help really short of breath /reflux

I am a 54 yr old female with moderate to severe emphysema, last week after an edoscopy revealed that the tightness and cramps in my upper respitory tubes and rib cage area is caused by reflux, consequently I can hardly breath on movement and I keep waking up as if drowning so getting little sleep too, im really tired no energy, I have been taking lapranisole for only a few days also on my normal inhalers for copd any help or advice would be appreciated, also this reflux started after i banged my sternum really hard could this have caused it.

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Banging the sternum does not cause these symptoms.
Bronchodilators and PPI would be helpful.Lifestyle modifications to control reflux are equally important.