I am due an endoscopy at the end of the month to look at my oesophagus. I had a bad bout of reflux, without heartburn but just acid burning my throat. This then lead to breathlessness, or rather a feeling of being unable to get a deep breath.
The GP prescribed omeprazole 20mg, which took away the burning sensation in my throat but did nothing to relieve the breathing problem. She then upped it to 40mg, in a single dose but again, no effect on breathing.
My breathlessness gets worse about 20/30 mins after eating. I feel as though my airway closes up. My breathing is usually best first thing in the morning (but not always) and worsens as the day goes on and I eat.
My suspicion is that I may have oesinophilic oesophagitis. I am hoarse, my voice is deeper and I feel irritation in my lower throat area - almost like a constant mild tickling/tingling sensation.
Is there anyone out there who has experience of this condition? Are there successful treatments for it or will I feel like this forever? I’m finding it more and more distressing.
Thank you.
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Ihave3kids
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You maybe have a hiatus hernia I have had one for 28 years and if I eat a big meal that’s how it effect s me ,but I am not a doctor just going by your symptoms
That is a very interesting condition and I wonder how many of us are wrongly being treated for excess acid because medics have missed it. I had a badly damaged eosophagus for years and all tests showed no acid. Nobody suggested this. Eliminated a lot of irritating food from my diet and after beginning pump inhibitors I have been much better. It didn’t make me breathless though. In the meantime, until they look to find what is causing the breathlessness, I would suggest eating small amounts often rather than large meals and sitting up straight afterwards.
Yes, I read that it’s often overlooked. I haven’t eaten wheat for over a decade now, so I’m wondering if it’s a type of allergy related issue caused by another irritative food.
I’ve been wheat free for 11 years now but my symptoms to that were stomach pain, bloating, diarrhoea etc. I have considered it could be allergy related. However, the start of this problem was sudden and coincided with the reflux issue. So I was leaning towards acid as the trigger, rather than a particular food but I think I’ll have to do a strict elimination diet of the major allergens, so I do agree with your thoughts on this actually. Thank you.
I suggested it because I have many allergies , they can either trigger my eczema, colitis or my breathing it’s so annoying , I found I’ve needed to cut out grains as I was substituting oats instead of wheat and that became a problem , sugar too , it’s never ending lol
The hernia will provide the reflux,sometimes silently in the background and the Barrett's although relatively symptom less can give some discomfort or restriction in swallowing but with careful management none of these are particularly life threatening.hopefully you may have something similar that is easily managed.
I can really sympathise, I am having a bit of a battle with Reflux myself, it really is an awful experience. I think mine is caused by an increase of inhaled corticosteroids. I used to get Reflux when I took Prednisolone tablets. I will find a way to live with it, work in progress, I do not want to give up the benefits of my new inhaler.
It’s awful isn’t it? Omeprazole has helped the burning but my worst symptom is the breathlessness. End of Nov can’t come soon enough. I need to see what’s going on. Do you take the inhaler for asthma or reflux induced breathing problems?
No, I have Severe COPD (Emphysema) with a 31% FEV1. I am trying out Slippery Elm capsules at the moment, only two days of trying them but both times they have worked successfully . No problems from inclining my bed, but I also notice no difference. My symptoms only seem to appear straight after eating my main evening meal.
Yes i agree with newlands as my brother in law just went back for his 3rd camera and he already got barratts disease and now also a hiatus hernia ...he gets terrible burning ..food not going down to name just a few ...the last camera (2 days ago) identified the hiatus hernia and he needs to go back for another camera with sedation as they could not get to where they wanted to due to no sedation ...good luck
Yes, I’ve read a bit about hiatus hernia now and I do indeed have some of those symptoms. I wish end of Nov would hurry up. It’s very distressing to be left waiting like this. The breathing problem is quite severe.
I think you may have hiatus hernia and anemia as although I did not have much reflux I was coughing which is not due to a viral cough. Also had breathlessness and could hardly walk because of the breathing difficulties.
Go to your GP and ask for a chest x-ray and blood test.
It was a struggle but iron tablets helped but I was on ferrous fumate as ferrous sulphate did not help me
Thank you for your response. I did suspect anaemia at first but recent bloods were fine - not st all anaemic and ferritin fine too. I had a chest X-ray in A&E because I went there when the breathlessness first started thinking it was a lung clot. All tests came back clear. I can clearly feel the problem isn’t my lungs but higher up in my throat now.
First thing is try and relax because I found stress makes things work. Acid coming up the throat is probably burning or irrtataing your muscles drink plenty of water. Edoscopy they always knock me out because I can't handle the camra going down as my hospital still uses the first ones that came out wimhich it thick they use spray to make your throat very numb but just relax if your nervous like me ask for them to put you to sleep.
Breathe through the nose if you don't want to be put to sleep and relax it's uncomfortable that's all but make sure you haven't a blocked nose. If you drive you have to wait hours to drive if they put you to sleep. I had about 18 edescopey now so no nothing to worry about good luck.
Thank you for replying. I think the choice in the U.K. is mild sedation or no sedation. My husband is taking the day off to drive me there and back. I’m not looking forward to the procedure but I need an end to this not being able to breathe properly scenario. It reassured me that you have had it done 18 times and are telling me it’ll be ok. Thank you.
Chronic laryngitis maybe?? I have this I’m told through irritation caused by reflux disease .i get difflam oral rinse a local anaesthetic helps the throat pain also. Lloyds chemist do their own brand strepsils for half the price,best wishes hope you get to the root cause soon.
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