Dyspnea after eating

Since 1997 I have been experiencing dyspnea and a feeling of burning upon breathing. Cardiac and GI tests were all negative.  Valium has helped a great deal but I am unable to eat during the day without the dyspnea coming on. I can eat supper and in the evening with little or no symptoms.  If I do try eating during the day I'm usually sorry as it ruins my day, work and quality of life.  Ever heard of this before?

[National Jewish]

This is a very difficult question to answer in a forum. There is no easy explanation for someone experiencing difficulty breathing directly associated with eating during the day, but not in the evening. This is particularly true when both GI and Cardiac evaluations have been normal. I would suggest having an evaluation of your breathing at the same time you are having a meal during the day. A physical examination and lung function testing could determine if this is related to your lungs or not.
Good luck.

[Skinny Carol]

Thanks NJC RN. I am an RN too and I failed to mention that I went  to a pulmonary specialist too.  It's most disconserting and there must be someone else in the world with this problem.  I am presently undergoing Cognitive Behavior Therapy where I eat one cracker an hour during the day then two crackers an hour.  That's where I'm at now but no relief in sight.  Again thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my question.

[Concerned lady]

I agree with the advice given by the NJH nurse.

One type of GER (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux) is called LPR (Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux). This type of GER often causes breathing difficulties, such as asthma or Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)(also called many other names), because of the inhaling of stomach acid &/or enzymes.

LPR is often INTERMITTENT, sometimes causing "negative" results on GER/LPR tests, because the reflux WASN'T occurring during the specific testing time, (or because the reflux episode may be ALKALINE REFLUX, instead of ACID REFLUX.)

Here's a theory, but only a theory: Perhaps your gastric reflux occurs more during the day because of the specific activities you do during the day, and the clothing you wear during the day, as opposed to relaxing after supper, possibly wearing looser fitting clothing:

Dr. James A. Koufman, M.D. is an ENT (Ear, nose and throat) doc who was a pioneer in researching the connections between GER/LPR and breathing problems.

Dr. Koufman has an interesting and helpful website that includes a PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET ON REFLUX by Center for Voice Disorders of Wake Forest University. Here's a link to this helpful website,   http://www.bgsm.edu/voice/pt_info.html

During the day, do you frequently bend over, or lift heavy objects, or strain (like when lifting heavy objects, or when constipated)?

Do you wear tight clothes, tight pants, a belt, a corset, etc.?

Do you drink and eat many milk products? red meat? butter? fried foods? chocolate? cheese? eggs? caffeine? (coffee, tea, soda pop, especially cola), mints? alcoholic beverages?

All the above can "trigger"(cause) an episode of GER/LPR!

Are there any DIFFERENCES during the day, compared to the evening, regarding your activities, clothing, or diet? Do you work during the day or night?

I urge you to find expert docs (like a Gastro-enterologist AND a savvy ENT)  who like a challenge to help you get correctly diagnosed. As an RN, you can help in figuring out your diagnosis! I hope you feel better soon.

Sincerely, Carol (not skinny, any more, :-)

***@****   or  ***@****
and website is   http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com