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Posted 3/7/2015 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

 I have noticed an unfortunate cycle of asthma and gerd that I wondered if anyone else experiences? It seems that when I try to start excercising to lose some weight my asthma gets really bad. I strongly believe the asthma (which never used to bother me much) has been made worse by GERD. To the point that I wake up at night short of breath. I then get frustrated and quit excercising. Does anyone else experience this, and if so, how have you dealt with it?

Posted 3/7/2015 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
rover78,
I have it too since I was diagnosed with GERD in 2008. I never had asthma before but I'm always short of breath because I believe that acid reflux is getting up into my throat and lungs. It has affected my voice and my throat is sore all the time. PPI's do NOTHING.

No answers or help from DOCTORS! I'm sorry you're suffering as am I. What does your doctor say about this condition? I would love to know since mine try to avoid answering straight.
Posted 3/7/2015 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
I've read and been told my consultants that if you are having asthma symptoms and airway problems due to gerd you are more often than not recommended surgery. Refkux whether it is acidic or neutralised by ppi/antacid is damaging to the airways. I have Airway refkux and possible asthma brought on by GERD and I too find exercising difficult mainly due to my inflamed airways plus the sensation of reflux from exercising. I was told that no amount of ppi or medication would help my airway symptoms as my les is loose.
Obviously it's your choice but if you have a mechanical cause such as hernia it loose les then no amount of medication will stop reflux of any sort.
Posted 3/8/2015 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately my experience with Drs. and specialists has been similar to what most people describe. They never really want to take the time to delve into these things. In fact, almost every Dr. I go to seems like all they have on their mind is "how can I get out of here more quickly to go see other patients, I need more billable hours"
Posted 3/8/2015 7:15 PM (GMT 0)

Trotters said...
I've read and been told my consultants that if you are having asthma symptoms and airway problems due to gerd you are more often than not recommended surgery. Refkux whether it is acidic or neutralised by ppi/antacid is damaging to the airways. I have Airway refkux and possible asthma brought on by GERD and I too find exercising difficult mainly due to my inflamed airways plus the sensation of reflux from exercising. I was told that no amount of ppi or medication would help my airway symptoms as my les is loose.
Obviously it's your choice but if you have a mechanical cause such as hernia it loose les then no amount of medication will stop reflux of any sort.

How did you find out you had airway reflux? Is there a specific test? I have terrible episodes of shortness of breath however I have a hiatal hernia which can also cause that.
Posted 3/8/2015 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
I've had an impedance test performed just recently which showed significant reflux to the proximal esophagus which is a big indicator that it is getting higher up than normal. I have never suffered with my lungs prior to being diagnosed with LPR/airway reflux I've had spirometry chest cat scan and trialled with steroid and reliever inhalers and nothing has worked. The fact that my sinuses and throat burn and I have had the sensation of blocked ears plus pain in my teeth despite all scans on my head and sinuses being ok has ruled everything else out and doctors have come to the conclusion that my symptoms are indicative of airway refkux. It's been a struggle to get the correct diagnosis down in paper and has been made more difficult by the fact that I have had a fundo performed unfortunately I'm one of the very few it hasn't been succesgul for and I'm now waiting for a redo.
Posted 3/8/2015 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that breathless can be due to hernia pushing up but I also feel breathless due to my inflamed bronchi/airways. It only takes a very small anount of reflux or even gaseous reflux to irritate airways if it's getting quite high up in your esophagus
Posted 3/8/2015 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
I also have both GERD and asthma, which aggravate each other. I see the surgeon on Wednesday to discuss Nissen surgery. Hoping it will help with both. Every time I exercise, I have an asthma attack but need to lose weight to help with both problems. Frustrating but I have found that doing yoga on my WiiFit actually helps because I can do it slowly enough to strengthen my muscles and not aggravate my breathing.
Posted 3/9/2015 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
My pulmonary doctor (not my gastro doctor), recommended further testing for GERD after developing asthma and having bronchitis 5 times in one year. After testing, he recommended that I see a surgeon and he did an endoscopy, manometry, Bravo 24-hr pH testing, and suggested the NF - which I successfully had in April 2014. It was the best decision that I ever made.
Posted 3/9/2015 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Sharonz have your asthma sump toms disappeared now? Do you have any form of cough?
Posted 3/9/2015 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Trotters:

My asthma symptoms have completely disappeared. I have not used an inhaler or had bronchitis since my surgery. I only had a cough when I was experiencing bronchitis. The decision for surgery was based on my testing results from a barium swallow, multiple endoscopies, 24-hour Bravo monitor, and manometry, and not from the asthma symptoms.
Posted 3/10/2015 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Sharon Z,
I'm pleased to learn that you had a successful surgery. May I pose a few questions, please: Was it Nissen Fundoplication? Do you live in the US? What is your age? What precipitated your doctor to recommend the surgery?

I've had all the tests but the pH monitoring was done while regularly using Nexium. All of my tests have come back in the 'normal' ranges with one diagnostic note on my latest ECD stating: Possible malfunction of LES. I've never had asthma but have developed shortness of breath since my GERD was diagnosed. I can no longer exercise without increasing my pain and I run out of wind so quickly.

I've been dismissed by my 2nd gastroenterologist (she was worse than the FIRST one), after biopsy came back normal. She's too busy seeing multitudes of patients and doing procedures to take the TIME to actually CARE for a patient in PAIN.

How was your recouperation after surgery? Do you have a log in the 'wrapped club'? I am on this forum almost every day and read so many posts to get help and offer support to others that I forget to check the 'wrapped club'.

So glad you're doing well. Maybe there is still hope for me?
Posted 3/10/2015 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Linda Sue:

I don't believe I do have a log in the wrapped club. I had my Nissen in April of 2014, I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I'm 53 and have suffered with GERD all of my adult life. I regularly went to a gastro doctor, I also had h-Pylori bacteria. I got some relief from Protonix, but not much else. It wasn't until I was referred to a pulmonary specialist for asthma and recurrent bronchitis, that he suggested that he felt that GERD was causing my lung issues. He sent me for a barium swallow, and from the results suggested that I speak to a surgeon who specialized in diseases of the esophagus. He did multiple endoscopies, manometry, and a 24-hour Bravo pH monitoring. The recovery period after surgery wasn't as bad as I thought (I had read a number of horror stories), I didn't have the gas problems that most experience after surgery, but this may be because my surgeon performed full wrap Nissen via robotics. I only spent one night in the hospital, and took pain medication for two days after surgery and then not again. I never had a lot of issues swallowing, and didn't experience difficulty with pills. I was fortunate that my employer gave me unlimited paid time off of work and I took 2 months to recuperate. My surgeon was great, explained everything in great detail and was very easy to contact post-surgery with questions. If I would call his office, I would get a return call from his PA or RN, if not directly from him, almost immediately. I think you did well by getting all of the tests done. It scares me when some people self-diagnose, or have had reflux for a few weeks and want to have surgery. There is definitely hope for you, as long as your surgeon concludes that you are a good candidate for surgery. Until my first appointment with my surgeon, I was really against having the Nissen. I can tell you now, it's the best decision I have ever made and wouldn't hesitate to do it all again.
Posted 3/10/2015 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Sharon Z,
Thanks so much for your prompt response. Wow .. you've suffered with GERD your whole adult life? OMG! I just can't imagine how you did it.

Did your surgery happen due primarily to a malfunction of the LES? I'm also assuming you had a hiatal hernia and was it small or large?

I'm on a mission to find the right doctor to get me a consult with a competent surgeon for ANSWERS and my next step. If it is surgery, so be it .... I don't know how much longer I can live with this nightmare of GERD and acid meds do NOTHING.

I'm a 'young' 67 and was healthy until I got this acid reflux 6+ years ago and it's been downhill ever since. I still work (interior house painter), love my job but GERD has taken all the fun out of it for me. I have a couple years left to work and I would so love to be out of pain so I can get back to enjoying life again.

