Hello I have had a constant sore throat and also it's burning feeling in my oesophagus for quite awhile now. I have been given omeprazole which started of worrying fine and then stopped working and was then prescribed emozul 40mg twice a day along with a tablet to take before eating to help my food digest better. This medicine has now stopped working. I have no idea why. I don't get a burning sensation or pain in my belly just my throat and down my throat hurts it feels like I have ulcers ! I have spoken with my doctors this evening and they are referring me to have a camera down my throat and gullet has anyone else had this done and what was the outcome!! I am scared and hoping it is nothing to serious
Hi there .sorry bout the feeling you are having. It sounds like really bad acid reflux . Which is causing the pain in the osaphagus and the sore throat as the acid rises up the osaphagus it burns . At night try to keep your head raised about 6 inches above your chest to help the acid. Also try not to eat 3 hours before bed to help relieve the acid late at night. . I have to have camera s every 12 month down my throat as i have barretts. .I will be honest they are not the nicest thing. But make sure you ask and have the sedation .it is miles better with the sedation and relax.s you .
I hope you get things sorted and they find the cause. If you have Barrett. You will just have to change your diet and a few life style changes. But you can get along as normal . Just have camera. A as a precaution .
Thank you Dean I am 35 and slightly overweight so whilst waiting for the appointment I will try to eat a healthy diet and see if this improves. It's just a weird feeking as its like I have ulcers right at back of my tongue and throat if that makes sense. Sorry to hear about your condition are you on meds for it. Did you get put to sleep when you had the camera down the throat?
Having the camera is very common, so nothing to worry about there. I would recommend sedation as that way you know NOTHING about the whole procedure. Fall asleep and wake up a little while later and its all done. WIth the camera they can tell what the state of your insides are like. If its damaged from the acid the PPIs can help heal that and it can also of course detect if there is anything more serious so its a good thing to have done as most times they find nothing so it puts your mind at rest.
If its any consolation I use to suffer dreadfully with sore throats and put it down to my job which involved a lot of speaking. Once I was on the PPI no more sore throats.
My mouth is really sorely on the sides at the back of my mouth and I have these nodules which I can feel. The side of my tongue is also painful but there isn't any swelling. I tried looking to see if I could detect any abnormalities but it's really difficult to see much. I did notice that the back of my mouth and top pallet were looking very discoloured, very yellow which I am putting down to the acid. My GP hasn't even examined my mouth let alone considered putting a camera down my throat. Omeprazole didn't agree with me and I'm not keen on trying any other ones. I really think I need to be properly examined in order to confirm that it is LPR and nothing more sinister. if your doctor is proposing an endoscopy I would recommend you do it as you need to get as much information as you can and get away from the guesswork that seems to be going on with a lot of doctors when dealing with patients with these symptoms.
No I didn't get put to sleep. They don't put you to sleep just a light sedation. But to be honest it's very good .you don't really remember much after camera. Or I didn't to be honest. Just make sure you take sedation. The camera will definitely tell all .and find out what is going on and you will treated fine. It's best to see what's going on rather than leave it for a long time. Then you can be treated with the right ppi. Although I don't agree with some ppi. You will be fine .good luck anyway
You need to get a second opinion, or referral to a GI specialist called a gastroenterologist.
In the meantime, eat lots of plain probiotic yogurt, first thing in the morning followed by water, no food for 30 minutes, then 3 or 4 more times a day.
More fruit and raw vegatables. Small portions of chicken or turkey or fish.
No fried foods for a while. Make big changes now to get stablized, this GERD can get really bad.
I did some research and decided to try drinking carbonated mineral water to build pressure in the stomach and force my esophageal sphincter to work.
After 2 weeks I was noticing major improvement. And now after about 6 weeks I not longer have the acid reflux problem. But, I will continue the carbonated water therapy forever, because I don't want this problem to come back. I still deal with some other unrelated issues. If you want to try it, drink about 8 oz of carbonated water, then hold down the burp for 3 to 5 minutes to start. Then release the air, burp. Keep doing this 3 to 4 times a day until you can hold the pressure without effort. The esophageal sphincters job is to always stay shut unless food or water is passing. And it is supposed to be shut all night while we sleep. I don't know what causes the weakness but I know it can be reversed without surgery. I almost signed up for some crazy magnet ring surgery, but I'm glad I did not do it.
I was always led to believe that LPR sufferers should avoid carbonated water but reading about the positive effect it's had on your symptoms I'm willing to give it a go. I eat one probiotic yoghurt every other day as too much dairy produce irritates my sinuses; I do have high potency probiotics I take now and again so maybe I should take these on a more regular basis. I'm a vegetarian so I substitute my protein intake with pulses about 3-4 times a week. Thanks fir sharing your experience.
