Question:
I'm 25 y/o and have had asthma since the time I can remember. When I was younger I was always
seeing a specialist for allergies and asthma and I have never really
been able to get the asthma thing under control. My allergies through
shots calmed down a lot but that did not help my asthma like it was
supposed to.
I don't rememeber all the medications that I have tried. I remember a
lot of different inhalers and even a pill called "Contant-T" (I think)
when I was really little (6 y/o). I do not know if that was an asthma
medicine.
After High School I basically threw in the towel. I just suffer. I
haven't owned a prescription inhaler in years. I went through spells
taking Primatine Mist. About 5 months ago I told myself that I
wouldn't take that anymore. It became a real crutch for me.
My symptoms:
I am mostly affected by my asthma the moment I lay down. I was told
this was called "Nocturnal Asthma". I do have attacks at other times
but not nearly as when I lay down. For the past month or so I have
had a real hard time. I've always had a slight pain beneath my
breastbone whenever I have a period of lots of asthma attacks. I
always associated this pain with my lungs. The pain has gotten much
worse.
I was driving back from my office the other night with that same awful
pain at the end/underneath my sternum and thought about ulcers. I do
not know my father well but I talk to him about once a year. He has
always had a problem with his stomach. I knew that he had some
condition with acid reflux and it was actually destroying the bottom
of his esophogus. I know he used to have severe pain. I called him
to ask him about this pain that I have. He immediately said that I
have what he has. He has a pill called Prilosec that he takes and has
great results.
I read somewhere that this acid reflux stuff could affect or even
cause asthma. Do any of you know anything about this? Who should I
try to see? A GI doctor or a Respitory doctor.
Answer:
GE reflux can cause or worsen asthma due to reflux aspirated into
lung. Your family doctor can prescribe reflux and asthma medications,
and if necessary make referrals. If you can see a specialist soon
without a referral, try for a pulomonologist [chest or respiratory
doctor]
Gastroesophageal Reflux Excerpt:
"Signs and symptoms of GERD include:
Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth.
Pain occurring in the middle of the chest.
Coughing and/or choking while lying down.
Increased trouble breathing while asleep.
A physician diagnoses gastroesophageal reflux from a history of
signs and symptoms. He or she may order tests such as a
barium swallow or an esophageal pH probe to help diagnose
this condition."
