Allergy Symptom - Allergies Message Board

stimi3ak · 05-22-2008, 07:59 AM

Good Day Everyone,

I have had a symptom for awhile that is an enigma to all specialists. My chest gets very tight and it feels like a huge weight is sitting on it. This leads to the sensation of shortness of breath and difficulty inhaling. I have been to the pulmonologist who ruled out asthma and said my lungs were in good shape. I got a second opinion and the same thing was said. I then saw a cardiologist who said my heart was great. Next I saw a gastroenterologist and I did have bad reflux and currently I have gastro paresis but that does not cause this symptom to keep happening.

After a year of avoiding it I finally got on Singulair this past week. I can not take many allergy medications because they make me jittery and have horrible anxiety but Singulair doesn't.

My questions is does anyone else have this symptom? How do you deal with it? Do you take Singulair and if so how long until it worked? Are there other meds that I can take to help with this? I have tried inhalers but they NEVER helped me.

Thanks for your help everyone!!!

gcsjr · 05-22-2008, 08:50 AM

The symptoms you describe are commonly caused by acid reflux, and since you mention in your post that you have reflux that's the most likely cause (I'm really surprised the gastroenterologist didn't tell you that).

GERD can often cause asthma-like symptoms (wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath) and can trigger asthma attacks in people who have asthma.

It's not that unusual for people with asthma-like symptoms to have the clear up completely after several days on GERD medications. If the pulmonologists ruled out asthma, it's unlikely that the Singulair is going to make much difference with your symptoms, you should probably focus on getting your GERD under control to see if that helps.

stimi3ak · 05-22-2008, 09:00 AM

Thank you so much for the reply!

I have gotten my GERD under control but the problem still exists. That is why they put me on Singulair. I have had the acid reflux surgery done as well but still have this problem. I am on meds twice a day for GERD as of right now only as a precaution. I am no longer refluxing though. The surgery was just done 5 weeks ago so I'm not sure how long the healing process is or how long it takes for a difference to be noticed. I am still having the exact same symptoms though.

I have been to my check ups and the wrap is intact and working beautifully. The wrap is what they do during the surgery.

Again I have been on inhalers but none of them worked. In fact they made my problems worse and the pulmonologists both said I did not have any signs of asthma. However I have heard of what you told me and thought that is what my problems were all along. I just don't know how much longer it will take for these symptoms to go away. I am doing and have done everything possible to help myself. This can just get so discouraging.

Thanks again for your reply! I do appreciate them a lot!!!

violet6 · 05-23-2008, 06:01 AM

stimi3ak--

If it's not the GERD, is it possible that anxiety is contributing to your symptoms? There certainly could be another reason, but it sounds like you've covered many of the main ones. I used to have anxiety attacks (I didn't even know I was anxious) and the main feeling for me was that I couldn't breathe--bad feeling in chest/lungs. Since your asthma meds made it worse, that might be another clue...those inhalers tend to increase heart rate and cause anxiety. I hate it when docs say my symptoms might be caused by anxiety b/c it's so important to cover all the other possible medical causes, but I thought I'd let you know my experience just in case it might help you in some way.

Good luck!

Violet

stimi3ak · 05-23-2008, 10:25 AM

Thanks Violet! Before the paxil started working my anxiety was making it a lot worse than it currently stands now. However even on Paxil and Ativan I am still getting this frequent chest tightness and shortness of breath. It feels like I will hyperventilate because my stomach is so HUGE. I am very thin for my height so when my stomach swells you can see it. This happens at least 5 days a week. Then the chest tightness sets in and I am not good for a bit.

The gastroenterologist knows I have some food allergies and that is what I'm being tested for on Monday. They think it is causing swelling in my chest/esophageal area which is contributing to the chest tightness.

I am with you in that I am so tired of doctors thinking it is anxiety. My anxiety is a result of my stomach/breathing issues NOT the other way around. I will update this post after my appt on Monday.

Thank you so much for your response as I do relate to what you wrote very well!!!