RA and uncomfortable Throat

[Adalisone]

Hello all,

Has anyone experienced the feeling of a lump in your throat? I've had a flare up recently after having a hysterectomy 5 weeks ago, ive just had a steroid injection to hopefully help. The feeling in my throat is very irritating. Thank you all in advance.

Regards

Ali

[Hidden]

Yes I have and had investigations done. Conclusion GERD probably caused by RA medication and general inflammation. Personally I would get it checked out to just tick all the boxes. Do you have dry eyes and mouth ? It could be Sjögren’s or Sicca related.

[Adalisone in reply to Hidden]

I don't get dry eyes, but my throat seems sore quite a lot. I wanted to ask advice on here before I contacted my rhumy nurse. I've been looking at doctor Google and gerd came up. I will get it checked, thank you.

[oldtimer]

Having a dry mouth (often happens with Rheumatoid Disease), reflux of acid and tensing up in that area can all trigger off that feeling of having a lump in your throat.

Making sure that you keep your mouth moist with drinks and sucking things like ice cubes or (if out) things like throat sweets and not breathing through your mouth help.

If you have had an increase in anxiety recently, doing exercises to relieve any tension in your neck and shoulders will help.

And talk to the medical team about whether you need anything for possible reflux.

[Adalisone in reply to oldtimer]

Tbh I thought it was something to do with my hiatus hernia with acid, it never crossed my mind that it could be due to ra. Thank you for the tips. I do take omeperaxole daily for all the meds I take.

Regards

Ali

[springcross in reply to Adalisone]

Ah, a HH, maybe that's the culprit then - please have a word with your GP. x

[Lizard28 in reply to oldtimer]

That’s interesting oldtimer, I get that as well, I find that eating bread is the worse thing I can eat, it’s hard to swallow, I usually eat meals with sauces and have no bother. Eating my toast just now and it’s the same, must be my dry mouth.

[MJSlide1958 in reply to oldtimer]

I must admit you are so experienced in RA! You could be our Doctor!! I hope you don't mind if I ask your advice from time to time. Thanks

[chunkypie]

I used to get that especially when i went to bed and laid down. Used to get a dry throat as well . Dr Google said it was GERD, I also put it down to the Methotrexate i was on and since changing Meds it seems to have gone 🙂

[Adalisone in reply to chunkypie]

its a horrible feeling isnt it, i can feel it all the time. I've been on mtx for 16 months, just gone over to the injections. Im glad that yours has gone 😊

Regards ali

[hatshepsut]

You need to speak to your gp, and get this investigated. It may well be something simple, but it could be something unwelcome. Only an expert can give a diagnosis. Having had problems myself, I do urge you to get it properly checked out.

[Adalisone in reply to hatshepsut]

Yes im going to do that

Thank you

Regards ali

[allanah in reply to Adalisone]

Do get it checked out, you had a recent operation and the intubation can hurt your throat too

[springcross]

Hi Adalisone, it could be silent reflux, you don't necessarily get indigestion with this type of reflux - it's known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Have a word with your GP. If I start getting a tickly cough for no apparent reason, followed by a sore and hoarse throat, that's ususally what it is.

[Hidden in reply to springcross]

Same here

[springcross in reply to Hidden]

It's a b----r to get rid of and extremely unpleasant isn't it and it's not so easy to shift as ordinary GERD.

[Hidden in reply to springcross]

Your right there . Hate the coughing when it’s starts and I always get nuts stuck in my throat

[springcross in reply to Hidden]

Yes, it really is quite nasty sometimes.

[HappyD34]

Hi there, I’m in exactly the same boat. I have a slight flare plus a bit of stress at the moment and I hadn’t connected the two. I also have a HH . I’m on omeprazole but go has asked me to increase dosage and has put me for a referral. Had endoscopy 3 years ago. Feel pretty miserable so it was heartening to read Oldtimers reply below. I’d still get it sorted with GP tho and relax....maybe try yoga, been recommended to me but I’ve yet to give it a go, something called covid got in way 🤔🤪😘

[Hidden]

I’ve read everyone’s comments and it’s been happening for some time.

Burning throat, then reflux, and the coughing is certainly Consistent.

For five days now I’ve been out of sorts.It started with a sore throat the first two days and then eased.

Doing some research,I had come to a conclusion my RT meds had started this problem,

Then, over time it escalated to GERD that’s being discussed Here.

