Can GERD cause shortness of breath & cough?

Posted by leelou03 @leelou03, Mar 4 8:26am

I have a chronic cough, and Shortness of breath. My pulmonologist said it was my GERD, my gastro doctor said no GERD or anti reflux doesn't cause that. Well, I need to send both of them news articles, because both conditions cause the above.
I'm trying to change doctors with both of them. Has anyone else have symptoms from GERD that causes SOB or other things,? Both lung and gastro problem can cause a lot of problems for a person.
Thank you for listening. I pray everyone on here gets help they need

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Yes absolutely and all my docs have confirmed that there is a close connection between GERD and breathing issues and vice versa, because the two structures are so close together (apparently). I started taking Zantac or Pepcid to address asthma-like issues and it helped. And when my sensitive lungs are exposed to, say, a new carpet or oil paint, I also get GI symptoms, so it works both ways. Oddly simethicone (Gas-X) helps both my breathing and heart.

Try treating Gerd with Pepcid, stop eating after 5 or 6pm, and see if your breathing gets better. It helped me and I hope it helps you.

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Several years ago, GERD caused my mom’s chronic cough that lasted for a long time. When she got treatment for GERD, the cough stopped. Right now, she’s started with another bad cough….so, not sure if it’s GERD again or a cold. She refuses to eat right and stopped taking acid meds. I guess, she’ll have to see her doctor to figure it out.

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@windyshores

Yes absolutely and all my docs have confirmed that there is a close connection between GERD and breathing issues and vice versa, because the two structures are so close together (apparently). I started taking Zantac or Pepcid to address asthma-like issues and it helped. And when my sensitive lungs are exposed to, say, a new carpet or oil paint, I also get GI symptoms, so it works both ways. Oddly simethicone (Gas-X) helps both my breathing and heart.

Try treating Gerd with Pepcid, stop eating after 5 or 6pm, and see if your breathing gets better. It helped me and I hope it helps you.

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I do all the things I know how, I read a lot and I'm going to new gastroenterologist
Thank you for your information

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Good morning. Sorry you’re having to deal with this. It’s so weird that we can have the same condition or disease and have similar or very different symptoms. I have esophagitis as well as some other health issues. And I had a pft done at my pulmonologist and it was abnormal. My dr feels it can definitely be from Gerd. He’s also sending me to an ent to be thorough. Have you had a pft done yet?

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Yes. Years ago my primary doc put me on an inhaler because I was experiencing shortness of breath. She said it could be late onset asthma. I asked for a referral to allergist/asthma specialist. Specialist had me perform a breathing test that I passed. She concluded I had Acid Reflux. She suggested I get an OTC PPI 20 mg and take daily first thing in the morning. To wait 30 minutes before eating anything. It cleared my shortness of breath in one week.

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@jackielb

Yes. Years ago my primary doc put me on an inhaler because I was experiencing shortness of breath. She said it could be late onset asthma. I asked for a referral to allergist/asthma specialist. Specialist had me perform a breathing test that I passed. She concluded I had Acid Reflux. She suggested I get an OTC PPI 20 mg and take daily first thing in the morning. To wait 30 minutes before eating anything. It cleared my shortness of breath in one week.

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That's good I have acid reflux to. I have inhalers and Prilosec, nothing seems to be working. I did get a new pulmonologist and gastro doctor. Maybe they have ideas what's going on.
I'm glad yours got better
Thanks for commenting

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@graceym1

Good morning. Sorry you’re having to deal with this. It’s so weird that we can have the same condition or disease and have similar or very different symptoms. I have esophagitis as well as some other health issues. And I had a pft done at my pulmonologist and it was abnormal. My dr feels it can definitely be from Gerd. He’s also sending me to an ent to be thorough. Have you had a pft done yet?

Jump to this post

Yes I have GERD too, with my asthma and COPD. In changing both doctors, this has been going on to long. I hope everything goes good for you also. Thanks for commenting

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Yes, GERD cases cough. I have it. See a Gastroenterology. GERD must be treated and not overlooked. It can case serious problems, including esophageal or throat cancer.

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@celia16

Several years ago, GERD caused my mom’s chronic cough that lasted for a long time. When she got treatment for GERD, the cough stopped. Right now, she’s started with another bad cough….so, not sure if it’s GERD again or a cold. She refuses to eat right and stopped taking acid meds. I guess, she’ll have to see her doctor to figure it out.

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I hope something is done for your mom. Some symptoms can have so many causes. You have to rule out them 1 by 1
Have a good day and take care

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@leelou03

Yes I have GERD too, with my asthma and COPD. In changing both doctors, this has been going on to long. I hope everything goes good for you also. Thanks for commenting

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Great idea! Good luck to you. Jw did you have a recent pulmonary function test done?

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