Fri 18 Dec 2009
I got my blood test results back from my doctor’s visit, and every component in my blood was within “normal” ranges. So, my trouble breathing is not a symptom of lung cancer, anemia, asthma. I am diagnosed with something else much, much simpler. An email from my doctor just now:
“This is GERD.
1. Eat 5 to 6 small meals a day instead of 2-3 big meals per day.
2. No eating 3 hours before bedtime. Do not lay down after eating.
3. Avoid alcohol, spicy food, Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, Alleve.”
During my visit, the doctor had discussed with me his theory that I have a rare acid reflux reaction in which the stomach acid comes up the esophagus and makes a turn straight down into the lungs. The result is usually coughing and/or chest pressure (trouble breathing). He says in these cases, the affected people do not feel the acid’s movement from the stomach into the lungs. He said it IS possible that it takes 2 weeks for my lungs to clear out and hence have breathing issues for 2 weeks. This makes sense, since I’ve had acid reflux before from a stress-induced stomach ulcer in 2000, and last nite, I spit up a mouthful of acid (and half-digested dinner) just getting up from a laying position on the couch.
Aside from the list of over-the-counter pain relievers I can’t take (which I don’t take anyway unless I’m writhing on the floor foaming at the mouth from pain), my doctor’s suggestions sound like weight-loss tips. I guess one side effect of un-GERDing myself will be trimming down my body. I can live with that.
Wow I’m glad its not a serious condition. That list of “rules” seems like something you would do (or pretty much do now) anyway.
” I spit up a mouthful of acid (and half-digested dinner) just getting up from a laying position on the couch.” That is sooooooooooo sexy.
James – That’s true, so that was a relief. Except I’d only fairly recently started incorporating spicy foods into my diet again (it raises metabolism temporarily), so that’s a shame to have to take out.
Bat – Love me, love my regurge.
I’ve had GERD for some time. Not that you’ve asked for advice but I’d suggest you treat aggressively. For example, the earlier I have dinner, the better. An acid reducer like Pepcid an hour before dinner works for me. And do look for your own triggers – for me it’s dairy. The doc will give you the most common problem foods but much better to find yours specifically.
Thanks for the Latin phrases by the way – that’s the original reason I stumbled across your Blog. Best of luck.
bill – good tips! I think my trigger is specifically eating till I’m full, and even worse when I’m reclined, even slightly. I experimented with spicy food and that didn’t do anything, so yay, I can add that back into my diet. I haven’t experimented with dairy, but I so rarely eat dariy anyway that it’s an unlikely trigger for me.