Question
hi, thanks for replying everyone.
So far I am not getting any better, still my chest feels extremely tight. I have been on antibiotics for 3 days now, and my fever is gone. I still am coughing, many times I cough a rattle cough. (the bronchitis cough) And usually I can taste something nasty, like mucus. I feel ok overall, but the feeling of not being able to breath normal makes me crazy. I'm so worried, I start to panic sometimes. And panicking DOES make it worse.. How can I all of a sudden have asthma? And why am I coughing, I didn't think Asthma had anything to do with coughing.
One last question if someone can answer.. How does a doctor determine if I have asthma or some other problem?
And does bronchitis make it so tight on your chest? 3 or 4 days?!
ughhhhhh

Answer

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Answer

this could be bronchial asthma, whe you say your chest feels tight its because the swelling of the mucous membranes of the airways its contracting the muscle surrounding the broncial tubes, when already-inflamed airways react to a trigger, their lining swells up even more and makes extra mucus. this mucus may plug up airways. the muscles around the airways tighten making it narrow (the tightness feeling in your chest), make sure you spit all that mucus out everytime, drink alot of water to make it easier to come out, yes it lasts a long time, i had a bad cough like that for weeks until my breathing got worse and i ended up in the hospital.
im 28 years old and never had asthma until recently, it usually happens when your a kid, but can also happens when your an adult, find out if anyone in your family had it.
if its really that bad, keep informing the doctor everyday, hell probly admit you in before it gets worse.
take care.

Answer

YoungLife is right...
the tightness is your "smooth" inner muscles constricting your lungs.
The drug that I am on, Theophyllin, (which interestingly has a stimulant effect) is actually a "smooth muscle" relaxant, and eases the tightness in your chest by relaxing these muscles allowing you to breath easier.
Do your best not to panic even though I know it can be hard to do (natural response to not being able to breath)... it increases your heartrate and need for oxygen, which is not going to do you any good if your already short of breath. You have to try to keep your mind on something else, or distract yourself somehow...
Also you may want to try some cough medicine... primarily you want to look for an "expectorant"
(usually something with Guaifenesin in it) it will help make your cough more productive and less frequent.

Answer

in many of the posts i notice that several physicians do not know the cause of illnesses.
why is that?
i would think if you go in w/symptoms they would identify.
i don't get it.
well,i have allergic asthma.it can be triggered by mold,dust,pollen,ragweed and many inhalants ie household cleaners,fragrances and such.
it is a horrible thing to deal with.
it is not the same as full blown asthma though.
i don't need an inhaler;however sudafed and intihistimines help.
i have to be extremely careful what i'm doing around the house ie cleaning and whatnot.
i can't have a cat!!!!!the litter dust would affect me.
i also have sinusitis and have that same tightness you describe.
it is quite scary when u can't breath right;believe me, i have episodes quite often w/panic asociated.
my doctor once told me the allergic attacks lead to panic.
i guess i'm just lucky that i have both panic and allergies.
the congestion can lead to that tight feeling for me(upper respiratory)
i even hear popping in chest.
but the shortness of breath,shallow,fast breathing you're describing is very scary;however once its diagnosed you will be more at ease,and find coping w/it easier.
luck...
------------------
save facehave
grace;find hope;
keep faith; end war..

Answer

Thanks again everyone.
I went to see a pulmonary doctor and I have an appointment this Friday to take a pulmonary function test. I also received an inhaler which helped slightly.
As far as how I am feeling, I don't cough as much and my breathing is at least 75% better, but still once in a while its a little tight on the chest and if I cough I may hear a rattle noise in my chest like its not fully gone away. I ended my antibiotics today. Whatever I had or have is really weird.
Thanks for everyones kind words and input

Answer

this could be bronchial asthma, whe you say your chest feels tight its because the swelling of the mucous membranes of the airways its contracting the muscle surrounding the broncial tubes, when already-inflamed airways react to a trigger, their lining swells up even more and makes extra mucus. this mucus may plug up airways. the muscles around the airways tighten making it narrow (the tightness feeling in your chest), make sure you spit all that mucus out everytime, drink alot of water to make it easier to come out, yes it lasts a long time, i had a bad cough like that for weeks until my breathing got worse and i ended up in the hospital.
im 28 years old and never had asthma until recently, it usually happens when your a kid, but can also happens when your an adult, find out if anyone in your family had it.
if its really that bad, keep informing the doctor everyday, hell probly admit you in before it gets worse.
take care.

Answer

YoungLife is right...
the tightness is your "smooth" inner muscles constricting your lungs.
The drug that I am on, Theophyllin, (which interestingly has a stimulant effect) is actually a "smooth muscle" relaxant, and eases the tightness in your chest by relaxing these muscles allowing you to breath easier.
Do your best not to panic even though I know it can be hard to do (natural response to not being able to breath)... it increases your heartrate and need for oxygen, which is not going to do you any good if your already short of breath. You have to try to keep your mind on something else, or distract yourself somehow...
Also you may want to try some cough medicine... primarily you want to look for an "expectorant"
(usually something with Guaifenesin in it) it will help make your cough more productive and less frequent.

Answer

in many of the posts i notice that several physicians do not know the cause of illnesses.
why is that?
i would think if you go in w/symptoms they would identify.
i don't get it.
well,i have allergic asthma.it can be triggered by mold,dust,pollen,ragweed and many inhalants ie household cleaners,fragrances and such.
it is a horrible thing to deal with.
it is not the same as full blown asthma though.
i don't need an inhaler;however sudafed and intihistimines help.
i have to be extremely careful what i'm doing around the house ie cleaning and whatnot.
i can't have a cat!!!!!the litter dust would affect me.
i also have sinusitis and have that same tightness you describe.
it is quite scary when u can't breath right;believe me, i have episodes quite often w/panic asociated.
my doctor once told me the allergic attacks lead to panic.
i guess i'm just lucky that i have both panic and allergies.
the congestion can lead to that tight feeling for me(upper respiratory)
i even hear popping in chest.
but the shortness of breath,shallow,fast breathing you're describing is very scary;however once its diagnosed you will be more at ease,and find coping w/it easier.
luck...
------------------
save facehave
grace;find hope;
keep faith; end war..

Answer

Thanks again everyone.
I went to see a pulmonary doctor and I have an appointment this Friday to take a pulmonary function test. I also received an inhaler which helped slightly.
As far as how I am feeling, I don't cough as much and my breathing is at least 75% better, but still once in a while its a little tight on the chest and if I cough I may hear a rattle noise in my chest like its not fully gone away. I ended my antibiotics today. Whatever I had or have is really weird.
Thanks for everyones kind words and input