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Breathing problems and GERD

Posted , 10 users are following.

cheryl06050
cheryl06050

I recently started with a new doctor (seen her twice) and she said I have GERD, I have been through every lung test and many heart tests which all come back negative. This doctor is hearing what I am saying. We haven't done anything more than medications of Pred-20mg for 5 days, Mucinex and Omeprazole, which I had to stop because it seemed to make my breathing worse. Can someone please explain what there breathing feels like? Mine feels like I can't take a deep breath like there is something in the way and if I could just push it out of the way, I would be able to breathe. Some days it is almost good and then other days are not. Lung tests show nothing. Please help me understand if you have similar breathing issues.

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  • jo45172
    jo45172 cheryl06050

    Posted

    Cherry

    We have this in common, I had the surgery for acid reflux and haital hernia but did not help my breathing problem, myself and doctors thought it may resolve the breathing problem which was not coming from lungs, I also had diaphragm repair. The hernia was very large and had gone 50% into the chest. Now back to Sq one.

    Please let me know if you find out anything. I am on facebook. Jo Tinsman

  • cheryl06050
    cheryl06050

    Posted

    Jo

    Thank you for answering my post. I can't believe you went through surgery hoping to be able to breathe correctly and nothing helped. Before your surgery was there ever a point where they could bring  your hernia down enough to be able to breathe right? I have times when breathing works correctly, but times when I can't take a deep breath from my diaphragm.  I don't know yet if I have a hernia or not but the acid reflux can make me belch for days on end, and I can't swallow normally. This has ruled my life for 20+ years, and hopefully, this year I will find my answers. I feel for you and the breathing issue. It really limits your life when you can't do things because you can't breathe. 

    • jo45172
      jo45172 cheryl06050

      Posted

      Thank you Cheryl

      I do believe my breathing will be restored, my diaphragm is still healing. I also did much burping and could not eat many foods, felt sick alot. I still have lots of gas and supposedly it will go away, I am older and is taking longer to heal.

      I pray all goes well for you and if you have the surgery, I pray you get the right doctor.

      Jo

    • cheryl06050
      cheryl06050 jo45172

      Posted

      I hope your breathing will be restored also. I would love to keep in touch to hear if things return to normal for you. I don't even know if I have a hernia yet still working on the beginning treatments for acid reflux, next week it is allergy testing again. I already know I am allergic to trees but hoping they will do something more like foods. If you have any information me to ask Drs please let me know? Feel better soon. I will find you on fb, thanks

       

    • jo45172
      jo45172 cheryl06050

      Posted

      Hi Cheryl

      As you probably know there is a surgery just for acid reflux which is not anywhere near as severe as haital hernia.

      I am trying to find a Pulmonary doctor that is really good to see if my problem with breathing can be diagnosed and treated. I was so sure it was from haital hernia and I am still not convinced that is not the cause.

      Jo

    • cheryl06050
      cheryl06050 jo45172

      Posted

      No, I really didn't know this, but will keep reading everything I can to get more informed.  I am so excited to hear from all of you that have similar problems, I really felt like I was the only one with this breathing problem. But, now that I am more understanding what my issues are, and  I feel so validated it is just wonderful. Twenty years of scratching my head and now I am al least finding some answers but have a long way to go and many things to learn. Please keep writing and give me all of your information about any of this stuff as it is all new to me and I have a lot to learn. I wish I could know every detail of everyone's story just to have the knowledge and make better decisions for myself. I am so thankful for everyone's input and just have so many questions that I could write for days. 
    • cheryl06050
      cheryl06050 jo45172

      Posted

      Hi Jo, Just wondering how the healing process is going? Has your breathing improved? Hope you are well.
  • Barretts
    Barretts cheryl06050

    Posted

    What you describe is a common symptom of extra-oesophageal reflux. Visit the www DownWithAcid org uk book and find the chapter on extra-oesophageal reflux from the contents list (hoempage).

    I used to suffer from all the respiratory problems associated with this condition - for 5o years! Variously I was considered as having catarrh, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, etc. I was tested for all known allergies and had every kind of heart function test. It was comparatively recently (in the late 90's) that my doctor suggested a connection with reflux - revolutionary then but now accepted.

    For me, the solution was to have a fundoplication - which gave me my life back.

