Hiatus Hernia causing breathing problem

I had a double hernia operation in 2008 and ever since I've gotten I think what you call GERD symptoms that over the years seem to be getting worse. I take lots of Tums multiple times a day and have elevated the top of my bed a few inches to minimize the chance or reflux during the night. I also avoid certain foods  or coffee late evening to avoid problems. Several years ago I first noticed a sensation of not being able to breathe if I bend over such as when tieing my shoes or putting on socks. It's just a sensation but it scares me a bit. I'm now a retired 69 year old with no other health problems, have normal to even low BP, heart always checks normal, lung function always checks ok too. So with all these positive health exam issues out of the way I was just really confused as to why I get these unexplained breathing issues. Well I'm retired but still take occasional free-lance jobs. Latest was in Peru at high altitude, 4350 meters. I've been on many assignments at high altitude before but not quite this high and not for as long a time. I was fine for first week but started getting shortness of breath from even the slightest exertion. Our camp doctor checked my pulse rate and O2 levels everyday and said everything was normal in fact very good for a man my age even though I could hardly breathe or maybe just the sensation of not being able to breathe otherwise why would my O2 saturation levels be in the 90's? My condition seemed to worsen during the second week until at day 13 I started panicking every time I lay down flat. I would start breathing rapidly and still feel I wasn't getting enough air . For 13 hours that night I couldn't sleep getting this feeling if I went to sleep I would never wake up. Next morning I again saw the doc who said I had a severe case of bronchitis and decided to order my descent back to our acclimation area in a town at 3.1K meters. At least the panic attacks are gone but still have breathing issues and the sensation of not being able to breathe when bending over is there worse than ever. A couple days ago a good UK friend, retired SAS commando and now private security for US based firm updated his condition on FB for all to see. He has the same symptoms as I and was told that it was caused by a Hiatus Hernia that may have been present for many decades possibly by overexertion during his military career. This came after 4 other doctors had told him 4 different things that turned out to be rubbish. I'm on my way back to USA tomorrow and my wife is trying to book an appointment for me to get an Upper GI exam to see if that is my problem as well. Has anyone else out there experienced these same or similar symptoms?  

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