HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Please help anyone Gerd , Carotid Artery, and Hard to Breathe

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/19/2011 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have been going thru hell on earth. I know what hell on earth is jst not sure how to get out of it without more pain or death. To make a long story short, I had carotid artery surgery and since then felt choked. I had light gerd before hand looking back bt nothing major. I feel choked from surgery so close to my neck. So I thought. Now I burp all the time and find it harder to breathe. My surgeon thinks I am mental. Never told me about gerd. After 3 years I am finally looking at this from anotherr perspective even though it could be combined. The scar has metal clips in scar and I thought that tightened my neck. Now I am thinking it may be gerd. I have trouble breathing and never took gerd seriously. Why would gerd come out so much after carotid artery surgery. I am now after three years taking things seriously but my gi doctor didn't seem to care and he scheduled me for a couple of tests that were unpleasant. He never said gerd could cause this or anything about my gerd and hard time breathing. I asked if he ever heard people have hard time breathing from gerd and he says he heard allot of things but not too much of that. I said what world am I in. I didn't feel secure there at Temple. Now he wanted to do EGD test but I told him I felt choked as it was. Should I try Jefferson in Philly which seems much better? I wonder if carotid artery surgery affected my throat in a way that caused me to have gurd. For three years I have troubling breathing,  I have to take ativan and neurotryptilyn. to ease the tightness near my throat. I am so tired seeing specialists. Maybe one day someone can figure this out. I burp allot and told I had gerd bbut never thought this caused tightness near scar site. I wonder most of all if untreated gerd caused lung damage. Has anyone ever felt like this. On bad air days I feel it even harder to breathe. My asthma dr never told me a thing about gerd. Its all surreal.

anyone have anything similar. I think I am going to die by the time I get to see someone who knows what they are doing and what to do to relieve the tightness. Is it gerd or the surgery from carotid? I have been to 4 mental hosptials. which of course did nothing but wste time. Why oh why couldn' they figure this out and stop this hard to breathe feeling. I know I have not found the right doctors. Signed, will I die before I am helped. Hug your kids ,my kids never had a normal day in her life with me around crying begging for help`

Posted 5/20/2011 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Okay, first I believe it's all gerd related. You sound like a classic case of GERD.
The EGD is not that bad. Just tell them to sedate you and you won't know a thing that's happening.
The barium swallow is not that bad. You drink a flavored chalk like mixture and are position in different positions as they xray you. I know a six yr old girl who just went through it for gastric problems. Her only complaint was she wanted to burp and the stuff tasted like chalk. I had to agree with her.
The ph test can be done one of two ways: 24 hr wire or Bravo capsule. I did the Bravo and had no trouble.
The only thing I didn't like is the manometry test. It's a study of your motility in your esophagus. A small tube with sensors is sent down your throat via your nose to your stomach. You have to drink water for the computer to measure the pressures.

The breathing feeling your experiencing could be acid coming up and spilling over into your windpipe. I had that.

Relax....breath...and go with the flow...Stress just makes things worse...

Chose the doctor who you feel will make you more comfortable. But go through with the tests please.
Posted 5/20/2011 2:02 PM (GMT 0)

I'm very sorry to hear of all of your problems getting a diagnosis!  I had similar issues with some very unusual migraine symptoms last year and I can relate.  I felt like maybe I was crazy, like the doctors were making me feel.  So frustrating.  mad

Like Joy said, try to go with the flow.  I know that is easier said than done where you are physically and emotionally right now, but it will help you. 

Secondly - don't stop until you find a doctor that will listen to you.  They are out there, but it may take a few losers to find the right one.  I work in a medical clinic and the biggest thing I tell my patients is that you have to be your own advocate.  You know your body better than anyone and you know something is wrong.  It is the doctor's job to help find out what it is and help you fix it, not to tell you that you are imagining things or that it isn't as bad as you think. 

Also like Joy said ... get the tests done.  That is the one way to definitively diagnose the issue.  It sounds an awful lot like GERD, which has many symptoms that folks don't even realize.  The tests will prove either that it is GERD or it isn't.  THen you can go from there. 

There are lots of folks here that will support you, so keep us posted and we'll be praying for you in the meantime. 

