LPR and shortness of breath

My asthma and allergy doctor (I don't have asthma. But at first that's what they thought). He suspected it so sent me to a speech therapist. 

The only way you can be officially diagnosed with it is if they have the camera down your throat when you are having the breathing difficulty. Which I have not. My ENT did say he saw acid damage though.

Whatever the official diagnosis I know shortness of breath and lpr are related. If you have lpr, breathing exercises to treat the vcd won't really work 100% if the lpr is what is really causing it.

One thing that did help me when I'm having shortness of breath is gaviscon, have you tried that?

Thanks!  Yes, in my case they said it was COPD, Asthma, reflux, gastritis and anxiety.  After 3 years they said it was not related to any of the previous conditions and besides mild reflux plus now mild barrets I have no other problem .  Before it was sometimes, now is all the time with chest pain.  Not acid related pain, is more like I pull a chest muscle and it always hurt.  Just got some blood test done which shows no inflammation, but does show high cortisol which could be high stress.  I take anxiety medication (but I'm almost out, tapped down and I'm on my last 2-3 weeks) ;-)  So anxiety medication did not help with symptoms (maybe 10%), but it did help me relax.   In my case ENT did see irritation the first time, last 2 times nothing. So basically they disregarded LRP and vocal disfunction. I do have gluten sensitivity but grain free diet has not helped at all. I believe it might be another sensitivity with food, so I'm going all the way eliminating for 60 days all nuts, fruits, eggs, tomatoes, white potatoes and peppers. Thanks God,  he always pick me up when I'm down.

Yes, I took gaviscon advance and did not help. I still have some just in case. Much better than taking PPI's. ;-)  I do take sucrafate 2-3 times daily which is similar and good for barrets.

 

Hello Papote53,

I have just had another exray and they said Emphysema is showing up.

However I am so much better since I have been obtating from eating after 6pm at night, and taking Cider Vinegar with hone alternating with Chlorophyll, also Aloe Vera juice 4 times per day.

Hope you try this,.

Kind Regards,

Carmwoman

I was diagnosed with mild hyperinfladed lungs 3 years ago but after doing 2 COPD test and 4 anthma test they said I did not have COPD or asthma. I actually took medication for COPD (30 fays) and did not help. Now, I also have this chest pain all day long and for the last few months similar to inflammation pain. So if I do any exercise, even with 10 pounds next day my chest muscles will hurt more and rib-cage will hurt as well.  Blood test shows no inflammation and xray showed again hyperinflated lungs with no obstructions so agai  they disregarded any lung problem. My breathing problem increases when I talk, walk or even stand to long. I had this for like a year and the pain started 3 years ago.    I did have anxiety but that is pretty much under control. I gues after 3 yarsof living like this your mind relaxes by itself.  Now, stress is still a factor because my cortisol levels are high, which means stress is high. Going to see my urologist this Friday, hopefully he will give me some feedback on this. I have taken ACV and aloverajuice before, no side effects but did not help.  I have not taken Chloropyl, so maybe I'll order some. How does  Chloropyl help?

Forgot to mention, xray are not good for a COPD diagnosed.  Actually, every time you do an xray for this purpose they ask you to breathe inn all you can and hold, that itself will reflect as hyperinflated lungs. That is why I had to see a Pulmo and they have done 2 COPD test with negative results.  Allergist and primary did 4 more asthma test with same results.  Have you seen a Pulmo? Not sure what would show on an xrayif you have Emphysema, but I guess it will show hyperinflatted lungs as well or would it show something else?

Hi Papote53,

Thankyou for that information, but it does say Moderate generalised centrilobular emphysema, is again demonstrated, most marked at the apices. There is a stable, 31 mm bullous centrally within the right lower lobe, on the ex ray report.

However since I have been refraining from eating after 6pm at night, taking Aloe Vera 4 times per day alternating with Chlorophyll, and also Apple cider Vinegar with a dash of magnesium and honey, my heartburn is so much better, think my breathing is also a little better.

I hope you will try my natural receipies too.

I would love the Ex Rays to be wrong about the Emphysema.

Take care and Good luck, I have been in misery gasping for breath for 4 years. but have a little bit of relief now, as i did have unbearable Gerd with it.

