Constant bitter taste in mouth-could it be silent reflux

Digestive health
1

It's been 1month now with a constant bitter taste in my mouth-it just started out of the blue one day. Only other symptoms are some post nasal drip and mucus in back of throat and occasional ear pain. Can anyone please shed any light? I am suspecting silent reflux? Thank you jackir

2

Sounds like inflammation that could be caused by reflux but you really need a doctor preferably Gastro to diagnose it properly. My sister had what she thought was an annoying cough that would'nt go away. Then a couple of months latter she started weakening from sleep vomiting. That sent her to the MD and she was diagnosed with reflux and given medication. She was fortunate as the medication worked and after a couple of maths no longer n ended it. That was 3 yrs ago and she remains fine. No problems.

3

Hi Jackie,

It's hard to say because sometimes dental problems can cause the symptoms you mentioned but if you know you don't have dental issues than my guess would be it's more than likly reflux. I would say it could be sinuses too but then again sinus problems can stem from reflux.

It's a very frustrating ailment silent reflux. It can be hard to pinpoint for doctors but the fact that yours came out of a blue sky might suggest reflux because that's how it started with me 2 years ago.

4

It sure sounds like LRP.  This occurs in a person who has (GERD). Acid made in the stomach travels up the esophagus (swallowing tube). When that stomach acid gets to the throat, it is called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)

5

Btw, I would see an ENT who specialist in LRP (Silent Reflux)

6

Thank you guys. I am seeing an ent on monday. It's just strange that the bitter taste is the only real symptom.... Do any of you have reflux and the bitter taste?

7

Thank you for the reply Carol. Have you solved your reflux problem? Did you experience a bitter taste?

8

Thank Papote-am seeing Ent monday.

9

Thanks Merrianna.

10

No I haven't resolved my reflux problem. I take prescribed medication for it but still put up with many symptoms of it.

Oh yes I still experience the bitter taste in my mouth quite often.

11

The bitter taste is apparently a common symptom of reflux . Mine is almost like a metallic taste and just pops up out of nowhere.

12

The post nasal drip and mucus in back of throat are also symptoms of LRP. Good luck on Monday. ;-)

13

Thanks again Carol. Shame you are still experiencing it. it sounds quite tough to get rid of. It's just hard to understand how the bitter taste is so permanent-you would think it would come and go..... That is what worries me 😱

14

Thanks again Popote. I hope you have managed to get your reflux under control. 😀

15

Thanks, in my case I do not have the bitter taste but I have everything else including chest pressure all day long, lack of air and chest muscle and rib-cage pain.   I do not have heartburn but I do have mild reflux on my esophagus and throat and I also have SIBO.  After 2 years of GI's not been able to help me I decided last week to see a functional medicine specialist and she did a few test which I will have the results next week and meanwhile she put me on a diet which includes Bone broth and no grains. I actually have normal acid levels and PPI's/H2 Blockers did nothing for me. btw, she also put me on no probiotics for now until my Gut flora is healthy again.

16

Don't worry on the fact that it doesn't come and go. I've seen in different forums people saying that it never leaves and their doctors have told them it's reflux. One woman said she had it for 5 months straight and it was reflux. I know you wouldn't want to put up with it for 5 months lol,, but just to show you that it doesn't necessarily have to come and go.

17

Hi Jackie, unfortunately many doctors even ENT are ignorant to LPR, I have been dealing with what I suspected as silent reflux. If in fact you do have LPR I would suggest changing your diet, ppis dont seem to make much improvement for LPR. I am not even certain I have LPR myself and continued my search for a cure, started taking 10mg Elavil as I think a virus caused LSN, 1 week into my meds I see improvement that 2 months of ppi and diet had not done much for. Try not to get too much stress over this many people I hear that do have LPR will start feeling better after 4-6 months of treatment, stress and anxiety will only make it worse.

18

Hi Jackie, I have GERD and get the taste all the time....My dentist has even noticed that my gums are swollen and bleed easy...from the acid coming up...So I have special toothpaste with flouride and also rincse with a hydrogen  peroxide mouth wash to get bacteria away

19

Does the bitter taste mean you also can't really taste food, like sugars, salts, etc?

20

Thanks for your comments everyone. Seeing ent monday so will kepp you posted. Have a good weekend everyone.