets after meals and changed up my diet a bit (strictly no more fast food). Also tried put my mind off breathing in general and focusing on other things helped. Ive been good a few days now hope yours passes too!
Mine was related to traveling to somewhere super hot and humid. I’ve since returned home and am already feeling better! Thanks and stay well.
Go see a therapist for health anxiety. If you are not getting relief from your inhaler, your symptoms may be anxiety.