Throat Symptoms

My throat feels like it is constricted.  At the base of it, sometimes it is painful and radiates out.  I sometimes burp slightly.  I have had acid reflux in the past, but my current symptoms do not feel the same.  What is the difference between Gaviscon, Famotidine (20mg) and Nexium (40mg)?  I have been prescribed all three.  I would prefer to find a more natural solution.

I have pressure behind my right eye and tingling on the right side of my head that extends from the font of my head to the base of my skull.  I am not overweight and have a healthy diet (salads, organic vegtables, eggs, low fat milk, organic cereals, etc).  I do walk six times a week, but don't usually do any other type of excercise.  I just tured 50.    For years on and off, I have felt pain in my chest wall.  Right side also.  Breast cancer has been ruled out via yearly mammograms.  Doctors have yet to figure where it is coming from.  

Thank you for providing this very helpful service.  Any help you are able to provide would be most appreciated.      

[Vivek V Gurudutt, MD]

Sensations of throat constriction can certainly be related to having reflux.  The acid affects the lining of the throat and can give sensations similar to what you are experiencing.  Infections and tumors can also give similar sensations.  It would be important to differentiate the possibilites by being evaluated by an ent.  In addition, further work up the eye pain would be worthwhile.  In addition to an exam, radiological imaging may be helpful to search for a cause.  The three medications you listed are all used to treat stomach acid but work in different ways.  Gaviscon works to neutralize acid, famotidine blocks histamine receptors on the cells of the stomach wall, and nexium inhibits a pump that increases acid release by acid producing cells. Best wishes!