I Have Been Having Issues With Chest Tightness , Let’s

Posted on Sat, 11 Jul 2020

Question: I have been having issues with chest tightness, let’s of thick phlegm (green, yellow/brownish, bright red blood streaked, and most often very thick clear/white sometimes frothy) in my chest and I can feel it in my throat. I don’t truly have a cough or anything but I make myself cough in an effort to get some of this out. My chest feels heavy and tight a lot sometimes I get random sharp pains. I’ve had bad acid reflux since this all started also. I’ve been struggling with this since mid January. I’ve had strep throat twice on top of it and my regular doctor just keeps giving me amoxicillin and albuterol. I’m getting really tired of not being able to breathe properly. I also suffer from bad anxiety which makes this even worse for me I would like your honest opinion. Also last time I went to see my normal dr he sent me for chest X-rays and a CDC and said it all came back clear and good.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be allergic bronchitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor's service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

I think you are having allergic bronchitis which is causing your symptoms. Usually it doesn't show much evidence on a chest x-ray but your doctor did it to exclude other possible pathologies.
The CBC is normal except increased number of eosinophils due to allergy being the main cause of it.
The allergic bronchitis usually has white mucus coming out but when an overinfection happens it can be green , brown, or with red blood strikes. In this case antibiotics are used.
You may need to do a spyrometry now to check the lung function also do allergy tests to find the substances which you can be allergic too such dust, pollution,foods.
Avoiding these substances will improve your breathing.
You are mentioned that you are using albuterol and corticosteroid inhalers together and if you don't feel better yet your doctor can add you theophylline or montelukast .

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

So do you think I’m going to be ok? My anxiety makes this hard sometimes I feel like I can’t catch my breath and it’s scary.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Psychotherapy may help you with anxiety.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I think you will be ok with proper treatment.
Anxiety makes the symptoms more difficult so you have to calm down.
Visit a psychotherapist to help you find ways to calm down without medications.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (36 hours later)

So I just woke from a short nap and when I set up and took a deep breath I heard a sorta like pop in my right side and a sharp pain for the next few breaths then it went away. What could cause this?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be caused by mucus trapped on airways.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I think that the pop on the right side you had was possibly caused by mucus trapped on airways and having a deep breath may have caused it to move and unblock the airway.
I don't think this is something to worry about.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana