Acid reflux affecting breathing

Can anyone just tell me if acid reflux affects breathing as I get periodic breathlessness. First thing in the morning when I eat. I need to know if it does have mucus back of throat. Oh and doez slippery elm help

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Yes reflux can trigger/affect asthma. Not sure about the slippery elm, but I take ranitidine for it.

Hope that helps xx

[Hidden in reply to EmmaF91]

Hi have been on omerprazole for 10 days breathing not good at all started my steriods yesterday not really helping

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Hey sorry to hear you’re not doing well atm

Steroids can take a while to kick in (3-5 days sometimes). Personally I can’t take omeprazole as it actually gives me reflux (🙄😅). Try it for a few days, if not change go back to GP and let them know. They’ll either switch you to something else, or will look into a different cause of the issue (pnd etc)

[Hidden in reply to EmmaF91]

ENT said silent reflux had it over a month but only now I am struggling to breath. Had to stop one of my inhalers today spiriva as hives. Respiritory nurse advise should get new one Monday...

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Ok. If youve had an allergic reaction to the spiriva it may have been build for a while which may cause reflux (can’t remember - worth checking in the side effect list). How long you been on spiriva?

[Hidden in reply to EmmaF91]

Started 31st January start a little after with pressure hives and hives..it was around then or little after I started with mucus at the back of my throat..put that down to lung condition. Went to drs re hives. He refered me to skin specialist. Stupidly only read side effects yesterday..spoke to my respiratory nurse as I just wanted to know if acid reflux reflux could cause breathlessness and just to inform her I was taking steroid. Told her what PIL said and she said to stop over weekend. And she would email Dr for new inhaler

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Ok. Good luck hope it works out for you xxx

[Hidden in reply to EmmaF91]

Thank you...how are you doing

[Shortlungs in reply to Hidden]

hi again was treated for that last year as they said i souldnt be getting symptoms like you I can walk outside. I walk 20000 steps a day it is once I sit down I cant breathe Lung doctor and student just laughed at me but this is real

[Hidden in reply to Shortlungs]

I am so pleased someone understands what I am saying as my husband thinks I am mad. The constant clearing of my throat attributed to my lung condition, had this for 2 months only 14 capsules in omerprazole, but it only been say the last couple of days my breathing, during the day has been affected. Not sure whats going on with me but it is getting me down. Thank you for responding again

[Whitechinchilla]

I’ve just bought my first lot of Slippery Elm and haven’t yet started it. Some fellow members use it though

[Hidden in reply to Whitechinchilla]

Well try it I actually like it

[HungryHufflepuff]

Slippery Elm does help though I stopped taking it because things were ok for a while but I think I should try it again. If things improve then that must be evidence that it works, for me anyway. Hopefully it will be helpful for you too.

[Sharaybia]

It does trigger your asthma but never had the slim feeling but I do take omerprazole for mine's

[Hidden in reply to Sharaybia]

Thank you how long does it take to work the omerprazole that is

[Sharaybia in reply to Hidden]

For me it started working quick and I'm glad that my doctor recommend me taking it cuz I wasnt getting any better until than but recently where my acid reflux was left untreated it effected my gallbladder so they want to remove it and they said I'll have less problems with it

[Hidden in reply to Sharaybia]

Thank you for that

[Sharaybia in reply to Hidden]

You're welcome

[gandac]

If my acid reflux is bothering me, my chest becomes tight so I take gaviscon which helps both. Doctor’s either poo-pooed this is or just ignored my observation.

I am still with the chest clinic after pneumonia/sepsis over two years ago and recently had a barium meal. Result:- mild hiatus hernia (I just knew it) and evidence of reflux. I am waiting for an appointment for gastroenterology to see what can be done to manage the reflux. I think this means diet changes. But over the years and tests with litmus paper, I now eat only low acid foods. I also found a gluten free diet helps. Sometimes, if I am eating something acidic eg say summer fruits, I will make sure to eat it with something harmless (eg cereal) to “dilute” the acid. Hope gastroenterology can help further. We raised the head of the bed but it didn’t seem to help and us and the bedding kept slipping down!

[Hidden in reply to gandac]

Thank you

[Norsca]

Hello Emily, my sister’s thoracic specialist says he doesn’t think she has asthma. He thinks her breathing problems are caused, or at least aggravated, by acid reflux. He’s taken her iff her ouffers and recommended an elimination diet. If that doesn’t work the next step is acid refux medication. She is 69, very slim, fit, and active. She tends to get stressed even though she does yoga, so is now practising a meditation hoping she won’t need medication! I have started having similar problems but am seeing another specialist who thinks I do have late onset asthma. I am 74. Anyway, I asked him if I could get a refkex test and he agreed to send me for one. He also has a high opinion if my sister’s specialist doctor. Good luck with everything.

[Norsca]

By the way, I think slippery elm night be related to aspirin. If so I can’t tske it or even Nurofen or Voltarin. Last time I took Ibuprofen I ended up in hospital having an antihistamine injection.

