Chest infection? - Asthma Message Board

ErimusValidus · 07-15-2004, 07:01 PM

Okay, I apologise for expecting everyone to read an essay before

I hope this concise version will attract some responses

Does anyone think I have a chest infection or could these symptoms be indicative of something else?

* I am constantly aware of a tightness - or even a sensation of pressure - within my chest in the centre just below my throat and sometimes in my throat;
* the tightness makes exertion extremely frustrating (pain isn't exactly the word) and if I do try to exercise I have to stop regularly to take big breaths;
* I am NOT finding any relief from my salbutamol inhaler anymore (I've had my administration technique approved by a nurse);
* I DON'T have a cough;
* I DON'T have any typical hay fever symptoms (such as watery eyes and itching) other than breathlessness.

I am still waiting for the results of my chest x-ray and now some blood tests but I am worried that neither of these will present any signs of a problem because the doctor seems to think there's nothing wrong with me.

Does anyone think I may have a sporting injury? Around the time of this breathlessness first presenting itself I started a new weight lifting regime which put considerable pressure on my chest. Is it possible to cause long-term problems this way? Thanks for reading

ErimusValidus · 07-21-2004, 03:10 AM

I would really appreciate it if anyone has ANY ideas that might help me.

I've just come back from the doctor and apparently there is no sign of infection in my chest x-ray (the term "normal" was used to describe the results). Also, the blood tests did not show up any irregularities - my white blood cell count is considered high, so no sign of infection from that point of view, either.

Fortunately, the doctor is going to refer me to a specialist but that will take time, obviously. In the mean time, like I said, I would be incredibly grateful if anyone can offer me some words of advice. Thank you

Blondee15 · 07-21-2004, 08:28 AM

hm.. doesn't sound like an infection to me actually. Though that's not to say a CXR will always show infection, it did not show pneumonia in me last year, however when I couldn't even lay back a fraction of an inch without having coughing attacks until I turned blue & gasped for air & ran a 103 fever.. we were positive it was pneumonia & I responded to the medication for it.
Usually a chest infection will cause a productive cough. Steam usually helps to loosen it up. But if your not coughing, it sounds like it's pretty unlikely you have a chest infection, though every person is different.
The fact you say that the tightness comes from your throat makes me think of 2 things. Mainly Vocal chord Dysfunction. Basically, when you breathe, those are open. However, in VCD, they have "spasms" & seize up shut, cutting off your air. It is diagnosed through a laryngoscopy & treatment involves relaxation exercises & speech therapy. The other thing I think of is acid reflux. Do you get an upset stomach almost instantly after you eat/swallow something? Is the pain worse at nite? Is it more of a burning? Talk to your doctor about that possibility & he can give you a trial of prilosec or aciphex if he thinks it's possible or run tests to determine that.
I think it sounds highly likely it is one of those! Check w/ your doctor though!

ErimusValidus · 07-21-2004, 10:09 AM

I don't get any pain from eating; although, it is making me lethargic because I have a big appetite and I used to make up for that with the exercise. The sensation is definitely not a burning one - more like a constant feeling of pressure on my chest.

I don't respond to steam: I was using a steam room (as opposed to the drier sauna) almost every day up until a month ago and it wasn't helping. I'll be using the steam room tomorrow - but only to relax in; it won't help my breathing.

I asked the doctor this morning if he thought I had done some damage lifting weights but he ruled that out because the problem is ongoing.

The VCD might be something worth looking into, however. There's definitely a feeling that I cannot quite get a full breath sometimes and this often coincides with long conversations (so that I cannot draw as much air as usual) as well as exercise.

Thank you for your reply Blondee

EDIT:

Come to think of it, sometimes when I'm running (which is silly in my condition, I know) I do find it impossible to swallow, which subsequently exacerbates the breathing difficulties. I will research in VCD for myself. Thanks again Blondee.

jp3892 · 07-22-2004, 02:47 AM

It sounds more like an asthma exacerbation. Usually infections affect the whole respiritory tract(i.e. u might have had a sore throat too) and some form of sputum (green, brown or white) is produced.