Posted 5/20/2011 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for any answers. I have to look for another dr cause he said cmon it can't be that bad. I have been in 21 ers,, not that bad? I have a hard time breathing. Am I going to let him do the tests? Yet If I go to ER who knows nothing of gerd I am threatened to be put in mental hospital . I kid you not. I have been on a horryfying ride of any life possible. Feeling choked is raising my blood pressue, it has slowed my metabolism and lastly I am not sure if its pinched nerve or gerd. I have been trying so to lose weight. I can't run anymore I feel choked everyday. I shake. I need to take more gerd tests thats for sure and thanks for letting me know how to precede.If I don't make it. seriously I tell my daughter I loved her and I tell everyone of you to keep supporting others, I felt so alone with all this. I should not have had to go to 4 mental clinics because I can't breathe well, In er it says I breath good but if you feel choked you  feel choked, Its like a vaccum but its affecting my surgery site. Thanks for letting me vent. I feel like so many doctors don't know about gerd or don't know what to do . Thanks so much for caring and god bless all of you. Hug your kids for me , you never know when something like this will strike

thanks again   Eric

Posted 5/22/2011 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
pLEASE SOMEONE help me more? Can I ask for more support? I feel choked today. I had one of the tests at Temple and was suppose to have egd bravo. I called Dr and asked about first test where I had to swallow some radiation and have tests for 40 minutes besides having things tied around my stomach to judge gurd. I asked for results, dr never responded. Like I said I don't have confidence he feels this is gurd. After carotid surgery did I start burping. What was it about surgery tht made me burp but most important what about all this made me feel choked. Scars, I was told! I had to live with this? I can't ! There must be something they could do. Then I noticed this thread and was hoping if there is weird wish for this to be a gi problem. I was told by ears and nose it was gerd, it was not gerd, I was told it was nerve in operation, I was told everything but no one has done anything except to threaten to put me away screaming and crying . I know I have not found the right dr who cares. Most doctors don't know and want me gone, Most ers never mentioned gerd. Yet my bowel movement not being complete,my metabolism being very slow not like it was before all happened after surgery. How is gerd and scar tissue related? I need answers. I am crying again. My kid has to see this everyday. I don't want to feel choked anymore. I need to be saved. I don't want to wait days. I don't want to live with this. This is the most horrible feeling on earth. Please someone somewhere recommend a dr near me. I am out of money, I may never see my daughter grow up . I blame drs for not knowing , this was a possiblity.My surgeon says I over react. Spies are choked, I should not have to bear witness to this for three years. Please have all this go away. I can't take it anymore
someone please help me

Post Edited By Moderator (opnwhl4) : 5/25/2011 10:45:35 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/22/2011 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
Ps what if its not gurd, how or what do I do? My surgeon said don'thave more surgery on area. Yet its choking me I told him this. No answer. He says I am mental!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am rational. Yes no one sane wants to kill themselves but no one is tortured for 3 years with out a conclusion. I just want this to end. I am tired taking 5 ativan and neurotrytlan.
Posted 5/22/2011 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Ps one doctor tried to insert a rubber thing down my stomach. I can't even breath well let alone try this. I tried anyway and gagged even worse then hell. So he said he can't help me. I said can't you do more tests anything else he said no. That was just one dr one hospital. Where do I find a doctor who knows about throat gi and carotid all in one. I am tired. Tell my daughter I loved her and my wife. Its a sin any one will ever have to go thru this . I am in HELL and I want to get out of it, please someone help me
Posted 5/22/2011 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Eric,

First, welcome to Healing Well! I'm very sorry to hear you are suffering so.

If you could find a good family practice doctor (not GP or Internist...Family Practice) it could help a lot. Family practice medicine focuses on the whole individual, including emotional. He/she may be able to sort things out for you and at the same time help you with the terrible anxiety you are suffering. You need a good, long-term relationship with someone who can calm things down and help you get some perspective on this.

If GERD is causing your problem, it is not because you're cancerous. People suffering from GERD an entire lifetime can still have changes that are not cancerous. Wipe that idea out of your mind.

If it's GERD, then your primary care doc (hopefully Family Practice) can get you help for that.

