Hi - I'm brand new to this site, but (unfortunately) not brand [...]

Posted by Ann H @annmh, Sep 21, 2014

Hi – I’m brand new to this site, but (unfortunately) not brand new to reflux. I have the type of reflux that gives me a sore throat ALL the time. I rarely get heartburn, but I’m constantly sucking on throat drops. For about 2 1/2 years now I’ve been dealing with this. I’m a firm believer in fixing the cause, not the symptom, but I have had no luck figuring out the cause. I saw 2 different gastro doctors & had an endoscopy – all OK (that was 2 years ago). Have also seen allergist and ENT dr. Tried several PPIs and nothing worked (I have no intentions of taking any of those for long anyway). Tried MANY alternative things as well (reiki, acupuncture, reflexology, chiropractic, hypnosis, qi gong, MANY probiotics, MANY enzymes, MANY dietary changes and home remedies. NOTHING WORKS! Oddly, as I’m typing this I just realized I’m having a pretty good day with my throat – no idea why, but that’s good. Any new suggestions are always appreciated!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the GERD group.

charles | @charles | Sep 23, 2014

Welcome to the group; sounds like “typing” is the key to our health improvement! I have queried a few others about your situation and hope to get back to you shortly. It sounds similar to mine; sort of a constant low grade reflux. I had to do all the little things before i made a difference. ie change my diet, raise head of bed, avoid certain foods i crave like coffee and chocolate and take medicine. Have you tried this comprehensive approach yet?

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1 reply
Ann H | @annmh | Sep 23, 2014
In reply to @charles "Welcome to the group; sounds like "typing" is the key to our health improvement! I have..." + (show)
@charles

Welcome to the group; sounds like “typing” is the key to our health improvement! I have queried a few others about your situation and hope to get back to you shortly. It sounds similar to mine; sort of a constant low grade reflux. I had to do all the little things before i made a difference. ie change my diet, raise head of bed, avoid certain foods i crave like coffee and chocolate and take medicine. Have you tried this comprehensive approach yet?

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Yes, I\’ve tried EVERYTHING that I know of. Constantly experimenting with diet things. My bed is propped up, but my sore throat is during the day too, even when I\’m upright. I signed up for a class in early October being taught by a tai chi instructor who says he can help cure digestive issues with tai chi. I\’m up for it. Can\’t hurt to try! ANY suggestions are always appreciated. Thanks. Glad you are noticing improvement too!

Ann Haman
Juice Plus \”Good Nutrition Made Simple\”
(630)337-6711
http://www.AnnH.JuicePlus.com

Juice PLUS+ Capsules contain 17 fruits, vegetables and grains. The ingredients are: apples, cranberries, cherries, oranges, papaya, peaches, pineapple, beets, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, kale, tomatoes, parsley, spinach, rice and oats (certified gluten free).

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giguestmoderator | @giguestmoderator | Sep 23, 2014

The symptom you are describing (feeling of a “sore throat”) is fairly common and it can actually be caused by several different things. Acid reflux is certainly one possible cause but not the only one. An endoscopy can sometimes help identify a likely cause, but it may often be normal, sometimes even if there is true reflux of stomach acid into the throat.

Before trying additional remedies without knowing the underlying cause of the problem consider going back to a gastroenterologist to have a so-called “pH study” done. This test should once and for all be able to determine whether stomach acid is contributing to your symptoms. If the answer is “yes”, you may need to be put on a different combination of acid-suppressive medicines (or different doses) to get the problem under control. If the pH test is negative for any true reflux, then there are other groups of medicines that can be tried, such as those that work on the “pain fibers” in this area and modulate the way we perceive discomfort. Nortriptyline can be very effective in this situation but a specialist needs to help find the correct dose.

REPLY
3 replies
Ann H | @annmh | Sep 23, 2014
In reply to @giguestmoderator "The symptom you are describing (feeling of a “sore throat”) is fairly common and it can..." + (show)
@giguestmoderator

The symptom you are describing (feeling of a “sore throat”) is fairly common and it can actually be caused by several different things. Acid reflux is certainly one possible cause but not the only one. An endoscopy can sometimes help identify a likely cause, but it may often be normal, sometimes even if there is true reflux of stomach acid into the throat.

Before trying additional remedies without knowing the underlying cause of the problem consider going back to a gastroenterologist to have a so-called “pH study” done. This test should once and for all be able to determine whether stomach acid is contributing to your symptoms. If the answer is “yes”, you may need to be put on a different combination of acid-suppressive medicines (or different doses) to get the problem under control. If the pH test is negative for any true reflux, then there are other groups of medicines that can be tried, such as those that work on the “pain fibers” in this area and modulate the way we perceive discomfort. Nortriptyline can be very effective in this situation but a specialist needs to help find the correct dose.

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Thanks for the info. I know I have acid coming up because it has removed all the enamel from my teeth. My dentist noticed it about 3 years ago – even before I did. My teeth are changing shape now. Right now I don’t even have a gastro doctor. My insurance is going to be changing soon. Maybe I’ll look for a new gastro doctor after I get new insurance. I played around with the PH thing on my own – taking HCL, acid-alkaline diet changes, etc. What I need is an open minded gastro doctor & that’s been hard to find. Do you have any suggestions in the NW suburbs of Chicago?

REPLY
Ann H | @annmh | Sep 23, 2014
In reply to @giguestmoderator "The symptom you are describing (feeling of a “sore throat”) is fairly common and it can..." + (show)
@giguestmoderator

The symptom you are describing (feeling of a “sore throat”) is fairly common and it can actually be caused by several different things. Acid reflux is certainly one possible cause but not the only one. An endoscopy can sometimes help identify a likely cause, but it may often be normal, sometimes even if there is true reflux of stomach acid into the throat.

Before trying additional remedies without knowing the underlying cause of the problem consider going back to a gastroenterologist to have a so-called “pH study” done. This test should once and for all be able to determine whether stomach acid is contributing to your symptoms. If the answer is “yes”, you may need to be put on a different combination of acid-suppressive medicines (or different doses) to get the problem under control. If the pH test is negative for any true reflux, then there are other groups of medicines that can be tried, such as those that work on the “pain fibers” in this area and modulate the way we perceive discomfort. Nortriptyline can be very effective in this situation but a specialist needs to help find the correct dose.

Jump to this post

Me again. I forgot to mention that I DO get heartburn sometimes. Usually a few times a week and just briefly. Mostly it’s the sore throat issue, though.

REPLY
charles | @charles | Sep 23, 2014
In reply to @giguestmoderator "The symptom you are describing (feeling of a “sore throat”) is fairly common and it can..." + (show)
@giguestmoderator

The symptom you are describing (feeling of a “sore throat”) is fairly common and it can actually be caused by several different things. Acid reflux is certainly one possible cause but not the only one. An endoscopy can sometimes help identify a likely cause, but it may often be normal, sometimes even if there is true reflux of stomach acid into the throat.

Before trying additional remedies without knowing the underlying cause of the problem consider going back to a gastroenterologist to have a so-called “pH study” done. This test should once and for all be able to determine whether stomach acid is contributing to your symptoms. If the answer is “yes”, you may need to be put on a different combination of acid-suppressive medicines (or different doses) to get the problem under control. If the pH test is negative for any true reflux, then there are other groups of medicines that can be tried, such as those that work on the “pain fibers” in this area and modulate the way we perceive discomfort. Nortriptyline can be very effective in this situation but a specialist needs to help find the correct dose.

Jump to this post

Would love to help out in Chicago but only know the docs in Dallas/Ft Worth

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