I will tell my whole GERD story after this paragraph, but for those who want the basics of it... I had acid reflux for months but after taking probiotic supplements for a couple weeks, I had 0 symptoms of it. After taking the supplements for about a week though, I started to experience shortness of breath. First only a little bit, but now, it can be the whole day and/or just really intense at night. It feels like I am producing enough oxygen, but I don't feel satisfied with my breaths so often I have to take deep breaths but those stop halfway sometimes.
Went to the doctors who's not sure either since I experience no other health symptoms besides this.
Can anyone relate? Does anyone have any ideas what caused this?
I *FEEL* like it's my esophagus narrowing because I think my lungs are working fine... if I'm right, is it super dangerous? Can my esophagus close up from inflamming or swelling too much if I don't get help???
"Full" story turned short:
I had acid reflux sometimes as a kid, then it disappeared, then it came back Dec 2015 after I got the stomach flu. Thinking my symptoms were just flu symptoms, I didn't get diagnosed or treated until after a few months (which my friend thinks is a reason I still have it... late diagnose). Anyway, after losing a lot of weight, always being nausesous and tired, etc. I took over-the-counter meds (Zantac, Prilosec, etc.) and multiple tests that all came clear, then I finally got an endocopy and was diagnosed with Esophagitis. The doctor prescribed me Lansoprozele and after trying to take it a few days, I would immediately feel weak and have stomach issues so I stopped taking it. Fast forward to the past few months/weeks of going "natural," drinking Evodia extract, eating Manuka honey, and now ONLY taking probiotic supplement pills, I have been feeling 0 symptoms, except a couple hours every some days when I guess I stress or eat something VERY bad and have a super intense episode of feeling like I need to barf. But besides that, my only issue right now is my difficulty breathing.
I decided to go on a 10 day water fast in Jan 2013 a few days after the fast ended I noticed I had to take deeper breaths then yawning a lot it got worse then everytime I ate I had a hard time breathing, this was my only symptom, I tried to ignore it for a few weeks then went to the doctor and went through so many useless tests (shame on them) in the end I finally went to a ENT who said it was silent reflux so I took Prilosec which seemed to help some but I still had a problem breathing somewhat, after about a year of this I weined myself off the pills. I still have the problem although if I watched what I ate and drank better I dont think I would have a breathing problem at all. I still don't know what it is about the fast that caused this
Why did you go on a fast for 10 days? I you have reflux this will make it worse, much worse. Maybe the anxiety on going on a 10 day fast created the problem which you still have.
Hi there I do feel for you .I no exactly how you feel .I have barrets osaphagus .and silent reflux .
But every day of my life I feel like I can breath or I carnt get my breath .and when I breath in I feel like I don't take the full air in .have to yawn to catch breath .but then I panic because I think I carnt breath .
I feel as if something sat on my lungs and my wind pipe closed so can not breath always short of breath it's horrible .
I no this is why my anxiety had also got worse as I panic as feeling of not being able to breath .
I currently take 40 mg a day omeprazole .
I do hope you get sorted or find what's best for you to help feel better
Absolutely. There are two types of dyspnea or difficulty in breathing.One is shortness of breath without exertion or at rest the other one is shortness of breath upon exertion. Mine is when i walk of the hill for a short distance No jabbing pain or stabbing pain on the chest though, it jsut feels like i want to gasp for air. ,i feel the shortness of breath, reason being i don't take or missed on my ppis(Omeprazole /Lanzoprazole).My chest xray and tests showed normal results. There is even a time that i only get relieved when i burp even long before I've taken a meal.Maybe you should continue taking your medications. The moment i came back to medications the shortness of breath is gone. Sadly for us it feels like we are going to be ppis dependent most of our lives.
hope you are well.
I didn't have the problem until I went on the fast. I went on the fast because I had some other issues I thought it would help
Yes, many of us make the same mistakes including myseld. Fasting is good for many reasons but not if you have reflux. God Bless!
I am having the breathing problems. I thought for a while it was sleep apnea and then I thought it was asthma or that I was just out of shape.
But right before finding this post I woke up at 3am struggling to breath and had a panic attack that made it worse...tried a hot shower...tried drinking and it feels like I can't even swallow well...then it occurred to me that my throats stings whenever I have this at night.
So I'm thinking it's acid reflux. I had been diagnosed with gerd in the past but never knew why or what it meant ...I've never taken meds for it for any period of time.
Wondering now if I have destroyed my throat.
What medicine do you folks take for it and what tests were run to confirm gerd/acid reflux?
I have an even crazier story, I think anyway! Got a really bad cold end of last October, lost my voice, felt like I had something stuck in the back of my throat, tried to cough and it wasn't productive. It went away, then came back in November and pretty much hung on through December. I tend to 'just keep going' and being the holidays and a houseful of company, that's what I did. Felt lousy and took copious amounts of Mucinex, night time cough syryp, Advil etc. Began to get concerned when I really became short of breath walking my dog which never happens. Finally on 12/31 after everyone left and was treated for Bronchitis. Took all the meds, felt a little better, but not all that much. All during this time I still felt like something was stuck in my throat, sore throat, voice somewhat back, but not all the way, burning in my throat and still short of breath. Also had sinus and ear symptoms. Went to doctor for regular annual and told him and he said, Laryngeal Bronchitis sometimes takes a long time. Symptoms continued to get worse and actually would feel like my throat was closing up at times. Decided to see a ENT. He said I had a Laryngeal Sinusitis that was never treated properly and maybe a little Reflux. Put me on Doxycycoline for 3 weeks and a Medrol Prednison pack, along with a Zantac once a Day and a Prilosec once a day, and come back in a month. I was relieved it wasn't more serious and after doing the scope he said nothing was there. Felt a little better till I finished the Prednisone and then symptoms got worse. Could hardly speak, get a breath, didn't hurt when swallowing, but would gag on liquids really bad. Sometimes I feel like I should burp, but can't. Went back and he did the scope again and said it was nothing serious, to keep taking the meds, etc. However, I began to wonder after the nurses kept asking me if I was taking the Zantac and Prilosec as directed. So now I'm wondering if this is connected to my breathing, gagging and swallowing issues. Me, the 'healthy eater' who never has stomach issues, the exerciser, etc. .... Reflux? I figure I'll give it till finishing the meds as I do feel somewhat better, but this has gone on long enough and I'm wondering if next step should be a Gastroenterologist? Any ideas anyone or am I just crazy? It's seriously getting 'very old', I don't do 'sick' well and it's embarrassing to be in public and not be able to speak (sound like I'm gasping for air sometimes) and gagging or choking on food and liquid.
