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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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  • mandy1989
    mandy1989 Tinkerbell32

    Posted

    Having had all of the symptoms you are all listing and having been on Lanzoprozole for years I had enough after a really severe boutique which ended with me admitted to A & E. I finally had it investigated with a scan and a camera. I have hiatus hernia, acid reflux and gallstones! The result if a inflamed esophagus. Now waiting for consultation but at least looking to have gallbladder removed.
    • kate65092
      kate65092 mandy1989

      Posted

      Hi Mandy

      Are u feeling any better?

      I started suffering two months ago and all symptoms are more than scary especially pain between my shoulder blades ppi just not working just wondering did u have severe back with it I too have hiatus hernia

      The only comfort I get is reading other people's stories I feel a little less alone

      Kate

  • kate65092
    kate65092 Tinkerbell32

    Posted

    Hi tinker bell

    Have u found out if ur symptoms are caused by reflux I am having same as u for a month and am very worried as the ppi just isn't working

    Please let me know how ur doing

    • lindsey08696
      lindsey08696 kate65092

      Posted

      Hi Kate

      Have you been back to doctors?

      How are your symptoms?

      Lindsey x

    • kate65092
      kate65092 lindsey08696

      Posted

      Hi Lindsey

      Have really sore throat and glands at moment feel really down as beginning to think this couldn't be reflux I had endoscopy which revealed inflammation and hh which I knew was there have apt with ent on Monday as my throat is really scaring me how are things going for u?

    • lindsey08696
      lindsey08696 kate65092

      Posted

      Hi Kate

      Sorry, only just saw your reply.

      Things are bad for me right now. I am so unhappy and frightened. The feeling of pressure/breathlessness is so tiring that it's affecting my day to day life.

      Am awaiting appointment for ent....6-8 weeks! Then endoscopy. Doc left which one first up to me really, but it's this chest crushing that concerns me and is so debilitating that 8 chose ent first - and you can sit take ppi's whilst you wait.

      I just feel so hard done by....quit smoking almost 6 months ago, am just 40, taking up running, exercise classes and eating healthily. A real kick in the teeth. Miss chocolate and alcohol!

      Have lost almost a stone in 3 weeks as I've cut out all fats (at least I hope that's why).

      How are things with you?

      Am sorry that it was 6 days ago.

      Xx

  • danitaw63
    danitaw63 Tinkerbell32

    Posted

    HI tinkerbell, I am new here and just started having most every symptom you have.  Right shoulder pain, that radiates across right side of chest causing tightness almost choking feeling, burning sensations on both sides of my back, constant belching, sometimes sharp pains in the center of my chest, maybe 2 or 3 then goes away.  Sometimes when I move I feel a pain/heaviness in the center of my chest. Headaches. Tight feeling in my throat area.  Last night I felt so bad I was sure I was going to die from a heart attack.  I have had labs, ekg, chest xray, and all are normal as well as my vitals all are normal.  I have had anxiety attacks in the past but this is different.  The best I feel is when I sleep so I sleep more now than I ever have.  I am taking Nexium 2 to 3 times a day.  It is driving me crazy, it just started a couple of weeks ago.  I was just wondering if you have ever found any relief.  I know what you are going through and hope you have found relief!
  • lindsey08696
    lindsey08696 Tinkerbell32

    Posted

    Hi

    I am scared, confused and extremely desperate.

    Symptoms began a 5 weeks ago today (or so I believed), and only symptom present was a weird flutter/puff of warm air in the base of my throat.

    I put up with it for a few weeks until it became more and more noticeable, then went to the doctors. I had also had very occasional indigestion (once or twice a week), but had also noticed harshness in voice over the last few months. I turned 40 this year, so put it down to that! Gave up smoking 5 months ago too, started running, eating healthily, etc.....what was the point!

    Mum died of cancer at 34, so always been anxious 're health, her, Nan and grandad all misdiagnosed too, so last few weeks been worrisome. Doesn't help when doc says 'nothing appears sinister AT THE MOMENT'!!!

