Is this really Acid Reflux i'm experiencing?
Posted , 101 users are following.
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
debra27175 Tinkerbell32
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jools182 Tinkerbell32
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I get a lot of similar symptoms to those described, usually feel fine when lay in bed, but as soon as I get up and move around and eat I get this horrible pressure type feeling from my throat down, start feeling sick and dizzy, then hot and cold, then my stomach starts making noises and I feel the need to go to the loo
Some days I'm ok, others not
misstrump Tinkerbell32
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misstrump Tinkerbell32
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I have been suffering lots of mid back burning pain for the last few days and have Been googling like mad hunting for possible explanations. Then this morning I had my hospital scan and was informed not only do I have Barrett's esophagus, hiatus hernia, gerd I now have gallstones I'm only 45 but I think my body thinks it's 90 I've just made a drs appt as suggested by the hospital as I made need an operation to remove my gallbladder.
carmel83758 misstrump
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Dreaming Tinkerbell32
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I think my post nasal drip and acid reflux are acting up at the same time.
Using Nettie pot post nasal is better.
I had doctor tell me that coughing up mucus could be from acid reflux.
Anyone experiencing this before?
I too have that discomfort around my rib cage, but on the right side.
carmel83758 Dreaming
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rai27 Tinkerbell32
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I read your post with great interest as I am feeling very similar symptoms. For me, it's been about 5 months now since it first started. I've copied my post below which I posted here but only got one response..Is what I'm experiencing reflux?
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I'm hoping for some help please..I have been feeling this strange sensation in the chest and lower throat. It's a sensation which I can only describe as a heavy feeling (no pain) and a tickling cough sensation in the chest. This then moves upwards to the lower throat area and makes it as though it is becoming tight. It makes me clear the throat and try to get the mucus out. I can feel a bit coming out but not much. The sensation makes me want to cough.I have been to doctor many times and he has listened to my chest and back. He's said that it's all clear. In the end he gave me antibiotics which I took for 7 days but it made no difference. He's also given me ventolin but it made no difference. I had chest x-ray and that showed clear. He referred me to ENT specialist who did a nasal endoscopy and that was clear. I have also done a barium swallow and that was also clear. However, I am still having this problem. I have also noticed that when I cough, I hear a grinding noise in my chest which sounds like friction. I've now been referred to a respiratory specialist and my appointment is next Friday. I'm really worried as I don't know what it can be. Has anyone else has this strange feeling? Can it be infection of the lower airway which has not cleared up? All this has been going on for 3 months now and I'm really worried and not sure what to do...Any help would be really appreciated. Thank you..
Tinkerbell32 rai27
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I definitely think yours is reflux too considering the symptoms you are experiencing. The heavy feeling in the chest is/was a main symptom for me. Feels like someone is sitting on you right? Also feeling like u need to cough to clear it. My doctor listened to my chest many times and heard nothing as well. My doctor told me that reflux can cause muscle spasms behind the lung wall which also causes breathlessness but its not your lungs that are the problem.
Have u tried any PPI's yet? I know a lot of people warn you off them but I've tried all the self help remedies there are, including Osteopathy and the only thing that is helping me at the moment is Esomaprazole. I was also referred to a respiratory consultant and had a CT scan done which showed mildly inflamed airways and am now taking an inhaler twice a day which is helping as well. The one piece of advice i will give is if your not happy with what your doctor tells u, get a second opinion. You have to push to get results because reflux is still being researched in the medical profession and baffles many doctors so they pslm
Tinkerbell32
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**palm u off with other medications which don't help. Let me know how u get on anyway Rai.
rai27 Tinkerbell32
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Thank you ever so much for your reply - appreciate it.
Since I had posted my first post, I've seen a respiratory specialist about 2 months ago where he done some test where I had to breath in several small machines. All came back normal. He said its not asthma, so that's ruled out. He' also sent me to a respiratory physio which was mainly about breathing properly etc ie using the abdomen for breathing and not the chest..He also put me on lansaprazole which I've been on for 2 months..Nothing seems to be working and I'm really worried thinking it could be something sinister going on. More than someone sitting on the chest feeling, it's like a pressure in the lower throat where the soft part is just before the central collar bone is and upper chest area. You mention PPI's..what is that? How do I get a 2nd opinion? Because I've been so worried, all the tests I have done is through private insurance..I went to the doctor a couple of days back asking for more lansaprazole..They still think it's anxiety...but I know my body and I really feel there is something wrong...I've asked for further tests ie CT scan, but doctor says she can't just refer me for that as I have no red flag symptoms..I don't know what to do any more! I know X rays are about 90% accurate and I've said this but she's not having it, saying it is unnecessary radiation and risk is high.
You mention that you are taking Esomaprazole - did your local GP prescribe you these? Or was it a specialist? If a specialist, which type if specialist?
Thank you again.
Rai
rai27 Tinkerbell32
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Sorry for so many questions....
Rai
Dreaming rai27
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I have similar sounds at time.
They sound like a wood musical instrument in the chest blowing, also gurgling sound.
If I cough it clears up.
Tinkerbell32 rai27
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PPI's are Proton Pump Inhibitors which include Lanzoprasole, Omeprazole etc. The ones I'm taking Esomeprazole are the third different type I'm trying as others didn't . Just because yours aren't helping doesn't mean there isn't a type that wont. I asked my gp if i could go on these as heard on here they had a high success rate for keeping symptoms at bay.
