Major GERD Problems

[CJB1337]

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.

[calmnow]

Though medications are important to help with symtoms, 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.  

[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.  

[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.

[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

[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