SO SICK w/ GERD - help!

Hi, I have a history of GERD for many yrs that wasn't diagnosed until about 3-4 yrs ago.  6 yrs ago I started with bad breathing problems after having pneumonia.   I've tried every medication out there - pepcid ac, prevacid, nexium, protonix, aciphex, and Reglan, and often have been on double doses, and 3 of these meds at a time.  Things got bad for me when the reflux began causing severe breathing problems for me and put my life on hold.  I haven't been able to eat out for a really long time for fear of the embarrassing choking that happens, or the shortness of breath that follows.  i've had the barium xray test which showed moderate-severe reflux a few yrs ago, but several endoscopies since then that showed nothing.  My symptoms include:

-difficulty breathing within 15 min after eating solid foods

-choking on solids and occasionally liquid

-sometimes can't eat food for days-weeks - only liquids

-pain in my throat - the lump feeling which comes and goes

-gurgling come up my throat

-waking up choking in my sleep

-sensation that i need to burp but can't - when i do, it's a liquid gurgling sound or i start to choke

-bloating all the time

-a lot of weight loss due to inability to eat solid foods for periods

-any of the "acid reflux foods" bring on severe breathing problem within minutes of eating

HAS ANYONE HAD THESE SYMPTOMS?  I've never heard of this in anyone else before.

 I'm scheduled to have the 48 hour Bravo test and then manometry 2 days later, and am a little anxious about it all, but also hopeful that they show something so a plan of action is set into motion to give relief. 

Thanks,

Feeling Desperate

Post Edited (pushinupthedaisies) : 3/15/2008 8:21:08 PM (GMT-6)

Thank you, Elaine.  :)  I just had my 3rd endoscopy and the doctor didn't find anything wrong.  Motlity test to come. 

I was diagnosed with GERD 11 years ago? I was 18 and on holidays and got severe stomach pains and found out i had an ulcer due to GERD.  My GERD comes and goes every few months- years.  I recently got a HUGE flare up.  I get VERY short of breath(especially after eating) even after walking 5 feet(i also have astma though)

-difficulty breathing within 15 min after eating solid foods(I also get)

-choking on solids and occasionally liquid(i dont choke but i have the lump feeling)

-sometimes can't eat food for days-weeks - only liquids( i also get this and live off of baby food/pudding and ensure)

-pain in my throat - the lump feeling which comes and goes(yup)

-gurgling come up my throat(yup)

-waking up choking in my sleep(never had this)

-sensation that i need to burp but can't - when i do, it's a liquid gurgling sound or i start to choke(i also can never seem to have a normal burp, i rarely even can burp unless its on an empty stomach and when i do its foamy)

-bloating all the time(yep)

-a lot of weight loss due to inability to eat solid foods for periods(yup, but i try to get calories through ensure/baby food etc)

-any of the "acid reflux foods" bring on severe breathing problem within minutes of eating

I think everyone has slightly different symptoms and various combinations of symptoms.  i also get back/side and sharp chest pains right above both breasts and behind them, althought the pains come and go and only last like 10-30 secs.  I also have a bad cough and after eating my voice goes raspy.

I have my first colonscopy a year ago along with and endoscopy, probably going in for another endoscopy in may,up until recently been vomiting for since last july, I due have a hiatal hernia, but doc says it nothing to worry about. Glad he thinks so. He is worried about the Gastroparesis which casues slow empting of the stomach, which therefore casues me to vomit un less I takes meds to make my food to digest faster, but with the gerds, its still makes it real hard to eat solid foods, I have got to stick with my safe foods....

Angele,

What you are describing could be some acid reflux but it could also be something else. We can't diagnose but we can encourage you to see a doctor because these symptoms should be checked out by a doctor.

God bless