Air bubble in my throat!

[Unhappy Camper]

For about 6 weeks now I have had what feels like an air bubble caught in my throat, just between where the collarbones meet. It usually lasts 2-4 days, but seems to go away when I sleep. Then I might have 1-2 days without it, then it comes back again. Sometimes the sensation travels a bit lower, more to mid-chest. It is usually accompanied by very thick saliva, hoarse sounding speech, difficulty swallowing, and frequent belching. It is extremely uncomfortable and I often get a headache with it, too. After I belch, the air bubble sensation goes away only a few seconds before it rebuilds to full force. Oddly, I also keep picking up an strong garlicy odor coming of off me, usually after I have been sitting still for a while and then move. It is very quick and then it is gone. I can't tell if it is coming from my breath or my skin. I have tried tracking my diet, but the connection seems tenuous at best.

After prescription Zantac and a nasal spray made no difference, and a thyroid test came back normal, my doc ordered a barium swallow. It only showed a very slight hiatal hernia. The doc says I am likely suffering from GERD, but the strange thing is, I really have no heartburn (except occasionally, which is normal for me). But the throat thing is fairly constant.

The doc has now changed my prescription to Protonix (pantoprazole) and says if that doesn't work after trying it for SEVERAL WEEKS, then he will try something else. I am concerned that I am getting the HMO bum's rush. Can anyone tell me if these symptoms sound like GERD or something more sinister?

[fyreflye]

Go to the Hpylori website which is called the Helicobacter Pylori Foundation run by Dr. Barry Marshall. Just put H Pylori in your search and it should come up. Great info on GERD. Another person there posted the same symptoms as you but it turned out he had a bacterial infection in his throat with lots of phlegm and pain.
Hope it helps!

[toy drive]

Hi, Just to let you know for 7tns i have had a bad case of gerd my main symptom has been short of breath but also horseness,and bad pain in bottom of throat where you say you feel air bubble.I have been on nexuim now for 14 weeks not much better. Just had 24 ph to see if need surgery.Hang in there get second&3rd opinon.