Tight chest, trouble breating: is this seasonal?
06-05-06, 08:56 PM
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Tight chest, trouble breating: is this seasonal?
I am by no means in perfect shape, but for the past 8 years I was a runner who became a full-time cyclist last October. My wind is pretty good. But man, these last few weeks, I am dying on hills. Very hard to breathe on the ascent, and my chest is very tight. It feels as if I smoked a pack of cigarettes the night before, which I haven't. Does this sound like allergies to anyone? Or has the air quality in New York been especially *****ty lately? Or am I actually having a heart attack?
06-07-06, 03:00 AM
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Could be caused by you bars being too narrow, I guess. Closing up your arms in front of you compresses the chest somewhat. Esp. if you use a tri extension thingie.
06-09-06, 10:28 AM
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I highly recommend getting worked up by your doctor. I am an Exercise Physiologist in a Cardiac Rehabilitation unit and am probably overly cautious when it comes to these things, but the symptoms you described, chest tightness with shortness of breath during increased exertion, is a classic red flag.
See your doctor. Best case scenerio, allergies. Worst case, early detection of potentially serious condition (which is actually a good thing).
My 2 cents
See your doctor. Best case scenerio, allergies. Worst case, early detection of potentially serious condition (which is actually a good thing).
My 2 cents
06-09-06, 12:13 PM
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+1 to each message above to see a doctor.
Whether it is allergies or something else, it can not be treated until you seek medical assistance.
I am overdue to see an allergist, but I do take medicine twice a day, and it is very helpful. I also carry Albuterol just in case of an attack, which is rare.
Whether it is allergies or something else, it can not be treated until you seek medical assistance.
I am overdue to see an allergist, but I do take medicine twice a day, and it is very helpful. I also carry Albuterol just in case of an attack, which is rare.
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06-09-06, 12:25 PM
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If you always get some annoying allergies during pollen season but this year just seems a LOT worse, well, you're not alone. I am right there with you.
06-09-06, 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by nickelli
... the symptoms you described, chest tightness with shortness of breath during increased exertion, is a classic red flag.
Thanks for all the advice.
I suppose this is better than hearing that I'm a canary in the coalmine for some bioterror event....
06-09-06, 04:28 PM
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Sounds like me, mine was acid reflux. Sounds funny, but man I thought I was having a heart attack or something, and the breathing was rough too, like hard to draw a deep breath. I thought I had everything from lung cancer to my heart was crapping out. Nothing a few zantac couldn't fix.
So yeah, get the doctor to check you out, you never know.
So yeah, get the doctor to check you out, you never know.
06-11-06, 10:40 AM
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See your doctor, please.
For you allergy sufferers, like me...
See your doc, get an Rx for Flonase. For me, anyway, this stuff makes all the difference in the world.
Jeff, still fat, just not quite as fat
For you allergy sufferers, like me...
See your doc, get an Rx for Flonase. For me, anyway, this stuff makes all the difference in the world.
Jeff, still fat, just not quite as fat
06-12-06, 12:35 PM
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As others have suggested here on previous post, see a doctor. However I have had similar experiences especially on steep hills. My doctor told me that I probably developed a slight asthma, or maybe a COP, (chroncic pulmonary obstruction). I rarely notice it, except during cold, damp spells in the weather. So in my case it is rather seasonal. My doctor gave me a prescription for Albuterol, and I carry it when biking for the times that I may need it.
06-12-06, 12:52 PM
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You're seeing a doctor, so I won't reiterate.
I had the same thing happen this past Fri/Sat. I have a clockwork seasonal allergy that occurs Late May through most of June which I've narrowed down to tree pollen. They're worst at home where I have two black walnut trees. It's usually just itchy eyes, runny nose, and tons of sneezing, but your exact symptoms happened to me on a rec ride into headwind on Sat. It was a little scary, but it went away, and I've had no issues since. I attribute it to allergies, but I'm curious what your doc says. I'm overdue for a checkup.
I had the same thing happen this past Fri/Sat. I have a clockwork seasonal allergy that occurs Late May through most of June which I've narrowed down to tree pollen. They're worst at home where I have two black walnut trees. It's usually just itchy eyes, runny nose, and tons of sneezing, but your exact symptoms happened to me on a rec ride into headwind on Sat. It was a little scary, but it went away, and I've had no issues since. I attribute it to allergies, but I'm curious what your doc says. I'm overdue for a checkup.
06-12-06, 01:01 PM
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no no no no no
if you were a runner, your lungs are prepped for any riding
you should get a lung capacity test or chest x-ray to be sure.
runners always have big fat lungs...so this sounds weird to me with the
tight chest...unless it is your shoulder muscles and upper back (which
becomes activated on cycling climbs)
if you were a runner, your lungs are prepped for any riding
you should get a lung capacity test or chest x-ray to be sure.
runners always have big fat lungs...so this sounds weird to me with the
tight chest...unless it is your shoulder muscles and upper back (which
becomes activated on cycling climbs)
