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Asthma, LPR, Haital Hernia....what the heck is this?

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Posted 7/3/2012 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone and happy early July 4th.

I do not know what is going on with me and would so much appreciate opinions from the veterans here and anyone else who cares to comment. 

I have been having "chest" issues now which I thought at first was acid reflux but I don't know.  Had an endoscopy on 5/24/2012 and doc said no signs of reflux.  I asked him if I had a haital hernia and he said an "itty bitty" one but nothing really..  He send me to an pulmonary doctor.  I had chest xray, all normal.  Then I had some breathing tests done and that did show a possibility of "early asthma" but he can't be sure.  I showed improvement in some areas after the abutoral breathing treatment (sp).  Anyhow, he gave me an inhaler to use twice a day..one pump each time which I just started last night.

I'm just not so sure that this is asthma.  I feel as though it is gerd but I don't seem to respond to PPI's or any of those type of drugs.  I have tried them and they make my symptoms horrible and cause me to have a lump in the throat feeling.  My doctor said that is because my problem is not acid.

Anyhow, I have a tightness in my chest and today, I'm noticing like a cramping feeling in my sternum area every now and then.  I've been looking up the various possiblities and to me it could be a haital hernia.  I'm not coughing or having any throat clearing so I don't THINK it's LPR but I just don't know.  I can swallow fine and don't feel like my throat is swollen or anything.  Just this persistent tightness in my chest (that always seems to start later in the day...I'm always perfectly fine in the morning).  I'm just not convinced that this is asthma. However, I should add that I went on vacation a week ago and had no symptoms at all for the entire 6-7 days that I was gone  This is all so weird!

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? 

Thank you!

Posted 7/4/2012 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Carrie,

Have you read my reply to you in your previous thread? I am no doctor but it was just a hint, my mom had similar symptoms and it wasn't gerd.
Posted 7/5/2012 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carrie,
Sorry about your problems..Just wanted to share with you my experiences this year.It started in Dec i started with tightness in my chest & felt like i couldn't pull in a deep breath.i was diagnosed w/bronchitis-don't smoke,run 15 mi wk never had bronchial prb at all.Feb same symptoms but worse, treated again for bronchitis & sent to allergy/asthma dr for test..after neg allergy test she said it app i had reallly bad reflux..I NEVER HAD HEARTBURN but i started burning in throat & COULDNT BREATHE!Was diagnosed w/asthma,,was sick all the time,lost weight still hurt in chest..went to GI dr & had EGD,,he said no hernia, no ulcer just acid reflux.3 mos i was on 2 PPIs,300 mg zantac(per day)advair 2 times day, breathing treatmts.etc.My life basically stopped.Finally (AFTER 3 MOS) i got 2cd opinion, found a GREAT DR & had 2cd EGD & there it was ..a HUGE hiatal hernia..it had been ther a long time too.GI dr flat out missed it(DONT SEE HOW)but i was relieved to have an answer..i had the hill procedure 1 wk ago(its a partial wrap) and my hernia repaired..so far i'm off all meds & NO REFLUX,NO ASTHMA :)THANKS TO DR BAGNATO!!It's been hard but each day is better..DONT GIVE UP!!Be proactive & find the answer..hope this can help you
Posted 7/5/2012 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
I had Dr Bagnato! He's wonderful!

My HH was causing terrible trouble until he fixed it.

Are you hiccupping a lot, She 1? Mine lasted for two weeks until the swelling stopped.
Posted 7/5/2012 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Joy! I've been reading this for mos. now & I wondered was he your Dr..Not many do the hill procedure & that's why i've read some scary things about the nissen(not being able to burp or vomit)..but yes i am hiccupping a few times a day but not bad..tell me how long before your diaphragm wasn't sore?It scared me at first because i've had so much asthma & day after surgery it hurt to breathe,but each day i feel more & more better..I LOVE HIM!He gave me my life back..no reflux no asthma!I found him by accident on the web & turns out he operates in macon just 45 min s. of me
Posted 7/5/2012 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
I had to travel 5 hours to Albany to see him 2 yrs ago.
I live in NE GA. I found him on the net too. I wanted the best.
My diaphragm was tender for about 4 weeks. I think it's because he attaches the stomach partly to the diaphragm. Make sure not to lift anything over 5 lbs for 6 weeks and stick to the diet.
Watch the vomiting! Don't let it happen. However he does make a good stitch. Mine has held up to severe gastroenteritis and food poisoning. No leaking! :))
Posted 7/6/2012 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thats awesome to hear that yours has held up so well!Dont worry,after all I've been through to get get to this point,I'm surely gonna do my homework..We're going to Maui in Sept & I want to be able to do some hiking & look forward to a Mai-tai :)..I'm getting creative w/my diet at this point & I'm hoping not to lose too much more weight..I had lost enough from being sick for 4 mos
Posted 7/6/2012 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Joy and She1,

Thank you for your replies. I just made an appt with my GI doc. Unfortunately, I cannot get in until July 30th. I really don't think what I am dealing with is asthma...or if it is, it's being caused by reflux or something. I am so completely frustrated with all of this. Today, I just feel really bloated and miserable. And super bad fatigue too. I know the fatigue has nothing to do with my tummy, but all in all...I'm just having a super bad day so far. My GI doc is retiring soon (March I think) so I will be forced to find another doctor. I really do trust this doctor very much but in this instance, I have to disagree with him.

I was reading about thyroid issues. I know my thyroid numbers are leading towards Hashimotos but they are not to where I need meds yet (or they weren't last year at least). I wonder if my thyroid could be acting up and causing any of these digestive issues. Also, I'm 50 years old and my periods are very irregular now. I wonder how much perimenopause could have to do with these digestive issues.

I'm so confused and just don't know where to start with all of this....
Posted 7/6/2012 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carrie,
Not sure about your thyroid..it is the thermostat that controls the entire body,but I can tell you from experience that hiatal hernia & GERD most definently causes fatigue..as a matter of fact, i'd been having extreme fatigue FOREVER & didn't know what was causing it til now..today is day 9 post op for me & i actually got out & went shopping :) I can tell a big difference from yesterday.My soreness is going away more everyday..I'm sorry you don't have the answers you need to resolve your problem but try not to let anxiety take control(it makes everything much worse!Especially w/breathing problems)with my asthma I was using a nebulizer machine & I STILL COULDN'T BREATHE,then add the anxiety & I was just a mess..So try to do something relaxing until July 30 & I hope all goes well :)

Sheila
Posted 7/9/2012 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carrie,   I saw your post on how your symptoms went away while on vacation and came back when you returned home. My first thought was the same as one of the other posts…mold issues??   I've been dealing with autoimmune issues (hashimotos & CFS), recently diagnosed with chronic lyme and will be traveling quite a distance to see Dr. in Seattle in 2 weeks to try to clear some of my issues. I have paid very close attention to my symptoms the past year and the two most notable changes are; my symptoms were greatly reduced when on vacation and get a lot worse when visiting my parents overnight.   They retired in our old lake home and I always have asthma related issues when visiting them.   I tested with my allergist, being highly allergic to all molds.   Inhalers do nothing for me.  I just read a fascinating book “Surviving Molds” by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker.   He also has a website (not sure if I can list it here), but you can do a google search.   There are lab tests you can do to see if you have what is referred to as a “mold illness” which is different from an allergy and I will be testing for this in a few weeks. People that are positive have a long list of symptoms, a lot of which overlap with lyme disease.   The mold category is a brand new one for me, but after researching and reading the book, I realized this could be a major impact on health if you are one of those that test positive for mold illness.   Hope this helps!! Carrie
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