I went into the ER this evening with breathing problems and tigntness on my chest, which I've been experiencing on and off in varying degrees allsummer. I gave three people my recent history and this young, arrogant doctor comes bounding in the room. He took a two minuite look at my chart, put a stethascope up to my chest for about thirty seconds and told me my problem was depression and anxiety!!The only thing he was willing to do for me is five me a cat scan to see if there were any clots in my lungs.

I was so incences I got up and walked out and filed a complaint with patient relations. This is scarry, folks, this guy doesn't know me from Adam. I told the admitting nurse I'd been having severe allergy symptoms and breathing problems all summer. I've had this tightness on my chest before but now there is mild wheezing present. He said he could dect nothing on my lungs and no wheezing. It is mild, but trust me, it's there!! I'm so angry I just don't know what to do. My wonderful and highly competant doctor of fifteen years moved his practice out of town and it's too far away. I've been struggling to find decent medical treatment since. I'm reasonalbly certain that my chest irritation is from sinus drainage that has gone down on my chest and is possibly causing an infection. In the past when I've had these symptoms a round of antibiotics (Biaxin) gets rid of it in aboutt ten days or so.

This nut in the Er did no bloodwork, no other tests, I was SHOCKED AND INSULTED!!!I also could've used a shot of Keflex to stop my severe rhinitis symptoms unti we get a couple of hard frosts. I cannot find a doctor who will help me. I'm very sick and while I have battled occasional anxiety and depression in the past, I KNOW MY OWN BODY! I've got allergic Asthme, possibly being aggrivated by wy walking routine, and possibly and upper respiratory infection. The fellow in the ER looked at me and saie, "Unfortunatly, there is no decent remedy for upper respiratory illnessed" What a crock!!

What should I do? I am very tired and very sick. I'm exhausted continually. It takes every ounce of energy I have to go to work and when I come home I have to sleep.

Does anyone know of anything that might help the tightness on my chest? I've been on 180 mgs. of Allegra and it doesn't work, for me it's like taking candy. At the moment, I'm taking an expectorant, Primatene tablets and occasional over the counter antihistimines, the only two brands that seem to work for me.

In addition to all of this, we have had almost no rain in our area. The air is stagnant with pollena dnpollution which I believe is worsening my breathing.
I swear on everything that is holy that these symptoms ar NOT my imagination, nor are they caused by depression or anxiety, although I've been so upset at my poor medical treatment and lack of compassion and understanding from the doctors that I've gotten pretty anxious, which I'm sure isn't helping.

Any advice, natural prodcts, ect. That may help give me some relief?

Thanks in advance for those who take the time to read this and respond.

Sorry to hear about your recent experiences in the ER. If you have a history of allergies, then it is possible to have allergy induced asthma. One thing that might give you relief from the chest tightness and wheezing is using a Ventolin inhaler and if there is significant inflammation in your airways, then a steroid spray as a preventer. Did your doc ever give you these to use during the summer periods when your symptoms were worse? If your symptoms get better in the Fall, you could reduce your dose gradually.

If you have a bacterial chest infection, then antibiotics will help, however, if the cause is viral antibiotics will not work. Anyway, it is not good to take too many antibiotics, as it can leave you with lowered immunity and you will then be at risk of catching more bugs and they also strip the good flora in your gut, leaving you at risk of yeast and candida infections.

If you want a natural alternative, then I would suggest that you try acupuncture treatment or Chinese herbal medicine. Acupuncture is good for stress and anxiety and can make you feel more relaxed. It is also good for chest and breathing problems generally and can also help you to breathre more deeply from your belly rather than your chest. It can also help to clear out any infections that you may have. Brilliant for sinus infections too.

Good luck

Thanks Sarah,
No, I have not used any breathing aids before. I've never had the need to. This is the first year I've had the tighnness on my chest and shortness of breath. I've had upper respiratory infections before that feel very much like what I've got now . I haven't had any antibiotics for a couple years and I on;y take them if it's absolutly necessary for the very reasons you described. I had problems with Candida overgrowth several years ago from overuse of antibiotics so I'm very cautious.

