stimi3ak

Hi Loca,

EVERYTHING you described is exactly what I have going on. Please look for some of my other posts because this is the exact thing I pleaded with people to tell me if they had the same. Since March I have been short of breath. I even changed GI doctors because the first tried to tell me it was all in my head.

I was waking up with acid burning my throat and in my mouth. I knew that had to have something to do with it. I was also very nauseas and my chest felt so heavy/tight. I literally could not breathe and at times could be heard gasping for air. It finally turned into anxiety and I began to have panic attacks which just made all my symptoms worse.

After an endoscopy and a pH Probe it ws discovered I have gastritis, esophagitis, GERD and a hiatal hernia. On top of all that since i only go to the bathroom once a week I have IBS. All of those things cause pressure which pushes up against your diaphragm and will cause shortness of breath. I've noticed mine gets a lot worse after eating. I used to be an avid soda drinker and can no longer touch the stuff. I've also had to cut out any tomato based foods and most cheeses.

After two trips to the emergency room and a fabulous new gastronologist I am now on 40mg Nexium 1 X day, 10 ml of Carafate 4 X day and 75 mg of Effexor 1 X day. After a month I can tell you my breathing is not nearly as bad. I am not perfect yet but it will take a good 6 months.

Part of my SOB is also the acid was refluxing over my esophagus and onto my lungs. It was also damaging the nerves that went from my esophagus to my lungs. That takes a long time to properly heal.

I do suggest getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of water. I also eat a lot of veggies, fruits, baked chicken, brown rice, total raisin bran, oatmeal and other healthy foods that are better for your digestive tract. Every now and then I will eat something unhealthy but it is rare.

I also sleep with a heating pad against my chest on medium and menthol rubbed into my chest. That helps a lot! There is also this lavendar Johnsons massage oil which calms me down for some unknown reason. It's a good excuse to soften the skin if nothing else.

Part of the reason you begin to feel like you are not breathing right is because you have become aware of your breathing. You will begin to panic which leads to hyperventilation. I have learned to distract myself during these times. At the beginning it was hard but with meditation cd's and anti-anxiety medication I am doing a lot better!!!

As I said....please look for some of my earlier posts because this exact problem is what brought me to healthboards to begin with.

Good luck and keep me updated!!!