posted
We've been trying to figure out if I have true air hunger or reflux, and I was wondering if anyone has experience with both. I have bad reflux from Doxy, and my air hunger didn't start until this past June after several months of antibiotics (my other symptoms started 11/08).
I take nexium, but I have to be careful with antacids because they interfere with Doxy (even IV Doxy).
Does anyone have any thoughts about how to compare breathlessness from GERD to air hunger from babs?
-------------------- Lyme, Bart, possible Babs Currently on IV Doxy, Bactrim, Zithromax, Nystatin, Mepron Been on nearly every antibiotic since 10/09
Lauralyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15021
posted
Thats a good question. A couple years before obvious lyme symptoms appeared I had difficulty breathing. Felt like I just couldn`t get a full breath.
A specialist eventually told me it was acid reflux. The test was unpleasant so I opted for the meds.
In retrospect I now wonder if that was a babesia symptom, although I didn`t experience that again once lyme was full blown.
-------------------- Fall down seven times, get up eight ~Japanese proverb Posts: 1146 | From west coast | Registered: Mar 2008
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BoxerMom
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posted
I get both and they are completely different.
The air hunger is just as Lauralyme describes - it feels like you can't get a full breath.
Acid reflux is burning in the esophagus. It has never caused me breathlessness, but maybe in some people it does.
I guess if your breathlessness doesn't include the burning, you could assume it was Babs. Mine was always worse when herxing. In fact, I only had it when herxing.
sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
Some GERD is caused by high stomach acid, some by low. This is from a site that sells HCL, but nonetheless it's good information. I have low stomach acid and HCL has helped me tremendously. http://www.cocoonnutrition.org/catalog/page_betainehcl.php
I get shortness of breath from anemia. I used to get air hunger from babesia. Both are different from each other.
I don't think i get shortness of breath from acid reflux .....
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TerryK
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So sorry you are having reflux and air hunger.
Good question. I have reflux and sometimes air hunger but I haven't noticed the air hunger to be associated with reflux for me personally although I know it can be.
For me the air hunger responds to acetylcholine precursors like choline/inositol so I assumed it was not part of reflux but I could be wrong.
I just doubled my doxy and my reflux is very bad right now but my air hunger seems to be fine. I suppose the air hunger could come and go with reflux.
Maybe wait until the reflux subsides and see if the air hunger gets better. This may tell you if they are related.
The one thing that made a huge difference for me in my reflux was treating H. pylori (apparently common in lyme patients). Didn't have reflux for a long time after that. According to my dentist it can be passed around between family members. I think my husband has it and we keep passing it back and forth.
Terry I'm not a doctor
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TerryK
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http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5005726_acid-reflux-creates-shortness-breath.html Shortness of Breath �Shortness of breath is a direct result of stomach acid in the esophagus. As the stomach acid is regurgitated into the espohagus, the acid stimulates the nerves in the lower end of the esophagus, causing muscles to contract. This contraction in turn causes small airways to constrict, which causes the feeling of breathlessness. The sensation worsens at night because when the body is in a prone position, it is easier for stomach acids to reflux into the esophagus. In some cases, an excess amount of acid in the esophagus may spill into the lungs, leading to a tightening of the airways and shortness of breath. The stress felt by people with acid reflux may also contribute to shortness of breath. However, this is less a function of the condition than the psychological outlook of the individual
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nefferdun
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posted
I was surprised you linked these two things together because they seem distinctly different to me - no comparison. But maybe there is a different type of acid reflux from what I experienced on doxy.
Acid reflux with doxy was very painful. I felt a slight regugitation into my throat followed by an acid burn in my esophagus. My esophagus could continue to feel burned and hurt for days - like a sore throat.
What I confused air hunger with was hyperventilation. I did not realize it was babesia for years! In fact I had to test positive before I was convinced it was not "all in my mind".
It feels like I cannot get a deep breath. I need to yawn and I keep trying and trying but my lungs will not expand to take in enough air. Finally I do get the yawn and it feels so good! But immediately afterwards I am again needing more oxygen.
I get bouts of it and it goes on and on. Sometimes I can get the deep breathes but I just never can get enough of them. People used to ask me if I was bored or sleepy. What do you say?
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sixgoofykids
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Interesting, Terry!!
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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TerryK
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posted
Yes it is interesting. The mention of shortness of breath possibly being caused by psychological stress is generally BS in my view but muscle contractions reducing the airway makes sense.
Cancer of the esophogus is the really big concern but there can be other devastating damage as well.
I forgot to mention that one of my sisters was told that the acid from the reflux had damaged her lungs. They did heal.
What are the symptoms? The main symptom of gastroesophageal reflux is heartburn. Other symptoms include cramping, difficult or painful swallowing, pain behind or just below the breastbone, spitting up at night, excessive salivation, sore throat, hoarseness, coughing, shortness of breath, bad breath, and fluid or vomit inhaled into the lungs.
Symptoms can appear when you lie down after eating, but are relieved by sitting up. Heartburn can be severe and spread to your neck, jaw, arms, and back. People with heartburn frequently regurgitate stomach contents into their mouths, leaving a bitter taste.
If gastroesophageal reflux occurs frequently, it can lead to reflux esophagitis, esophageal narrowing, esophageal ulcer, and Barrett�s syndrome, which is a change in the lining of the esophagus that can lead to esophageal cancer.
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
I do have typical reflux as well and can obviously tell the difference between that and shortness of breath, just to be clear!
Thanks Terry for posting that link. Shortness of breath is linked to GERD.
I have the sensation of not being able to get a full breath and needing to yawn to get air. But it's been almost nonstop since June, and it got way worse when I was back east in 100% humidity this summer.
I've also had an endoscopy recently and don't have H.Pylori.
I would just hate to treat babs if I don't have it. But if it is babs, I'm willing to endure the hell of Mepron.
-------------------- Lyme, Bart, possible Babs Currently on IV Doxy, Bactrim, Zithromax, Nystatin, Mepron Been on nearly every antibiotic since 10/09
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