Acid Reflux and shortness of breath

[ChannyStar]

I've seen similiar questions here but felt compelled to ask...
I'm 29 and I've been living with reflux for a long time. Sometimes I've medicated, other times I've had remissions.  Recently,  I woke up at 2 a.m. after eating something spicy and felt shortness of breath, combined with acid. I was coughing but it was unproductive and dry. This feeling continued and prompted me to see the doc.  I thought for sure I must have a hiatal hernia combined with acid, because of the shortness of breath feeling, but after a barium upper/lower GI, no evidence of hernia was found. Just alot of acid reflux!  I am currently taking Prilosec OTC and have been ever since seeing the doc. Basically, this shortness of breath feeling (like I can't get a good deep breath) has been with me for about two weeks, since the waking up episode! At times, if I burp or twist just right, I feel I can get a deep breath.  Also when I am very relaxed and sleeping it tends to let up as well.  It's a very annerving feeling and the meds don't seem to be helping that much.  Does this seem typical of a bad reflux/GERD flareup?  The shortness of breath is such an anxiety provoking symptom to have!

Thanks for your thoughts!

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
PPI are very effective in controlling the symptoms of GERD. But the results will be better if certain lifestyle modifications are followed.
In few patients, a 'nocturnal breakthrough' occurs. The patients have nightime symptoms.
PPI are not effective in controlling these nighttime reflux.
H2RA like Zantac taken at nighttime ( In addition to the PPI already being taken) will be useful in these situations.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.
- Ratnakar Kini M.D.

[troubles631]

I have had the same shortness of breath since spring.......it's very scary and exactly, you can't get a good deep beath.  They tell me it is severe gerd and reflux.....I just had my esaphogus stretched last week in hopes of some relief.......nothing!  All the meds, prevacid, nexioum, can't even begin to name them all, no relief............they say I have severe scarring and inflammation from the gerd but nothing they give me helps.........good luck to both of us!!!!!!!!!

[ChannyStar]

Thank you--I will look at combining my treatment with some night time therapy.  It's good to know these symptoms are somewhat typical.

Also, Troubles361--
I have had some recent success wtih orange peel extract.  I got it at the health food store and it is very concentrated high quality orange peel in gel pill form.  I can't remember the exact product name at the moment but if you are interested, I'd take a trip to the health food store.

I hope everyone will get relief that is searching for answers here. Living with this is so frustrating at times.  Hugs to everyone going through this!

[bricken]

I have the sane symptoms.  Just completed stress tests, cat scans, respitory test, nothing shows up.  I do have a small hiatal hernia but could that be causing the breathing problems.  I am so aware of every breath.  I break out into a sweat from nerves.Where do I go from here. What do I do.  Is there a specialist out there that can help just tell me what I'm dealing with.

Someone get back to me.

Thanks