What Does A Heavy Feeling In The Back While Breathing Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 10 Oct 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 Answered on

Sat, 4 Nov 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I've been a smoker on and off (off for 10 ish years) and recently have had 2 to 5 a day for about a year (caused by stress). I've read XXXXXXX Carr and kicked it out of my head for good as the stress of thinking about it was driving me mad and I felt so annoyed with myself. I've always done exercise and have no pain on exercise only a racing heart rate for lack of fitness currently as I have a young child. I get flutters and skip heart beats in bed sometimes so I've cut out red wine (2 to 3 glasses a night) and chocolate (every day) and I've noticed my heart rate has slowed down and I feel so much better in the morning. However, I have this heavy feeling in my back when I breath and have to try and get deeper breaths, sometimes it actually hurts and it feels internal. There is one area in the middle of my back, to the right near the bra strap which hurts more and on pressure with a finger, it eases. Sure I've had that for a long time. I'm sure I've lived with this for years and I am sure it worsens on anxiety. My doctor is sending me for a spirometer test but I am insanely scared. I can be walking or sitting in my car and I just feel heavy in the back having to take a deeper breath like a XXXXXXX I'm sure its there most of the time. I also know I am a naturally shallow breather and so I'm worried I will score low and then could be diagnosed with copd or something worse. I look well, no coughs, no phlegm, haven't had a cold recently. But I know I've had this pain for years and its severity comes and goes I think but it seems worse at the moment.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I don't think there's a need for the spirometry test as of now.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HealthcareMagic.
I can understand your concern.

I don't think you need spirometry test as your oxygen saturation is normal, your lungs are clear and you don't have a cough or phlegm.
Your age is 47.

I think your back pain is mostly due to musculoskeletal pain because it reduces on pressure. You might be wearing too tight bra which is causing this pain.
So apply warm water pad on affected areas. Avoid movements causing pain. Take simple painkiller like paracetamol or ibuprofen (only if you are not having allergies).
Please let me know if you are wearing tight bra.

So you are approaching menopause. And during menopause, women tend to show a hormonal imbalance. This can cause similar symptoms.

These symptoms are more pronounced because of stress and anxiety.

So I'd suggest to consult a gynecologist and get done hormone levels.
You may need hormone pills to regulate hormones.
Once your hormones normalize, you will be alright.

Avoid stress and tension, be relax and calm.

Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D