I now don't eat or drink trigger foods such as caffeine, chocolate, chewing gum, spicy food. Sleeping with a wedge has massively improved my symptoms too, i bought a reflux wedge from the internet, expensive but been a god send as i dont wake up breathless anymore. Have u tried all these things?
I do sometimes get the coughing and sensations like your experiencing but that's generally because I've either eaten too late before going to bed or eaten bad foods. Easier said than done but try not to worry. I'm 33 but already feel I've done a lifetime of worrying over the past year because of this! Also don't expect an overnight cure, try the above suggestions for at least 3 weeks before deciding if they're working or not. Let me know how u get on.
Tinkerbell32 rai27
Posted
PPI's are Proton Pump Inhibitors which include Lanzoprasole, Omeprazole etc. The ones I'm taking Esomeprazole are the third different type I'm trying as others didn't . Just because yours aren't helping doesn't mean there isn't a type that wont. I asked my gp if i could go on these as heard on here they had a high success rate for keeping symptoms at bay.
I now don't eat or drink trigger foods such as caffeine, chocolate, chewing gum, spicy food. Sleeping with a wedge has massively improved my symptoms too, i bought a reflux wedge from the internet, expensive but been a god send as i dont wake up breathless anymore. Have u tried all these things?
I do sometimes get the coughing and sensations like your experiencing but that's generally because I've either eaten too late before going to bed or eaten bad foods. Easier said than done but try not to worry. I'm 33 but already feel I've done a lifetime of worrying over the past year because of this! Also don't expect an overnight cure, try the above suggestions for at least 3 weeks before deciding if they're working or not. Let me know how u get on.
Dreaming Tinkerbell32
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Definitively googling and need one.
Thanks for sharing
rai27 Tinkerbell32
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Thank you again for your reply.
Like you, I've so far done all my tests through Bupa. I'm just going through the hoops at the moment. I go back to see the respitory physio next week. This will be my 2nd visit and the last time I saw her was 2 months ago. The reason I am seeing her is because I want to be in the position and say to the respitory consultant that look, I've seen the physio and done everything she had asked me to do ie breathing using abdomen, breathing through mouth, not going to the gym to settle everything down and still nothing has worked. I also want to say that I have been trying the lansaprazole for over 2 months and that has not worked too. Now what? So I see the physio next week and the week after I see the specialist. That's where I am at, at the moment. I will mention nexium so he'll probably put me on these and that's another few weeks gone to try things. I just feel that time is running out and if there is something wrong it's delaying it in finding it..I'm sure you understand the feeling because you have gone through it..I just want that peace of mind and want them to do a CT or MRI or what ever it is that will tell me for sure. I know that without the piece of mind, I cannot rest and all sorts of thoughts will be in my mind. You done well for them to give you the tests that you seeked..
I syill worry a lot and not sure where this jouney in my life is taking me...it's the noy knowing which is the worst. I'll keep you posted..
Thank you again for taking the time to read my post.
Rai
carmel83758 Tinkerbell32
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Tinkerbell32 carmel83758
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carmel83758 Tinkerbell32
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rai27 Tinkerbell32
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Further to my last note - just an update.
I've been to see the physio and really had a good chat with her. I mentioned that all this breathing technique is all good but how can I give it 100% when I am worried that the tests that have been done so far has not really focused on my chest area. I've had the barium swallow, x-ray, camera down the throat, various breathing tests, full bloods, and medication on lansaprozol. I think she knew I was genuinly worried. I said to her that I am also due to see the consultant next week, which I did yesterday. I remebered what you said when you had been given the CT scan, so I really had to plead with the consultant saying I need to have peace of mind either way as it's really effecting my lifestyle and I have tried everything and nothing is helping. He agreed and I've got my scan on Monday so thank you for your reply post as it really helped!
I then have to see the consultany again for the results after 2 weeks. When you had your test done, how long did you wait for the results? I know for 2 weeks I'll be really worrying.
Rai
Tinkerbell32 rai27
Posted
That's good news, at least u can get peace of mind now. I had to wait a week i think for the results, i had another appointment to go back and discuss them with the doctor.
I'm sure you will be absolutely fine though. Let me know how you get on.
rai27 Tinkerbell32
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Sorry for the late reply. Since my last post, just an update.
I did go back for my ct scan results and thankfully all was fine. I am now on Gaviscon and giving that a try - it's not really helping much. I'm still in the same situation and getting this uncomfortable sensation. I think my next step will be to see a Gastro specialist.
I know you mentioned that you had seen an ENT specialist, a Respiratory specialist and a Gastro specialist. I'm in the same situation so my journey continues - I'll keep you posted.
Are is the situation with you? Are you still getting the symptoms?
Tinkerbell32 rai27
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I get symptoms on and off still, but i now know what is likely to cause the symptoms when i do get them. Stress is definitely a factor, along with certain foods. I'm currently trying to wean myself off the Nexium but i know thats not going to be an easy task! I recently had a blood test and i have very low Vitamin D levels so am taking tablets for that too now. I'm starting to rattle as i walk now! lol. Not sure if this was due to the Nexium, i think they can cause vitamin deficiencies.
At least you have some peace of mind that the CT scan was clear. It's very much a step by step process, eliminating any thing else you think it could be. Good luck with it all, i hope it goes well and you finally get the symptoms under control.