My allergies include dust, pollens, molds, animals. We have no pets so up until now I've just been very careful about the dust in my living enviornment. Several years ago I lived in an older home that had extensive water damage over the years and the home was full of mold, especially in the basement and on the floorboards. I got upper respiratory infections continually and the only thing that helped was to move out. Up until now I've just been living with the seasonal allergies, sometimes they start in Mid April but this year I didn't experience any sign of trouble until about the first of August.

My former doctor gave me the best treatment I've ever had and I'm still sick about having to give him up. I never had one problem with him in almost sixteen years and he always gave me exactly the proper treatment. I'm not going to give up, I've only got about another month or so of these symptoms. After we get a couple of good hard frosts they will disappear completely. I'm going to continue to seek out good medical treatment. If necessary, I may even drive the 1.5 hours to see my former doctor.

Thanks for the respose, I'll see if the chest tightness and shortness of breath continue. If they persist I'm going to get in with my allergist ASAP.

Still, I'm very upset for the way that guy in the ER treated me. He didn't look up my nose, if he did, he would've been able to tell that I've been miserable with allergy symptoms for some time. He didn't do ANYTHING, except accuse me of being depressed and anxious. He didn't look in my ears, they are full of fluid, he didn't listen to different areas of my chest and lungs, NOTHING!! I am still in absolute shock from the way he treated me. It's a setback but I'm not going to give up.

that's ridiculous, how could someone like that call himself a doctor???

I don't know, I know they were busy in the ER but that's no excuse. He literally told me after about five minutes that my problem was depression and anxiety. He went proceeded to go into this dissertation about phobias and subconscious triggers.

The primatene Mist tablets I bought, along with the expectorant are helping a little, I did have some gunk on my lungs because I expectorated some of it last evening.

I'm going to hang in there, pray and continue to seek out some further help. In the meantime, I'll just have to suffer. It's the tiredness that's the worst, I can hardly move.

As for that gentleman in the ER, he posesed none of the qualities one loks for when seeking a doctor. He'll give an account to God for the way he handles his patients.

There is no excuse for bad medical practice even ifthe ER is busy. Next time though, why don't you try going to see an ND rather than an MD? Also, try the acupuncture, you may just be pleasantly surprised by the results.

Hi Sarah, what is an ND, is it a nose doctor LOL? I've heard of those, Not sure if I'm ready for nose replacement just yet but the way I've felt the last few days maybe I ought to consider it LOL.

I'm praising the Lord for the rain we've had. We've been without rain for almost three solid weeks and now that we've had some, it's helped to wash the pollen out of the air. My symptoms were much better today.

I know accupuncture is beneficial for some but I don't think I could stand it. I have needle phobia. I HATE needles.Even as a grown woman there have times when the doctor has practically had to chase me around the room to give me my shot or draw blood. I can't stand needles period. I'm a little better now that I'm older but it still bothers me tremendously. The idea of allergy shots doesn't sit well with me at all but I'm willing to get them to avoid ever having to go through what I went through this season with my symptoms. They had been saying on the news for weeks that we were going to experience one of the worst pollen seasons on record and I can tell you they were right on the money. This has been the worst year for me that I can ever remember. Also, I think I might have a problem with accupuncture from a religious standpoint. I am a Christian and I know that they often incorporate a lot of focusing techniques and meditation into the process and I have a real problem with that. It can be very new age according to some I've spoken with and that's not something I would feel comfortable with.

No, an ND is a naturopathic doctor rather than a medical doctor, although they have exactly the same training in diagnosis and conventional medicine as medical doctors, they also have specific training in natural methods such as diet, herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture.

Dietary measures could really be of benefit to you and herbal medicine/homeopathy too.

I appreciate that acupuncture is not for everyone, but I have had great success with it. I have stomach problems and consulted an MD, who I am afraid to say was not very helpful. I then consulted an ND and he helped me to radically alter my diet and gave me homeopathic remedies and acupuncture treatment and my stomach has been a lot better since.

Interesting, Sarah, thanks for letting me know. I had a friend mention to me the other day that she sees a doctor who's specialty is homeopathic medicine. I'm certainly open to that, I've experimented with homeopathy a little and have had some successful results in the past. I don't have issues with any alternative medicine unless it borders on the new age.
I also want to have the option to be given an antiobiotic if I really need it. Would an ND do that for if it was necessary? If so, perhaps I'll look for some in my area and see what I come up with.