Good luck,

Hi Papote 53 -

I've been trying to catch up with you. I am about your age (just turned 50). I also live in Florida. Like you, I was always a very active person (biking, push, pull, chin-ups), until recently. My life was basically reduced to half of what I used to be able to do some months ago. A little background: I do have asthma, but has been well controlled until recently. I did smoke, but quit 20 years ago. I also recently gave up drinking and tobacco chewing. I have been in hospital several times in past 2 months for both breathing and gastro problems. Have had numerous tests done, including heart cath that apparently showed i have the heart of a 30 year old. GI tests showed mild chronic gastritis and duodentitis. Upon x-ray, lungs were found to be mildly hyperinflated. CT scan showed mildly diffuse bronchial thickening. I'm on asthma meds, acid reflux meds and have changed diet drastically - all to no avail. What is going on with us?

Hi Keith,

I replied to you on another forum but basically it was the same.

It's funny how I read your post and how many things we have in common;

1. In The 50th's

2. X-ray Hyperinflated lungs (3 times) but clear on CT. (3 times)

3. Active before this all started

4. Live in Florida

5. Chronic Mild Gastritis

6. Stopped smoking 20 years ago

Recently added mild Barretts, not taking PPI's because I have low acid results from Heidelberg reflux test.  I believe bile is part of the problem because I got Barretts and moderate gastritis after gallbladder removal.

I believe I have 2 problems.  Reflux creating the breathing problem including nasal area (silent reflux), chest pain, sometimes rib-cage pain reflux or nerve issue. GI believe is nerve issue so he suggested anti-depressant for chest pain. Not taking any medication at the present, but 3 years ago I was taking 9 pills for 7 conditions but they did nothing to alleviate chest pain and lack of air so by eating healthy I took care of that.  Yes, All Doc's said that was impossible until they saw it. Sure, look int my file and you will not read eating healthy took care of 9 pills. ;-))))

Took care of the 9 pills. not the chest pain or breathing problems. ;-((((

Hello again - 

So, have you found any improvement from dietary changes? I have not yet. Also, have you read the post by the guy who suggests drinking carbonated water and holding burp in for 5 minutes, doing this 4 times a day, eventually working to 20 minutes, all to hopefully strengthen LES (lower esophageal sphincter). Never tried it. Have you? Also, I still think you might be on to something with low stomach acid treatment. Lets keep on this and in touch. We need to figure this out. If it wasnt for this condition, sounds like we both still have a lot of life left in us! Like I said, I am so very tired of steroids, inhalers and acid reducing drugs. Because they are doing nothing!

No, never read about that but will like to check it out.  I did take care of the symptoms I had from other conditions like HBP, Cholesterol, Anxiety, nerve damage and sinus but the chest and lack of air is not getting better.

I did eliminate Diazepam 4 1/2 months ago which I took for 2 1/2 years and they say it will keep the sphincter open.  I also plan to ask my primary to give me Baclofen which is a muscle relaxer but helps close the valve.  

Yes, I have 4 kids and 1 of them is just 8 and I feel like I'm failing him because I was all into sports and now I'm all into this, completely inactive. ;-(  

We will find an answer, we just need to stick together and take the chance to find an answer. ;-)

Like like Baseball Keith? 

 

I know its hard with kids. I feel even worse for you with little ones. My son is 18 and graduating high school this year. I had to miss 2 of his travel basketball tournaments because of this. Im not a big proponent of pills, but I could see why someone in our condition would be on anxiety meds as I would lik e to be now. I was really hoping my condition would get better with dietary/lifestyle changes, but youre living proof thats not necessarily the case. I would still be interested in the low acid thing though. How do you think you wound up with gastritis? I did have H. pylori back about 4 years ago, but it was eradicated with antibiotics. Ofcourse, I should have at the time stopped my daily beer drinking and tobacco chewing, but did not. Hence, probably have had a mild form of it ever since. I dont know, maybe some more time away from those evils will heal my gut. I do know that gastritis in and of itself causes many people breathing problems. And yes, I love baseball....big Rays fan. Tried to get my son to play, but he took up basketball instead.....the one sport I never played....lol. I cant believe its up to people like us that suffer like this to figure out our own answers

Yes, big fan of baseball and basketball, not to much into football.  But, Yankee fan all the way. Do like the rays and I have been to some games, Love the park!  

