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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Treat Chest Tightness?

for the past couple of weeks i have been experiencing tightness the mid section of my chest along with stabbing pain across my chest.. i had a catherization done and my heart was ruled out. they diagnosed me with copd and scleroderma. what can it be? i dont have any medical insurance now and am a bit worried.
Tue, 12 Jan 2016
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Since you are having COPD and scleroderma, following are the likely cause for your central chest tightness and stabbing pain.
1. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
2. Worsening of COPD
3. Pulmonary hypertension (PH).
Scleroderma causes dilatation of esophagus and laxity of gastroesophageal sphincter. So GERD can occur.
PH is common in COPD patients who are also having scleroderma.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done clinical examination, 2d echo and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) to rule out all these possibilities.
At present, if you are not having insurance, you can try proton pump inhibitors on empty stomach. Avoid stress and tension. Avoid hot and spicy food. If you are improving then it is mostly GERD.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
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How To Treat Chest Tightness?

Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your concern. Since you are having COPD and scleroderma, following are the likely cause for your central chest tightness and stabbing pain. 1. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) 2. Worsening of COPD 3. Pulmonary hypertension (PH). Scleroderma causes dilatation of esophagus and laxity of gastroesophageal sphincter. So GERD can occur. PH is common in COPD patients who are also having scleroderma. So better to consult pulmonologist and get done clinical examination, 2d echo and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) to rule out all these possibilities. At present, if you are not having insurance, you can try proton pump inhibitors on empty stomach. Avoid stress and tension. Avoid hot and spicy food. If you are improving then it is mostly GERD. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.