I'm still having some shortness of breath and an odd sensation under my left breast. It's sort of a heaviness accompanied by a slight tingling that comes and goes. In addition to this, I feel an odd sensation in one exact spot on the upper right portion of the region of my left lung. My chest exrays were all clear but something is wrong, I can feel it. It feels like I've got an upper respiratory infection, possibly some pluracy that's concentrated in the region of my left lung. I've had this before and when I get it, it's usually on the left side of my chest. I'm going to give this another week to see if it goes away. If not, I'm going to keep searching until I can get some Biaxin because I'm reasonably sure it's an infection.

I'm sure modifying my diet would help. I've been on the Sugar Busters plan before and experienced wonderful results.

Thanks for your responses, God bless,
Tracy

The good thing about alternatives such as homeopathy, is that they can safely be taken with allopathic medication such as antibiotics, so if you need them, then they will be prescribed.

I had to take antibiotics for my stomach, but also took homeopathic remedies and probiotics and I still started to feel better, with the diet modifications too.

Good luck in your search.

I went to a different clinic this evening after an absolutly miserable day. I was so sick when I got home work I could hardly move. I took my temp with my trusty mercury thermometer and it registered 100 degrees. I was so ill I just couldn't stand it another minute so I drove to a clinic where my former Physician used to practice that had closed and is now reopened. I received the best of care. I got my steroid shot to stop all of my allergy symptoms for the remainder of the season and I got my BIAXIN!! Thank the Lord! I'm sure I'll be feeling better in a matter of hours since I got the shot. It will completely arrest all of my allergy symptoms until next spring when I can hopefully get on some allergy shots.

Thanks for your well wishes, looks like I've found a new Doc:-)And just in time, I had been ill all summer but things really came to a head about two weeks ago. The last week I seriously felt so ill I thought I was going to die and that's no joke. I have several good books on Homeopathy and I'll sure keep your suggestions in mind. Thanks for being so kind and supportive, Sarah, I sure appreciate it:-)

Bless you,
Tracy

what is this steroid shot you speak of?

I'm not exactly sure what it is, I don't think it's the same kind of steroid shot that some athletes inject, but I don't know because I'm not a doctor. The substance might possibly be called corticosteroid. At any rate, its a substance they can inject into the hip that will rid the patient of all allergic rhinitis symptoms. The doctor informed mw when I got the shot it would take 24-72 hours before the full results would be evident but I saw a noticible improvement after 24 hours. The shot stops the constant nasal drainage, continual sneezing, watery eyes, chest congestion ect. I feel MUCH better!!

One type of the shot goes by the name Keflex. I got a new and improved version(don't know the name)but both are very effective. The shots should only be given on rare occasions, they are not to be taken on a regular basis. I've had only three in my entire lifetime. I needed something to stop my allergy symptoms because I was so sick and fatigued I could hardly move. My doctor also gave me an antibiotic. As it turns out, I did have an upper respiratory tract infection, probably helped along by the severe sinus drainage that went down on my chest but not sure. The pill is helping and I feel soooo much better.

In the future, instead of taking a steroid shot, I'm going to see about regular allergy shots or drops from my allergist.

Oh and just a word of caution to anyone who reads this that might have sinus or upper respiratory tract infections. I took my own temperature with an old-fashioned, reliable mercury thermometer. My normal body temp is 97.1. I had a temp of 100, which the machine in the ER did not register. Those new devices they use to take temps are not always reliable so be careful and if you have any doubt, take your own with a mercury thermometer. Some of the modern devices such as ear thermometers and the like are, well...crappy.

I suffer from allergic and non allergic rhinitis and am curious if i would benefit from such a shot? I have coem to the conclusion that these symptoms are ruining my life and making me really miserable. Constantly having a stuffy nose, dry mouth, can't sleep because of my stuffy nose, trouble studyign for school and it elad to a depression. My doctor recomened i get surgery or whatever to remove teh wall passage of my nose since its so inflamed due ot my rhinitis but i won't be able to get that done for 6months since i just switched insurance company. Hopefully when i get surgery done, it'll really alleviate all my troubles.

EGADS! Get a second or third opinion before having any surgery. I've struggled with sinus and allergy disorders for the last thirteen years and I would NEVER allow anyone to do surgery on my sinus's after the research I've done. The results from something like that could possibly REAlly RUIN YOUR LIFE, AS IT HAS MANY i'VE SPOKEN WITH.

