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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Tightening of throat/airways/chest, plus pain -
Answered by
CO
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Tightening of throat/airways/chest, plus pain -
by MeghanLL, Feb 03, 2008 02:16PM
I am 14 years old, have never smoked (I had to state that, despite my age; Messed-up world!), do not have asthma or anyhting else like that.
I sometimes feel like my airways (I think I'm refering to the pharynx?) are being squeezed. I've had this for as long as I can remember, but it happens very randomly and very rarely; on average 5 times a year, though sometimes I'll have 2 every month.
They always start the same: A tightening feeling in my throat, like someone's clenching my airways. It gets tighter and tighter over time, but still open enough for me to breath (just barely). The tightening feeling travels downwords slowly, reaching my chest. My breathing is constricted even more, but I can still breath. From here, the pain spreads again, this time to my back. I get an odd feeling of something being pushed against my spine. I start to make much more saliva than usual, and I have to pant to breathe. Lying down doesn't help. Neither does sitting up or in any other position.
These attacks last anywhere from one to two and a half hours. They usually occur in the evening or at night, so I sometimes fall asleep before I can no whether or not the feeling is gone. Though sometimes, they happen during the day. I have yet to notice any food that triggers these.
My doctor has been trying to make an apointment for me to have an upper GI. She suspects acid refulx. I disagree. I have no acidy taste in my mouth during these attacks, and there's no burning sensation or whatever. the only thing in my mouth is saliva. I know it's not acid reflux, but I'll have the upper GI anyway, just incase something else might show up, other than acid reflux.
Until then, I've been searching for an alternate answer. I've seen many cases like mine on the forums her, but they're all by people who have smoked for 5 or more years, except for this one (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/222148) which fits, except for the stomach virus part.
What is this?! Please help me!
I sometimes feel like my airways (I think I'm refering to the pharynx?) are being squeezed. I've had this for as long as I can remember, but it happens very randomly and very rarely; on average 5 times a year, though sometimes I'll have 2 every month.
They always start the same: A tightening feeling in my throat, like someone's clenching my airways. It gets tighter and tighter over time, but still open enough for me to breath (just barely). The tightening feeling travels downwords slowly, reaching my chest. My breathing is constricted even more, but I can still breath. From here, the pain spreads again, this time to my back. I get an odd feeling of something being pushed against my spine. I start to make much more saliva than usual, and I have to pant to breathe. Lying down doesn't help. Neither does sitting up or in any other position.
These attacks last anywhere from one to two and a half hours. They usually occur in the evening or at night, so I sometimes fall asleep before I can no whether or not the feeling is gone. Though sometimes, they happen during the day. I have yet to notice any food that triggers these.
My doctor has been trying to make an apointment for me to have an upper GI. She suspects acid refulx. I disagree. I have no acidy taste in my mouth during these attacks, and there's no burning sensation or whatever. the only thing in my mouth is saliva. I know it's not acid reflux, but I'll have the upper GI anyway, just incase something else might show up, other than acid reflux.
Until then, I've been searching for an alternate answer. I've seen many cases like mine on the forums her, but they're all by people who have smoked for 5 or more years, except for this one (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/222148) which fits, except for the stomach virus part.
What is this?! Please help me!
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, Feb 05, 2008 02:33PM
, Feb 05, 2008 02:33PM
You express yourself very well, for only being 14 years old. Acid reflux, if present, could be causing a constriction of your vocal cords and/or your bronchial tubes, as occurs with asthma. And, acid reflux can be silent with no symptoms of regurgitation or heartburn.
The upper GI may or may not demonstrate reflux, when it is present. That is, it can be falsely negative. Another way to look for reflux is with the use of an esophageal pH probe, and if your doctor's suspicion is high enough, he/she may want to do this.
Constriction of the bronchial tubes, as with asthma, or constriction of the vocal cords, especially with inspiration, most often occur in the absence of acid reflux. The latter would be consistent with your reference to your pharynx, that portion of the swallowing tube that lies behind the nose and tongue. Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is the term for abnormal closure of the vocal cords. You should try hard to arrange to be examined, while having an attack. The examination should include the doctor listening to your lungs and listening over your larynx, also called the voice box, especially with inspiration; spirometry, a simple breathing test, with inspiratory and expiratory flow-volume loops; and direct examination of your vocal cords by the doctor, using an instrument called a fiberoptic laryngoscope.
In order to accomplish this you should make arrangements, either with your family doctor or the closest emergency room (ER) so that, when you arrive without an appointment, they will be prepared to see you and examine you as described in the preceding paragraph.
By the way, no matter what anyone says, you do not have to be neurotic or otherwise abnormal, to have VCD. It can happen to anybody.
Good luck.
The upper GI may or may not demonstrate reflux, when it is present. That is, it can be falsely negative. Another way to look for reflux is with the use of an esophageal pH probe, and if your doctor's suspicion is high enough, he/she may want to do this.
Constriction of the bronchial tubes, as with asthma, or constriction of the vocal cords, especially with inspiration, most often occur in the absence of acid reflux. The latter would be consistent with your reference to your pharynx, that portion of the swallowing tube that lies behind the nose and tongue. Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is the term for abnormal closure of the vocal cords. You should try hard to arrange to be examined, while having an attack. The examination should include the doctor listening to your lungs and listening over your larynx, also called the voice box, especially with inspiration; spirometry, a simple breathing test, with inspiratory and expiratory flow-volume loops; and direct examination of your vocal cords by the doctor, using an instrument called a fiberoptic laryngoscope.
In order to accomplish this you should make arrangements, either with your family doctor or the closest emergency room (ER) so that, when you arrive without an appointment, they will be prepared to see you and examine you as described in the preceding paragraph.
By the way, no matter what anyone says, you do not have to be neurotic or otherwise abnormal, to have VCD. It can happen to anybody.
Good luck.
Member Comments (1)
by Randee01, May 29, 2008 01:32AM
A related discussion, Tighteing of the throat was started.
by jesusno2, Aug 05, 2009 11:51AM
A related discussion, i started useing meth latly after 11 years, and when i inject it my chest feels tight why was started.
