Major GERD Problems

Starting about 5 weeks ago I began to have trouble getting a full breath, and even when I did I still had a strange pressure in my chest that made me feel short of breath. Originally thinking this was my asthma acting up (which rarely happens), I went to the hospital.  They found everything to be in check, took x-rays of my lungs etc, Everything was fine.  

After going to see my Doctor he put me on Prednisone thinking it was my allergies. Took that for 5 days, nothing. Went to see a heart doctor, everything was perfect. I got a barium test done at the hospital, that turned out to show I had acid reflux in several spots on my esophagus.

They gave me Nexium, which I've been taking for the past few weeks with little to no result, I've been out of school for about 4 weeks now because it's gotten so bad.  I've completely cut the normal aggitators out of my diet and haven't seen much improvement from that either.

Some of my symptoms are, a lump in the base of my throat, where it meets with my chest.  This feeling makes it difficult to swallow or even drink.  I have a feeling in my chest thats similar to an elephant sitting on me... I have little to no heartburn however.

The symptoms effecting my breathing send my mind into a state of panic because it feels as though each breath could be my last.  At this point I have no idea where to go.  The only thing that seems to make me feel better about my symptoms is Xanax, but that won't actually help, just reduce my panicing.

I should also mention I'm 17 years old, 140 pounds, work out almost every day prior to this problem, and in very health condition.  These symptoms have kept me from doing even the most basic takes for about a month now.

Thanks in advance for anything you guys can help with.

[ChitChatNine]

Hello .. thank you so so much for coming by this community ...

I am a mom to 4 children and my oldest is 17 .. just like you .... so I can personally feel the frustration you are going through as my daughter has had similar issues as you describe .. she is asthmatic, too, and it is VERY HARD to tell the difference bcz not getting air is not getting air even though there are two distinct clinical reasons for it ..

1) asthma and
2) GERD

And the panic attack button is so easily pushed because no air is no air and then it gets tighter and tighter and scarier.

Do you own a peak flow meter?  The little plastic thing you blow into to measure your airways?

THAT WORKED WONDERS for us to figure out if it was reflux or asthma going on bcz if she concentrated really hard before she blew into the peak flow she would get a true reading of mildly reduced asthma airway and not what you would get if a True Flair needing the Prednisone, etc.

So when she would see fron the peaks it was not asthma then she was able to relax and realize it was GERD and would be ok but still be in GERD symptoms.

Sounds like bad esohagitis is going on (not a Dr., just aot of exp. here) and that is why the lump!  Terrible feeling. So sorry you have it.

Ask your Dr. if you can take CARAFATE to help heal this esophagitis ... it is RAW inside most likely and even though you have the Nexium the gerd coming up is still coming up .. it neutralizes the acid but the raw esophagus still hurts alot and thus the lump (if the Nexium is neutralizing)

There are many many Acid reducers your Dr can put you on to try.  Make sure no mylanta, etc. for time before and after takin them .. same is true for Carafate if you take that .. Carafate coats all the mucous membrances and helps to heal rawness  / ulcers and really may help .. it is given to infants by pedi GI's.. I would ask .. they may say no, but a GI will say yes I think.

What do you think?  Pls. come back with your feedback and let us know how things are progressing .... I really feel for you and so many people on this board have major experience and will give you more feedback I am certain!

Cheryl

[ChitChatNine]

One more thing to add to the list:

See a GI ..this is complicated case with asthma and proven reflux results

See a Pulmonary doc as you may be aspirating reflux (even when asleep) causing the asthma and

See an allergist
________________________________

I forgot to mention that the prednisone can cause the reflux to flare as side effect .. that is nasty stuff with side effects ... but no choice sometimes.

My 17yr old carries an epi pen for latex/plum/nuts .. severe env. allergies too .. my son had food reflux allergies .. so allergies may have play in this, too just you don't know which ones ?

