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I started suffering from heartburn unknowningly in my early 20's when dealing with my parents divorce, both of their major illnesses and numerous dr appts, and stress from all. I still remember (now 42) laying in bed at night and suffering from this pain in my chest, and this feeling of food coming back up into my throat. I didn't see a dr until way too late. I was started on Prevacid and still take that today. However, as a result of my not going to the dr soon enough all those years ago, because I was so clueless as to what was going on with those symptoms, my esophageal spincter (sounds gross doesn't it) has been eroded away by acid. As a result, everything I eat from spicy food to whole wheat bread or an egg, doesn't matter what, has the potential to come back up my throat if I don't take my medication. The esophageal spincter, if you are not familiar with it has the purpose of preventing food from coming back up into your throat.


I then also began suffering from allergies and asthma which have it's own stories, meds, and experiences of course. I also suffer from a hiatal hernia as well and exercise induced asthma. Unfortunately, even by eating at least 3 hrs before I do vigorous exercise because of the hiatal hernia and slow digestion issues, I am experiencing burping and some regurgitation again during exercise. It seems to pose a problem mostly when doing up and down exercise such as squat thrusts, kickboxing, etc. Does anyone else have this problem when exercising? I am contemplating having surgery to prevent the burping, etc., but am uncertain if it is worth pursuing. Any suggestions, experiences? Thanks in advance.

Couchtater, would you please tell me what exactly a 270 degree wrap is and what is involved?

Hi Bikerchic,
Exercise is a problem with GERD. I always had to work out before meals, or I'd get very bad heartburn.

Is your asthma controlled right now? I ended up having the surgery last February because my asthma was horrible due to the reflux. If you find your asthma is difficult to control, you can be pretty sure it's being made worse by your reflux. I wonder if your "exercise induced asthma" is caused by the acid refluxing into your lungs when you exercise.

If you're getting enough reflux to interfere with your quality of life, it's worth looking into. There are lots of people here who have chosen the surgical route due to a variety of problems. If medication is not working, and your GERD is interfering in your health and fitness, it wouldn't hurt to have some tests and see if it is an option for you. The surgery is not a panacea, but for those of us who experience severe physical symptoms it is a huge improvement (assuming you have the surgery done by a highly qualified (in the Nissen Fundoplication, Esophyx, Hill, etc.)
surgeon.

There are lots of members here who will be happy to support you and provide any information they can as you search your options.
Good luck!
Denise

Thanks for your input. I have decided to make an appointment with my endocrinologist and see what he says. My asthma isn't under control when I exercise. Several years ago when he mentioned surgery, he said that since I was so young, he didn't really want to do it as it would have to be redone again later in life. Perhaps now he'll consider it.


After 10 minutes of exercise, I am short of breath and am close to hyperventilating the rest of the hour class. I have to take several mini-breaks to get my breathing back under control and then go at it again. My exercise induced asthma may also be made worse by my anxiety I suspect, but I'm on meds for that. Thanks again.