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Is this really Acid Reflux i'm experiencing?

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Tinkerbell32
Tinkerbell32

Hi, for the past 4 months I have been suffering daily severe symptoms with breathlessness, burning and pressure sensation in my back and chest, pressure in my throat which makes me want to cough, burping and most recently tiredness. These don't necessarily occur after food, i have the breathless and pressure feeling all day every day.

I went to a private hospital for tests under my medical insurance as my NHS GP couldn't give me all the tests i wanted for peace of mind as i'm an extreme worrier and after Googling my symptoms i was in tears! So 2 weeks ago i had blood tests, allergy tests, a CT scan on my heart and lungs, a lung function test and an Echocardiogram. I had the results last week which thankfully shows my heart is absolutely fine but i have mildly inflamed airways in my lungs and the doctor advised the most likely cause is Acid Reflux and this is causing the breathless feeling. The doctor has advised i take Lanzoprasole 30mg daily and a steroid asthma inhaler to reduce the inflammation for 3 months.

To be honest, i'm concerned that this isn't caused by acid only because most of the threads i have read on here are from people who only experience symptoms from food. As soon as i get out of bed and start walking around i start to get the pressure feeling in my chest and i've just had enough of it. Does anyone else have symptoms like me? I'm constantly thinking about what i could have wrong or if it is acid, what damage it is doing to me! I know it's only been a couple of days on the medication so shouldn't expect it to work straight away but can anyone tell me of any other self help medications that i could take to make it go away quicker? I'm really at my wits end and it's all i think about.

Thank you

10 likes, 256 replies

256 Replies

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  • rowel123
    rowel123 Tinkerbell32

    Posted

    Hey there, I know this is an outdated post but I'm been lately noticing an increase of burping. I'm was on vacation in Asia  and had experienced to what appeared to be a stomach flu had alternating stools and still do till this day! I feel better now but I have gotten some symptoms such as burping right after meals, the burping usually stops right after that, sensation of lump comes and goes. It's weird because when I wake up I feel totally fine as if I was "normal" but then later on the day I do have some occasional burping, but I really didn't burp as much as before if that makes sense? My burps are mostly air sometimes liquid but not as often. I constantly have to clear my throat and feel like there's mucous also which is confusing? Any ideas?
  • milmo02694
    milmo02694 Tinkerbell32

    Posted

    sure does. im 22 with all these symptoms u guys are getting. been on 30mg lansoprazole foe over a year now and doesnt help much really. if i eat crap food it is usually worse. dont drink or smoke, my lungs are good but feels like the acid is gonna mess my insides up. hope ur doing well tinkerbell
  • nickmini
    nickmini Tinkerbell32

    Posted

    hi Tinkerbell, totally relate to the history and the treatment process. Until the medical profession learns to see the patient as a holistic person and not in different organ specialities, its a maze to even get to the diagnosis. Have you double checked wih yr GP for pre-menopausal symptoms management and anxiety/stress relief options?
  • karen86868
    karen86868 Tinkerbell32

    Posted

    I noticed this was a year ago and I'm wondering how you are feeling? I have been having the same thing going with myself and am so worried it's cancer. Esophageal issues are super common in my family. I hope after a year you were able to get some answers and some relief.
  • karen86868
    karen86868 Tinkerbell32

    Posted

    Mine started out as phlegm and a lump in my throat and hurt to breathe especially starting in afternoon. Fast forward 3 months and I was in agony. Burning, intense buring that seemed to start in my throat but then moved its way all over my upper body and to my nose. The burning always started in afternoon and lasted until early morning. Reflux is a crazy thing. Horrible. I hope you find some relief.
  • papote53
    papote53 Tinkerbell32

    Posted

    Hi,

    I have the breathlessness and pressure sensation in my back and chest ( specially the upper chest) I also have some bloatting and gas but not all the time.  They have done 4 endoscopies on me and all they found was mild gastritis/reflux so tey gave me medication for this which I took for 2-3 month and it did nothing for me. I have done all the test with my pulmonologist/cardiologist/GI/ENT, Alergiest and nothing that could really explain the problem.  Yes, just like you it starts early in the morning (but mild) and goes all day long even if I don't eat and by 4 it goes up to moderate and at night I have no problem and I feel the best when Iay back or sleep. Going to see nutritionist tomorrow but is like their is no eand or answer to this.  Sure, with all these I also have a little anxiety which is the only medication I take now.

