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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Chest soreness/tightness
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Chest soreness/tightness
by Geegosh, Aug 09, 2003 12:00AM
At 63 and having been a smoker all my life, I've reported to three doctors that (over a year and a half) I have had uncharacterist weakness upon sudden exertion and a tightness (more recently also soreness) in what I think is my left lung.
The first two doctors responded (even when I had great difficulty passing a breath test the second time) that I am "Old and out of shape". The third doctor did not say ANYTHING.
These symtoms began following a two-year battle with acute infectious bacterial colitis (now with chronic ulcerative colitis) and I've, this year, been told I have polesistic kidneys and celiac disease (each diagnosed by testing). Oh, too, I have a couple of large stones attached to the sides of my gull bladder.
Yet -- my first concern is the constant loss of weight (more than 15 pounds in about 4 months -- albeit I eat sparingly and tho' taking vitamins.)
I FIND IT IMPERATIVE THAT I SWIM FOR 30 MIN AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE I FEEL IN THE LUNGS. BUT I COULDN'T GET THERE FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS AND SINCE SWIMMING THREE DAYS AGO, I'M FINDING A SORENESS IN MY BACK (LEFT SIDE) WHEN I PICK UP SOMETHING HEAVY. (I WAS FORCED TO RUN IN THE RAIN FOR ABOUT HALF A BLOCK AND WAS SURE I'D NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE -- BUT I NEVER GASP FOR BREATH.)
I NEED TO SAY THAT I'VE BEEN ENGAGED, RELUCTANTLY, IN VERY HEAVY YARD WORK, WALL PAPERING AND OTHER CHORES AND WANT TO THINK THAT THIS, PLUS LIGHT EATING, MAY ALSO CAUSE WEIGHT LOSS. (AFTER ONLY 2-3 HOURS OF HEAVY WORK I MUST STOP AND DO LESS VIGOROUS THINGS.)I AM 5'6" AND WEIGH 127.Thanks
The first two doctors responded (even when I had great difficulty passing a breath test the second time) that I am "Old and out of shape". The third doctor did not say ANYTHING.
These symtoms began following a two-year battle with acute infectious bacterial colitis (now with chronic ulcerative colitis) and I've, this year, been told I have polesistic kidneys and celiac disease (each diagnosed by testing). Oh, too, I have a couple of large stones attached to the sides of my gull bladder.
Yet -- my first concern is the constant loss of weight (more than 15 pounds in about 4 months -- albeit I eat sparingly and tho' taking vitamins.)
I FIND IT IMPERATIVE THAT I SWIM FOR 30 MIN AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE I FEEL IN THE LUNGS. BUT I COULDN'T GET THERE FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS AND SINCE SWIMMING THREE DAYS AGO, I'M FINDING A SORENESS IN MY BACK (LEFT SIDE) WHEN I PICK UP SOMETHING HEAVY. (I WAS FORCED TO RUN IN THE RAIN FOR ABOUT HALF A BLOCK AND WAS SURE I'D NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE -- BUT I NEVER GASP FOR BREATH.)
I NEED TO SAY THAT I'VE BEEN ENGAGED, RELUCTANTLY, IN VERY HEAVY YARD WORK, WALL PAPERING AND OTHER CHORES AND WANT TO THINK THAT THIS, PLUS LIGHT EATING, MAY ALSO CAUSE WEIGHT LOSS. (AFTER ONLY 2-3 HOURS OF HEAVY WORK I MUST STOP AND DO LESS VIGOROUS THINGS.)I AM 5'6" AND WEIGH 127.Thanks
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Aug 26, 2003 12:00AM
, Aug 26, 2003 12:00AM
It seems to me that you cannot be completely out of shape since you are swimming 30 minutes at least 3 times a week. To know for sure if your weakness, soreness, and tightness are 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. It sounds like you had great difficulty passing this test that 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 chest x-ray may also be helpful. A pulmonologist would be the type of specialist to identify a lung problem and the best treatment. You also need a complete evaluation of your weight loss.
Member Comments (2)
by Ducky_719, Nov 09, 2003 12:00AM
Hello ny name is Amy Williams from Tennessee...I am a 17 year old that has recently noticed problems in my chest and lungs. Three weeks ago I was sick of what I thought was a respitory infection...but I am having second thoughts. The first symptom that occured was a really bad chest and lung tightness/soreness. I thought I was having an asthma attack because as I was walking it felt like I was breathing through a hard rock. I went to sit down to take a dose of albuterol inhaler. It seemed to have helped for five to ten minutes...but the tightness/soreness still occured. The next day I was home sick and stayed home for 4 days. The symptoms following after were of course the chest and lung tightness...I was very weak... could barely talk, get up to move around, and my appetite was shot! I lost 8 pounds in two days! We called the doctor and he sent cefzil, a med pack (which are steroids to rebuild the lungs) and a steroid inhaler(aerosol). I took the medicine as regular and used it all up, and began to get better. I could get up and walk around... I started to get very hungry, and was gradually gaining my weight back. I was 121 before I got sick and got down to 113. Now I weigh about 117. I felt back to normal for about two weeks. Unfortunately the symptoms are starting to occur again after taking the antibiotics and all that medicine. It doesn't make sense:( The chest and lung tightness/soreness/stiffness is coming back. I'm not losing my appetite thank the lord... I'm not coughing at all...it's all in the lungs and chest. I couldn't even run today without feeling a pressure in my chest and lungs. It persists more in my lungs...but if it's not my lung it's my chest vica versa. I am very concerned. I just want to know what's up.
by charles24, Mar 22, 2008 05:28PM
A related discussion, I hope this isn't a neusense question was started.
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