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Rubbing sound/sensation in lower throat/upper chest

For the past four years, I've experienced a strange rubbing sound/sensation in my lower throat/upper chest area.  It occurs only whenever I twist my torso from side to side, such as when exercising, or quickly turning to the side via pivoting at the waist.  It feels & sounds like something is causing friction.  I cannot pinpoint where it is coming from, but it seems to be my lower throat/upper chest, somewhere around collarbone level.  It seems to be located within the windpipe or esophagus.  There's no pain, just a friction/rubbing sound and sensation.  The sound is especially audible if I open my mouth while twisting my torso.
Three years ago I saw my Dr about it and she ordered a chest CT scan, which was clear.  My concern is that the scan began at lung level and didn't cover my lower throat area, and that's where I think this is coming from.  I'm also concerned because since then, it has become much more pronounced...I used to only hear/feel it when I was rotating vigorously (like when doing aerobic workout), but now I hear/feel it whenever I'm simply doing daily activities and happen to turn or twist at the waist.  
Any thoughts on what this may be, or the cause?  
I have no sore throat or hoarseness or any other throat/esophagus symptoms.  I do have very occasional heartburn that responds easily to Zantac.  
Thank you very much.
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Avatar universal
My Dr explained to me that this is related to excess air in your lungs. It can be from allergies, asthma, bad air quality, bronchitis Etc it's because when you exhale air is actually trapped in your lungs. There are a few breathing exercises that you can do or what I tend to do is just exhale and just keep pushing air out for as long as you can then inhale for 7 Seconds exhale for 7 Seconds plus an extra push of air
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hello dear friends, I have the same issue as you have, and I did a lot of researches on the subject but all answers are unclear, all chest scans are useless and the doctor can't know what is happening. From a while I visited a doctor who apparently knowing what is he doing, he checked me and the conclusion was, it's some kind of allergy that make mucus blocks the respiratory tube, not your lungs, and it appears also when you do some kind of sports, he gives me medicine 1 called oradus for allergies and one called micosolvan, it's been 5 days and now I feel better and the rubbing sound stratsed to fade away. I hope this will help you.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I'm the original poster, and yes, over 2 years later I still have this strange sensation.  I finally stopped worrying about it so much, since it's been 6 years since it started happening, and I'm still alive...LOL.  It hasn't gotten any worse since I posted this original thread, but it hasn't gone away, either.  
I am not a smoker and never have been.
It doesn't happen when I hold my breath, no matter how much I twist & turn.  But otherwise, it's there anytime I rotate/twist at the torso; it's also there when I run.  I've mentioned it to a couple of doctors now and I just get a puzzled look followed by them saying they've never heard anything like that before.  
I've had a bone scan and another CT scan (both for other reasons) and they've turned out normal.  So I have no idea why this happens...I just hope it's benign.  
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Alright, it’s experiment time. Tell me what happens if you do this motion and allow for the weird breathing to happen for 3-5 minutes every day for a week. Let go of the idea that it is wrong and just pay attention to the sensations and what they want you to do (how you can open your body to a little more comfort with it). I have been doing this and have some ideas but am gathering more experiences before sharing.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Guys, it is 2021. Im 27 male. Iam having the same symptoms with chest and diaphragm. 1 week ago I had Covid19. I dont think its related to covid. I have had back muscle pain, sore and tight muscles for 8 months. Not really spine problems, but almost all around the spine is tight and slightly sore due to poor posture. I think I have Gerd or Reflux as well because when I eat certain food i feel a little burn in my stomach. And i think i have anxiety as well. Im fit i would say. Slim body. So : 1- Anxiety 2- Back pain problems 3- Gerd or reflux .. these are 3 common problems that you might have while experiencing this breathing thing... there is a small chance to be related with covid19, and so all of you who have this maybe one day were infected with any type of virus that affected lungs and chest diaphragm, but i think this is so loowww chances.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm 21, never smoke, never drink, virgin average hieght/weight and pretty healthy aside from my 1/4 birth defected thyroid which doesn't have to do with breathing.
I just noticed this same thing today which lead to me finding this post. It was odd because I was holding my breath with my mouth open when I realised my twisting back and forth was causing the sensation of sounding like I was breathing when I wasn't. After some minutes of testing I've realized it's not the twisting so much that causes it so much as it is my arms when they bring the sholder behind my back. I held my right arm straight and kept it stiff when I was swing it back while not twisting and was able to produce the sound. It only works so far with one arm at a time, that I can tell, and I think it's because the collar bone that connects to the sholder is rubbing on things.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You'll be alright kid. I'm 29, and I've had this little noise happening for a long while now. Make sure your doctor hears the noise so they don't think you're crazy. After they check you, make an appointment with a Chiropractor. It might be spine related. That's just my advice. I just recently got medical insurance, so I'll be getting that noise checked by both a doctor and chiropractor just to make sure I don't rule out anything. God bless you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Please help- me, I know I am late and you will probably never read this message, but I am 14 years old and a half. I workout 6-7 days a week, which consist of hard abdominal training (intense not for begginers) heavy dumbell weight lifting switching hands. and some leg workouts and rarely Running high speed training. (HIIT) Which is Running fast for 30-60 sec rest 1-2min then repeat it 10 times. (30 min). I am a pretty healthy personne for my age. I eat only healthy food and NEVER eat fast foods or go to mcdonals or any ******** that ruins your health. I am pretty strict with what I eat. I eat around 2000-2500 calories a day. Eat a lot of fruits and eat in variety. I have no allergies, diseases, ITSS, Sexuel transmitited diseases. or anything that would **** up my health. For my age I am a pretty smart personne. My mom said she would go to the doctor to see what was wrong. Please awnser this.

