severe shortness of breath

I have had extreme shortness of breath, tightness in my chest and very slight burning in my chest. I have had an upper G.I whcih was neg., three chest ex-rays whcih also were neg. i also had an echo, and stress test, both were neg.  My Dr. has told me that I have GERD and I am taking acifix 20mg 2x per day. I have had asthma since I was 10 y/o I am now 33. I recently had a pullm. function test and was told my shortness of breath was not from asthma and that my breathing was at 188%.  I smoked for 7 years approx 1/2 pack per day. Smoked Marjuiana about 5 times per week for about 5 years. i stopped smoking cig. 14 months ago and smoke marj. about once a week. My question is: is a  lung x-ray accurate? Can GERD cause this many symptoms? Can GERD be this bad? My Dr. also told me that it can take 1-2 months for acifeix to work, true? I would appreciate any feedback. Thank you!

[sick rick]

Shortness or breath...severe chest pains...GERD can cause of that. It's one bad aspect of this disease that can cause patients to become complacent when and if something more serious arises, like a heart condition.

The medication should have effect by a month, any longer and it may not be the right one, or option. Diseased sections will take  longer to respond.

SR

[csm1113]

I, too, have the shortness of breath and tightness in chest.  Is yours in the upper part or middle?  My throat also tightens and I feel as if I'm choking.  I get the hot tingling feeling in my chest, back, arms and sometimes my legs are really weak.  I also have PSVT's and I'm never sure which symptoms go with which. Hope you're feeling better soon!

[DANNY31]

A related discussion, severe heart jumps was started.