What is wrong with me?

[Curlywurly80]

I have posts on here over the past 6 weeks but I want to know if anyone else has these symptoms and if it is something serious.I have been on omerazole for roughly 30 years following stomach ulcers. 6 weeks ago I was told by ENT I have silent reflux even though at the time my symptoms of a sore throat had IMPROVED from my visit to GP.

ENT increased my omeprazole and prescribed gaviscon after each meal and at bed time......I then started with severe bloating and often stomach ache.

For around a week now I have on occasion felt like I have something stuck in my throat which makes me try to swallow more but it feels like something clicks in my throat when I do swallow.

I should be receiving a 6 week follow up appointment with ENT anytime now.

Is this a symptom of the reflux?

Has anyone else had this?

What should I do?

Can this be something more serious?

I'm not sleeping and writing this at 5:30. Been awake for hours and worrying so much. 😪

[Sunflower535]

Like you I have reflux although mine was not silent. I had severe indigestion. I found that omeprazole made me worse so I stopped taking it.I had that lump in my throat too. I found that I had to adjust my diet. Absolutely nothing carbonated, no citrus fruit. Chocolate and coffee also would trigger a flare up so I avoid them now too. I found cups of chamomile tea helps me as does gaviscon. I have since been diagnosed with a thyroid problem which causes low stomach acid and the symptoms are the same as too much acid.

The lump in the throat does seem to be linked to reflux so try not to get too stressed. Easier said than done I know.

I'm not a medical person but I would say watch your diet and try and relax and not get too stressed and just wait for your appointment and see how things go. Mine took a quite a while to clear up. It does flare up occasionally especially if I'm stressed.

Take care and hope you feel better soon.

[Curlywurly80 in reply to Sunflower535]

Thank you for your swift reply. I have been awake since the early hours today.....I think the sensation in my throat and the clicking sound when swallowing actually woke me. I keep retchng now too, which is making me feel horrendous.My symptoms do seem to have got worse with the increase in omeprazole but I don't think I can do anything about this until I have had the ENT review as that is what he instructed.

I messaged my GP (that is the only way we can contact GPs here by filling in a triage form) twice over the 6 weeks since the increase asking their advice but they reply to carry on with what ENT said and wait for appointment.

[Sunflower535 in reply to Curlywurly80]

Definitely think about trying some chamomile tea or tumeric tea. Sipping on that for me has helped so much. It's a dreadful feeling. I was convinced I had cancer or something. The lump in my throat was terrible. Hang on in there until you see the ENT consultant. It's not easy I know, not to worry but the stress makes your symptoms worse - or at least it did for me. The more stressed I was the worse the reflux was. Since realising that I actually have low stomach acid I don't have as many issues but they still do come occasionally. It was a long road for me and even going to get an endoscopy didn't help - they just told me to keep taking the Omeprazole - but thankfully I didn't have any stomach ulcers or anything . I left the hospital, refused to take any more medication and it was the best thing I ever did. That was me - you have to make your own decisions as your case is not the same as mine. All the best. Take some "ME" time today - do something that will help you to relax and hang on in there.

[Curlywurly80 in reply to Sunflower535]

Thank you so much again.....I will try some tea. Feeling very much the same as you did and thinking the worst. One thing I don't understand is why these symptoms started when the PPI was increased and taking regular Gaviscon. I can't find anywhere that worsening symptoms could be a side effect. I am really hoping they don't suggest an endoscopy as years ago I had such a traumatic one. Unfortunately this is increasing stress just thinking about it.

I have a hot water bottle on my throat....feels good but no idea if it is a good thing to do.

Thank you so much for your time x

[Gingers in reply to Curlywurly80]

I was the same on omeprazole and esomeprazole. In fact all the ppi's made my ibs worse and I had the lump in the throat feeling. I stopped taking them and now take famotidine. Much better. Ask your doctor about them. Ppi's are so bad for the digestion.

[Curlywurly80 in reply to Gingers]

Can famotidine be taken continuously.....is it another PPI....there are so many.

[Gingers in reply to Curlywurly80]

Hi curlywurly80. Famotidine is not a ppi. It is an H2 antagonists which works differently. It doesn't stop all the acid being produced like ppi's do so you can digest your food better.

