Posted 9/24/2015 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Slient GERD/LPR/ cannot catch my breath/ internal spasms/vibrations
I wanted to pass on my story, and what i have done, in the event it may help someone else out there. Over the last 2-3 months or so, i have had difficulty breathing, cannot catch my breath, extreme anxiety and insomnia, and some internal vibrations (spasms) that no one can diagnose. It has basically destroyed my work life and personal life. i also thought i was going to die, as i could not catch my breath for almost the entire day. After going to like 4 different doctors, numerous tests (blood tests, lyme tests, heart tests, etc.) , and several different diagnoses, it appears that I am suffering from silent GERD/Silent reflux.
- I frequently clear my throat (going back probably 15 years, mostly due to poor diet, drinking soda/tea/caffeine);
- over the last year, when I drank my green tea or a soda, I often had heart burn; (but I don’t normally have heartburn with eating food). Hence, one doctor was quick to dismiss the idea that i had gerd/reflux, since i don't normally have heartburn.
- I was taking antibiotics for 15-20 days just before my shortness of breath started (this probably upset my gut bacteria), and several articles said gut bacteria is believed to be a main cause of GERD (e.g., poor diet, antibiotics, ...).
- solution to this problem (for me) has been diet (like SCD or other good diets); and fixing the gut bacteria - e.g., probiotics/Kefir; more antibiotics would just make this situation worse of course. Most doctors are not aware that GERD can cause shortness of breath/breathing difficulties, and most doctors are not aware of SIlent GERD. (e.g., where there typically is no heartburn).
http://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/shortness-of-breath#Overview1
“Shortness of breath, also called dyspnea, occurs with GERD because stomach acid that creeps into the esophagus can cause it to narrow. When gastric acid reaches the vocal folds, airways, and lungs, it can cause a swelling of the passages…”
http://www.doctoroz.com/article/silent-reflux-epidemic
How Do I Know If I Have Silent Reflux?
One of the characteristics of silent reflux is that most people who have it have several different symptoms all at the same time, but often heartburn isn’t one of them.
(2 of the listed symptoms are constant clearing of the throat, breathing difficulties)
http://chriskresser.com/get-rid-of-heartburn-and-gerd-forever-in-three-simple-steps/
(diet – big section on this, and SCD)
Probiotics (recall that my difficulty breathing started after 15-20 days on antibiotics)
Because bacterial overgrowth is a major factor in heartburn and GERD, restoring a healthy balance of intestinal bacteria is an important aspect of treatment. Along with performing several other functions essential to digestive health, beneficial bacteria (probiotics) protect against potential pathogens through “competitive inhibition” (i.e. competing for resources).
Other articles i read indicated that bad gut bacteria cause something similar to SIBO, but it causes gas to be released by bad bacteria, causing the acid to blow back into the esophagus, causing breathing difficulties. So we have to first totally correct the gut bacteria/and repair intestinal lining, before this will be improved.
- There are Some other articles discussing GERD/LPR, and esophageal spasms that are caused by GERD. Makes me wonder if this internal vibration I feel might be esophageal spasms?
Here is what i did, and my breathing has returned to 90% normal after a few days (thank God):
- Lots of probiotics: Hara's probiotics, 1B (2-4x per day), another type of probiotic - ultimate flora (30B) (2x per day), e.g., 30 mins before meals; ( I also have some custom probiotics - 50B, that i have taken). other probiotics would probably work as well, but most people don't take enough, IMO.
- Prescript assist soil organisms - 1x per day
- Glutamine -2-4 G, 2x per day - to rebuild the mucosal lining of intestines
- Kefir water - 1-2 Tbsp per day (you can make your own, google it, and also Kevita probiotic drinks (get them at your health food store)
- GERD diet - e.g., i eat something like: oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon for breakfast; black beans and brown rice, and apple or banana; and chicken or fish with salad for dinner; nothing spicy, no sodas/caffeine, sugar, sweets, etc. no eating after about 730pm. Look up all the GERD diets.
So far (after a few days) this approach has worked really well for me.
Hope this helps someone who cannot breathe/cannot catch their breath.