Lump in throat, doctor dismissed it

[allan1150]

I went to an ENT Doctor to check out my throat.  I have had the sensation of having a pill stuck in the back of my throat towards the base of my tounge for about 3 years.  It can come and go but is pretty persistent, although it can sometimes get extremely bad and feel like it is a hard object.  I do not have pain, I can not find tonsiliths nor do I have halitosis.  The ENT could not find anything and said it was GERD, even though I told him I do not and have never had acid reflux, at least not knowingly.  GERD medication changed nothing.  I am a healthy 23 year old male, don't smoke, work out 4-6 times per week.  Should I go back now that the GERD medication hasn't worked?  I truly do not feel like he was taking me seriously, he almost just blew me off and handed free samples of a medication.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

Those other meds are over the counter.  Worth a try before you see your doc, so you can tell them you tried this and for how long.

[allan1150]

The medication was a PPI, Prevacid.  There was no change, although I have never experienced heartburn or a reason to take a PPI besides the lump feeling.  I will ask about the other medications as well.  Also the problem is only on the right side of my throat, always in the same spot and feels solid. Thanks for the help.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

What kind of GERD treatment?  proton pump inhibitors?  if you take those in the morning, you can consider using acid blockers at night, such as Pepcid, Zantac, Tagamet.  Go back and ask if these can help.  The feeling that goes away then  "bobs" back up sounds like post-nasal drip, ask an allergist for help.

[allan1150]

I also wanted to mention that pushing on my throat on the area where you would normally take a pulse makes the lump feeling more pronounced.  The feeling goes away for a split second when swallowing and feels like it "bobs" back up.  I also take sleeping medication nightly (lunesta) as the constant need to swallow or clear my throat prevents me from sleeping.