Sleep Apnea Treatment

Question by NozeDive: Will curing G.E.R.D. have a very large impact on breathing problems?
I have been considering Nissen fundoplication surgery for my hiatal hernia, and would like to hear from people that have already had this done. I want to know, specifically, if this surgery improved any of the respitory conditions associated with GERD.

Also, will this place any restrictions on my pilot certificate?

Here is a crap load of background about me:

At one point I had done everything the doctor told me, including eliminating food from my diet that aggravates the condition, loosing weight until I was within the “healthy” parameters for my age/height/fitness, altered my sleep angle, and was on Nexium, Previcid, and Gaviscon. All of these actions helped the condition, but did not eliminate the symptoms. In fact, the symptoms were still so bad, that I gave up on the treatments.

I have been suffering from G.E.R.D. for my entire life, as I was born with a hiatus hernia. I also have hyperhydrochlorhydria, which aggravates the gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as causing Gastritis and similar symptoms in the lower GI tract.

As well as the common symptoms of G.E.R.D., I have also been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis as a child, and then later diagnosed with asthma as an adult. (it is believed that G.E.R.D. can cause asthma)

The spasms in my stomach as well as the acid levels have been much higher lately due to some increased stress. These increases have led to Laryngopharyngeal reflux, which seems to be causing sleep apnea like symptoms.

Once I can aford health insurance, I’ll happily go through the same process where the physician and specialists tell me to change my diet, lose weight, take drugs, so on and so forth. Eventually, i will have exhausted all the non-surgical options, and I’ll probably opt for the surgery.
RE: Sandy

Acutally, yes, I do have discomfort in my ears, as well as (gag) a lot of wax!

I’ve actually had fifteen reoccuring ear infections, as well as some vertigo and swimmer’s ear. According to Wikipedia, this can be connected to the GERD and LPRD
I forgot to mention that I have the “lump” sensation associated with LPRD, as well as throat pain. I decided to add these details as others had commented that they have these symptoms. Although it is not relavent to my question, I feel these added details may help shed some light on their conditions.

Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_reflux_disease for GERD info, annd look for the links for LRPD and asthma

Best answer:

Answer by Sandy
I’m sorry. I don’t have the answer to you question but am very interested in seeing the replies you do get. I have a similar problem and nothing is helping completely. By the way, this may seem like a strange question, but do you ever get strange pains in your ear that you feel is connected to your GERD?

EDIT: Thank you for the info on the connection to ear problems. My doctor looked in my ear, said I have a bit of wax, but that it is not connected to the GERD and that it didn’t look like it should be painful. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I am going to look up your recommended site and go see another doctor with that info in hand. Thanks again and good luck with your problems.

EDIT: Hmmmmmm, what exactly is the “lump” sensation? Because I am constantly clearing my throat and sometimes when I am talking, my voice cuts out like my throat is closing up or something. It feels almost like there is a gob of hair or something in my throat. Then after I cough, bringing nothing up, I can talk again.

PS Thank you for your info as well, Princess Leia.

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Question by alli73: Large tonsills genectic?
My 7 yr old is having tonsills & ads taking out in April. He was snoring & found out he has large tonsills. My 8 yr old son is now snoring. I am afraid the Dr. is going to think I am crazy if I take my 8 yr old in with the same problem then find out his tonsills are fine. What are the chances of both my children having large tonsills. I still have my tonsills. But my husband has recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Any answers will be helpful.

Best answer:

Answer by Susan S
Yes,it could be genetic. I have large tonsils, and they are no problem. Yes, I sometimes snore. No apnea, though.

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One doctor told someone I know that if the neck is over 17 inches then you have sleep apnea.

One doctor told someone I know that if the neck is over 17 inches then you have sleep apnea.

One doctor told someone I know that if the neck is over 17 inches then you have sleep apnea.