    Was told possible silent reflux. Had heliobacter test, which was negative, and bloods which were slightly low iron. Prescribed 20mg Omeprazole for 2 weeks. Day before docs, had a bout of breathlessness. Went back after 3 days with more hours of breathlessness/pressure and was told that I was stressed and anxious. I was, but that was to be expected and I knew it wasn't a symptom of anxiety.

    Went back and saw different doc a few days later as breathlessness getting worse - from a few hours, to 8/9 hours, and again, doc said anxiety. Pills doing nothing. Finally managed to see my own doctor on 4th appointment and he increased imperative to 20mg a.m and 20mg p.m for a week. This brought me to yesterday. He said an endoscopy and see ent if no improvement.

    He called me and I have had a real mixed bag of results. Started on 40mg Tuesday night, Wednesday breathlessness was 24hours....horrendously scary....Thursday I was close to not wanting to be here anymore, but Thursday afternoon, It became easier to breathe, and this tiny bit of relief really helped. Friday was brilliant! Hardly any throat sensations (which the doc said he couldn't explain), very, very mild breathlessness/pressure. Felt elated. Sat and Sun, couple of hrs breathlessness in morn and eve, but generally better. Monday afternoon and most of Tuesday was bad again. Not 24 hr, but bad.

    Just don't get it. All I am eating is Apple's, pears, banana s, chicken, veg, pretzels, chamomile tea and water (very dry mouth a lot of time)

    I feel like I get breathlessness instead of the depopulation burn?

    Doc says as slight improvement some days, to try 40mg for another week before booking endoscopy. It scares the hell out of me that I can't take any meds for that 2 weeks wait......feel I will die of strangulation.

    Am so down.

    Nose feels stuffy too when breathlessness gets the worst.

    Any help or suggestions.

    Doc won't listen 're breathlessness...says anxiety...I know difference.

    Both 2 docs I saw first said if imperative didn't work I could try something else, but own doc says that they're all the same?

    My 9 and 7 year old picking up on mummy being unwell....is horrid.

    Thank you.x

    • papote53
      papote53 lindsey08696

      Posted

      Yes, it could be anxiety.  I tried like 20 different medications for anxiety before I found one that helped. Sure, now I actually have reflux on my esophagus which causes also chest pressure and lack of air.  Anxiety on top of that makes it worse.  One conditions goes with the other.  Actually, any condition can active your anxiety and make it much worse. So just because one medication did not help with anxiety it doesn't mean you don't have anxiety.   Do Deep breathing (biofeedback) every day, 3 times daily and once you get better once daily.  Get some magnesium to help the muscle relax and start eating healthier.  Do not got to extremes,  just eat a little healthier.

    • lindsey08696
      lindsey08696 papote53

      Posted

      Hi

      I know it's not anxiety because instead of having g heartburn after I eat something like milk in porridge, I get breathless/pressure and if it's bad, nasal stiffness.

      Confused.

      Fingers crossed imperative will.start to work full time very soon......

    • papote53
      papote53 lindsey08696

      Posted

      Many of us like you and me don't ge any heartburn at all and the reflux goes up to the throat and nasal.  It's not GERD, it's called LPR.  Many can have both and many times the reflux on the throat and esophagus is not even acidic.  But you can't disregard anxiety because that is exactly how anxiety hits you.  Your mind is now set to believe this will happen so anxiety makes it worse.  You couLd have a little reflux like me, but anxiety can triple the symptoms and even add more symptoms.  In my case I have a normal acidic stomach PH.  But I have mild reflux going up to my nasals just like you.  You have to look in all directions, not just self diagnose in one direction. ;-) Anyway, good luck and I hope you find an answer to your problems. God bless!

  • lindsey08696
    lindsey08696 Tinkerbell32

    Posted

    Hi

    Did you ever get any relief?

    I am close to the verge of thinking about hurting myself because I am so desperate for help as this pressure/breathlessness is getting me down so, so much.