[Rexz]

Wow, 30 years on Omeprazole!! PPIs like Omeprazole are meant to be a short term treatment. Doctors prescribe these PPIs without ever knowing what your stomach acid level is. I'll offer a shot in the dark here. Because your symptoms sound very familiar to me. Too little stomach acid can cause acid reflux as proper amounts of acid help your esophageal sphincter to stay closed tightly. In a low acidic environment that sphincter becomes lazy, loose, and allows what little acid you have to reflux. I experienced this for a few years as I went from hypochlorhydria (low gastric acid) to now achlorhydria (no gastric acid). As r I reached my achlorhydria state I have all the symptoms you mentioned bloating, discomfort (rarely pain), feeling of fullness after eating just a little. I had mostly trouble when I ate a high protein high fat meal. I might suggest as a first step to have your serum Gastrin tested. Is a simple blood test and if results are high in Gastrin then that can be an indicator of very low gastric acid. I don't know where you're located so you may have to have this done at a private clinic since it's not included in a normal blood workup. I presume you've got gastritis along with your ulcers? Do you know the etiology (cause) of your gastritis? Had they tested for H-pylori infection? I presume they did. 98%+ of gastritis is caused by H-Pylori. There is another cause though that's a bit rarer 1.5 % of gastritis is caused by an autoimmune condition, Autoimmune Gastritis (AIG). A late stage manifestation of AIG (even rarer) is Pernicious Anemia. In this condition your bodies immune system is destroying the Parietal Cells in your stomach. These are the very acid producing cells your PPIs are acting against. Another couple of tests to have done are Parietal Cell Antibody and Intrinsic Factor Antibody. These are also simple blood tests. If you are positive for AIG/Pernicious Anemia then you should talk to your doctor and wean (don't stop abruptly) yourself off of your PPIs.

Additionally, a closely associated autoimmune condition to AIG is autoimmune Thyroiditis also known as Hashimoto's. An inflamed Thyroid can cause swallowing issues like you've s lump in your throat or difficulty swallowing. If AIG tests are positive you may want to talk to your doctor about testing for Thyroid antibodies.

If you end up having either of these conditions they are manageable. But you are so right in that you've got to understand what is going on before you can properly treat it

I know these things from my own experience so please know that I'm not a doctor.

Best wishes, Rexz

[Curlywurly80 in reply to Rexz]

Thank you for all this information. I shall definitely look into everything you suggest. I hope you are well

[Jumpey]

Read Dr.Louise Kaufman's book Acid Reflux Diet. She's a renowned expert. Adjusting your diet/ lifestyle could help.It did me . You could try therapy or mindfulness for your anxiety. Good luck.

[Curlywurly80 in reply to Jumpey]

Thank you for your reply

[Badger2024]

Sounds like you’re due for another gastroscopy. Otherwise you’ll continue to be stressed. Even the lump in the throat feeling can be caused by stress. Called globus sensation. Look it up. Regardless, you need to get your symptoms checked. No need to lose sleep over it. Mention to your ENT specialist that you had a bad experience having an endoscopy before. He/she’ll make sure you’re heavily sedated and may even give you something to relax before the procedure. Just ask. I’ve had two gastroscopies in the last two months. Both very straight forward and don’t remember a thing

[Curlywurly80 in reply to Badger2024]

Thank you for your reply

[Curlywurly80 in reply to Badger2024]

Thank you for your reply. I have to be totally honest even the sedation scares me so much.

[Badger2024 in reply to Curlywurly80]

Totally understand that which is why maybe if you had a small oral dose of some kind of benzo like Valium, you won’t be scared when it comes to the procedure. You said that the last time wasn’t a good experience. Perhaps you’ll also have a bit of PTSD from that. Talk to your GP about taking something oral. You’re not alone in feeling like you do about going under sedation or anaesthetic. Preventative care is so important and it can’t wait. Imagine having your oesophagus removed! Now that would be scary. You can do this

[Curlywurly80 in reply to Badger2024]

Thank you for the reply. I don't know what to do any more .....now I'm really shaky and scared. I was hoping there may be another test that could be done tbh

[Badger2024 in reply to Curlywurly80]

Anxiety is a bitch! You really do need to have an understanding primary care doctor who doesn’t just put all your health concerns down to anxiety. Things can get missed that way. If you feel that your doctor is just fobbing you off then change doctors. I changed doctors recently as my doctor missed my chronic kidney disease diagnosis as I’m overweight and all she did was harp on about how I should lose weight. You shouldn’t have to be scared and shaking with a health concern. Please visit a kind doctor who can give you answers to your issues. Don’t avoid making an appointment as you’re worried about having an endoscopy. That may not even be necessary yet. You deserve to be heard. Silent reflux really is quite manageable. Avoid white wine and alcohol with bubbles. I drink red wine. Also avoid whole citrus fruits or juice. Some people have problems with spicy food. I don’t. Raise the head of your bed. Don’t eat for three or four hours before bed. Don’t overeat. Moderate amounts more often better.

