Can this be beginnings of emphysema?

Ive been experiencing a tighness feeling in my throat / brochial area/upper chest for about 3 months.  It comes and goes, and at times feels like when you've been at the beach all day and you take a breath...it hurts.  I notice that the skin on the tops of my hands, epsecially my left is darker than normal, a tinge of blue...and when I pull the skin up, it' slowly return back...almost if Im dehydrated.  At times my nail cuticle beds seem darker than normal...a bit blue.  Im not sure if these feelings in my chest/throat are because of pollen / allergies (of which never bothered me before) or because of dehydration (I know I dont drink enough water) or over tired (I get about 5 hours sleep a day.  I have no mucusy cold-like water eyes or nose sniffling problems.  I do feel the urge to cough to clear my throat.  If I push my chin to my throat/chest...this initiates a cough response.  I have smoked, more recreational with freinds off and on for I'd say a total of 5 years, with the last two years on weekends out, and stopped that about 3 months ago when I noticed the above symptoms.  Scared?  Sure. I've been to all the web sites for emphysema and COPD.  Scared?  Sure.  The folks I know that have COPD are in advanced stages and a lot older than I, I'm 44.  Alot of things go through your head when something with your health changes...I wonder about COPD, asthma, heart issues, panic attack.  The strange thing about this tightness feeling is, is that it's not constant and I cant tell when it's coming or going.  There are times I run 3 miles and other times I mustlay down, thanks.

[National Jewish]

You will need to see a doctor to find out the nature of the problem that is causing your symptoms.  To know for sure if this is due to a lung problem you will need to have testing done.  Generally testing for a breathing problem starts with a simple breathing test called spirometry.  This test provides detailed information about how your lungs are working.  If your symptoms are due to a lung problem, this testing should identify the cause.  A pulmonologist would be the type of specialist to identify a lung problem and the best treatment.

[Tight Feeling]

Also, this seems to have started at the tail end of a 10 day regimen of Amoxicillin for my complaints to my doctor of an upper respiratory infection / winter flu-type bout....3 months ago / beginning of March.  I had an allergic reaction at the end of this 10-day penicilin regimen, breaking out in hives.  I went to the ER and they blamed the hives on the allergic reaction.  They gave me Atarax (sp?) and Zyrtec.  I'm not sure which medication it was but it made me feel like I was going to choke / not swallow so I stopped after the 2nd dose...and that feeling went away.  I'm not sure this has something to do with the above, but wanted to add this. I feel that maybe whatever reaction I had, that affected my throat or upper respiratory system may still be causing me to feel this....or tha tit might be somehting worse.  Thanks for your help.

[Hunty]

Have you had any success in diagnosing your condition?  Do you cough up any phlegm?  I have experienced the same tightness that you are referring to, but without the additional symptoms.  I just started doing nasal washes to see if they would help, as I have post nasal drip that may contribute to my condition.  Good luck, I totally understand what you are going through.

[starion]

You are correct that allergies and post nasal drip CAN worsen lung symptoms and problems.  Nasal washes help many folks with allergies.  Your doctor can help with additional treatment, as necessary, including possibly nasal steroids and/or antihistimines and/or decongestants.  Best of luck!
Starion