I did have mild inactive gastritis for many years, after they removed the gallbladder about 1 year after I did my 5th endoscope and there it was; moderate gastritis and Barretts.  I'm a member of a Barretts facebook group and just about everyone without a gallbladder had this problem and bile appear to be the problem.   I did come out positive twice to SIBO,  but not to H. pylori.  In my case SIBO ould be the reason for reflux, which my GI never took care of it because he did not believe I had SIBO even with the 2 positive test results.  He did give me antibiotics for 10 days and it did not help.

The funny thing is that I retired from the military after serving 21 years and I get no disability benefits. All my friends retired and got 100% disability and they send me pics having a  great time all around the world and here I am with no benefits and stock here. ;-(  You gotta love the system!  ;-) Going back to VA tomorrow, but this time with my no friend Lawyer face. jejeje

Yankees....haha, my girlfriend used to be a fan (shes from Long Island), until I converted her. Yeah, been to a few Rays games. I like The Trop (as we call it here) too. Shame they might wind up with a different stadium, especially with our brutal summers (outdoor baseball, no thanks). Its a disgrace how many of our vets are treated in this country....one of my BIG pet peeves. About the gall bladder - my dad had his taken out many years ago and it was about that time I believe he was put on omeprazole. I tried to send off a stool sample to a lab to test for many organisms, but all their report said was that I did not have H. pylori (which I already knew). Waste of $150. Anyway, Yes, from what I've heard, SIBO can cause both acid reflux and indirectly breathing problems. There is a diet to follow for it, but if youre eating healthy youre probably already pretty much following it.  i think I have it too. Im on antibiotics now, but not helping with anything at all. I just came across another natural product that can be used for both gastritis and acid reflux _ liquid chlorophyll.  Have you ever tried it? I dont know if you took acid reducers for long (ive been on and off for more than 4 years), but theres evidence that these drugs in themselves not only make matters worse sometimes, but can actually lead to problems like gastritis due to low acid and food sitting in stomach longer.  Ill bet if we stay at this together long enough, we'll figure this thing out. What part of Florida do you live?

I was born in New York, so I have no option. ;-)    Yes, I have taken liquid chlorophyll and I actually have some right now. But I only took it for a few days and then my functional said I have MTHFR mutation and this could be a problem so I stopped. Now, is not like I can't, but in my case it can help, or it can make things worse. I'm not getting any better so I will probably start again.

No, I have never taken PPI's for more than 50 days or so.  Always knew I had low acid so I never took much.  My GI said PPI's is good for low or high acid, which made me realize this was not the GI for me.  I have seen 3 GI's in total, the one at Mayo Cliniic at one of the 3 top hospital in the USA said he saw no connection between my pain and reflux, and he actually said my problem is my back so he sent me to a specialist which did not find a connection as well. I do not even have inflammation and my blood work is a master piece for Doctors.  One Doc like a year ago said that my problem started when I was 6 and my brain is blocking my memory but my body is paying for it.  That was the last tie I saw him. l-)   My primary suggested that I take a 6 month vacation because she accepted Doctors including herself were not helping me. ;-)

I live borderline between Kissimmee and Orlando, but is part of Orlando.  Pretty close to GATOR land.

 

I might try the chlorophyll, nothing to lose. I think when I use up my ppis and H2 blockers, i will be done with them. Like I said, in my case, Im sure my continual use of beer and dip in the face of gastritis hasnt helped me at all. I can tell you that gastritis can, and in my case does, cause pain in back. Ive been on many a forum where sufferers say the same thing. Its amazing what doctors dont know that their patients do. Ill bet if you try treating the low acid in your stomach along with diet, you will notice a difference. I certainly hope so. Please keep me updated. Like I said, its up to people like us, of which there are many, to find an answer to this. 

I have no doubt it does, and apparently when I get the back pain, my chest pain gets worse on the right side.  Now, I also have some moderate back conditions which 2 of my Doctors said the back pain is connected to the chest pain but they can't prove it or even treat it.   I might try chlorophyll again, I do know it gives you this nice fresh breath. ;-)))

Yeah, Im not sure I agree with her on the stomach acid thing either, since your GI and many other doctors would agree that stomach acid does decrease with age (along with a lot of other things unfortunately...lol). I am currently trying to follow her diet though, and am hoping to wean myself off the acid reducers again. Unfortunately, in my case, since I quit chewing tobacco again not that long ago, it also leads to worse reflux. Yeah, believe or not. True, nicotine makes acid reflux worse, but unfortunately for a period of time after quitting, many people actually experience worse reflux for a while.....not sure why. I still cant believe how similar our experiences are with the doctors. I too kept complaining to my 3rd GI that I was having breathing problems along with the GI problems and he just dismissed them. Unbelievable! They should spend a day feeling like we do! They might look into something further then. Has your eyesight gotten progressively worse too since this all started?

