I have been experiencing chest tightness and pressure on and off for about 3 months. I have been to an internal medicine doctor, a cardiologist and an infectious disease doctor. The latter because I went on a trip to Egypt. I have no wheezing but have trouble breathing. None of the doctors could find anything wrong after a lot of tests. I am tired of going from doctor to doctor with no answers. Do you have any suggestions of what I should do next?
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Q: I have been experiencing chest tightness and pressure on and off for about 3 months.
Answers (3)
8/22/09 4:42am
It seems you have been through the ringer. It also appears to me that you have done all the right things by working with your doctors. I find it strange that they would tell you there is nothing wrong with you, when you say you have shortness-of-breath. I can't say whether or not this is asthma, but it could be. Did they give you a Ventolin inhaler to try? Did they do a PFT on you to determine if you have asthma? I think the best thing for you to do is continue working with these doctors and do as they say, and perhaps your next step might be to see a pulmonary specialist.
9/24/09 3:44pm
it could be a heart problem as I have a heart valve problem and it mimics asthma(they did an ultrasound on my heart because the other tests came back showing nothing) I have asthma too but thought my new symptom of shortness of breath was from my asthma getting worse. just getting in and out of the tub/shower, walking to the kitchen,etc made me short of breath with no wheezing. my heart valve defect called MVP also can cause anxiety attacks,chest pain,(I had chest pain and pain under my arm as well) and other symptoms(dizziness could be one as if your blood isnt flowing properly can make you dizzy) so maybe you can see if they will do an ultrasound of your heart and see if that could be it. couldnt hurt to try
2/13/11 8:46pm
I am 36 year old male who has had the same problem, except the shortness of breath. Went to doctor to get ekg and said everything is fine. Did not do me a favor by sending a bill to insurance company with a mental health status, which im not covered under...thanks doctor
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By rchile— Last Modified: 02/13/11, First Published: 08/21/09
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I have made an appointment to see a pulmonary doctor next. I did not have a PFT done, nor did I try a Ventolin inhaler. So far, I have had three chest x-rays, an echocardiogram and a cat scan on my chest and nothing out of the ordinary appeared. The doctors seemed to think it was not my lungs because they sound really clear and nothing showed up on any of the chest x-rays. When I first came home from Egypt I had a horrible case of travelers diarrhea followed by all of the chest tightness and pressure which is still linguring today. I also ran a low-grade fever for 2 months which lead the doctors believe I had a virus from the trip. The fever is gone but the chest tightness isn't. I have been treated for a stomach ulcer, pericarditis, parasites and have been put on anti-depressant medication in case it is all anxiety! I was also put on a beta-blocker because my heart rate would go in the 170's just from standing up! I am 28 years old and have always eaten very healthy foods and before I got sick I exercised 1 1/2 everyday. I have lost 15 pounds since I have been sick and can not exercise or be outside in the heat for more than a few minuites with out feeling like I am going to pass out. I am supposed to get married in two weeks and I don't even know if I can go on my honeymoon. I feel like I will never be back to my old self again. I am just sick of being sick! Maybe the pulmonary doctor can give me some answers.