    • cheryl06050
      cheryl06050 Barretts

      Posted

      I looked this up and many of the symptoms apply, too many actually. Maybe only 2-3 that didn't. I have been sick for 20 years with this but did not know it until the past few weeks, due to a new Dr and I went in for a visit when I was having breathing issues so she could see what was happening. I have been chasing down the wrong path for too long. I have had every lung and heart test out there, and now I am finding the right path of diagnoses which is for something so different than what I was looking at. Now when I research medical issues they are in the right category, and not lung and heart problems.

      You must have had a hernia, to have the operation you had? I can see where it would give you your life back.  I am getting off of my allergy meds for tests next week and I hate it, as now I have a runny nose and sneeze a lot. Any information is greatly appreciated thank you.

  • jazztrain
    jazztrain cheryl06050

    Posted

    Hi cheryl06050

    Yes; I know what you mean - I have this but was only diagnosed through a CT scan?

    I was referred to a Thoracic Chest Consultant at Papworth Hospital and now on  a drug called Pirfenidone that costs over £500 per week. It can only be prescribed by a specialist centre NOT your GP surgery.

    I suspect you have IPF for which there is no cure but the drug will keep your symptoms at bay for up to five years! So it's best to get yourself diagnosed quickly.

    kind regards

    Jazztrain

    • cheryl06050
      cheryl06050 jazztrain

      Posted

      I don't know what IPF is so had to look it up. I have had all of the lung function tests and nothing shows up??? I have had a CT scan recently and nothing, not sure what they were looking for but, nothing was mentioned. I will check again with my Dr, thanks. The cost of you medication gives me a lump in my throat. Ha ha
    • papote53
      papote53 jazztrain

      Posted

      Sorry to hear your condition Jazz and the problem with the medication cost. But this would show on her pulmo test, right?  I have beathing problems with chest heaviness as well but is obvious is coming from my chest bone area where the reflux was found.  I myself saw a Pulmo and had the COPD and Asthma test coming out clear. Chest CT showed unremarkable. Don't know much about IPF but just like COPD maybe your lungs will show hyperinflated when they detect this, right?
  • cheryl06050
    cheryl06050

    Posted

    If anyone has any kind of help to know what to ask the allergist I will be seeing on the 26 at the UofM I would really love some input? 
  • papote53
    papote53 cheryl06050

    Posted

    So far I have done 3 endoscopies, 1 PH Bravo, 1 Loryngoscopy, 1 Barium Swallow, 2 Colonoscopies and many CT;s and MRI's which cleared me from any cardio or pulmo problem. All they found was mild reflux that goes all the up to my throat and gastritis with moderate inflammation.  PPI'S have done nothing for me and now I'm taking 2 other medications which are not ppi's as my last hope.  Symptoms?  Heaviness/pain chest-bone, heaviness on my breathing ( Health Anxiety makes it worse), upper back pain and rib pain as well.  Sometimes I feel even itching and is not the medication. I lost 50 pounds the last 2 1/2 years and can't even lift 20 pounds or I will hurt a chest muscle. Problem starts early i the morning and gets worse during the day or when I stand, walk or try to run.  Feel much better when I lay back or sleep. No heartburn and any regular symptom of reflux but I do have mild reflux on my esophagus and back of my throat/vocals.  I don't even cough and my chest is clear so My Pulmo and Asthma Doctos said is not COPD or Asthma.   Going to see acupuncture next week and new GI.  How something so simple to diagnosed is not hard to treat.
    • cheryl06050
      cheryl06050 papote53

      Posted

      Looks like you have been through many tests, but no real answers, which is just so frustrating. Sometimes I would rather have an answer even if it is bad, as least I could then deal with things better, the unknown is just so hard to accept. Doesn't look like you have a hernia even though a lot of your symptoms point in that direction, which again, is just frustrating. All my tests come back good also, which is great but then once again, left hanging. I would love to hear how the acupuncture goes, hope you find some relief. Thank you for responding. I am so determined to get to the bottom of all of this and with everyone's comments it sure helps. Thanks

       

    • papote53
      papote53 cheryl06050

      Posted

      Exactly, even a one point I just told them just tell me I have COPD or Asthma so I can deal with it.  Actually, My GI said that she has no other option for me so basically it was the end for her. Made an appointment with a new GI looking for a 2nd opinion.  And no, No hernia or anyhting else besides mild reflux and gastritis. Complete blood work from A to Z and it came out peerfect; again ;-).
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