    I awake each morning and wonder what the day will be like. It's like being stuck on a hamster wheel. Am snapping at gorgeous children too.

    Reading Dr mountains reflux diet book and she says that once breathing issues occur, reflux is SEVERE, and medicating is definite. Am on 40 mg omeprazole just once in the morning as 20 mg once in a.m and p.m didn't feel like they worked. Day 2 of 40mg and pressure still there. Have been on omeprazole now for 4 weeks, am on reflux detox diet but nothing changing. Doc not very clued up 're pressure/breathless feeling and has referred me to ent for a look at larynx, airways etc. This is a 6-8 week wait (the kids summer hols duration). I can stay on poi's whilst I wait though...not that they are doing anything. My husband asked If I could try another type of poi, but doc said that they are a the same? I am sure that I have read that some work for some, some for others? Any experience?

    After ent I have to have endoscopy which will be another 6-8 weeks, so does that mean I am in this hell for another 3 months?

    Unless of course it's something different from lpr of gerd, and then maybe 3 months will be too late to do anything.

    Am known for anxiety and thinking the worst.

    Is it possible that the pills could take longer than weeks to work?

    Help.

    Lindsey

    • kate65092
      kate65092 lindsey08696

      Posted

      Hi Lindsey,

      Kate here, sorry I only saw your latest post now.

      I had endoscopy, may have already told you, doc said thinkgs ok

      just mild inflamation from hernia, change my ppi to Rainitidin 300mg per day not really sure if its making much difference though, still feel

      wretched every day with varying symptoms, he wants to do an MRI of my upper back and chest, awaiting an apt. I went to ENT doc last Monday he had a look in my throat with that tube not a nice experience but he said he could see nothing, also wants an MRI of my throat and neck, so the latest is that today I am having an ultrasound done of my neck area as was at GP yesterday and told him how painful my glands and neck and throat are so he ordered this and some more bloods, I feel really weak and tired today and very scared that maybe this isnt reflux at all and maybe something really bad has been brewing all these months.

      I am so sorry you will have to wait for 3 months for endoscopy the worry will drive you mad, we all suffer anxiety we are only human after all, and when you feel so sick and in pain every day its only natural to worry its something other than Reflux.

      My Gp said yesterday that it does take a long time for PPis to  work so maybe try hang in there another while,

      God bless 

      Kate

    • joshua23962
      joshua23962 lindsey08696

      Posted

      I got reflief after dealing with similar symptoms for over three years. I was bedridden for two of those years. My issue was a zinc and magnesium deficiency; mostly the Zinc. This wasn't self diagnosed. I had a huge blood pandel done. I used the highest absorbable forms of each: Magnesium Glycinate and Zinc Picolinate. Can't hurt to try it for a week then get a blood workup. I went from not being able to walk because of the shortness of breath to doing full blown exercises in just 2 weeks.  Also, my acid reflux was completely gone in three days. 

      I'm not sure if this will help, but I had to reach out after seeing "I am close to the verge of thinking about hurting myself" show up in my email. 

    • papote53
      papote53 joshua23962

      Posted

      I many mg's of zink did you take? and for how long, one week?  Did you feel better after taking zink and Mag for a week or it took longer?  I know we are all diferent, but it won't hurt to try.

    • joshua23962
      joshua23962 papote53

      Posted

      I took 150mg of zinc picolinate and 800mg of magnesium glycinate my first week. Then I decreased slightly in the weels following. Seriously, I feel great now. I never thought I'd feel this way again. 

    • janita58584
      janita58584 lindsey08696

      Posted

      Hi Lindsey,please take a look at Tinkerbells post above that I have replied to. I hope it can be of help. I know how you feel....it is awful and takes over your life. All the best 😊
    • kate65092
      kate65092 lindsey08696

      Posted

      Hi Lindsey

      Kate here, just checking in to see how ur feeling are u still waiting for consultants appt?

      Still not great myself going back to ent surgeon next Wednesday to talk about the ultrasound and Mri I had done let me know how ur doing

      Kate

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