I live in Ohio and most of my allergy symptoms are seasonal. My symptoms are gone for the time being, thanks to the shot, but they will disappear completly for the winter after we get a couple of good hard frosts, in about a month or so. Typically, my symptoms would begin in late April, but this past year I was fine until about the first of August. Ordinarily, I'm able to treat my symptoms with over-the-counter antihistimines and I'm fine. The last couple of years I didn't need a shot. This was an unusually bad year for pollena and ragweed, that and I work around a cat, so my symptoms were really bad. If I did not practice something called nasal irrigation, I would get one, or possibly several sinus infections each allergy season from the buildup of bacteria and pollen in my nasal cavity that accumulates if not removed. I used to get sinus infections a lot, but thanks to nasal irrigation I havent had one in five years or so.

I only got the shot this year because I was desperate.Many can't comprehend the severity of some of the symptoms, the listlessness being the worst.

I can't say whether you would benifit from a shot or not but I would encourage you to talk to others in your area and get a referral for a good allergist. My allergies are severe enough to warrant being on shots and I should have gone on them years ago but I've been resisting. I'm in sort of a catch 22 myself. Most of the year I'm fine. The home I live in now is free of mold, praise the Lord, and I have no pets. From Nov. to April I do pretty well.

My sinus problem related to the weather is a differen't story. When it rains, and when it goes from rainy to dry, I have severe sinus headaches and pressure all over my head. It is often accompanied by Vertigo. The change in the barometric air pressure is what causes this. Some days I'm fine, other days I'm bedridden from sinus pain. The only thing that will help this is for me to move to a coastal city that has clean air, where the air pressure is more constant. When I vacation at the place where I plan to move down the road, I'm fine. All of my symptoms disappear, including my allergy symptoms. The pollens and molds are differen't in this area and don't seem to have much of an effect on me. I am planning to move. I need to move, however I am presently unable to do so for a number of reasons so I'll continue to trust and wait on the Lord. He has provided for me in some absolutly amazing ways and is continuing to take good care of me. My hope is in Him and I know everything will be Ok because He is in control.

Seriousy though, check out some websites and talk to people who have had sinus surgery. The sinus's are extremely delicate and surgery could be a real disaster. I would exhaust all of my options before even contemplating such a drastic move. There is a site called The Dizzy Lounge. I visited it in the past for some support for my vertigo symptoms. I would recommend speaking with the lady who operates the site, I think her name is Jill. She has a lot of experience in dealing with those who have had, or are contemplating sinus surgery. There are other sites too. Some peoples lives have really been ruined from sinus surgery so please take heed.

If you have problems with sinus drainage and recurring sinus infections you might want to give nasal irrigation a try. You have to be careful when you do this, because if it isn't done correctly it could lead to other symptoms.

Is there any chance you could be living or sleeping in a moldy enviornment?Do you have dust mites in your home that could be causing a problem? I lived in a small house for about four years that had extensive water damage over the years. It was an older home and the baseboards, walls and basement were FULL of mold. You could smell it when you walked in the door. The mold caused me to experience recurring upper respiratory infection, ear infections and the like. It was awful. When the ground was frozen for a couple of months I was OK but the infections didn't stop until I moved. There was too much mold in the home for me to ever begin to remove.
Even new homes and apartments can be succeptable to mold so if you haven't had this checked out, you might want to look into it.

Sorry to go on and on, just thought it might help you or someone else who reads this to share some of my experiences with these types of illnesses.

Best wishes.

I think their might be mold in my house, not sure, everytime i walk into my room there is a weird smell (but i assume thats just my sensitive during allergy season and due rhinitis/allergies and i doubt mold gives off a certain smell). The thing with the surgery is that my allergist said its nothing realy, he said its a simple two hour procedure in and out jsut going to use some electric shock that will scar my inflamed nose or whatever and it'll scar and then disipate, he said its because of my allergic/non allergic rhinitis my nasal passage is blcoked more because its infalmed more (i'm sure i'm not explaining it right how the procedure works, but its supposedly really simple he said). Not sure how to explain it. But now that you brought up these horror stories could you go on more about these and tell me about it? I would like to know more about this first then before going thorugh with surgery and other sites you could give me to ask more questions. Thanx