    • papote53
      papote53

      Posted

      btw,  forgot to add that I also have problems with my voice,

      I know this is an old conversation but just adding magnesssium to your diet would tell you if this is the reason for your problem like one of the membeers discribed earlier.  Taking bath with Salt Mag is realy good for relaxing as well.

    • teswanson
      teswanson papote53

      Posted

      I have almost the exact same symptoms, but have not figured out the exact cause.  I find comfort at night, and the morning.  I also found that reclining after eating helps digestion, and reduces bloating.  I haven't figured out what it is, but I think it is stress.  Stress results in the body prducing less mucos, thus making the stomoch more easily irritated by acid.  The irritated area of the stomach is in contact with the acid when standing up, because that is the part of the stomach that has been in contact with acid most of the day.  I think we need to stay calm (easier said than done), and work on repairing our stomachs.
    • papote53
      papote53 teswanson

      Posted

      WOW, you are right on target with me.  I do have Mild Reflux/Gastritis and moderate infllamation ( Showed on last endoscopy 2 months ago)  I get relieve from the pressure when I lay back so in the morning and at night is when is the best for me.  But it contradicts what you suppose to do after eating if ou have reflux or gastritis.  But yes, is exacty the same with me and I just don't know why or what is the exact problem.  I do agree it could by strees which in my case is created by not having all the answers.   I actually started taking Botato juice (5 days ago) before lunch and dinner and it appear to be helping a little.
    • teswanson
      teswanson papote53

      Posted

      We'll have to try and stay in touch, sharing what works. Did you have an H.pylori test done? If not have a breath test version. Blood and stool test is not as accurate.

      I was informed by a holistic doctor that I had an ulcer, and H.pylori. the ulcer is too small at this point to be seen by an endoscope.

      I had the chance to try cabbage juice two days ago, and it was the best I felt in months, but my juicer broke after one batch. Got a new one this morning, and I'll keep you updated.

    • papote53
      papote53 teswanson

      Posted

      Actually I don't know.  I had 3 Endoscopies, 1 PH bravo and 2 colonoscopies and they told me all I have is Moderate inflamation with Mild Reflux and Mild Cronick Gastritis.   I don't get heartburn and I can lay back or sleep with no problem all night long.  I never feel nauseous or anyting like that or ulcers.  I don't get headaches as well. ;-)  So in order to request that test, it will be my GI?  They have checked my blood and said I was ok.
    • teswanson
      teswanson papote53

      Posted

      Your general doctor can do the breath test.  In fact, you should be able to call and request one.

      I have really struggled to keep weight on, since I no longer like how eating causes me issues.  I think I have lost 20+ pounds over the corse of 3 months.

      DO you also burp a lot when you are upright?

      Did you have any ph test to determine if your acid level is too high or too low?

    • papote53
      papote53 teswanson

      Posted

      I lost 50 pounds the last 2 years- They stll think I 'm where I need to be at 150 and 5'10 1/2.

      My primary is a smiling guy that does not want to do anyhting. He believes is all anxiety even if my Phychiatrist does not agree with him.   This was his last response to me when I saw him 3 months ago" You need to learn how to live with it bcause it will be with you for the rest of your life"  I was about to tell him to fill in my request for SSN if he feels that way. ;-)

      No, ph test besides the endoscopies.   I will talk to my primiray becaue I do have an appointment with him in 2 weeks. Hopefully he will do the test or order it.   I also have problems with my vocals so I requsted a laryngoscopy test from my ENT because it could be my reflux is eding in the wrong place like behind my lungs or ribs. This was aproved so they wl check me in 2 weeks as well.

  • papote53
    papote53 Tinkerbell32

    Posted

    Update- Symptom still the same- Had my H.Pylory i test done yesterday so in a few days i  will know.  ENT did find (mild) Acid on the back of my throat so I started with Pantoprazole 40DR yesterday (for 3 months) and suppose to taek Zartax 150mg as needed, But I don;t have problems when I sleep so I have not used that one.  Saw my Phychistris yerterday as well and he recommended I take Mylanta. He said Doctors these days won't tell you anything about these medications but the actually work better than the normal ones.  Now, I checked interaction between Pantoprazole and Mylanta and their is not one, so my question is is it safe to try both, Pantpprazole40 in the morning and Mylanta late afternoon maybe even at night (twice daily).  Sure, it will be only for a few days to se if it helps.
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