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stimi3ak · 10-03-2007, 10:07 AM

About 6 months ago I started having problems breathing. My lungs felt heavy and I went to the ER only to be told I was 99% oxygenated and my x-ray showed nothing wrong with my lungs. Fast forward to July and the problem got worse so I went back again to the ER only to be told this time I was 100% oxygenated and that my lungs looked good. They did a CT to look for any PE's but found nothing. I was sent home. In August after my 3rd trip to the ER for shortness of breath and extreme chest pressure they did more tests and found GERD. Since I was again at a 100% oxygen level and my x-rays looked great they gave me Protonix and a GI cocktail then sent me home.

Since then I have been to a GI specialist and have been told that the acid has gone into my lungs because your three main sphincters from the throat to your stomach do not relax and close all the way.

I asked him about the possibility of PF and he said no because of my oxygen levels at the time I went into the ER. He also said my chest x-rays would have showed it.

Is this true? Could all my breathing problems really be just the acid that is in my lungs? I worry that it is more but I have had so many x-rays and ct scans it's unbelievable. I also worry because I took the drug Meridia for 4 months.

Can anyone else offer me reassurance or suggestions?

Thanks!!!!

kkip · 10-03-2007, 04:43 PM

If you are having shortness of breath, a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) sometimes called a breathing test would probably indicate whether you are having any respiratory problems. If your PFT comes back abnormal, then you will want to see a Pulmonary doctor. Since your blood oxygen is 100% the heavy feeling could be caused by stress or a panic attack. I assume the ER also looked for signs of a cardiac problem and ruled that out?

stimi3ak · 10-03-2007, 04:48 PM

Yes the ER did all of those things and I had a perfect heart. They also did the CT scan of my lungs and they did the blood oxygen test as well. My levels were superb and they said there was nothing wrong with my lung functions. I have had asthma tests as well only to be told I do not have it.

At first I thought it was anxiety as well but this has been going on for 6 months. I am now on 75mg of Effexor but have only been taking it for 2 weeks. I've been told this takes a month or more to fully work.

I get short of breath but up until July that was not an issue. My GI has explained to me what acid in my lungs will do but I still get anxious and worry that it is more.

Thanks for the reply!!!

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