Trouble Breathing and Uninsured

Hello,
For a few months I had been having little bouts of shortness of breath.  One day, about a month ago, I was again having difficulty breathing.  I figured that it would go away like it always had, but it didn't.  For the last month, I have had contiunous shortness of breath.  I was very concerned when it didn't go away after a couple days, so I saw a doctor.  Blood tests, chest x-ray, and ekg showed nothing abnormal.  So here I am, still looking for answers.

I'm not hyperventilating or anything, but definitely short of breath.  There is pressure at the top of my diaphram, which feels like it's the cause of my breathing difficulty.  Like the expansion of my diaphram/lungs are slightly impeded.  It gets MUCH worse when I have gas, which is throughout the day given the fact that I've had pretty bad acid reflux during the last month as well.  The breathing trouble also gets worse when I eat to much and feel full - feels like there's not enough room for diaphram/lung expansion.

I'm thinking that it might be a hiatal hernia, which is associated with GERD and can cause the chest crowding that I'm feeling.  Then again, I suppose it could be something else too.  If anyone has any ideas or thoughts, please let me know.  I've been seeing my general practitioner, but can't really afford to see specialists because I'm uninsured.

John

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

It is possible for GERD/ acid reflux to affect breathing.....sometimes it puts pressure on the vagus nerve and we have heart palps....

A GI Dr can do testing to see if u do in fact have a hiatal hernia...and there r ways to miodify ur diet and lifestyle to help reduce the effects of GERD.

Do see ur Dr and post an update...and see the health pages for tips on what foods to avoid and which r safe.http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=236

   "selma"

[selmaS]

  Not knowing where u live, or if u r in the US  ...I will post this info just in case....there is a way to get medical insurance and not pay thru the nose.

http://www.pcip.ca.gov/Home/default.aspx

  Do check it  out, I hope it is helpful.

      "selma"

[Londres70]

Sounds like a possible Hiatal Hernia.  I have the same problem too and I have a Hiatal Hernia + terrible GERD.  This can also be just from the GERD.  

Have you been prescribed anything for the GERD?

[laleggenda]

I tried Prilosec, but had very bad reaction to it (numbness in extremities).  Now I'm doing a combination of Zantac and Maalox, which seems to help with the gas, but I still have the underlying shortness of breath.  I suppose it could all be caused by the GERD, but I can't see a specialist until my insurance kicks in in January.  What's discouraging is that I had such a bad reaction to the Prilosec, leading my general physician to say that prescriptions drugs would be no good for me.

[Londres70]

Well, your physician can't assume you will have a reaction to another PPI med thought the possibility is high.  You could try combining Reglan with the other two meds.  Reglan is by Rx.  

What is your diet like?  How often are you eating throughout the day?  Small or big meals?  

You should have a Upper Endoscopy done ASAP, however, that is not possible now r/t insurance.