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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

I would try to get a wedge and put it under your bed and a wedge and you can buy it at Walmart or you can buy it on one at Kohl's. I got a wedge pillow and put it under my mattress that helps with my breathing and that helps with my coughing. Helps with my acid reflux. I bought mine on Kohl's. Online. Please get your coffee and checked out my sister did not get her cough checked out and 2 years later she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and this past fall she died from her cancer.

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I find after I eat a lot of times along with herd I have SOB too.

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@phillygirl1000

I find after I eat a lot of times along with herd I have SOB too.

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Hello @phillygirl1000 and welcome to the Digestive Health support group on Mayo Connect. I see that you have GERD as well as SOB.

Would you like to share more about these diagnoses? For example, how long ago were you diagnosed, what treatments, medications, etc. have been helpful to you.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

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Ref. My post upthread about my mom’s cough earlier this month….turns out it was Covid. My dad got it too! He’s 87, but improving. His cough seems worse than hers and he is fully vaxed. So far, I’ve tested negative and no symptoms. You just never know. I’m glad I insisted daddy see the doctor with his severe cough.

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@hopeful33250

Hello @phillygirl1000 and welcome to the Digestive Health support group on Mayo Connect. I see that you have GERD as well as SOB.

Would you like to share more about these diagnoses? For example, how long ago were you diagnosed, what treatments, medications, etc. have been helpful to you.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

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I’ve only started to have this problem get worse recently. I do have a tortuous colon but I didn’t think it was that serious until Three weeks ago when I ended up in the hospital for 14 days with a partial bowel obstruction and severe diverticulitis. I never had anything so painful since childbirth years ago. After I got out of the hospital my GI dr has me taking both Miralax and Citrucel but neither is helping. So I added Ducalax and that helps. I’m trying to go dairy and gluten free and trying to go more plant based but so far nothing has really helped. I would love some suggestions.

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My Mayo Pulmonologist told me to NOT eat or drink anything 2-3 hours before going to bed because I have pulmonary fibrosis. The problem is aspiration which can cause pulmonary fibrosis.

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I’m not a medical expert but I think GERD causes a lot of havoc that has not been completely studied yet so my guess is yes. Treat the GERD and see if your symptoms improve.

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I don't do PPI's like Prilosec/omeprazole but Zantac or Pepcid which are shorter acting. I don't eat after 5 or 6. Every doctor has told me GERD affects breathing. Treating GERD has really helped my breathing. At this point I rarely take anything other than Tums.

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ENT Jamie Koufman has a list of symptoms for gerd/lpr. You may see yourself in that list: https://jamiekoufman.com/silent-reflux/

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@rosemaryhow

To leelou03- I can only relate to you, my issues, and tell you that I always practiced being an active person, biking, exercising, walking, and I thought eating healthy. This whole thing with GERD, and LPR has caused me so much anxiety that sometimes I think I am going to have a coronary. My voice has changed, I can barely sing in church, I have a chronic cough, and so many secretions in my throat, that I cannot be around people, as I am embarrassed with constantly clearing my throat. I have seen GI, ENT, and an Allergist. I finally resigned myself to the fact that this is never going to go away, and I need to accept it, and do all the things they tell you to do to try and make it better. I also meditate and pray when I feel an anxiety attack coming on--not for everyone, but it helps me . God bless you in your journey.

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To rosemaryhow
I have the exact same problem as you. Coughing, thick mucus, difficult to be social. I have to spit this thick mucus out constantly especially after eating.
My quality of life has changed so much I get very down.I just keeping on keeping on. I also have dysphasia so it’s difficult to even drink fluids.
I have all the symptoms of GERD and I’m on 2 meds.
Thanks for sharing.

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