Smoking tightness in throat

[birdie1234]

I’m 29 years old and have smoked about 1 pack /1.5 packs of cigarettes a week  (3-5 a day) for 3.5 years. About 6 months ago I started to feel like I was wheezing a little bit. Then I started getting some tightness In the base of my neck/throat and around my Adam’s apple.  I went to the doctor he examined my neck didn’t feel anything and he ordered a neck ultra sound and blood test I guess to check my thyroid. Both of those came back normal.

Over the last 6 weeks I’ve been having some digestion problems… lose bowels movements… lots of gas ect…. (I am also prescribed 20 mg of Dexedrine). The tightness seems to get worse after taking the Dexedrine as well and the Dexdrine has also causes me some digestive problems.

Over the last couple months I’ve taken a couple breaks from smoking (one week off here or there). I start to feel better after a couple days and then I go back to smoking.. I’m traveling for the next couple weeks and plan on seeing my doctor when I get back. Valium seems to make me feel better… Acid reducers like Zantac don’t help all that much. The tightness in my throat also seems to get worse when I’m out in cold weather.

I know this is an internet diagnosis…. But I’m wondering does this sound like Reflux… Anxiety…. Could this be the start of some condition like COPD… or Asthma? Thank You

[lokesh1962]

A related discussion, thorat irritation was started.

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

Based on the information that you’ve provided, your respiratory symptoms, including the “tightness” you describe could well be secondary to asthma (aggravated by cigarette smoke) or a condition called Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD). Cold air can also aggravate either of these conditions.  Given your young age and relatively minimal smoking, it would be highly unlikely for you to have COPD, even early or Mild COPD.  The combination of a chest X-ray and a simple breathing test (Spirometry) would rule out the diagnosis of COPD, with almost absolute certainty.   Such a breathing test, especially when performed both before and after the administration of an inhaled bronchodilator could also go a long way toward establishing the diagnosis of asthma or VCD.  You should discuss this with your doctor.  Such symptoms, as you have experienced, can also be caused by infection or a mass in one’s throat but the normal ultrasound would almost certainly rule out that diagnosis.  

I strongly recommend that you, working with your doctor, make a strong effort at complete, permanent smoking cessation, when you return from your current travels.  That would be a decision you will never regret. especially with your history of “feeling better” at times, in the past,  when you have temporarily stopped smoking.

Your gastrointestinal symptoms are consistent with the diagnosis of GERD (reflux), despite the lack of improvement with Zantac and could be aggravated by the Dexedrine, as could a variety of lower intestinal disorders, including but not limited to Irritable/Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).  You may do well to see a GI Specialist for accurate diagnosis and complete resolution of your intestinal symptoms, both upper and lower intestinal in origin.

Good luck

[Setaka]

Are you taking the dexedrine for ADD?  That is what it is recommended for.

Dexadrine is a stimulant which, if you are anxious, would increase your anxiousness more so.

The tightness in your throat could be indicative of an upcoming panic attack.  The fact you say valium makes you feel better would indicate my being on track with that since valium is used to ease panic attacks.

Nicotine is also a stimulant, so it appears that you might be having anxiety issues.  When a panic attack starts it can feel like you have a lump in your throat, like a person gets when they are starting to cry.  This is a bronchiol spasm.

You might tell you physician about these symptoms and ask him if it isn't a panic attack and he might prescribe something different to eliminate them altogether.

Just my thoughts...