GERD and Breathing. - Digestive Disorders Message Board

wild_0ne · 09-02-2003, 04:10 PM

I realize that there has been some discussions around this in the past, but I have a situation that seems slightly different and was wondering if it could in fact be the same. I have been having difficulty breathing on and off for the last few months. I have the feeling like tightness in the chest, short of breath, yawning all the time to try and breathe and it all seems to be concentrated in the top part of my lungs, not the bottom at all. I know I have GERD and a Hiatal Hernia, but do not take meds for the GERD. I have been stress tested and Pulmoary as well, with everything checking out fine. The strange part is that I get worse when sitting in certain positions or standing (especially). This seems to be the opposite of most other people where it gets worse when they lie down. Mine actually gets better when I lie down! I do burp a lot and have stomach pains, and as I said, I have been told by the docs that I do have GERD, but I don't like taking meds. Does this sound like GERD related breathing? Has anyone else had a similar experience? Thanks!

[This message has been edited by wild_0ne (edited 09-02-2003).]

wannabehotguy · 09-02-2003, 07:18 PM

I have not been diagnosesed GERD but the doctor told me that the stomach acid could be going up into my lungs and burning them causing an asthma attack type feeling. I too yawn a lot trying to get oxygen into my lungs and body. Sometimes I feel as if I will pass out. What I do is drink milk and the acid seems to almost quickly stop. Please try drinking very cold milk and see what happens. I hope that will help your breathing. IT has helped me.

Ginger9708 · 09-03-2003, 06:37 AM

Yes it can be related to GERD. I have posted a few times during the past few weeks in reference to this. If you look further down at prior posts you may get some information. Anyway I was having more & more hard time breathing the past few months. I too have been given prescription after prescription of Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, would take a few days and than stop. I hated taking it because who was to say for sure if GERD is what I had. After reading a post on the board of a woman's husband in the similar situation, all tests normal, started taking the medication and was able to breathe again. Right away I took my meds and noticed a big difference and was able to breathe. I hadnt felt that way in months. I do see a 75% difference right now. I would strongly suggest to try your meds for a week or two and see if you notice a difference. I also asked my Gastro about this. He said there have been proven studies of people with GERD will go on to develop Asthma or an inflammation of the lining of the lungs, so this definitely does effect it. Hope this puts your mind at ease.

KJM · 09-05-2003, 04:27 PM

There's a doctor at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center named Dr. Koufman who's done a lot of research on the kind of reflux that causes lung or throat symptoms. Go to [url="http://www.thevoicecenter.com"]www.thevoicecenter.com[/url] to read about Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. This doctor says it takes longer for the medication to work than on regular GERD. You should also know that even just a few episodes of reflux to the trachea can cause serious damage. Better see an ENT rather than self-medicate.

09-05-2003, 07:39 PM

Hi Wild one, I run a support group for families dealing with reflux and have done lots of research into the condition as my grandaughter has it.

I must urge you to take your medications as the acid those medications are trying to control will actually help you not to develop a condition called, Barrett's Oesophagus. This means that cell changes take place in the oesophagus, 10% of Barrett's oesophagus sufferers will go on to develop cancer.

Plus, as said before me there is a very close link when it comes to asthma and reflux. My grandaughter is affected this way. When acid travels back up the oesophagus there is always a risk that it could travel into the lungs, this is called aspirating. Then you could end up with terrible problems. Pneumonia is another common complaint with people suffering with GERD.

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Jan