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Suffocating shortness of breath and abdominal discomfort

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Posted 12/19/2016 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
I have had tests on my lungs and heart and throat that revealed no abnormalities, blood work for anemia and thyroid issues (nothing), and an upper endoscopy that finally revealed some inflammation of my esophagus, or esophagitis. My GI said this was GERD.

For almost a year, I have felt the following symptoms:

a) Suffocating shortness of breath (difficulty getting it in and out)
b) Entire torso discomfort, from headaches and tensions, to strange pressures and pains (particularly on left side and in sternum and throat)
c) Extreme anxiety

"My" gastroenterologist said he wasn't "100% sure" that the inflammation was responsible. If my lungs and heart are fine and my throat has no obstructions, HOW ARE THESE DOCTORS NOT 100%.

I was put on pantoprazole and have been taking it twice daily for about 4 days now, with no noticeable change.

I'm 23, I smoke cigarettes and drink a few beers daily (obviously this isn't healthy but there are millions who do this without my symptoms), and about ready to end my life because it's already over anyway it feels like.
I can't exercise, I can't hold a job, I don't even feel human anymore.

I'm posting this to ask the following questions, based on others' experiences:

1. Can esophagitis cause legitimate shortness of breath? I have googled this but it refers to it as a "psuedo-dyspnea", which is just insulting.
2. Has anyone seen any improvement using proton pump inhibitors, and how long did it take? These types of medications seem dangerous and ineffective to me. Yes, reflux involves either too much or too little stomach acid, but that doesn't mean that it should be in my throat. That seems like a surgical issue even though my GI didn't mention a hiatal hernia or polyps or anything.

Post Edited (Paul's Brother) : 12/18/2016 6:38:35 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/19/2016 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
First thing I would do would be to quit smoking. Smoking is your number 1 problem IMO. Secondly, try and change your diet if at all possible and switch from beer to wine. This may give you some symptom relief.
Posted 12/19/2016 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Also, 4 days on a PPI is not enough to show improvement of symptoms.
Posted 12/19/2016 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
In my case, I couldn't really call the breathing thing "difficult". It was more like my chest and diaphragm were acting as if I was trying draw in air through a straw, even though I was getting plenty of air. It goes away once the reflux is at bay and the esophagus heals a little bit.

Question for the OP: do you get a bloated sensation in your upper abdomen half way or at the end of a meal?
Posted 12/20/2016 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
sorry to say but smoking will make your breathing worse.
People who smoke tend to have weaker lungs and now you have gerd so thats twice as hard to breathe.
you should quit imo.

If your PPI doesnt work you need to change your diet before it gets worse.
But to tell you the truth, most people who take PPI never really get better and if it does help its only temporary relief and you might be stuck taking pills for years.

Personally, I stopped taking PPI's, it was hard but I believe that pills made things worse and now i feel way better than I did when I was taking them.
Posted 12/20/2016 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
I feel a bloating frequently around the rim of upper stomach area and in my stomach in general but I never really made the connection to eating. It's probably the case though. It feels like something is limiting my intake of oxygen, sort of like a straw.

I'm going to take the PPI for 14 days since it's only recommended to take a maximum of three 2-week increments per year. I should definitely stop smoking but now I'm just paranoid about my lungs even though they I had a chest xray, CT scan and spirometer test and everything was normal.

The doctor said there was no hernia, and no h.pylori so maybe simple lifestyle changes really are the answer. But I keep reading about something called D-Limonene, any info?

Also, why do some people get gerd and others don't? Assuming they have the same lifestyle.

Post Edited (Paul's Brother) : 12/19/2016 6:52:26 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/20/2016 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
You should google SIBO and read up on that. That could be a potential root cause, especially if you have bloating. Ask your doctor to schedule a test.
Posted 1/3/2017 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Paul's Brother There is no 'one' fix for our problem. There is no one pill for a problem. Healing must be done for the whole body-- that means eating whole healthy non-processed food, carbonation drinks (including beer, soda) to be avoided, and no smoking or chewing of tobacco or other smokables. You must love yourself and your body and do what you must to take care of it. As the doc told us,-- eat now how you should have been eating before the problem occurred. We don't want to have to do that, we want to continue eating the old way and hope the pill will fix it. You are young and can help the body heal. It is a worthwhile ambition. When you do, the body will start its healing process slowly over time. Work with your physician, tell him about your plan and what you are doing and see if he agrees. I wrote ours down briefly and handed it to him to read as I know time with him is brief. Then start a simp,e journal write down date, time, what you ate and do the same for how you feel. It helped so much to pinpoint triggers to problems and emotions.The doc liked it too. It's not a quick fix but it helps. Please let us know what you are going to do and how you are. Welcome to the forum. We all learn from us who are not doctors.
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