Could this be RAD? or type of it ? (xopenex recommended)

[nickbunyun]

Hi all,

I have been suffering of shortness of breath, chest popping and tightness and coughing for the past 4 years. They are also causing me to have anxiety and panic attacks

I am constant short of breath.. when i work out it worsens and i start coughing. I cough alot like i have a bad, bad cold. Also chest starts hurting for coughing and feels 'sore' or rigid.

I went to doc, because my chest also tightness up, the muscles, and hurts around stomach area.. they have told me i have GERD, and acid reflux.

Personally i have never felt acid come back up, nor did i ever have heartburn.. however after a year of taking meds and being on a strict diet, nothing changed.

Recently a friend has told me about RAD. reading the symptoms.. i have most of them
- shortness of breath
- chest tight
- cough
and etc..

the only thing i dont have is wheezing, however apparently its not in everybody.

He recommended to try levalbuterol... which appreantly is same thing as XOPENEX.

I wanted to get some input to see if any of you have had these symptoms, or have used it..

I would really appreciate it since it kinda keeps me back from alot of things in life.. im happy and all but as soon as shortness of breath kicks in hard.. just ruins the rest of the day

[nickbunyun]

hey!

1. No, never have been. Never smoked anything, no alcohol and no drugs.  (I am 23 years old - male)

2. About 1-3cm to the right of the xiphoid process, there is something popping. When im short of breath, it pops alot (30-40 times per minute). It pops as you'd pop your knuckles.. sometimes loud, sometimes not.. but def, you can feel it as it pops.
Sometimes it pops so much my chest feels sore... no doc has yet taken interest to see why... they just said its normal.

3. i have only taken a test where i blow in the tube mentioned above.

I have no insurance, and i live with parents.. so even though i have been to many docs, i cannot afford to visit each one.. as bills and economy arnt that well.
I try to do my research and go to a doc and ask for things, because if i just go... they tell me my chest is fine and xray looks good.. go home.

I have not had tests for COPD, RAD or asthma... only test was like "are you wheezing? no? okay, no asthma"

[aheart]

A couple questions please, 1. Are you a smoker? 2. What exactly do you mean by chest popping? 3. Have you ever had the fev1 test? Combined with your Peck Flow Meter score they determine whether you have COPD. COPD is a general term for various disorders that compromise your airflow.

[nickbunyun]

Hey, thank you so much for your post! :) its nice to have people take actual interest!

I have taken an allergy test.. the in-depth one where they scratch my arm with many diff things... had like 70 ? or more? im not allergic to anything apparently.

My shortness of breath is constant... somedays its handle-able other days its worse. When it gets worse it puts me in a panic-y mood, even tho i know im fine.. i usually end up with a panic attack.. but it always starts with air.

I have only taken a lung test, the one where you blow in a tube as much as possible really fast.. i score fine on that chart.. however its not getting the air OUT.. its getting it  in that im short of..

I have not looked into airways much as most docs test for asthma and send me on my way that im "fine"
My chest tightens up, also my abs are always "flexed" and im short of breath...

Thanks for your things, im going to research oxygen therapy and other stuff you posted..

do you have any other ideas ?

[aheart]

Hi my problem is copd but I thought I would help you figure this thing out. Reative Airways
Disease Asthma type disorder resulting in hyper-reaction to allergens of the environment. Hmm, have you been tested to see what you could be allergic to??
RAD can be caused from allergens, cystic fibrosis, viral or bacterial infection, strong emotions, tabacco smoke, aspirin or other meds. The bacterial infection part would mean it could be cleared up with anti-biotics right?
Treatment includes Oxygen therapy, Fev1 by Spirometry, isotonic liquids, and cortisteroids. Have you seen a pulmonolgist to have your lungs tested?? Hope I gave you some thoughts on the matter, good luck to you!