They have been treating me for many years for Asthma and Barretts Esophagaus (very bad acid reflux).

My question is this, it seems that when I lose control and cannot breath, it is right after I have either swallowed my saliva, or eaten something, or drank somethng, and when this happens I cannot inhale my abuterol, cannot inhale at all. There were time that this lasted several minutes, could not take in any air, or inhale medicines.

I know ask the doctor, but in the meantime I go for next appt: opinions from people here would be nice.
Is this the Asthma or the Barrets Esophagaus that is causing this?

Thanks

Hello Jake,

After many days of fighting the asthma (the meds didn't seem to work), we found out that my grand-daughter also has GERD which was aggravating the asthma. They both agggravate each other, so I would assume the same for Barrets Esophagus and asthma also.

I suspect that the specific symptoms you mention are caused by the Barrett's Esophagus. I have a good friend that has Barrett's (no Asthma) and several times a year he will swallow something just right and his esophagus seems to constrict on whatever he swallows - he feels as if he is choking, although technically he can get air in and out of his lungs, but his body reacts as if he can't until his esophagus relaxes. I've been with him several times when it has happened and it is very scary.

He finally had to have surgery to partially correct the Barrett's and it seemed to solve this particular problem.

After being diagnosed with a sleeping disorder, I learned that asthma and acid reflux lessen or go away when treating the sleeping disorder. I had acid reflux for years but since I've been on cpap, no problems whatsoever. The people in my sleep disorders support group told me about the asthma connection. Don't ask me to explain it, but there is research out there supporting these findings.

Bethsheba