Hi Jose - 

Just remembered you were going back to VA. How did you make out? How about the digestive enzymes....do they seem to help?

All good, they will do another COPD test and back/nerve check.  For me going to VA is so much easier, is only 7 minutes from my home and they have a team of Doc, Nurse, Psychiatrist and  social worker assigned to me.  Now, I suspect what ever I have on my chest might be related to my back so they initiated another claim. Actually, the Doc I saw at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville said he believes my chest pain and lack of air are not related to reflux, but instead are related to my back problems (back/nerve). So taking a nerve medication or anti-depressant might do the trick but unless I'm 150% sure I'm not going that way. Took 2 1/2 years of Diazepam and I don't want to go back to the same type of drugs. ;-(   Listen, send me your email to this email so we can stay connected. Don't worry, I do not use this email much -  Let me know, so I can check and save your email.

 

Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

Glad to hear everything went fairly well. Sorry youre still getting the run around on the breathing issue though. And I dont blame you for not wanting to take any more drugs. Im hoping in my case that if my gastritis gets better, so will my breathing. I know gastritis itself can cause shortness of breath and more reflux which also causes shortness of breath. I did quit drinking and chewing after holidays, so maybe my gastritis will finally heal with some time. I think my gastritis was caused by these 2 factors and severe stress in my family business which I have since also left due to chemical exposure. Maybe leaving that environment will also help.I guess we'll see. I think i might try digestive enzymes again....I did try for a short time before. 

hello, i am having similar symptoms as you guys. although i'm only 20 and live in the UK i have been having shortness of breath, i mucus sort of feeling in my throat which cause me to keep drinking water and swallowing, no cough though, sometimes i get a sort of mild burning in my throat which leads me to believe its acid related, i do get stomach pains also, all of these symptoms come after food, although the swallowing and breathing doesn't completely go, it dies down by like 90 percent once i haven't eaten in a while, some days i don't have any symptoms but some other days i have the symptoms after every meal, have you had any positive treatments or dietary plans?

Hey Josh1997 & Others,

I'm just coming across this now as I started getting very similar symptoms about 5 months ago. My biggest problem is feeling like its hard to breathe or having the feeling of something in my throat mostly after meals or when laying down at night. I do also have to burp constant to get a breathe through. I went to a GI in January of 2020 and they suspected EOE because I had that treated about 4 years before. He then put me on a PPI once a day starting that week and scheduled a endoscopy for 3 weeks later. After being on the PPI for about two 12 days I mentioned to Dr. that I was getting no relief so he said to increase PPI to twice a day. By the time my scope appointment came around I was feeling much better. The biopsy showed negative on to EOE and didn't show much Acid. During these past weeks I also went to an allergist and he did some breathe / asthma test and came back normal. Although my allergist did suggest LPR. I also got an x-ray on my lungs and they also showed to be okay from x-ray. I did bring the LPR up to my GI and didn't think that made sense. That was odd to me since so many of the symptoms were spot on. Even when I'd brush my teeth I'd start gagging like I had mucus stock in throat. I read that people with LPR get irritated by the mint in toothpaste

About 3 more weeks go by then I started getting some dizzy episodes and was convinced by my girlfriend to get off the PPI. I was off for about 10 days before all of it started to come back and even worsen. So obviously I talked to my GI and got back on the PPI. Keep in mind I had been on a very strict diet as if I had LPR because its what I believed even though Dr. didn't agree. I did talk to a GI with more experience who also worked in the same office. He agreed it sounded like LRP and told me to continue on the meds twice a day for at least 3-4 more months. He assured me I wouldn't feel like this forever and it will go away but would have to string off the PPI slowly because many patients relapse and get worse symptoms after coming off all at once. Its been about two months of me being back on this PPI and honestly I think I've gotten a tad better but still have issues every single day with some be worse than others. I haven't had Coffee, Alcohol, Acidic Foods, for almost 5 months now and in last two months cut out other things like fatty proteins, fried foods, raw onions, fatty dairy and limiting cheese. I'm so strict with food that I've dropped 16 LB's in 2 months but doesn't seem to be working enough.