Cheryl

[debkoch]

I had the exact same thing only the doctors were sure it was asthma.  I couldn't breath, the steriods made me eat ravonously which only made it worse for me.  I developed a chemical sensitivity to smells and perfumes along with it too.  Finally a 2nd dr diagnosed me with gerd and put me on nexium now all is well.
Deb

[ChitChatNine]

WELCOME to the COMMUNITY!!!

Did your chemical sensitivity fully go away with the Nexium?

My same daughter described above gets migraine from Shalimar perfume (a girl used to wear it) and certain brands of second hand smoke (the nitrates maybe?) ...

She also has the formeldahyde chemical sensitivity in certain fabrics and has to wash them six or so times until it gets out .. she gets a sunburn rash!  The allergist figured that one out.  

Also other life threatening allergies (latex, plum, nuts) .. the asthma went away as her allergies got better controlled.

Aspiration asthma is also something to keep in mind .. can be micro-aspiration, too caused by silent relfux.

Cheryl

[CJB1337]

Well I'm back with a bit of an update a month later...

I've been to the pulmonary doctor for extensive tests, everything is perfect.

I've been back to my primary doctor and he's fairly certain that my problem is mostly mental and that it will be easy to control with proper anti-depressants.  I tried Effexor for a single day but the side effects were so bad I had to stop.

That was several weeks ago, I recently saw him about a week ago for an update and to try a new anti-depressant.  I'm currently on Paxil as well as a pile of other PPI's just to test and see if anything makes me feel better.

I've learned to deal with my panic attacks a little better, but the thought of being on anti-depressants for any extended period of time sickens me, and makes me feel as though there is no cure in sight.

I'm currently scheduled to get an Endoscopy done in a few weeks to verify that I do have acid reflux, and that is what is causing this.

In a desperate attempt for answers I've re-evaluated pretty much every aspect of my life, and through some googling I've come with this question - As mentioned before I work out almost every day, as part of my workout routine I take a protein shake to help build muscle etc.  Is there a possibility that either of these 2 things could be a cause of my problems?



Once again, thanks for your help

[ChitChatNine]

If you have a moment, can you list the ingredients of the protein shake?  It can be one small ingredient causing the reflux .. it is possible ..... and I would think that maybe working out would cause reflux at the time of the workout but not continuing through the day but I'm not a Dr.

I am very proud you are trying the course of the anti depressents coupled with PPI's and re-evaluating what is happening and see a cause/effect of if the meds help or not.

Really really off the wall ? but one I am going to ask bcz I am CL of Thyroid Community and see thyroid stuff all the time going on and have thyriod issues, myself.  

Have they checked your thyroid functions .. TSH at the very least to be certain that is not the cause of the need for anti-depressents?????

PS:  [ Your initials are my maiden name initials .. ahhhhh .. 25yrs married this month ... such memories!!!! ]

Cheryl  

[CJB1337]

Well I cut myself off from it for a few weeks, no change, just had an endoscopy done that showed no reflux at the time but that doesn't necessarily mean no reflux apparently.

Not really sure where to go from here.

[ChitChatNine]

So sorry it didn't show the reflux when you were refluxing .. that happens so often .. .happened to my son but we would see him reflux .. just didn't catch it at that moment.

Also, how frustrating on the avoidance of the drink and still problems ..........

I am so glad you stopped backwith an upadate; I've been thinking of you!

C~

[Callysmommy]

it could be allergies.  Do you consume dairy? I'd try to get off dairy - if you're still having symptoms in a month, then it's probably not that.  My throat used to swell from consuming dairy products.  Fortunately for me it resolved after a year.  There is so much allergies, sensitivity, and even reflux caused from cow's milk.  Even if you test negative for dairy allergy, doesn't mean "allergy" per se, but instead many things are irritants, like dust for example, many people aren't allergic, but it can cause sneezing and congestion in anybody.  

[calmnow]

Though medications are important to help with symtoms (symptoms), I found after a year with severe acid reflex and gasping for breath that I has to work on my emotional issues. Got into therapy, did acupuncture and read the book, Body Ecology Diet to cleanse my body of toxins and eat to heal it.  I am still  
on medication to inhibit acid, but I am feeling better and see a light at end of the tunnel.