Can GERD cause shortness of breath & cough?

Some tests are not accurate for covid results, especially the most recent covid strain. My ENT told me that if you have multiple symptoms, one test is not reliable to prove you are negative. I’ve read that timing of the test is important and some people have to test 3 times before it shows positive. Just a thought.

I had the same, then I went to an allergist and he said it was from acid leaking into my lungs. He prescribed an inhaler to take 2 puffs at night for prevention. Don't have the wheezing anymore.

Hello @helenaj1126 and welcome to Mayo Connect. You ask an interesting question about GERD. I looked on the Mayo Clinic website and found some information about symptoms of GERD. Here is a link to that information,
--GERD symptoms and causes
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20361940

If you read to the end of the article, you will see symptoms of nighttime GERD which includes new or worsening asthma.

You mentioned that the PPI you were using hasn't helped. Have you talked with your doctor to see if you can find a different med? How long ago were you diagnosed with GERD?

Thank you. Yes I have tried a few different medications through the last 4 years. Nothing seems to work at all. Now my doctor ordered me an Albuterol inhaler. Though she seems to think and I do too, that the wheezing that I do on exhaling is all acid related but my eosinophils were high on my lab work. And I do not have any allergies that I can think of that would be causing that. Unless acid reflux/gerd/ LPR causes you to have a high count. Not sure

That is a puzzling situation for you and your doctor, @helenaj1126.

I suppose you've made the lifestyle changes need to deal with GERD. I'm thinking of changes in diet, small frequent meals rather than large meals, meals that are low in fat and/or spice; weight loss (if it is needed) and elevating the head of your bed at night.

Are you seeing a GI specialist? It sounds like a second opinion would be helpful. If it were me, I'd seek this second opinion from a medical system that is multidisciplinary, like Mayo Clinic or a university health care system. If you would like a consultation at a Mayo facility, here is the website link with appointment information, http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Are you nearby a Mayo Clinic or a university medical school?

Deal with shortness of breath & coughing daily since Stage 4 esophageal cancer surgery in 2021. It wears me out! During the 10 hr. cancer surgery, the valve between the esophagus and the stomach was lost so I have a 24/7 flow of Gerd and there is no remedy for this. The stomach was relocated higher up in by body which is uncomfortable to say the least. But I'm alive & dealing with these issues I'll have the rest of my life. As I've had lung cancer twice, I'm concerned about the daily hard coughing I do will damage my lungs even further. I do believe the SOB & frequent coughing are results of Gerd as I never had either problem or Gerd prior to my surgery. Seems pretty clear what caused these issues.

Im hoping you have been checked for hiatus hernia. It can cause irritation of the lung in some cases ? Pretty easy to diagnose with a scan.

@helenaj1126 if you have high eosinophils, has any doc suggested eosinophilic esophagitis? That causes breathing problems as well as esophageal symptoms. My pulmonologist thinks I have it. I have been treating it without a formal diagnosis, for years, by swallowing an inhaled steroid. I spray it in my mouth, mix with a tiny amount of water, and swallow. Albuterol doesn't really help me.

I had all these symptoms, and was once diagnosed with GERD. The GERD diagnoses turned out to be wrong. I had a rare disease in my esophagus called achalasia which is often misdiagnosed as GERD. Achalasia also produces swallowing problems. This is the main symptom and it can get quite severe. If you have swallowing problems or ever develop them I'd see a gastroenterologist who is an expert in esophageal motility. There are the ones who understand achalasia. If your free of swallowing problems and don't develop this is probably not your problem.

Hi. Do sorry you’re dealing with all of this. Good for you for reaching out! I’m just wondering have you gone for allergy testing? Do you have a pulmonologist? As well as a gi Dr? I’ve had esophagitis for years. It definyely causes shortness of breath. I have asthma. So far it hasn’t caused me to wheeze or cough. But my surgeon say I may have a blockage in my esophagus. I’m going to gi motility clinic at uva for esophageal monometry testing. Is this something you’ve done yet?