I'm amazed that your asthma doc isn't considering GERD as an option. Mine found it very likely to be a problem that was causing more asthma issues.

You've been to so many specialists that you're spinning. Slow down.

Yes, anxiety and depression can make all of this worse, and can make it an emergency for you. It doesn't have to be an emergency.

There is a great Anxiety forum on Healing Well. Actually, Kitt, our moderator here, is also a moderator in that forum. I think if you shared your panic there, others would be able to help you get some perspective while you work on these issues.

Please, for your sake and your family's sake, slow down. If you can work on your anxiety, everything will improve.

I'm sure having the Carotid artery surgery was disconcerting, and your anxiety may have started at that point. You can't solve anything if you are constantly in panic mode.

Take a deep breath, go to the phone book and get the number for some Family Practice docs nearby, and tomorrow get on the phone and see if you can get in to one of them. If the one you see doesn't click, try another.

Right now, you're your own worst enemy. It's easy for me to say...I know that when you're in the middle of all that anxiety it's hard to break out, but it seems as if that is your first job. Get a grip and make a plan of action. Write down your plan so you can see it in front of you.

Then...get outside and take a walk. Act "as if" things are good...look around you and see all there is to be grateful for.
Things will get better,
Denise
Posted 5/22/2011 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I feel like that sometimes too. Been having trouble sleeping lately. Takes me hours to get to sleep, and then i wake up every 2 hours. Sometimes its so hard for me to breath. Dont know if its anxiety or asthma or what? Going to a new doc on tuesday. Going to ask to get some tests done. Also my head has been feeling cloudy all day everyday. Like i wake up but i still feel asleep. I cant live a normal life. Ugh, so frustrated! Havent been having heartburn that much. just breathing problems and my throat occasionally really dry or sore. Gene
Posted 5/22/2011 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
hurtandscared, I wonder if you have sleep apnea? You sound like you've got the symptoms.
waking up a lot at night, cloudly thinking, fatigue, dry or sore throat
Do you feel like you could sit down and fall asleep at a drop of the hat? Do you snore? Do you have a thicker than normal neck?

Before I got my cpap I felt like I was walking around in a fog. I'd fall asleep in the chair. I'd wake up a lot during the night with a very dry throat.
Posted 5/23/2011 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
I will have to talk to my new doctor about that. Ive been told i might have that before but never diagnosed. Yeah i feel like i could just fall asleep at the drop of a dime but my body wont let me. I do usually wake up with dry throat, ive been told i snore and i dont know if my neck is thicker than normal. Just feel like if its not one thing its another. Just want to be able to sleep again. Is there anything that helps this? What is a cpap?
Posted 5/23/2011 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
A cpap is a machine that attaches to a face mask. You wear the mask at night and it pushes air gently into your lungs, preventing your throat from closing and making you snore/stop breathing/etc. Usually you have to go to a sleep lab to get the official sleep apnea diagnosis I think.
Posted 5/23/2011 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Gene, Joy, and Denise,
Thanks again for your comments.Please pray for me and my daughter
I hope one day I can give support. I am anxious all my life but that doesn't disqualify what I am feeling . I lived with anxiety without needing tremendous help for many years. When I ws teen needed help
But you learn to accept and go with flow. i smoked, I stoped, I learned o do diffeent holistic approcachs. I am in a bad city for doctors. there are just too many people who need help. The air is bad, the doctors I have seen just say hello after waiting for hours. They don't need hard cases. They don't want my case, I assure you. They make less money if they have to consult unless technically I was dying. They don't care how uncomfortable you are if its not something they know they say its anxiety or go to specialists. My biggest complaint is specialists don't often cross over. If you know what 21 ers are like, I kid you not at the end of day many hospitals take the people they don't know how to help and instead of consulting other hospitals social workers etc, they have a psych nurse come down to talk you into getting in hosp psychiatric help
Thats what happens if you don't go to right doctor. I am anxious for finding what is happening. With gerd if you don't eat for 4 hours before sleep I don't sleep. Not necessarily becuase food comes up on me although it will now if I eat a big meal but because I am so hungry.
My metabolism is shot. I have been lectured about this choking feeling by too many gps I tried to change. They know nothing about gerd
So you see I understand what everyone has said but I think and want the choking to stop. I need a good Gi doc near Philly and one that knows about throat , scars near throat and getting this treated without playing out for 3 more years. If I sound mental I assure you, its because I just want to be like everyone else. I want my life back.I am mad at Doctors. Yet I have to keep seeking help realizing that perhaps someone will help. Maybe Ihave a hernia somewhere after surgery. I just dont' know. I was all this to end thanks for listening.
Posted 5/23/2011 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
kezben, you're right. But there is many different types of airflow devices. You will talk with the doctor on which is best.


