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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Pressure Behind The Sternum Indicate?

I have a heaviness behind my sternum. I have been using my asthma inhaler daily for almost two weeks, which previously was only rarely. I have many options for the problem. I lost my father 26 days ago, so stressful and sad, I joined a gym 5 days ago, so maybe just sore somehow. I am allergic to the world and its spring right now. I don t want to waste a trip to the ED if it is just grief, allergies or sore muscles. What should I do?
posted on Fri, 16 Mar 2018
Twitter Mon, 23 Jul 2018 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 25 Jul 2018 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and understand your concern.

I am so sorry you lost your father, this surely will effect you and may cause some symptoms. On the other hand the fact that you have needed asthma inhaler daily, which was not the case previously, this means that asthma is not in good control either. It is important to step up in asthma treatment and the step up will depend on the treatment you are having actually. If you are using low dose inhaled steroids regularly you will need to increase the dose of the steroid inhaler. If you are already using maximum dose of steroid inhaler you might benefit from adding a long acting betablocker (salmeterol).

It is best to talk with a doctor to have the proper step up in asthma treatment so please see your regular doctor and discuss the symptoms because if a patient uses asthma inhaler more than twice a week it means the asthma is not under good control.


Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
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What Does Pressure Behind The Sternum Indicate?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and understand your concern. I am so sorry you lost your father, this surely will effect you and may cause some symptoms. On the other hand the fact that you have needed asthma inhaler daily, which was not the case previously, this means that asthma is not in good control either. It is important to step up in asthma treatment and the step up will depend on the treatment you are having actually. If you are using low dose inhaled steroids regularly you will need to increase the dose of the steroid inhaler. If you are already using maximum dose of steroid inhaler you might benefit from adding a long acting betablocker (salmeterol). It is best to talk with a doctor to have the proper step up in asthma treatment so please see your regular doctor and discuss the symptoms because if a patient uses asthma inhaler more than twice a week it means the asthma is not under good control. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Kind regards, Antoneta Zotaj, MD