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I'm having trouble breathing...help!

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Posted 9/18/2009 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
I have a hard time breathing and I think it might be connected to my GERD!

I have GERD and IBS. I think I might be allergic to some food (or something in the food) and this triggers my IBS. When IBS gets triggered, then this exacerbates my GERD since the food is harder to digest. Usually, I simply take care to eat small (tiny!) meals and take pantoprazole 2x a day, plus I never take coffee, chocolates, tea, bread, pasta, or citrus fruits. I have had endoscopies, colonoscopy, CT scan and all they found was ulcer, esophagitis, and swollen intestines. I've experienced vomiting blood and another time, I was admitted to the hospital to be sedated due to extreme pain in my abdomen but what I really hate most is the constant fatigue and difficulty in breathing!

I hate, hate, hate!, that I can't breathe well plus I'm overfatigued all the time! My cardiologist says I have a mild mitral valve prolapse (MVP) but other than that my heart and lungs are healthy and strong. I've had too many test done to me but the only thing they found wrong are the ones connected to my digestive system. Last night, my gastro asked me to try 1mg Rivotril and my breathing improved but I was dizzy and weak the whole day today.

What's wrong with me? Where can I get help? I'm 35 years old and I live in the Philippines. Testing for the suspected allergens (such as wheat or gluten) are not available here in our country. I've pretty much accepted the fact that I have to live with this the rest of my life but I yearn for a correct diagnosis. Doctors just shake their head and say it might be psychosomatic but I know it's not. It might worsen if I'm stressed but there's still something more fundamentally wrong.

I hope someone out there can help. Thanks for reading my post.
Posted 9/18/2009 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Try to eliminate all wheat from your diet for three weeks.

If you're still having trouble move on to eliminating these one at a time for three weeks time span:
Dairy, fruits, veggies, meats, shellfish, fish

This can tell you if it's a food allergy.


Joy
Posted 9/18/2009 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi cez,
I'm glad you've joined our forum. Hopefully there will be lots of people here who can give you some ideas of how to proceed. I've heard of a lot of members with breathing problems, but have been told their lungs are fine. I'm an asthma sufferer, and my GERD created horrible, uncontrollable asthma, so I can identify with your shortness of breath. I've had the Nissen surgery, (in February), and after about 2 and a half months, my lungs improved dramatically. While I still have allergies that can cause my asthma to flare up a bit, my lungs are much healthier and I'm doing great.

You do not have to resign yourself to living with those problems the rest of your life. I've no doubt that there is help out there for you. I felt that way for a long time. Finally, my doctors were on the same page, and were able to help me.

Good luck and stay with us. This is a very active forum, and we support each other.
Don't give up!
Denise
Posted 9/19/2009 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Denise,

My breathing problems started about 13 years ago and I think I can control it better now that I do not panic anymore. I've given up a lot though. I'm in I.T. and I am very good with what I do but I gave up high paying positions because I'm afraid my physical body won't be up to the task even if I'm intellectually suited for the job. I'm glad to hear that you've found a solution to your problem. My husband is actually a surgeon and is getting training for laparoscopy right now. He said the Nissen surgery is not commonly done here in our country (not even through open surgery) so he does not recommend it for now. I told him to study fundo lap so I can be his guinea pig :)

Dear Joy,

It was only through elimination by trial and error that I found out it was food that was triggering my IBS. I thought the constant pain caused by bloating and spasms was just an unfortunate part of my life. But there's a certain chinese noodle resto here that's my hubby's fave that causes bad spasms and bloating for me. So I decided to eliminate all noodles (except rice noodles), all bread and pasta, and wow, I couldn't believe I was pain free! There are still some occasions when it comes back but they're few and far between. My hubby said that if I want to know the particular triggering factor, the nearest hospital capable of testing is in Hong Kong or Singapore and it would cost us a lot. I'm very disciplined with my food intake and have learned not to be jealous of others who eat normally, :P

