No diagnosis for pain/shortness of breath in chest

Hello,

My husband, who lives in Jamaica recently had a reoccurring episode of shortness of breath/pain in his chest, accompanied/followed by a cough while laying down before bed. He had a previous episode about 9 months to a year ago while on his way to work with similar symptoms; the shortness of breath feeling more like an inability to breathe at all. Most times (every year or so), he says, they just give him oxygen until he can breathe normally again and send him on his way. He went to the doctor for a check up about 2 months ago and his primary physician told him he had high blood pressure. He had been smoking for a few years and quick when he was told. At the hospital after this most recent episode the doctors took an X-ray of his heart and told him they saw nothing abnormal there. He was still experiencing pain in his chest and he told me they prescribed him something for the pain called "Buerosen"? I was confused about why they would prescribe such a seemingly strong medication without getting to the origin of the issue and without any procedures being done. I'm heading down to the island and want to know if there are any ideas about what the issue could be so that we can find a specialist who can address the actual cause and not put bandaids on the symptoms?

[Flycaster305]

I'm not a health professional so please, take my comments as just an opinion.  

This sounds like an indigestion issue.  I've had both heart and indigestion troubles, and it sounds to me like he he is having trouble getting food down his throat.  The fact that he has this as he lies down is a big signal.  

He might want to think back to his evening meal, and not have that for dinner for awhile.  He might also raise the head of his bed about six inches, avoid eating or drinking alcohol or surgary drinks before going to bed, and not eating for for at least three hours before bedtime.

I'm not a health professional but it sounds like he is experiencing spasms in his throat, and it is a very frightening experience.  I'd find a good GP doctor and let him/her sort out all the details with blood tests and other procedures.  Keep us informed.

[Flycaster305]

I'm not a health professional so please, take my comments as just an opinion.  

This sounds like an indigestion issue.  I've had both heart and indigestion troubles, and it sounds to me like he he is having trouble getting food down his throat.  The fact that he has this as he lies down is a big signal.  

He might want to think back to his evening meal, and not have that for dinner for awhile.  He might also raise the head of his bed about six inches, avoid eating or drinking alcohol or surgary drinks before going to bed, and not eating for for at least three hours before bedtime.

I'm not a health professional but it sounds like he is experiencing spasms in his throat, and it is a very frightening experience.  I'd find a good GP doctor and let him/her sort out all the details with blood tests and other procedures.  Keep us informed.

[nicoler1]

Not sure if that's what it is. His symptoms are pointing more toward something with his lungs. He's still feeling the tightness and pain in his chest so we're just exploring all opinions from experts.