Does anyone have difficulty breathing w/ GERD?

Hi, I have an appt. w/ a gastro Dr. on Thurs. so I haven't been diagnosed w/ anything yet but I belch constantly, always have a full feeling in my chest and stomach and a lot of bloating.  I also feel like I have difficulty breathing.  Kind of like shortness of breath.  Has anyone else ever experienced this?  Could it be the acid coming up?  Thanks, Angela

Calumet said...
Yes it is known that acid reflux can travel up into your airways. Doctor said to use ventolin puffer to clear it out which works but side effects suck. After being on the PPI's for 2 years then going off for a month now back on them for a week they don't seem to be working and i have had to use the ventolin. I'm very upset nothing is working it seems for GERD. Good luck to you.

Calumet:

Did the GI doctor give you the ventolin? If gastric acid is getting into a person's airways and lungs, then it is causing chemical irritation and inflammation in that area. Ventolin is a brand name for albuterol, which which acts by binding to certain receptors in the smooth muscle of the airways, causing them to relax, opening the airways.

So, I would say if stomach acid is causing wheezing or trouble breathing, and ventolin helps, it may only be covering the real problem, which is that stomach acid is getting aspirated into the airways - which can cause many other problems. Sorry you have had so many problems with GERD.