I have had shortness of breath issues for the pst 6 months (since I had my baby) the doctors told me must be my aniexty (have a history of aniexty) This feels much different to me. I feel like I'm not getting enough breath going in. I get a bitter taste in my mouth, dizzy and almost faint from the short of breath feeling. I also have severe constipation and nausea. I can deal with the rest but feeling like I can't breath is really hard to live with. I'm alone most of the time with my 6 month old and it scares the hell out of me and makes my aniexty bad! But I swear it starts with out the aniexty it's just the cause of it..I think!? I have had a chest X-ray and heart my motor and all came back ok. Just so frustrating and sick of living like this! If anyone has ideas or suggestions please please let me know
It has to be acid reflux, I'm experiencing the same thing with shortness of breath- it has been causing me to have LOTS OF ANXIETY- which I never had!! I have suffered from acid reflux in the past but never any symptoms of shortness of breath. I started taking my acid reducer twice a day & instantly within 5-10 minutes I'm able to breath better- has helped- Weird!! I looked it up & acid reflux does cause that hard to breath side effect- I didn't know that.. It narrows the esophagus which causes you to have trouble breathing. The weight gain from having a baby could have surfaced the acid reflux, not sure exactly what did. Please read about it, there are many things that could cause it to surface.
Thank you so much for replying! Sorry I have been busy with the little man. What do you take for the acid reflux? I started taking last week nexium (esomeprazole magnesium)but just the OTC once a day 22.3 mg time release. Also famotidine 10mg a day. Doesn't seem to be helping yet but maybe I'm taking the wrong stuff or not enough of it! I get a sore throat and feel like I always have to clear it also. I almost have asthma like symptoms. But I don't have the actual burning of heartburn and my chest although I looked it up as you suggested and it does say I could have silent reflux which does cause asthma like symptoms. Any suggestions on over-the-counter medicine send would be awesome thanks again
Hi Nikki, I just buy the generic Acid Reducer from the Dollar Tree it's a 150 mg for 8 & its only a $1. I take one in the morning & one in the afternoon. The name brand is Zantac - which I have taken in prescription in the past but they sell it over the counter now - also know as Ranitidine. I also have the part were I couldn't clear my throat & I do think it's related to the acid reflux. When I take the med it clears it up so I think it has something to do with the acid.I really hope this helps you & you get better soon. I really don't think you will have to take it forever. Take care of yourself & eat better & you will get better. You will know when you feel better & when it's time to wing yourself off the med. You might have to take in the future from time to time when you have an episode but at least you'll know what it is.. Hoping & Praying this helps you 🙏 Congrats on your little man..
Hi Nikki.I was told by my Dr.and pharmacist that the medication HAS to be prescription strength.I take Prilosec 40 mg.once a day.I have good days and bad days.I also have days when I wheeze and breathing feels hard.I've read that comes along with acid reflux.I hope this helped you out a little.Good luck
Hi Nikki.I was told by my Dr. and pharmacist that you HAVE to take prescription strength medication.I take Prilosec 40 mg. everyday for Acid Reflux.I too have shortness of breath and wheezing.I've read that can come along with acid reflux.I hope this helped you a little bit.Good luck.
Hi Julie, it just depends on what symptoms you have & what the diagnoses is, that's why it is very important to see a doctor. Zantac used to be a prescription too, they just started selling it over the counter within the last couple of years. Doesn't mean it's not any good, it is a very good acid reducer. The difference between Zantac is it is a acid reducer & Prilosec & Nexium are a acid reducer too - but they are a proton pump inhibitor which helps heal ulcers & other things more in detailed. All of the medicines above are really good but you have to have to correct one for your diagnosis in order for it to help. I hope this helps you better understand the difference between the medications. I'm still learning myself & thought this might help you & others understand. Good Luck, wishing you & everybody reading this the very best in health & getting better soon 🍀 GOD BLESS YOU ALL 🌹
You might benefit from having your thyroid scanned. You may have a nodule or tumor.
Charron, I am going through THE EXACT same thing you described. Have you gotten a diagnosis yet? If so, are you feeling any better??
I am going through this myself. Have you gotten a diagnosis yet? If so, are you feeling better??
Hey Rachel! I've been going through this too i don't have any problems during day times but yeah i can't sleep at night properly sometimes when i have acidity because of shortness of breath ! Do you know what fennel seeds are? There's a desi remedy it clears your throat and lessens the breathless ness if it's caused by acid refulx try it ! Keep it in your mouth chew it a little don't finish it all the way ! I drink lots of water too with sqeezed lemons on it . It really helps me but on other side i also take Lansoprazole 30mg only when my breathless ness gets really really bad otherwise few home desi remedies really works for me ! I'll pray for your health though ✌Stay Blessed