Strange sensation / tightness in chest and upper throat

[Rai2709]

I'm hoping for some help please..
I have been feeling this strange sensation in the chest and lower throat. It's a sensation which I can only describe as a heavy feeling (no pain) and a tickling cough sensation in the chest. This then moves upwards to the lower throat area and makes it as though it is becoming tight. It makes me clear the throat and try to get the mucus out. I can feel a bit coming out but not much. The sensation makes me want to cough.I have been to doctor many times and he has listened to my chest and back. He's said that it's all clear. In the end he gave me antibiotics which I took for 7 days but it made no difference. He's also given me ventolin but it made no difference. I had chest x-ray and that showed clear. He referred me to ENT specialist who did a nasal endoscopy and that was clear. I have also done a barium swallow and that was also clear. However, I am still having this problem. I have also noticed that when I cough, I hear a grinding noise in my chest which sounds like friction. I've now been referred to a respiratory specialist and my appointment is next Friday. I'm really worried as I don't know what it can be. Has anyone else has this strange feeling? Can it be infection of the lower airway which has not cleared up? All this has been going on for 3 months now and I'm really worried and not sure what to do...
Any help would be really appreciated.
Thank you..

[Rai2709]

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[JoeGomez17]

Hi Rai2709,

I get that feeling as well. But I have a hiatal hernia or GERD. It is acid reflux that is causing mine.

[Rai2709]

Thank you for your reply.

I had my appointment today with the respiratory physician. He asked me to breath in several portable machines and all is fine. He ruled out Asthma so it's not that. He said it could be acid and asked me to do a 2 month course on lansoprazole. I explained that I had taken this before for a week and it didn't help. He then advised that it was not long enough and said I had to take them longer then that..I'm still not convinced it's acid related as I know what heart burn feels like. I'll give this ago*anyway as I'm not sure what else to do. This issue has been going on for 3 months and I'm just worried. Does acid cause tightness in the chest and lower throat and coughing sensation?

[Fishmanpa]

Does acid cause tightness in the chest and lower throat and coughing sensation?

Absolutely! A little while back I had some pretty severe chest pain/tighness and coughing along with it. Being that I have heart issues, I ended up going to the ER. All tests came back fine and it was attributed to acid reflux. I was put on a stronger PPI (I was taking OTC Zantac 150). I haven't had an issue since.

Positive thoughts

[JoeGomez17]

Rai2709 -- definitely. From what I have experienced and been told and read, acid can irritate your esophagus and cause cough, shortness of breath, tightness in chest / throat, and make you anxious which can make it even worse!

---------- Post added at 11:59 ---------- Previous post was at 11:58 ----------

Absolutely! A little while back I had some pretty severe chest pain/tighness and coughing along with it. Being that I have heart issues, I ended up going to the ER. All tests came back fine and it was attributed to acid reflux. I was put on a stronger PPI (I was taking OTC Zantac 150). I haven't had an issue since.

Positive thoughts

Fishmanpa - not to hijack this thread but I just took my first Prilosec PPI today. I really really really really hope it helps me!

[Fishmanpa]

Fishmanpa - not to hijack this thread but I just took my first Prilosec PPI today. I really really really really hope it helps me!

I'm on Protonix (Pantoprazole) as I needed something that wouldn't interact with the statins I take for my heart. My doctor said that the Zantac I was taking was like candy compared to Protonix. I haven't even touched a Tums since!

Good luck with it and remember, it takes a week or so to get into your system and be totally effective.

Positive thoughts

[Rai2709]

Thank you for all your replies - they have been very useful.

I really do hope the tablets work as I can't stop thinking of the worst - you are right in saying "positive thoughts". I just have to train the mind which is the hardest thing to do. It's a vicious circle as when you the tightness occurs, you tend to think the worst and that makes it even worse. Also what the specialist said is that I need to stop clearing the throat as it
aggravates the upper area and this all contributes - easier said than done however, I'm trying really hard now not to keep doing this.

[Rai2709]

Just want to ask that even though I don't have heart burn, can it still be acid related? I don't get any burning sensation in the throat..This is why I don't accept it's acid related...

[Rai2709]

Feeling really bad today and keep thinking about the sensation I have in the upper chest area and tightening of the lower throat. Also keep thinking in the back of my mind -what if it's lung cancer? I know I have had an xray but what if xray cannot detect it? There's always that chance...Really worried..