Mark, keep fighting until someone listens.
Posted 5/23/2011 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
thanks Joy, I just wish everything was different. How do you cope when you have to live with pain and choking? Drs do not care around here. I called one dr and I have to wait two years for appointment. Many times I call Dr and they don't even call you back. The world as it is, finds it even harder when you can't provide for your kids, you seek help, You don't do crime and no one cares. NO one cares.
Posted 5/24/2011 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hang in there. It took going to five doctors before I was heard.

Get your thoughts organized and present them calmly to the next doctor you see. Maybe he will listen.
Posted 5/24/2011 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
thanks joy I wish I didn't have 20 different opinions and wish the specialities doctors would consult with others. instead I think about death and not being there for my family. two and half years you think no one cares or can help. There is no amount of mental help which will make me stop feeling choked . I refuse to go to er even thugh they tell u to if you feel choked.Now i am threatened with hospitalization. I am not only suffereing, if you know what its like to suffer the exact same things wth people who have thinking disorders and want tofight with me I swear to you what did I do to deserve this. Thanks for letting me vent. I hope you feel well always and everyone here. Y are there so many people who don't care in this world.
Posted 5/24/2011 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Mark,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  I am sorry to read of your problems.  I do suspect you are experiencing high anxiety with the many concerns you have so do take a look at the Anxiety Forum.

If you find yourself gasping for air or waking up frequently throughout the night, talk to your doctor: You may need to be screened for obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that can leave you exhausted during the day. Don't give up on finding a Dr. that will work with you.

Diagnosis of sleep apnea involves an overnight study at a sleep lab, or in some cases, a home test that monitors your breathing and vital signs while you sleep.

One of the main symptoms of sleep apnea is snoring as Joy mentioned, so many patients are alerted to their problem by a spouse or bed partner.

CPAP, BiPAP, and Bi-Level products are all used for sleep apnea.  My FIL uses the CPAP device.

Take a big breath and know that we are here to support you.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 5/24/2011 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt
I had that went to sleep center at another hospitals they never got back. Truthfully it was some old guy by himself in one room in hospital. The other people there seemed like they could care less (abington hospital), the same hospital er that had me committed. When I lost a few pounds I know longer snore. I still feel choked at my surgery site. I know as I get older this and highblood pressure will induce a heart attack. My heart enlarged. All signs that the choking is affecting me . Anxiety and no anxiety I feel choked. ativan helps why I don' know but nothing I ever said helped with choking. I am convinced its a nerve with titanium clip involved or gurd, probably the first or combination. but I don't have any person willing to chance fixing it. I assume its dangerous. And I don't want to live this way. So what do I do? NOt think about it? I tell u down deep I know I am not going to be around for my daughter but I tried every inch of my soul. I only get silence from doctors , some who don't even want to see me. Its easier to suggest nerves then actually getting to cause . I never ever had one of specialists contact another. I am just sad depressed anxious but mostly sane and choked. Spies are choked why do I have to be or put into a institution. Why do I burp after I take ativan? thanks for listening Eric
Posted 5/24/2011 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
I wish I had someone id what was happening. I am typing but the compute. going real slow. I wish someone help me. A doctor in Bostton didn't want to see me at Beth Israel. At first she said I had classic gurd, then after I faxed my symptoms she didn't think I should make the trip. I post in craigs list begging for help. I wish I had the guts to opt out of life but its either choke and cry and wait for the same "nothing" we can do for you and another dr or get committeed. You want to know what hell is like ask me.. My surgeon Dr Vogel at Robert Wood Johnson don't even get back to me. I use to love life now I am being torturted and so is my kid and I hang on . in agony
Posted 5/25/2011 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mark,
I strongly suggest that you post your feelings and frustrations in the Depression or Anxiety Forums here at Healing Well. Just go to the drop down menu at the top right of the page and find those form titles. Once you click on the title you will be taken to that page.

