gerd causing me breathing problems

Now my gerd is making it so hard for me to breathe, its scary. I cant do anything without being out of breath. Cant climb stairs, do anything 2 physical or even eat without breathing heavy. Idk what to do. My family thinks its all in my head cause i have bad anxiety and depression. Im not making it up, it really is a struggle everyday to do or eat anything. I only sleep maybe 4-5 hours a nite, cause i wake up all the time. And i dont like waking up just to know im going to be in pain the whole day. Thinking bout surgery, but idk if i can make it through the tests with my anxiety being as bad as it is. But this breathing issue is so scary. My aunt is the only person that believes me cause she has the same problems. HELP ME PLEASE:(

Hi hurtandscared,

Sorry you're having so many problems. Joy and I know just what you're going through with your lungs, as GERD affected ours as well.

Joy has given you very good advice. Reach down inside yourself and find the courage to go forward with the tests. You need to know that your quality of life depends on your ability to make it through them. You CAN do it.

Do you have the head of your bed elevated about 8 inches? If you're waking up at night, it's likely that reflux is the culprit. Elevating the head of your bed will be very helpful.

Hope you're feeling better today.
Denise

I'm going through the hard to breath stuff as well. I am a very active person run swim and lift weights until about a year ago I just had the surgery done and have been told it will get better ( thanks guys) I will let you know how I progress I am only 2weeks post op. The tests were a breeze nothing to stress about the manometer was uncomfortable but doable. I was a nervous wreck before surgery but once the get you prepped they will give you stuff in your iv and after that you won't care about anything.

Yes, go to the doctor and tell him what's going on. You need to find a solution.

Going to see a gi doc in august. I think i will talk to my regular doc about seeing a ent doctor. Im not just going to wait around and get worse. Its hard explaining it 2 my family 2. I want to be done with the gerd, the anxiety, worrying about my breathing and the depression from it all. Only sleep 4 or 5 hours a nite if im lucky.

Gerd really sucks right now, its ruined every single part of my life. my health sucks, i feel like im going downhill with no brakes. Nobody will talk to me, my family thinks im making all this up, i dont have a job and it doesnt look like ill ever have one again. I really need some support right now, feel so alone. This a cruel disease with no cure except to either take meds for life or get surgery and pray that it works. i really hope something is found out about this disease real soon. I cant be social, go out places, or even relax enough when im not doing anything at all.

Hi there,

I have left you answers to your posts in A & P and I hope you will work on the anxiety.  Chronic illness and anxiety go hand in hand.

Be your own best advocate and go back to the Dr's to further investigate your GERD and treatments.

Kindly,

Kitt

Babsone,
Did you have the GERD surgery? If so you can ask your doctor to give you liquid pain medicine to use until the swelling goes down.

HurtandScared,

It was my Allergist/Asthma doctor who said that my adult onset asthma was most likely caused by my GERD. It is disabling at times. I too have a family who says I complain all the time (and I do). But, since I had my Nissen Wrap surgery, I can already tell my breathing is getting much better. I was very active as well until about 6 years ago. My body seem to just go haywire, I was put on more and more medications and I HATE to take medicine. So, I really felt like a failure to myself and family. I am still in the healing cycle of my surgery, but am so glad I had it.

When I went to my primary care physician and mentioned that the Asthma doctor suggested I check into the Nissen surgery, he was very discouraging stating that most people end up having to have it redone or back on meds, but I told him I'd take my chances (Nexium was killing me). He went ahead and referred me to my Gastro doctor and when I went in to see him I told him, I was there to get referred for the Nissen surgery. Of course, we had to do the testing, but it turned out I have Barrett's Esophagus (which is scarey to me) and my LES was not working at all. Within a few weeks I met with my Surgeon and a couple of weeks later had the surgery.

Only you know what signs and signals your body is giving you. Don't give up you are your only true advocate. Not being able to breath is scary. I had ended up in the ER in February due to a major asthma attack, which lead me to seeing an Allergist/Asthma Specialist, if it wasn't for him I would still be suffering.

Keep your chin up.

*Sammi*

hurt and scared.... be sure and ask if this could be in your trachea!! I was given the runaround for almost a year because my old doc thought I was just getting out of breath cause I was out of shape and my weight is more than she thinks it should have been... I couldn't even get my point across to a pulmonolgist... he did all the breathing tests and I passed them all.... my prob is just past my vocal chords in my trachea... it's scarred and narrowing.. I've been laser dilated twice now... my primary doc finally sent me to an ENT and he diagnosed me by just walking in the room and listening to my breathe... I said.. HA take a walk with me up some stairs or up a hill!! the laryngologist I was sent to by the ENT said a pulmonologist should have 'got' this right off the bat.. they never check the trachea! good luck to you, I haope you get some relief soon and they figure out what is going on..

hi hurtandscared. I too had breathing problems & chest pain for many years before I was diagnosed with GERD. My GP sent me to a cardiologist who could find nothing wrong. I was even given inhalers for adult onset asthma but they didnt do anything. I am now 20 days post nissen op & can breath freely & deeply with no problem. You need to be persistent with your doctor & get them to listen. Thats the only way I got any action. For years my GP treated me like hypocondriac as if it was all in my head but since the surgery I have felt like a new person.
Try to stay calm & relaxed while you have the tests done and know that the end result will be well worth the discomfort felt you at the time.
Hang in there
Lynda