One lousy symptom--nothing helps! - Asthma Message Board

Debbo · 05-23-2006, 11:33 AM

Hi Everyone

I'll try to make this quick:

I was diagnosed with asthma two months ago via a methacholine challenge test. Is this test error-free?

Anyway, the one and only symptom I have been complaining about is this:

Periodically, throughout the day, I feel the need to take a very deep breath. Sometimes it is only once, but other times, I feel like I am doing it every few minutes. It is especially worse when I work out. My doc said to take albuterol 20 min. before exercising. I have tried this and it doesn't do anything.

Now, my doc says I probably have really bad reflux so I ran off to get tested and was told I have mild reflux. My doc says he doesn't care what the results indicate; he believes my one symptom is from acid reflux and wants me to double my nexium from 40mg once a day to 40mg twice a day. Has anyone heard of this type of treatment for air hunger? He i nsists that my issue is from my esophagus which is irritating my trachea which is creating this need to take a deep breath. Other than this symptom, I have no coughing, no chest tightness, no wheezing. I am on pulmicort 200mg daily which hasn't helped this symptom AT ALL. If anything, it has made it worse.

ANY ADVICE AT ALL would be most appreciated. I am truly at my wit's end and don't believe I have ever felt worse!!
Thank you, Debbie

P.S. By the way, I have had TONS of cardiac tests to rule out anything heart-related. I do have Mitral Valve Prolapse but have never had this symptom before. Thanks.

Howitt44 · 05-23-2006, 07:56 PM

Debbo,
This sounds very familiar! If you check back on the other posts you will find that acid reflux can cause asthma like symptoms. Some people can have acid reflux and not have any symptoms of heartburn. THis is usually the case when one appears to have asthma, but asthma medications do nothing for them. I have some asthma, but I think acid reflux is my main problem. By the way, I only have the shortness of breath also, no wheezing.
Cindy

Debbo · 05-24-2006, 05:06 AM

Cindy

Thank you so so much for your reply. Maybe I SHOULD up the dosage on the Nexium and just see what happens. Thanks again! Debbie

MissHelen · 05-24-2006, 05:51 AM

The Gerd problem can effect the asthma problems. A number of years ago I was having chronic problems. They put me on previcid twice daily. Once that kicked it cut my problems with asthma down to a much more manageable problem. If you are taking prednisone, that causes Gerd to really be bad. The other thing that helped me tremendously was losing weight. I've dropped from about 250 to 180 and the gerd has just about disappeared. I still have to be careful not to eat too much greasy food or highly spiced food.

It could be the Gerd bothering your asthma.

Good Luck

Howitt44 · 05-26-2006, 01:22 PM

You know, the one PFT I had that was good was when I was on Nexium. I was just taking it once a day though. I wonder if I started on it again if my asthma would improve? It's worth a try.