Your anguish and emotional pain is obvious. Living with physical pain and illness is certainly difficult, and very stressful. I think if you could get a handle on the anxiety and depression aspect of your problems you could begin to get to the bottom of what's going on.
Hang in there. Things will get better.
Denise
Posted 5/25/2011 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Mark,

I am truly sorry you are going through such a rough time.  Do post in one of the forum suggested by Denise.  It does feel to me like you have a lot of Health Anxiety and I am sure that is not helping you problems.

If you are having a really tough time please check in with your therapist or mental health provider.  I support you.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 5/26/2011 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Kitt and Dencha and everyone listening, I had operation at carotid around 2 1/2 years ago, and of that time I have spend a half a year seeking mental help , not because I wanted to although I might have needed it, but it did me no good. I God only knows so sorry I have to post here but If there is any possibility this choking is because of gerd I want to know more. I want to know why its so connected to my scar. It hurts and pulls down from there. No doctor knows, vascular says neuro and neuro says vascular but my brother says possible gi. What would cause neck to pull down? A tear in esophugus? Was the scar too connected to a muscle near throat? I fear I will die before I will know. That fear might be better left for anxiety board, but I just want someone to say I know wht it is. I persue another hospital and wait long time. I am told I should only concentrate in one symptom at a time. I didn't know there was a right or wrong way to be honest. I am told so many things. I just want to be normal again. My surgeon said nothing will be normal like it was, It will always feel weird but it shouldn't feel choking. I am here to vent and want to say I love my child, I tried the best I could , I did what was expected. If I am not strong enough for this world or choke to death. God knows I tried so hard to ask for help. Why can't they get me help faster? Why? Suffering is I guess my hell. I think the scar has narrowed my space for throat and thus any pulling down feels worse. Ok I am done for now. Please don't get down on me for venting. I am trying as hard as I can to solve this. Its hard to relax when you feel choked or I would never put myself into 21 ers ora mental hospital. Its horrible there. People really really don't care there and people act out to provoke you when all I want is to stop choking. Take care and thanks so much for at least a reply.... eric
Posted 5/26/2011 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
Eric-
I am sorry you are having such a hard time getting to the bottom of your problem. I can tell you from my own experience that I don't believe you have a tear in your esophagus. I had that on 2/28 from an EGD and the pain was unbearable within a few hours from the stuff getting into my chest cavity.
I too would like to encourage you to visit the depression and anxiety boards for some extra support.
I do not know what kind of surgery you had on the artery or what was done, so it's hard to know if it's the only cause or if there are many causes such as apnea and gerd along with bad scar tissue. I am also wondering about a hiatal hernia where your stomach can get into the chest cavity. I don't know if that could cause your symptoms or not, but it does go along with gerd.
Please know we are always here to listen and offer the best support we can.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 5/26/2011 9:51 AM (GMT 0)
  Bill

 As you might know Its crossing the line about saving my life. Everybody dies eventually but I didn't think it would come so soon. I never expected to feel choked or expected to take that into the rest of my life or being stored away to be tortured even more alone in a mental institution. I thought they could try things. To be honest I had therapist says they can't help me I swear to you. I scare people, they don't have answers. Everything is horrible except my family that I have everything to live for. I have a hard time breathing, hard time paying bills and tired of going to drs. My biggest disappointment Robert Wood Johnson Hospital which seemed to be very good at first. I soon realized my expectations came horribly crashing down. What is the sense saving my life If I have to give such angst to my kid and wife? Or screaming I feel choked or hard to beathe in a institution? Its not saving me its more torture.

  Yes scar tissue and gerd, pins in scar and no way for anyone to care to find what it is unless you have  the patience of a saint. or do anything about it. My surgeon feared for my safety yet he didn't know what to do.

I have gone to so many drs to tell me to go back to other specialist I was just at or see my surgeon, I use to love life. I would encourage people to always do the right thing. I tell my family I love them 100 times a time cause I know I can't handle anythig anymore. Thanks for listening

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12