Hi Netuser; I have read all other comments, and Yes, having the Endoscopy is the best step to take (and it really isn't anything dificult...as others have said, they will give you a light sedation...called a Neuolept...it allows you to co-operate with them, but you don't remember anything - amnesia I have had one too)......just wanted to add, that as you feel like you have "ulcers"...you probably do, if the acid has been burning your oesophagus....the best way to treat them, is to drink about 5 -10mls of Mylanta about 20mins before eating... it Soothes the lining and stops the reflux acid/food from irritating the aleady sore throat.....give it a trial and see how you go upto having your endoscopy??..............best wishes.............Bron
Thanks for your input. Just checked Mylanta on the web and it says that you have to be careful taking this medication if you have pre- existing kidney issues which I do so will have to consult my GP before taking. I have managed to make a doctor's appointment for next Thursday so will have to hold off until then and just try and manage symptoms with diet. I wonder if there is a natural remedy I can take to reduce the damage the acid is having in my mouth, throat and sinuses until I can get the endoscopy sorted?
Hi I have had camra twice now with a spray that numbs your throat you can then drive straight after!
each time I had it done I had 3 gags as camra passes through its procedure these only last as long as a cough they can see any ulcers or hiatus hernia you may have you may feel very bloated when camra is taken out and be ready to have the most embarrassing burps of your life .
things you can try ....
no currys
no fizzy drinks
no chilli
no chocolate
no processed TV dinners
try fresh produce
I take milk thistle which is 20 drops into some cold water and pinenut gels 2 a day.
I was on a ppi for 6weeks which cleared my ulcer !
i still have a hiatus hernia and was told I would have to take a ppi for rest of my life ( rubbish) I have not had any reflux for 2 months ppi are good to settle problem but bloat you weight gain you then stop working you need to stop spiced foods like I've said then when things settle (give it a month )find your trigger food by adding one of your banned foods at a time .
i can eat chocolate but not every day my triggers were curry and chilli oh and the worst fizzy drinks including lager switch to beer or sprit mixers but no fizz. Hope this helps you as much as it done for me I have been ppi free for 3 months no lump in throat no reflux and I feel 10 times better than I was on ppi's good luck stay fresh a no ready meals diet is the way forward .
regards Trev.
Hi Etha, I'm not sure re this, but am wondering if a form of oral/liquid Canestone (think that is the name) which is used for oral thrush (like some babies get)...it soothes the mouth etc.....perhaps if you speak to your pharmacist, they may have some good advice, as I know mine is very knowledgeable re appropriate treatments ??? Bron
PS..as for the the comment re Mouth Spray, I don't think many use that now, mostly they give you a light sedation, as explained before....Bron
Hi trev96621, some great advice there. I think I need to be more meticulous about tracking how I feel after different meals i.e. keep a food journal. Armed with as much info as possible when I go see my doctor next week will help us to come up with a more informed approach regarding PPIs and other meds. Have you, or anyone else out there ever tried digestive enzymes and glutamine to aid quicker digestion and reduce the amount of reflux that is likely to come back up the oesophagus?
I cook fresh everyday and despite indulging in junk foods like pizza and burgers, they are all homemade with reduced fat and as little oil as possible. I'm sure my symptoms aren't as bad as other people's but I have addressed this with diet changes and other natural remedies which have helped. I just would really love to find the thing that works for me to get my sphincter working properly again and not have these uncomfortable and sometimes painful issues with acid. Will try out the suggestions made so far and see if I am any step closer to feeling normal again.
One more thing for any women out there suffering from LPR: have you ever read that this condition is sometimes linked to the menopause?
Hi bronwyn97278,
I considered that thrush may be playing a part in all this but when the doctor looked in my throat she couldn't see any signs of it so dismissed yeast infection and suggested the nasal spray. I believe endoscopy will be able to confirm either way and at least then if anything shows up they won't be grasping at straws when prescribing meds for my symptoms!
Yes Etha, if you can manage until the endoscopy, that is the best way to go (I only mentioned the canestone, in case you couldn't cope with the sore mouth etc until Endoscopy). Good luck, and let us know how you go, and the results.....will be waiting for word.....Bron
Hi Etha .One thing that you mentioned pizza the tomato paste is a killer for me .
i don't eat tomatoes not easy to digest but still like pizza just without the
tomato paste it's one of my triggers .
Hi Netuser 1980 , Yes I have the same feeling, sore throat and esophagus, but the doctors can never detect anything, I finally am being referred to a specialist though it may take a while as theres a long queue or so they say . I asked for my Doctor to put it in urgently, the feeling is just too uncomfortable. Do you get nauseated as well. and have alot of frequent burping. I have alot of burping which is horrible'. Too Horrible. Im glad Im not the only one going through this;. I hope . It makes me quite fatigued and all .