During the day when I dont workout I sit in a chair and play on my laptop, but my back is strait so I dont think thats really the problem. (Note I lift with one hand a dumbell of 25 pounds 4-5 reps.) I believe this may be the fact that I lift to heavy for my age or something. Please tell me the problem. Thank you. and also how to fix it!

-Sorry for copy pasting my old problems hope u can help me, you seem pretty smart with this subject.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Please help- me, I know I am late and you will probably never read this message, but I am 14 years old and a half. I workout 6-7 days a week, which consist of hard abdominal training (intense not for begginers) heavy dumbell weight lifting switching hands. and some leg workouts and rarely Running high speed training. (HIIT) Which is Running fast for 30-60 sec rest 1-2min then repeat it 10 times. (30 min). I am a pretty healthy personne for my age. I eat only healthy food and NEVER eat fast foods or go to mcdonals or any ******** that ruins your health. I am pretty strict with what I eat. I eat around 2000-2500 calories a day. Eat a lot of fruits and eat in variety. I have no allergies, diseases, ITSS, Sexuel transmitited diseases. or anything that would **** up my health. For my age I am a pretty smart personne. My mom said she would go to the doctor to see what was wrong. Please awnser this.

During the day when I dont workout I sit in a chair and play on my laptop, but my back is strait so I dont think thats really the problem. (Note I lift with one hand a dumbell of 25 pounds 4-5 reps.) I believe this may be the fact that I lift to heavy for my age or something. Please tell me the problem. Thank you. and also how to fix it!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Please help- me, I know I am late and you will probably never read this message, but I am 14 years old and a half. I workout 6-7 days a week, which consist of hard abdominal training (intense not for begginers) heavy dumbell weight lifting switching hands. and some leg workouts and rarely Running high speed training. (HIIT) Which is Running fast for 30-60 sec rest 1-2min then repeat it 10 times. (30 min). I am a pretty healthy personne for my age. I eat only healthy food and NEVER eat fast foods or go to mcdonals or any ******** that ruins your health. I am pretty strict with what I eat. I eat around 2000-2500 calories a day. Eat a lot of fruits and eat in variety. I have no allergies, diseases, ITSS, Sexuel transmitited diseases. or anything that would **** up my health. For my age I am a pretty smart personne. My mom said she would go to the doctor to see what was wrong. Please awnser this.

