What Causes Acid Reflux, Difficulty In Breathing With Pressure On Lungs?

Posted on Tue, 24 Jun 2014

Question: I am having a reflux spell right know a feeling like something running up and down my esophagus and then it feels like something is pressing against my lungs and I cant breath as well as normal and then my heart starts to pound really fast. I am having one of those moments now. I have been taking 30mg prevacid since last fri may 30,2014 acid reflux has been a problem for over a week, I had a ct scan done last week by my pumonoligist to check to see if my lingular pneumonia was gone or better, its still there but better, but he said that there was a place at the bottom of my left lung that was not there several weeks ago, and he thinks that I am aspertating the acid into my lungs so he wants me to take 60mg of prevacid, I have a lot of senstivites to meds I just got over allergic reaction to doxycycline so I am kind of afraid of large doses of meds but the 30mg of prevacid is not working so I took 45mg of prevacid yesterday but I cant see much difference and this morning Im really having problems so should I take my 30mg now or should I go to my doctor this morning and ask for something else.

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
May need additional medicines

Detailed Answer:
Hi There
I am Dr Mittal
I have read your query
And i think I can help you.

From your query it seems that you have a severe case of gastritis and acid peptic disease with gastroesophageal reflux- in short hyperacidity that is affecting your esophagus and lungs.

In any ordinary circumstances, i would have suggested a similar medicine. However since you are starting to have more severe issues, I would suggest one of the following 2 medicines in addition-
An antacid called ranitidine OR
A combination of medicines in a syrup like magnesium and aluminium hydroxide.

The idea is that the medicines your doctors have prescribed make sure that no new acid is formed. But they have no effect on the acid already formed. So I suggest you try these medicines.

In addition, I would have ordinarily suggested a test- UGI ENDOSCOPY.

I hope that helps you
Please feel free to contact in case of any further query

Best of luck
Dr Mittal

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar