Advice please

Hi all hope everyone is ok does anyone know if asthma and acid reflux are related as I've been having terrible heart burn lately thanks x

[emmasue]

Yes they are related. I don't think they know if it is the asthma that causes someone to be susceptible to reflux or if it is the reflux that makes asthma worse, but they definitely are related. I think the acid coming up the oesophagus irritates the lining of the lungs making the asthma worse, so it is important if you have reflux to have it treated.

[Hidden in reply to emmasue]

Thanks emmasue I've noticed the last week I've had heart burn with chest pains I panicked last night because it made me feel really breathless x

[emmasue in reply to Hidden]

I have been suffering too because I'm not allowed to take my reflux tablets while I am on these antibiotics. So I end up guzzling Gaviscon on an evening. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

[Hidden in reply to emmasue]

Awwww hope your feeling better soon aswell x

[Hidden]

There are things you can do to help with reflux:

1) avoid certain foods: coffee, chocolate, onions and garlic, mint, pineapple, anything citrus, anything fried or fatty can all cause problems with reflux.

2) eat smaller portions. It is better to divide your normal daily intake of food into five smaller portions than three larger ones.

3) leave at least three hours between eating your evening meal and going to bed.

4) don't bend over, lie down or even slouch within an hour (or even two) of finishing a meal.

5) if you are suffering from reflux at night raise the head end of your bed by a minimum of 5 inches. This is to help encourage any stomach contents to stay in the stomach.

It's worth talking to your doctor about this. Persistent heartburn can result in some nasty complications if left untreated for too long and there are a number of things that can cause it.

Like emmasue, I do suffer from this, but not as badly as I used to (largely because the causes have been mostly identified). Even so, I currently take a teaspoon of Gaviscon Advance (suspension - which I have on prescription from my GP) before I go to bed to help with it, and I also have the tablet form in case I need it after a meal whilst out.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank u so much for advice Maggie-HP

[Peldypix in reply to Hidden]

Maggie is absolutely right about getting it checked in case there are other causes...then you will be treated more accurately.Get well soon!

[M-D-F]

Yes I suggest lansoprazole

[Hidden in reply to M-D-F]

Thanks M-D-F

[Peldypix]

Yes I suffer with this too and at the moment take Lanciprol which does help.Obviously worse when asthma bad.

[Hidden in reply to Peldypix]

Thanks peldypix

[mrsgailowens]

Hi SarahJane

A lot of asthmatics tend to have reflux and IBS. I currently take Ranitidine, and I take Fybogel Mebeverine. I could not manage life without them.

Reflux makes the asthma worse and it ruins the lungs, you could end up with a condition called Bronchoasistis because the reflux could erode the lining of the lungs.

Get a script from your GP for Ranitidine 150g tablets, a miracle cure for me.

If I don't take these two meds I am in serious pain.

Any more questions give me a shout. Hope you get the help you need, please get some meds for reflux asap. In the meantime, you can buy Ranitidine, Which is also known as Zantac, in the chemist/supermarket.

Best Wishes

Gail

[Hidden in reply to mrsgailowens]

Thanks mrsgailowens need to confirm it is reflux first got doctors appointment Monday x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Good idea! I've had heartburn resulting from oesophageal thrush in the past. It was extremely unpleasant and took antifungal medication to clear it.

[mrsgailowens in reply to Hidden]

No worries keep me posted. Please whatever you do, don't let your GP fob you off!

[Hidden in reply to mrsgailowens]

Thanks 👌

[ElizabethC]

I started to get reflux and indigestion after a major chest infection in 2015. I suspect the reason I got it (and it may be the reason why a lot of asthmatics get it) is due to the violence of the coughing attacks I got during that chest infection. It got so bad after 10 weeks I begged for something to suppress the coughing (codeine phosphate *really* helped with that). I think the coughing can do damage or weaken the valve that is supposed to prevent acid going up the oesophagus. Problem is, once it does start to leak up it can cause *more* problems for the irritable airways which then causes more coughing and weakens everything all the more. Its a neverending circle.

I now have boxes and boxes of Gaviscon double action tablets which I take after a meal and that usually limits the effects.

[Hidden in reply to ElizabethC]

Hi ElizabethC I don't suffer all the time just every so often I had septis and pneumonia in November and also packed in ciggies November as I was in icu for a week in coma so could be down to still recovering I also got diagnosed with asthma in November to so I think it's part of recovery with me x

[Hidden in reply to ElizabethC]

ElizabethC have you discussed your reflux and indigestion problems with your GP? If you're needing Gaviscon double action tablets that often it might be an idea to get your symptoms checked out.

[ElizabethC in reply to Hidden]

Not yet. Only *just* managed to get my surgery to take my long term (5 months now) asthma/chest infection issues seriously rather than merely throwing steroids and antibotics at it.

Thats a conversation (along with the significantly increased attacks of muscle cramps) for 2 weeks time when I go back to see if the Fostair is working.

[Hay1234]

Yes sarah they are hun but reflux can make u breathless by itself just a word though if your on a anti mucus tablet it can be risky if you have reflux xx

[Hidden in reply to Hay1234]

Thanks hay the doctor doesn't think I have reflux x

[zeneros]

I think I am having the same thing. My throat gets really tight and usually throwing up helps. Its scary its like I can't breathe. I even went to the hospital and they couldn't find anything. My doctor said it was Acid reflux. He prescribed me Omeprazole. Its been 4 days and the tightness goes and comes and I'm throwing Saliva. 5th day now slightly tight hope its clearing up. Its been like hell, its scary because I don't know if its an asthma attack or not. Worse i get panic attacks and I just break down because of the tightness and not able to breathe right.

[Hidden in reply to zeneros]

Awwww hope your better soon zeneros it's scary anxiety and asthma i some times find it hard weather am having asthma attack ur panic attack

[zeneros in reply to Hidden]

i hope so thank you

[Hay1234 in reply to zeneros]

Have u been tested for vcd zeneros

[Hidden in reply to Hay1234]

No hay x

[zeneros in reply to Hay1234]

no i have not

[Hay1234]

Ive just had op for reflux it was really good