[Curlywurly80 in reply to Badger2024]

Thank you for the reassuring words and advice

[LondonEaster2]

I was on omeprazole for a few years and then this year started to get bloated and have a cough and reflux symptoms when I'd be fine before. I was so uncomfortable so often with the bloating and aches, and at night my reflux had come back. I ended up seeing a reflux specialist who said PPIs can lead to SIBO so I got a test and was positive with really high scores!

I got treated with a course of antibiotics and low FODMAP diet for around 8 weeks and symptoms are back to where they were before (no bloating, cough, reflux or anything else...for now!!!).

It's crazy to me that you can take PPIs to reduce reflux and LPR symptoms, then they can cause SIBO which lead to more SIBO symptoms!!! But definitely worth getting a SIBO test and then seeing a specialist if you can. It helped me so much - I was just always uncomfortable. Just hope it lasts!!

[Cyanking]

Hi curlywurly just want to reassure you that the "lump feeling in the throat" is a classic sign of lpr it is very unpleasant i had it last year it felt like someone was pushing their thumb in my throat and made it difficult to breathe. It took me 3 weeks to get rid of that sensation.Acid reflux in the throat takes about 6 months to fully heal, have you tried sleeping with a wedge pillow.

Unfortunately ppis are not very good for silent reflux and the only option to improve on a scientific level is by having surgery, they have a high success rate of curing lpr.

Don't get fobbed off by the doctors, explain that your not wanting to be on medication for the rest of your life.

I've been on ppis long term and they have caused me to have stomach polyps.

I think I have you as a friend on here, so message me back, as mine has been bad lately. Speak soon xx

[cacherjac]

Absolutely it is. I struggle with reflux. Horrible epigastric pain and bloating as well as sore throat and a feeling of a lump stuck in it. Omeprazole and gaviscon too. Stress makes it worse so try not to worry too much.

[Curlywurly80 in reply to cacherjac]

Thank you. I feel like I'm on my own. How long have you been taking Omeprazole and Gaviscon and what dose have you been advised to take?

[cacherjac in reply to Curlywurly80]

40mg twice a day and gaviscon 4 times a day

[Curlywurly80 in reply to cacherjac]

Thank you fir your quick reply. How long have you been on this? X

[cacherjac in reply to Curlywurly80]

Several years. Every now and then the omeprazole stops working so I switch to pantoprazol then switch back again. You can get too used yo them

[Curlywurly80 in reply to cacherjac]

I never thought of this. Maybe this is my problem. I shall try ....although it's nearly impossible .....to get to speak to my GP and ask. Thank you

[Beanlover]

I have Silent reflux and take pantoprazole which suited me better than the other PPIs. The one appt I had with ENT, the doctor said that Gaviscon is much better for acid reflux in the throat. I have bouts of not being able to swallow properly. I try to take tablets with a smoothie as it is easier to swallow with a thicker drink. I think if there was anything serious it would have shown up at you previous appt, but hopefully your follow up appt will reassure you

[Curlywurly80 in reply to Beanlover]

How long have you been taking Pantoprazole and are you now on it permanently?

[Beanlover in reply to Curlywurly80]

I was first prescribed Lanzoprazole as a stomach protection when I was taking Naproxen anti inflammatories for arthritis.around 2016. I became v anaemic which they put down to Naproxen, so stopped me taking it, but also discovered a hiatus hernia, so suggested I carry on taking Lanzoprazole. I found it caused stomach discomfort, and was switched to Pantoprazole, which suits me better. I've been on them ever since. I have what I am told is a large hiatus hernia. I developed silent reflux and for a while was on 2 20mg a day, as I was coughing and sore throats/ acid in the throat. I have had a period of taking 2, during bad bouts, but GP has encouraged me to go down to 1 with Peptac liquid I can take last thing at night. I cannot see me doing without it. Mostly it is under control apart from occasional bouts. The hiatus hernia will not go away, and I am 78, and have enough going on with heart, etc,,so as far as I'm concerned unless I develop something negative caused by it, I will continue to take it.I don't really know what is different between types of PPI, but Pantoprazole seems to suit me. Hope that is helpful

[Curlywurly80 in reply to Beanlover]

Thank you. It is. Wishing you well

[Curlywurly80]

Thank you so much