I'm so thankful for this forum. I've been suffering a long time and I can't talk to anyone about it because they can't relate. They all seem to think it's all in my head, even some of the doctors! I can't even talk to my hubby about it cause he gets depressed and blames himself for not having the capacity to help me. So thank you, thank you, thank you!
Posted 9/20/2009 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
cez-
Welcome! There are several members who can relate to the breathing issues and GERD. I have been through the doctors who don't believe your symptoms are real. Most have never had to deal with this problem and can't relate. I am lucky to have a PCP who also has GERD. He has never doubted any of my symptoms because of this.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/20/2009 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
I had some breathing related issues because of the GERD. I was finally given an inhaler which helped some. Everytime any type of upper respiratory illness went around I caught it and would have a hard time getting over it. Since the surgery I have not had problems with shortness of breath. I hope you finally are able to find a doctor who understands this illness and gets you the help you need.
Mary
Posted 9/22/2009 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Cez, welcome to our forum. You'll find the people here are awesome no matter what you are going through. I have GERD induced asthma. Unfortunatley the Nissan Fundo did not work for me. I had mine 9 years ago and it worked for about a year. My PCP came up with a med combo for the time being that helps. When my stomach is bad my asthma is bad. When I used to suffer from UC it would upset my upper stomach also so I can relate. Stress does make it all worse too. It's hard dealing with the multiple things too. I've had one of my hardest years ever as far as health and every one here has been there for me through it all. Hope you find some relief soon and we're here if you need us. Barb
Posted 9/23/2009 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, all!

My current bout with chronic fatigue/IBS/GERD is improving. It takes me weeks to recover from a bad attack and this is no exception. At least now I have you guys to help me through it :) Good thing that I also have a very understanding boss who makes adjustments for me. Even if it takes more effort, being able to go to work keeps my mind off my own problems and allows me to feel normal. So what if I can't eat the chocolates that they pass around? lol. Hey, have you ever rebelled and went on eating what you know you shouldn't? Sometimes, even during my "episodes", I feel so rebellious and yearn for normalcy so much that I start craving for food in my banned food list. Bad bad....tsk!
Posted 9/23/2009 11:18 PM (GMT 0)

Hello cez and welcome to HealingWell and the GERD/Heartburn Forum.

I am sorry to hear of your multiple problems.  My sister had MVP and she had the sx of difficulty breathing or shortness of breath and fatigue as a couple of her sx.  I am sure your Cardio did ECG and Stress test to see how you tolerate your prolapse.

It does sound like you are very proactive in your health care and looking at your sx from all angles. 

Also glad to see you have met so many of our wonderful members.

I do not have any breathing issues but I do have IBS.  Not always fun but I do not appear to have any one food that triggers IBS.

Again a warm welcome to  you,

Kitt

Posted 9/24/2009 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Cez, I can totaly relate to the wanting to eat things you shouldn't and yes I actually do it too sometimes. It makes me think twice now though after this asthma attack because when my stomach is upset by things I eat it affects the asthma. I got the asthma because of the GERD, so try to resist the chocolate and other irritants to the GERD. I know it's not easy. Hang in there. My botss isn't always so understanding and that was why I didn't call her when I got sick and was hospitalized. I called her boss instead because I knew she could handle her and I couldn't handle any more stress at that time. We had a long talk today about it and she said that was better I had done it that way and that her boss had told her how upset I was about it all and even cryed knowing there wasn't any thing I could do. You are very lucky to have such an understanding boss. That in it self is a great thing. I know what you mean though about working and feeling normal. I think sometimes that is the best therapy for us. I know I feel a whole lot better being back at work again. I hope you continue to improve and get through this. We are here for you when you need us. Barb 
Posted 10/6/2009 10:01 AM (GMT 0)

Ces,

It's my first time to read a post from a fellow Filipino from this thread. I'm also from the Philippines who is suffering from GERD. I started to feel the symptoms of GERD only this year (April 2009) and this seriously changed my life. I have suffered symptoms like: hard to breath, feel something stuck in your throat, chest pain, pain at the shoulder blade and left arm, neck pain, pinch nerves, acidic taste, dizziness, panic, anxiety, depression, bloatedness, burping... etc... etc...

The doctor gave me omeprazole and domperidone, but I have only taken it for 2 weeks and I just decided to go the other way of healing -- change lifestyle and avoided all the bad food in the list. I also lost about 14 pounds since April because of this condition. It have improve somehow but the symptoms still keep coming back whenever I started to try foods that are triggers. 

Because of this this condition, I'm became religious (he he he...). I began to go to church regularly with my family and pray as if I'm talking to Him personally. I turned to God... -- this is only the positive side of change I have since having this condition (if it's not a disease as some says. )

In the church, my favorite phrase that I hear in the mass in our language: "... sa isang salita Mo lamang ay gagaling na ako..."

... Hope we all get well soon!!!

- giogenre

Posted 10/6/2009 1:47 PM (GMT 0)

giogenre,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell and the GERD/Heartburn Forum.

Thank you so much for sharing here in this great forum.  Please do feel comfortable in starting a thread of your own as we love new members and your own thread will give the members a chance to meet you and help you with your own concerns.

"in a word You just have healed me ... " I like your favorite phrase.

 

Again a warm welcome.

 

Kitt

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