Lung damage from GERD

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premo

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I have lung problems from gerd. My pulmonologist says I have lost 65% of my lung capacity.I never felt the burn from the acid & it took almost 2 years to get a diagnosis. I had a nissen fundaplication that stopped the acid from getting to my lungs.Surgery was almost 2 years ago. When I go out in the heat and humidity I get SOB & this is understandable but, for the last couple of weeks I am SOB all the time and I stay inside with the air condition at 74
& the humidity at 50&.
Has anyone else had or have this problem ? I also have a few more medical issues along with 15-18 surgerys gall blader,appendix& assending colon,tennis elbow,golfers elbow both arms,lower back 2 times now with plates & screws,R & L hanRAB for carple tunnel, the nissen. Thats all i can remeraber now but, If anyone has any info on the lung problems I would be thankful for it.
 
Did your Pulmonologist give you any strategies on coping with your loss of lung function? Are you on any type of breathing treatments? Is your Nissen still intact?

I had my Nissen in 2008 due to acid reaching my lungs causing irritation and inflamming asthma. So far, it doesn't look like I have permenant damage, but I think much of that is because I was on PPI's for years and had made lifestyle and diet changes.

It was very scary having reflux that was impacting my breathing so badly. Before I decided to go the surgical route, I actually needed emergency care because I almost stopped breathing. My fingers and lips were purple, I was lightheaded and gasping for air. Much longer and I would have totally lost consciousness. Made the surgery worth it.

I had a Barium Swallow last spring to see if the surgery was still holding because my asthma was acting up again. I do have environmental triggers also.

How is your air quality? Do you have any environmental allergies? Some places have pretty bad allergy counts right now.

Sorry I can't be of much help in relating. I hope you find something that helps.
 
This is what I'm afraid has happened or going to happen to me. I've been sooo bad lately I feel like I've pulled a muscle from the constant sniffling and trying to get this crap out. MountainReader will help you any way she can, I promise!
 
Hey guys - sorry to hijack here, but MG I was wondering who your docs are? I too have problems with asthma, and possibly silent reflux---I have a lot of asthma over the past years, and now I am on Prilosec. I too live in Utah--thanks!
 
From what I've observed, I think lung damage and breathing problems caused by acid reflux seems to be a fairly rare reflux symptom. Because other things cause the breathing/lung problems, it isn't always considered until those things are ruled out. This is especially true with LPR because the symptoms are often "silent".

I see Dr. Chris Anderson, Pulmonologist. He is incredibly good. He takes a thorough history and talks to you a lot to get a good sense of what you are dealing with before even examining you. He was the one who helped diagnose acid reflux as causing my breathing problems a couple years ago. He referred me to Dr. Carabine for surgery. I was very happy with his work. I asked my PCP and GI doc and they both recommended him as well. Dr. Carabine is based at McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden, but does have privileges at Ogden Regional where I had my surgery.
 
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