Could I have developed asthma after 'Sept. 11th' ?

[carko]

I have the same tightness in my throat- a full feeling. I also have tightness in the chest. I also get a flutter ffeeling in my heart when the tightness gets bad..had all heart test done on several occasions and all hearts tests were normal. I get shortness of breadth daily..it's like that same comment about breathing through a straw with a hole..! I have had thryoid level checked and that was normal. Chest xrays were normal..not sure what they look for when they read chest xrays.
I have also had dizzziness, headachhe and ear ringing constnatly..usually beginnning in the mornings...lately being treated for reflux and taiking nexium, but had to stop after 3rd day due to adverse reactions..muscle pains and glands in the neck hurting...didn't have that before taking the nexium..
My concern is all of my breadthing and chest knotting up, started 5 months after Sept, 11th..and I worked nearby and had to go to worki everyday after..smelling the burning embers. I am wondering if this medical chase has something to do with breadthing something in down there..No doctor yet has ever suggested "asthma" to me before. I was more worried about reaction my heart was getting into when I had the shortness of breadth, so most tests were done on that organ. I also have extreme fatigue and muscle soreness.   I can exercise on treadmill and feel okay- but after I can have some of the symptoms come right bck. I did notice recently after my husband sprayed some cologne on himself and it went into the fan and right at me - I immediately had the tightness and breathlessness. Might this be Asthma?

[skph4466]

There is a very common disorder that resulted after 9/11.  It is called Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome, or RADS.  You will be able to find some very good information on RADS on the internet.  If you want any other information, feel free to email me and I will share with you what I know.

[RRHOOP5469]

It's very possible it could be connected to 9-11. I just heard on our news this week about many people getting respiratory illness after 9-11. There was even one death due to it. Do a search to see if anything is online about it (post 911 respiratory problems or something).

[PhysBrit]

http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/200511-1736OCv1

[National Jewish]

There is a strong possibility that this is asthma.  It is a good sign that your chest x-ray is clear, but you should have spirometry done.  This is a simple breathing test that measures how your lungs are working.  It will show if there is obstruction in your airways that could be a sign of asthma.  I suspect that the dizziness, headache and ears ringing constantly are unrelated to your chest and throat tightness.