So glad you had an easier time than some and I hope I can get there, too.
Posted 3/10/2015 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Linda Sue:

Malfunction of the LES, and also a 5 cm hernia. The hernia wasn't a big deal and was only repaired due to the Nissen surgery. I forgot to mention that since the surgery, I no longer take any stomach medication, nor do I use an albuterol inhaler, and have not had one instance of bronchitis. I dealt with it for so long because I don't remember much of my life before GERD. Have any of your doctors suggested surgery? Do you need to have someone refer you to a surgeon, or can you consult with one yourself? Make sure you find a surgeon that specializes in the Nissen. Good luck, please keep me posted, and let me know if you have any other questions.

Sharon
Posted 3/10/2015 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sharon,
Surgery has never been mentioned to me. Only ‘take this, take that’ give up all the foods and drink you enjoy, sleep elevated, don’t eat 3 hours before bed, blah, blah, blah,.. yes I’m now searching for a GERD specialist that will take me seriously actually study all of my tests and READ the reports and TELL ME what can be done to end my misery.

I don’t know how to find the right doctor. All I have to go on is what my primary care doctor will provide. Researching a doctor on the Internet is difficult because there is not much I can find so far.

If I knew how to find the right surgeon, I don’t believe I need a referral although if I could get a referral, perhaps I could get an appointment to see the surgeon sooner than later. I was so hoping to have this whole nightmare resolved before summer but that’s not gonna happen now.

I actually did find a surgeon and had an appointment with him and his nurse 6 weeks ago but he was so arrogant and self-important, I was totally put off. He said I would be worse off with surgery but didn't say why. I was so flabbergasted, dummy me, I should have asked, 'why would I be worse off'? I barely remember what was said during my meeting with him. I messed up but I wasn't impressed with his attitude.

Thanks, Sharon for your concern. I will keep you and other interested sufferers posted.

Any pointers for finding a GOOD surgeon? I have the impression that I should be talking to nurses instead of doctors. They seem to know more and are more compassionate than doctors.
Posted 3/11/2015 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Linda Sue:

Where do you live? Maybe you can start a post asking for recommendation for surgeons in your area. My recommendation came from my pulmonary doctor. I was surprised that the surgeon was in the same practice that I used for my gallbladder and appendix removal. When I mentioned that to him, he said that he does only gastro surgery and that he specialized in diseases of the esophagus. I was fortunate that he had a great bedside manner and expressed general concern about my current health. Throughout the years, I had gained some pounds because I ate whatever caused the least amount of discomfort and he told me that I would probably get down to what my natural weight should have been. I have lost all that weight and have not put anything back on since my surgery.

Sharon
Posted 3/11/2015 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Sharon, thank you!
I live in Oakland County, Michigan (near Detroit) and my doctors are mostly affiliated with Beaumont Hospital. My most recent, negative experience was through U of M Hospital.

My gall bladder was removed in Dec. 2009 at the urging of my gastro doctor and he and his recommended surgeon told me that this surgery had an 88-90% chance of fixing my problem. Of course, that didn't happen and all that doctor did was increase my acid meds and tell me that he'd never had a patient with my symptoms!!

I had a pulmonary function test in Sept. 2010 that was normal, but I don't have a pulmonologist. My test was done ordered by my PCP and performed by a technician and he's the only person I met with. What does your surgeon specialize in? I know that this surgery is frequently performed by thoracic surgeons. Good for you for losing the weight! I've also lost 28 lbs. and kept it off for almost a year, now but getting 'in shape' is tough as I can't do any ab exercises to firm up as it hurts so bad. I'm so short of breath, my walks have shrunk to a mere 20 minutes when I can manage to work up enough energy to walk at all.
Posted 3/11/2015 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
My surgeon only does gastro surgeries and specializes in diseases of the esophagus. I was lucky to have the surgery done with robotics which made it less invasive. Have you checked into the Henry Ford Health System? I understand they do a lot of Nissens. I didn't have any restrictions as to what doctors or hospitals that I could use, but I know some insurance carriers have limitations. I didn't pay anything out of pocket, but I do remember the surgery was around $35,000.
Posted 3/12/2015 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sharon Z,
Yes, I have access to Henry Ford Health System and will look into finding a qualified surgeon there. I know a few people who are medical professionals at Henry Ford, although not in the 'gastro' area.

Thanks, Sharon.
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