Ive had tightness in my chest (heavy), shortness of breath ...

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In response to your reply, I was told I had an upper respiritory infection and asthma by the same doctor a few weeks back, and put on prednisone and antiobotics...also given a inhaler. At that point the doctor did a chest x-ray and said all looked fine. Last week I got my first ever flu shot and have had reoccuring sinus congestion since, and some phlegm in my chest. No weezing or anything like before. Ive cut way back on the smoking and drinking. Does this info change your reply at all ?

This is a lot of new information. I should have asked this information before giving my answer. It seems that your problem is most likely respiratory as determined by your doctor upon examination and CXR. And since the symptoms have persisted for some time now, there should be no rush in going to ER. Are you using your inhaler? Does it helps? Are you still taking prednisone and antibiotics?

I was on the prednisone for only 6 days and told to use the inhaler if the wheezing persisted. Again, that was all going on about 2-3 weeks ago. I no longer use the inhaler as the wheezing dried up and the sickness seemed to go away. I felt fine until last week when i got the flu shot, and I still dont feel "sick" per say...just some stuffed up nose and the little bit of phlegm, but the tightness in the chest and the shortness of breath has came on with a negeance in the past week gotten worse and is ongoing. I even elected twice in the past week to take and extra .5mg of my xanax as i felt the shortness of breath may be anxiety related...Ive been on the xanax for 6 months now (still on same dose, 1-.5mg pill per day) and never felt edgy enough to want to take more than prescribed, but the shotness of breath was too much for me. The extra xanax helped a bit, but ultimately it returned a short time later

It does not seem like the problem is heart related. Firstly the symptoms have been ongoing for quite some time and you had a possible recent respiratory infection. I would suggest that you call your doctor and make an appointment to see him as early as possible, or go to the ER. They may perform a test called spirometry which will give information about your respiratory status and help identify the problem. You may need to use the inhaler for some more time. And avoid increasing the dose of Xanax, as it can cause respiratory depression.

Regards.
Dr. G

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