Shortness of breath - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

Zebber · 08-09-2007, 08:55 AM

I have Barrett's, and have had symptoms for 30+ years. I take Omeprazole for my Barrett's and it typically controls my heartburn. I have had two strange things occur over the last 4-5 days that are causing me concern. I woke up suddenly at 2 am last night and was completely unable to breath through my nose and had severe heartburn even though I had taken my Omeprazole. I have not had a cold or sinus problems to speak of recently so having my nose plugged was unexpected and unusual. I have a great deal of stress if I cannot breathe through my nose and I use Afrin to open it ASAP. So I used the spray and took two Maalox. My nose opens and my heartburn is soothed nearly immediately but I had trouble getting a good deep breathe for about 5-10 minutes and my chest felt very tight. I eventually get my breath, all seems well and I went back to sleep without waking again. This morning however my chest is very tight and actually painful if I take a deep breathe. As I mentioned at the beginning, this is thee second time in the last couple of days this has occurred however the pain I feel this morning did not occur the first time.

Has anyone else had this problem and should I be concerned?

noggin7717 · 08-09-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebber

I have Barrett's, and have had symptoms for 30+ years. I take Omeprazole for my Barrett's and it typically controls my heartburn. I have had two strange things occur over the last 4-5 days that are causing me concern. I woke up suddenly at 2 am last night and was completely unable to breath through my nose and had severe heartburn even though I had taken my Omeprazole. I have not had a cold or sinus problems to speak of recently so having my nose plugged was unexpected and unusual. I have a great deal of stress if I cannot breathe through my nose and I use Afrin to open it ASAP. So I used the spray and took two Maalox. My nose opens and my heartburn is soothed nearly immediately but I had trouble getting a good deep breathe for about 5-10 minutes and my chest felt very tight. I eventually get my breath, all seems well and I went back to sleep without waking again. This morning however my chest is very tight and actually painful if I take a deep breathe. As I mentioned at the beginning, this is thee second time in the last couple of days this has occurred however the pain I feel this morning did not occur the first time.

Has anyone else had this problem and should I be concerned?

I don't know if this is the same exact thing, but a few times I've woken up choking on my own acid that I've breathed in and my chest was on fire for the next day or so. Maybe you breathed in some acid and some got into your sinuses?

B143C · 08-09-2007, 11:25 AM

The doc isn't 100 percent certain yet what I have but thinks I may have a touch of reflux. I have shortness of breathe. Especially at night. Hope you feel better soon. My prayers are with you.

God bless!

teacher2be · 08-09-2007, 04:34 PM

yeah and when you lay down does it sometimes make shortness of breath worse. mine does some.

Canyondweller · 08-09-2007, 11:09 PM

Do not use Afrin on a regular basis as you can become addicted to it quite easily. Try saline spray. I know I use Afrin on occassion but never 2 days in a row. it is a very real addiction which is very hard to break. Acid can cause a lot of coughing and choking.