During the day when I dont workout I sit in a chair and play on my laptop, but my back is strait so I dont think thats really the problem. (Note I lift with one hand a dumbell of 25 pounds 4-5 reps.) I believe this may be the fact that I lift to heavy for my age or something. Please tell me the problem. Thank you. and also how to fix it!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Interesting.  This thread came up as the first result when I did a Google search for the same symptom.  I had no idea it was so common.  I'm 41 years old and can recall the same thing starting about a year or so ago.  It has been a little unsettling but as with anything, you need to try and keep a level head about it.  I've been to the doctor a couple of times and he hasn't heard or noticed anything that would prompt him to order further tests at this time.
I'm a thin person but the job I've had for the past couple of years has me sitting more hours of the day than I used to at previous jobs.  I've also put on about 5 pounds and notice slight bit more fat around my mid-section.  With age, I've also noticed mild symptoms of acid reflux on occasion but not to the point I'd worry about treating with medication.  Too many meds can lead to the vicious cycle of treating other symptoms/side effects and before you know it, you're popping 20 pills a day. That's how my father-in-law ended up and recently passed away at 73.  I have a feeling he would've come just as far even if the doctors hadn't prescribed such a multitude of medication.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thank you for your comment. This is exactly what the cause is... I just wish there weren't so many tards polluting threads with nonsense.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Why the hell does everyone want to pollute this thread with their dumb-*** story of... "oh... i have the same problem... blah blah blah." Seriously, how the **** is that helping in any way. jesus christ. This is not a normal thing if you actually are paying attention, and only a really good doctor will be able to give you a solid answer, but unfortunately good doctors are very hard to come by. It is a allergy related condition to the best of my knowledge since everything else people are saying is so dumb, I don't even know where to begin. Allergies are extremely underdiagnosed, and I presume everyone on this thread has allergies to dust or pollen or something that is causing inflammation in the lungs because this is too common for anything very serious. Allergies fits the bill if you ask me, but don't have a doctor confirm this because they don't know ****.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Add me to the group of folks having strange freakish lung sounds. I've noticed this for as long as I can remember with torso twisting movements. Today I noticed it with moving arms overhead and back down to sides (and very loud - sounded like I was panting - guess I'll avoid the gym for a while so I don't scare people)! Interestingly, this week, I've been experiencing reflux symptoms (first time ever in my life - 43, nonsmoker, good heath, relatively fit) plus it's high pollen/seasonal allergy time and my throat is scratchy/inflamed, which lends credence to the inflammation explanations. Glad to see such a large number of healthy people experiencing this - my healthcare providers have always acted like I was crazy when I bring this issue up.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A related discussion, is this normal? was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes its very minor pectus excavatum that isn't visible. Look forward to hearing how the omeprazole goes!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
pectus excavatum isn't something you need an x-ray for to determine, else it just ain't pectus excavatum-ish enough :P

i think the rubbing sound people hear is the result of an inflammation of the esophagus, laryngopharynx or epiglottis or another structure in that area, maybe due to GERD or laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). It's important to control both conditions and using antacids for a long time is a bad idea, use omeprazole instead.

i've been hearing 'the sound' for about a month and am sure i've never had it before, using omeprazole now (40 mg), will keep posted on any changes in loudness.
Helpful - 0
4212238 tn?1351616589
I would see a doctor today if possible.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I underwent a chest xray to look into this. It came back normal but it was discovered I had pectus excavatum, which is a fairly common condition that shouldn't cause me any problem but I would be interested to know if anyone else has this and if it is related. I did suffer from pollen allergy this summer but now its colder I can still hear the noise. It does seem to be worse when I have a cough or indigestion so I think there is a link with chest inflamation. Maybe we should try anti-inflamatory drugs? I guess if its not hurting you you should try not to worry though! My doctor did say there's a reason they don't listen to your chest when you're moving afterall!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My doctor has said he thinks it is due to hyper inflation of the lungs which can be caused by allergies, asthma, respiratory stress like colds and flu,  and change of air temp like when your in a nice warm house and walk out into the snow. If you concentrate on expelling all of the air from your lungs then twist it does (for me) seem to lessen.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think people are describing two different things here. One seems to be more of a wheezing thing whereas what I have and what other people have been describing is more of a bone softly grinding sensation which feels super strange. For me it feels like it comes from my upper spine and comes out my mouth, it doesn't make sense obviously why no one has been able to find out why this happens. I'm on it though!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have now seen three doctors about this. Chest xray tomorrow. I'm determined to find out what this is.
Helpful - 0
535822 tn?1443976780
to all...check out environmental allergies.. from the aerial spraying ..watch on utube 'What on earth are they Spraying"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am going to the doctor about this next week... Will post diagnosis
Helpful - 0
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