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Erosive esophagitus and breathing difficulty

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Posted 3/31/2011 7:23 AM (GMT 0)
hello, i got an endoscopy which verified that i have erosive esophagitus. i am on the meds with 5 days.  does esophagitus affect your breathing and how long does it take until u feel the medication works?
Posted 3/31/2011 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Johnnyturkey,
Welcome to Healing Well! Glad you've joined us! Reflux definitely affects your lungs, and can actually cause some serious damage if it's not controlled. I have asthma, and reflux made my lungs terrible for many years.

If you don't have asthma, reflux can create some big problems for your lungs as well. Lung tissue is very fragile, and acid can do damage to that tissue.

If you're having difficulty breathing, or any type of lung issue, it might be a good idea to go to a pulmonologist and get yourself checked out. You won't want to leave it untreated, as it could cause permanent damage if left untreated.

It's a very common problem. If you're having reflux that is severe enough to create erosive esophagitis, it's probably coming up in amounts large enough to cause your lungs problems.

Once on meds, when you get the acid into control so it's no longer dousing your lung tissue, it could still take quite a while for your lungs to heal. I had lung issues caused by reflux, and it took 2 and a half months for my lungs to heal after I had the Nissen Fundoplication surgery. I had been on meds for a long time, and they were no longer keeping the reflux from causing my lungs problems.

Good luck with your recovery!
Denise
Posted 4/1/2011 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
I got chest x ray and ct scan and my lungs were fine. Could the chest tightness from esophagitus cause the breathing difficulty
Posted 4/1/2011 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jonnyturkey,
If I had a chest X-ray or CT scan at the height of an asthma problem (unless I had pneumonia), it would not show a problem. The best test of lung issues/breathing tightness, is a peak flow meter (Spirometry--, which you'd find at a pulmonologist's or asthma doc's office. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirometry)

You may not have any lung involvement, but from my experience, and the experience of many others here, have found that their lung issues are caused by some amount of acid or acid spray getting into their lungs.

Once you're on treatment, and the acid is suppressed, it will take a while for the lungs to heal. You should see improvement, though. If you continue to experience breathing issues, you should definitely have it checked out by a pulmonologist.

Good luck!
Denise
Posted 4/1/2011 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
I did I got that done at the hospital , i got ct chest x ray a range of blood tests pulmonary function test the doctor said my lungs are fine he said I might have asthma but I this tightness is different. I think it's connected to esophagitus. I've been on proton pumps for 1 week. How long does it take for them to work, and did u ever have chest tightness before and what did it feel like?
Posted 4/1/2011 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi jonnyturkey,
I never experienced esophagitis caused breathing issues. Mine always involved lungs. However, I will tell you that I've gone more than once to my asthma doc, who assured me I had no lung issues, when I was feeling symptoms. (Actually, I've never been diagnosed with esophagitis, period. I got on PPI's early on in my reflux problems, mainly because the effect on my fragile and sensitive lung tissue.)

Your burned esophagus will take an extended period of time. They didn't get that way overnight, and that sensitive tissue takes time to heal, once it's no longer being doused with acid. The PPI's take about 2 weeks to reach maximum effectiveness, so be patient.

Good luck!
Denise
Posted 4/2/2011 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
jonnyturkey

i had major lung involvement with my reflux. i was getting stuff from the stomach into the lungs, but only at night. sleeping with the bed inclined 6 to 8 inches at the head board was not enough. i had to sleep in an upholstered chair that reclined back to about 45 degrees and then inhaling reflux at night virtually stopped. i find i can get away with using a 10 inch high foam wedge...it works almost all of the time ( but one or two failures can set you back months of healing) so i only use it some nights after 3am when my back demands it and im sure the stomach is absolutely empty.
Posted 4/2/2011 8:15 AM (GMT 0)
i went to chinese medicine doctor as i am in korea. they said esophagitus is preventing my lungs from expanding. anyway they gave me medicine to try for three days lets wait and see.
Posted 4/2/2011 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi jonnyturkey,
Mockturtle has a great point that I forgot to mention. Elevating the head of your bed will help your esophagus and whatever breathing issues you have, as it'll keep things in your stomach through the use of gravity. If you can get it elevated 7-8 inches it would help a lot...that means putting something under the legs of your bed to raise it...pillows just crush your stomach because of the body position it puts you in, and forces more stomach contents into your esophagus.

I hope your Chinese doctor helps you! Let us know how it goes.
Good luck, and take care.
Denise
Posted 4/15/2012 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi jonnyturkey,
I'm curious if the Chinese medicine helped you with the reflux. I have it bad especially at night and feel as though it's gone into my lungs several times. Hope you get this message.
Posted 4/15/2012 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
You could be experiencing esophageal spasms, they cause chest pains and feeling of tightness in throat. They can make it hard to breathe. I would suggest changing your diet drastically, and start chewing gum. Diets that are good are low acid, low carb and low fat. It sucks but works.
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