Reflux-induced asthma...anyone??

[Leah68 0]

It's 2 a.m. and I'm up after awakening from coughing and reflux. It has been months since I slept for more than 2 hours at a time. My primary care physician said it's reflux-induced asthma. My GI sent me for a barium swallow, but I haven't heard the results yet.

I have stopped eating after 6 p.m., sleep upright in the recliner most nights (my husband has the patience of Job!), take prescription Prevacid, but I still have the reflux and cough. Even if I am fasting, I wake up choking on saliva, or have the tickling in my throat that produces the coughing. The band is not too tight because I can eat just fine.

Dr. Spiegel banded me April 2005, then rebanded October 2005 due to slippage. Since the rebanding with the larger band I have had nothing but trouble. I've gained back 20 of the 40 pounds I had lost, endured overfills, underfills, and now reflux.

When I called Dr. Spiegel's office for an appointment, I was told that he doesn't see patients like that, and I should drop off the x-rays and they would be in touch after he looked at them. I am now in the process of trying to get an appointment with a doctor in the medical center who provides patient care. I feel like I am floating without a doctor's care, but regular doctors don't know anything about the band. Dr. Spiegel is great for surgery, but I have had no luck in getting proper, analytical medical care.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? I'm feeling very despondent.

[desertmom 297]

Me...It is not like a full asthma attack but my chest tightens and I wheeze...It started again after this last fill I had that was to tight and it gave me reflux....had a .5cc unfill but I still have a little reflux and the chest thing every night....It is also usually 4 hours after I go to sleep that this happens...

The only thing thats ever helped before was a complete unfill for 2 months.....empty band......

Hope you can sort this out.