Throat wheezing?

[Lj1971]

Hi everyone,
Starting last march I had a horrible sore throat, lump in throat sensation and on drip. My doc thought it was a sinus infection and treated me with 2 rounds of antibiotics. Then sent me off to an ENT when nothing worked. He scoped me and thought I had acid reflux. At that time I had constant throat clearing, which they said was a hallmark sign of acid reflux.
I was treated for that with omeprazole and it did not work. Then he did allergy testing and it came back I was allergic to 17 different environmental things including dust mites, mold, pollens, cat /dog...which I have both. I am 42 and we got a dog last October. I started wheezing on the exhale occasionally last July and it has gotten more frequent. The wheezing seems to be associated with the post nasal drip. The doc keeps saying my lungs are clear. I tested normal on exhaled nitric oxide in July and he has not repeated it even though the wheezing has become more frequent. I don't seem out of breath from the wheezing and it seems to stop if I clear my throat. Is it possible to just have wheezing from on drip and in throat and not have it be asthma? I am very concerned about all this. I will be starting allergy drops this week . Thanks, lj

[Lj1971]

Dr. Tinkelman,

Is there a way to tell the difference between asthma and anxiety? I have a history of severe panic attacks. I'm wondering if my breathing is affected by that. I'm assuming so. Please advise.

Thank you.

Lj

[Lj1971]

Thank you very much. That's the best explanation I have received so far. I appreciate it.

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

Wheezing is, by convention, a sound that originates in the lungs but sounds originating in the upper airways (windpipe/trachea, throat or larynx) can mimic or simulate wheezing.  Exhaled wheezing is characteristic of asthma; similar sounds with breathing-in can heard with obstruction in the upper airways.  That you are not having shortness of breath and "the wheezing seems to stop if I clear my throat"  suggests that mucous in your airways is causing the wheezing.  I suggest that you arrange for your doctor to examine your lungs when you are actually wheezing.  Pulmonary function testing , with and without a bronchodilator and with attention to airflow with both inhalation and exhalation (a so-called flow-volume loop can be helpful) could help determine the source of the wheezing.

You should definitely seek, through environmental control, to reduce your exposure to the allergens that tested positive.  A normal exhaled nitric oxide test does not rule-out the diagnosis of asthma.

Good luck