GERD and Shortness of Breath/Chest Pains

Hi I'm 15 years old and for about a year now I have had problems with indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux. After almost every meal i have pressure in my chest and I need to burp. Also, heart burn and acid reflux had become worse lately. In addition to this, I have began to experience shortness of breath (about 2 weeks now) and chest pains. At first it was only on the right side but now mostly on the left side.

I have been to the ER because i thought I was going to have a heart attack. I had chest pains, my heart was beating fast, and I felt dizzy. The cardiologist told me it was probably not my heart but my digestive system.

Is there a link between GERD and shortness of breath? And as for the chest pains, it is not only after eating so could it be a respiratory problem? I do have anxiety/panic problems but I don't think that would cause the shortness of breath to occur all the time and chest pains. I almost get scared to go lay down and sleep because the shortness of breath gets worse and I get the fear I will have a heart attack.

I know it's a lot but if anyone has experienced this and knows any info I would greatly appreciate it :[ Also, the lymph nodes in my left armpit seem to be enlarged, what does this mean with all the other symptoms? thank you!

[selmaS]

  Hi...some with GERD also have a hiatal hernia and it can affect the vagus nerve which can affect breathing.

  Bloating can also affect breathing as it presses on the diaphragm.

  Did ur Dr advise u to modify ur diet and lifestyle?,....give u ne meds?

   When was the last time u were to ur Dr?

    "selma"

[derekw24]

I haven't gotten checked out for a hernia yet but am going to the doctor tomorrow. Since I have swollen lymph nodes my mom suspects bronchitis or pneumonia, but your answer seems to make a lot of sense. thank you!

[selmaS]

  Do post an update after u see the Dr.,


   Good luck, I pray all is well.

      "selma"

[derekw24]

Well I went to the doctor today and she said it was most likely my asthma acting up and prescribed an inhaler. Also, Prevacid for my gerd/indigestion problems. Hopefully there is no infection and it is just asthma.

Do you know how long it takes for the inhaler to start working because it's been a few hours and i still can't really breathe any better. I have an appt with the g.i doctor in 2 weeks (that was the soonest appt!! -_-) to see about if h. pylori could be causing my abdominal pain and burping.

I will keep you posted thank you Selma

[selmaS]

  Really can't say since we are all diff in the way our bodies respond to meds.....didn't the Dr give u a general timeline as to when u might see results?

Something to keep in mind look at the last item on this list-

CONDITIONS RELATED TO PROBLEMS OF MAGNESIUM
In addition to symptoms of overt hypomagnesemia (clinically low serum magnesium), the following conditions represent possible indicators of chronic latent magnesium deficiency:

Depression
Chronic fatigue syndrome
ADHD
Epilepsy
Parkinson’s disease
Sleep problems
Migraine
Cluster headaches
Osteoporosis
Premenstrual syndrome
Chest pain (angina)
Cardiac arrhythmias
Coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis
Hypertension
Type II diabetes
Asthma

I look forward to updates

   "selma"