Anyways, I really wanted to see if you had something that worked for you? Sounds like you had or have very similar symptoms. This is effecting my life some much and making it very hard to stay positive. I'm really desperate from some relief and hope that you or someone can give me some good advice

My symptoms started on the evening of the 21st March 2020. All of a sudden i felt quite breathless, i had been ill for the week before with a temperature and so put it down to that and ignored it. But this has been going on for nearly 3 months now, during the lockdown. I have paid for several video chats with private doctors etc and i now have a gastroscopy on the 25th June. My symptoms are a problem breathing in (not out) and often a hoarse voice. I don't get heartburn, by my chest often feels sore as if it is tired of the amount of effort it takes to breathe. Some days are better than others. I've lost 16 lbs during this episode. I have been on Lansoprazole 30mg for the past few weeks and i take Gaviscon advance (the liquid) and this has helped my symptoms overall. I no longer drink alcohol, caffeine, citrus fruits, onions, tomatoes, chocolate, spicy food etc.

My GP was convinced i have Covid19, which i don't as i have taken the antibodies test.

I would say my symptoms now, are better than they were a month ago, its the breathless issue that gets to you the most, i can pretty much put up with everything else apart from that.

One thing they did try was domperidone. It is an anti-sickness, but it has an odd side effect in that is hugely speeds up digestion of food in the stomach and also closes the lower esophagael sphincter. You cant take it for long, but one of the other things with LPR is the anxiety can affect your mental attitude towards food. I was literally eating hardly any lunch and then just chicken and rice for dinner. So complan is also a good idea as it gives you the calories you need and vitamins you may be missing out on.

My own feeling - and i am in no way a Doctor - there is something going on they don't know about. I had a video chat with a private doctor on the 29th April. Whenever i mention breathing problems, you can almost hear their ears closing. As if i am somehow inventing this whole issue in my head. They are happy to talk about any other symptoms apart from breathing difficulties.

Gaviscon advance is helpful as it coats your throat and gives you some protection against the Pepsin acid from your stomach. It is also worth keeping a record, does the breathing get worse, the day after you have spoken a lot. My job is entails a lot of talking to clients on the phone and I have noticed that the more i use my voice, the breathing is worse the next day. If the larynx becomes inflamed, i have a suspicion it impacts on the width of the trachea as it sits just above the trachea in your throat.

But that is just a theory and i am not medical in anyway.

Exactly the same, everything started in March, unfortunately I had the covid mild symptoms,

Started with loss of taste and smell and light shortness of breath.

I was with penicillin and opremazole for 2 weeks and I started too feeling much better unfortunately after 10 days I stopped with medication, I felt worse then before and shortness of breath became a nightmare!!

Now is almost a year and is slightly better

I did all lungs check and seems all ok

So after almost a year my gp said probably it’s a problem to my oesophagus or stomach but they still not referred me for gastroscopy.

This is the 2nd month of opremazole but I feel exactly same, from tomorrow I’ll try with gaviscon too and I really hope to feel better.

I'm 47 female and have had the annoying throat clearing, left sided sinus issues, feeling like something is stuck on the left side of my oesophagus and the breathlessness also only on the left side for pretty much 3 years, oh and i also sound like I've smoked for 40 years at times which I've never smoked at all.

I seen ENT who decided to take my tonsils out as the left one was enlarged and can be a sign of cancer but all was fine.

I've had no end of trips to the GP and had lung function tests, ECG etc and all clear but now waiting on a Heart CT scan for the breathlessness.

I prefer to go down the natural route of medication but reluctantly tried Lanoprazole as I was struggling but I feel these make my symptoms worse, so back to the bland diet it is because Drs just arent interested unless they can push a pill and send you on your way and bring out the 'Anxiety' card every single time.

I do lots of research on health and have booked to see a Chiropractor because of having thoracic and neck stiffness and pain, again all on the left side, while researching I have found that dysfuntions or subluxations in the neck and thoracic spine can cause Reflux/Gerd/LPR issues due to the nerve routes they effect so I'm praying that this gives me some answers and relief because I'm fed up of being ignored by the GPs I see and I want my life back, so maybe its something you could all look into? and I will update soon.