I was desperate to do something about it

[VeronicaF]

I get this too

[Hidden]

Hi Adalisone, I feel for you, and your discomfort and I hope this will be of some help from my own experience.Because my health began to decline I recently ceased eating(no appetite)for a day.I decided to cut out bread(carbs), Tea,coffee, (caffeine) and every kind of food that has carbs,and to my amazement the reflux ceased.although replaced with water with a quarter banana with my meds for the day.To make sure I was on track, for breakfast the next day I had: 1 poached egg:1 toast ( small amount of carbs): 1 small cup black tea.

Great for 6 hours, then the GERD returned with reflux, but not severe.

So, now I’ve found the culprit! I can truthfully say carbs and caffeine are absolutely an issue along with my meds,I will be changing course! Im now so excited to begin my journey by erasing these products from my diet and eating healthy food.

I am also Changing oral Methodrexate to the Epi-pen with my Rheumy next month.

Perhaps that may make a huge difference.

I’m not expecting anyone to follow,but I’ve had enough of feeling out of sorts.

I wish you well whatever you decide with your GP

[Adalisone]

Good morning all,

Thank you all for your responses, ive read through them all, ive had this a while and never considered it to be through my RA, although I'm going to get checked by my gp. I only really get the heartburn due to overindulgence, I stick to quite a strict diet 95% of the time.

Thank you all once again for your help.

Regards

Ali

[Fra22-57]

I was diagnosed as silent acid reflux with it.I I listed I dont have reflux and told that's why it's called silent.Still feels like something stuck in throat after told to take lansoprazole day n night n gaviscon 4 times a day.I would ask for mri.Thankfully mine was clear.

Consultant said its caused by steroids

Told also no more than 2 small cups of de caf tea a day as caffeine effects it

[Green230461]

I would contact your doctor or rheummy especially as you have been in hospital recently. I had a shoulder op done and they said I might get an infection due to the tubes in your throat during the op. So don’t think the worst get one of our NHS so sort you out. After all y

They keep saying they are open for business. 😷

[Pinkplum]

Aww it’s really horrible isn’t it. I’d say maybe could be caused by your HH .

I have exactly the same issues just now had an endoscopy last week and I’m now being referred for the 24 hr ph acid monitor test.

Meds aren’t working.

Talk to your gp about it ?

There’s lots of meds they can try you with, they have all stopped working for me, but I hope you have better luck. X

[Adalisone in reply to Pinkplum]

Hi, it has crossed my mind regarding my HH.

Thank you, i hope that you get sorted soon with your meds.

Regards

Ali

[Ms-D]

Hi how are you feeling after hysterectomy? I had one two years ago and never felt better except for ra pain.

[Adalisone in reply to Ms-D]

Hi,

I have recovered really well, I had an abdominal total hysterectomy 6 weeks ago, I started on hrt patches straight away and I've felt good. I was off metherteroxate tablets for four weeks and then went onto the injections, i have had a flare up though which made my forget all about the hysterectomy. I have managed to lose 8.75 pounds since surgery, im hoping this is all because of the gynaecology problems I had it was stopping me losing weight 🤔🤔

Regards

Ali

[Ms-D in reply to Adalisone]

I hope you feel better real soon. I had a total vaginal hysterectomy but kept ovaries intact. Get the throat issue sorted out soon as the last thing you want is an infection. Take care x

[Adalisone in reply to Ms-D]

I Will do, thank you so much xx

[Leics]

I have a HH hernia too and as I’m still awaiting a new drug treatment for my R.A. I’m taking prednisone tapering dose from 20mg now down to five. Unfortunately the prednisone has given me gastritis and it’s awful can’t eat or drink anything much. Luckily GP gave me some lansaprazole 30mg which is twice the dose I’ve ever taken, the nausea is subsiding but not the bloating and stomach pain and it’s been dreadful for a week now. I occasionally get the sensation of a lump in my throat too but have no reason why. The joys of. RA flares (got one of those too), if it was me I would see what your GP says I’m very pleased your hysterectomy went well though and you’re recovering nicely that has to be a bonus I know mine was but that was 20 years ago for me. I lost 2.5kg on Saturday which was down to spending most of the day in the bathroom not the way to go to lose weight and neither is gastritis but hopefully it won’t last. It may well be down to the HH but who knows with these things I haven’t had a problem with mine for four years until now but I won’t make the mistake of not taking a ppi when I’m on prednisone again and will definitely be asking for the enteric coated version which I know are more expensive but even if I pay for them it will be worth it although that probably won’t happen. Good luck with your recovery and I hope your flare and uneasy throat subside soon.