[pffft2017 in reply to Norsca]

Aspirin is derived from the bark of a willow tree, the slippery elm tree is indigenous to North America. Although I was sceptical of the health claims it's worked wonders for me. It coats the oesophagus whereas aspirin damages the gastro mucosa

[Hidden in reply to Norsca]

That you started th slippery elm 2 days ago. Having that in the morning and my omerprazole in the evening

[pffft2017 in reply to Hidden]

Hope you've experienced an improvement. I swapped to Ranitidine years ago as it's less harmful than the proton pump inhibitors in the long term but not quite as effective.

[soniaackerman]

Yes, reflux can. I had quite unsettled asthma for a while and was put on omprozole for it, a nasal spray and saw a physio as it turned out I had a breathing dysfunction as well most likely triggered by attacks. I wasn’t breathing well from my diaphragm. Always best to keep seeing gp or ask for a referral to a thoracic consultant. Really hope you feel better soon.x

[Hidden in reply to soniaackerman]

What is dysfunctional breathing as my consultant said i may have that but was not sure what he meant and as it was my first consultant appointment I did not ask

[soniaackerman in reply to Hidden]

It’s pretty much where your body uses your smaller muscles in your upper chest to breathe as apposed to your diaphragm doing the bulk of your breathing. It can mimic asthma attack symptoms in terms of breathless, insomnia, lins and needles down arms. I had to attend physio for a number of weeks to kind of relearn to breath from my diaphragm. Where I had ‘homework’s’ to do in terms of carrying on the breathing techniques at home. I find now I still have dysfunctional breathing tendencies when walking fast, but much better when at rest, lying and sitting. Hopefully you get sorted, I would push for physio if it is dysfunctional breathing you have.

[Hidden in reply to soniaackerman]

Thank you

[pffft2017]

Most definitely in my case. I developed acid reflux through taking ibuprofen tabs on an empty stomach which caused breathing problems and then asthma in adulthood. I was very sceptical about slippery elm but they have been brilliant for me. I no longer awake with the mucas and cough and can even stomach tomatoes again.

[Hidden]

As others have said, yes it can and has done with me in the past. If you do have reflux issues and breakfast is irritating it to the point that it is causing breathing problems, take a look at what you are eating and perhaps try something else. Certain foods are known to be common triggers of reflux.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I am not sure now as I can just be sitting still and I am deep breathing..I know my stress isn't helping but so worried. I not coping very well lately

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I’m now on Gavicon Advance. During the most active phase of my reflux I was first put on omeprazole (which didn’t suit me) and then switched to Lansoprazole. It worked, but I was one of those who suffered from withdrawal symptoms (the rebound was as bad as the reflux) whilst coming off it so I’m not keen on the stuff. Gaviscon Advance suspension works well for me now. I’m currently down to 5ml at bedtime (occasionally 10ml if things are playing up a bit). I also have the head end of my bed raised about five inches.

In my case we now suspect that hormonal swings connected to the menopause are primarily to blame for my reflux issues. I’m now clinically Post menopausal, although hot flushes and other symptoms can, and in my case do, come and go for years - as do my reflux flares.

[Noodlers]

I've been on Omeprazole for quite a few years now and mostly my reflux has been ok on it but since October when I had an asthma flare ( still having it) my reflux has been much worse. I use Gaviscon advance as an extra during the day and evening as needed.

I actually give seb to my cats who have ibd ( like chrohns in humans) and it's excellent to coat the gi tract when made into a syrup ( heat a TBS in a pan with water or aloe juice to firm a syrup) but you should make sure you have it two hours before or after any other meds as it can effect absorbtion.

I'm now on my 6 th lot of abs and 3 rd lot of pred and at last I feel like my asthma / wheeziness is starting to improve. 6 months of coughing wheezing and reflux has been very draining.

Wishing you all luck with your asthma.

[Hidden in reply to Noodlers]

Good luck with yours and thank you

[PaulRosedene]

Hi Emily

You have already had loads of replies ! I have had asthma for 50 years. Occasionally I get acid reflux that I am aware of. I had an interesting time 15 months ago. I took prednisolone as usual, which then kicked off acid reflux. This took several months and a course of omeprazole to bring under control.

Meanwhile I was seeing a retired nutritionist on another matter, She said that in her training asthma was seen as a gut condition. If this is correct then acid reflux must be closely related to asthma.

I hope this helps.

[Hidden]

Thank you I am so tired having test upon test that gets me down. At least my blocked nose isn't as bad after months

[BarrieB]

As with all the others who have replied I too have asthma symptoms related to reflux (almost entirely a cough). Silent reflux in my case which I now control by taking omeprazole. It is prescribed as one capsule am and one pm but I take both at night. I take it early if I feel a cough coming on and augment with gaviscon if that doesn’t work. So far so good for about two years. Fingers crossed!

[Hidden in reply to BarrieB]

The constant need to clear my throat is not as bad still got mucus in my throat nose not as stuffy so don't know if I am.supposed to stop nasal spray..it's the funny breathing I am struggling with

[BarrieB]

Sorry to hear that. It can be daunting when you struggle to breath and no one can tell you why. Asthma and lung problems are just too complicated. Sympathise over the testing too. I went through mediaeval torture before they found all my problems. Mine is exacerbated by bronchiectasis which means I have to clear my lung (only one of them) constantly. It sounds a bit anal but keeping a diary would probably be a good idea. In my case I found heavy pasta meals and mashed potato (sob) gave me severe coughing fits. Also keep prodding the lung specialists.