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Appt with GI not until April, advice until then?
Hi everyone. I have had some issues in the past few months that I am trying to get some answers to and sorted out. After several trips to my primary DR who I feel is not listening to me, I took matters into my own hands. It's frustrating because I have had my doctor for 10 years, and he knows I DO NOT come unless I HAVE to. I am not looking for anything but answers! Sorry if this is long, please bare with me!
Anyways, sorry for the rant. Here is the problems:
Starting in January I started getting anxiety issues, due to health concerns I started to have. I am a 27 year old female, no past medical history with the exception to anxiety and depression. My appetite seemed to decrease, but I was attributing that to my nerves. I had one bout of heartburn, but went away. Then in February, one day I couldn't keep any food down, and ended up in ER. Slight fever, slightly elevated WBC'S, ER DR said I probably had a stomach bug. It did feel better within 24 hours after, no more throwing up. However, a week or so after, I started having heartburn again. And also still some occasional nausea on and off. Or at least I think it is heartburn. I have never had it before these past couple of months. I do not get the burning in the chest or epigastric area, I get burning in my throat. Sometimes it responds to antacids like Tums and Maalox, sometimes it doesn't. But it does go away eventually. It is not constant, but I seem to have it in bouts. On and off for a few days. Then a couple of weeks without (knock on wood, I don't want it to come back!). I told my MD that. Also problems that I have had for a few months along with this, is on and off constipation, every few days...straining to move bowels, which NEVER was a problem for me. i would go everyday, no issues. Totally a new problem. And a SLIGHT pain in my mid upper abdomen, not right under the xiphoid process, but a couple of inches lower, between epigastric area and belly button. A slight pain, ususally lasting seconds, and goes away. The other things that bother me, is I have trouble belching now. I feel like I have to, but can't. And when I CAN get a belch out, sometimes I HAVE had the acidy taste in the back of my throat with it. NONE of these issues prior to the beginning of the year, all new to me. Actually, the past year I have had excessive flatulence for me, but since these problems have started, it has gone way down. Along with this, I have bloating issues at times. The ONLY epigastric discomfort I get has only happened a few times. Not burning or pain, but it would happen after I ate. Like a hunger pain, gnawing maybe?? Although I just ate! I don't feel hungry, but the sensation in the epigastric area feels empty, like I need to put food on it, and that's the last thing I want to do, because I'm so scared of the heartburn or bloating issues!
I have an appt with a GI on April 9th....but was maybe looking for some advice until then or anyone else can share their similar problems :) I'm not sure what to expect with the visit, but I do know the DR, I used to work at the hospital he goes to, very nice guy. When talking with the nurse the 1st time when I called, she said he may just want to do a scope right off the bat, without an office visit, but then decided we'd do an office visit first. My primary just said "welcome to the club, it's acid reflex, don't eat before bed". I am an RN, I know the lifestyle modifications, but I am TELLING HIM, this is all NEW, and it worries me because it's a cluster of symptoms, not just reflux (in my throat, not chest). I have almost been tempted to play actress, and go to an urgi care and say it's much worse than what it really is just so I can have a test done! To give me peace of mind! But now that I have this appointment, I wouldn't do that, just looking for some info. Sorry sooo long!
Anyways, sorry for the rant. Here is the problems:
Starting in January I started getting anxiety issues, due to health concerns I started to have. I am a 27 year old female, no past medical history with the exception to anxiety and depression. My appetite seemed to decrease, but I was attributing that to my nerves. I had one bout of heartburn, but went away. Then in February, one day I couldn't keep any food down, and ended up in ER. Slight fever, slightly elevated WBC'S, ER DR said I probably had a stomach bug. It did feel better within 24 hours after, no more throwing up. However, a week or so after, I started having heartburn again. And also still some occasional nausea on and off. Or at least I think it is heartburn. I have never had it before these past couple of months. I do not get the burning in the chest or epigastric area, I get burning in my throat. Sometimes it responds to antacids like Tums and Maalox, sometimes it doesn't. But it does go away eventually. It is not constant, but I seem to have it in bouts. On and off for a few days. Then a couple of weeks without (knock on wood, I don't want it to come back!). I told my MD that. Also problems that I have had for a few months along with this, is on and off constipation, every few days...straining to move bowels, which NEVER was a problem for me. i would go everyday, no issues. Totally a new problem. And a SLIGHT pain in my mid upper abdomen, not right under the xiphoid process, but a couple of inches lower, between epigastric area and belly button. A slight pain, ususally lasting seconds, and goes away. The other things that bother me, is I have trouble belching now. I feel like I have to, but can't. And when I CAN get a belch out, sometimes I HAVE had the acidy taste in the back of my throat with it. NONE of these issues prior to the beginning of the year, all new to me. Actually, the past year I have had excessive flatulence for me, but since these problems have started, it has gone way down. Along with this, I have bloating issues at times. The ONLY epigastric discomfort I get has only happened a few times. Not burning or pain, but it would happen after I ate. Like a hunger pain, gnawing maybe?? Although I just ate! I don't feel hungry, but the sensation in the epigastric area feels empty, like I need to put food on it, and that's the last thing I want to do, because I'm so scared of the heartburn or bloating issues!
I have an appt with a GI on April 9th....but was maybe looking for some advice until then or anyone else can share their similar problems :) I'm not sure what to expect with the visit, but I do know the DR, I used to work at the hospital he goes to, very nice guy. When talking with the nurse the 1st time when I called, she said he may just want to do a scope right off the bat, without an office visit, but then decided we'd do an office visit first. My primary just said "welcome to the club, it's acid reflex, don't eat before bed". I am an RN, I know the lifestyle modifications, but I am TELLING HIM, this is all NEW, and it worries me because it's a cluster of symptoms, not just reflux (in my throat, not chest). I have almost been tempted to play actress, and go to an urgi care and say it's much worse than what it really is just so I can have a test done! To give me peace of mind! But now that I have this appointment, I wouldn't do that, just looking for some info. Sorry sooo long!
Yeah, skipping a meal can trigger it as u get hungry acids to break the foods down are produced....so, eating more but smaller meals is helpful.
Carry saltines to help in case u run into a situation that will prevent u from eating on time....or a piece of fruit.
Stress can also trigger a flare, so find a way to calm urself down when u r stressed...I know easier said then done.....
Thanks I will do that. It also seems to come on when I have an empty stomach. For instance yesterday, I had some errands to run, and had to pick up a prescription at my pharmacy. And ran into issues with my prescription coverage and had to make a gazillion phone calls to get it situated and also had to run to my doctor's office quickly before they closed, because they aren't the greatest with calling me back. I hadn't ate before I went running to do errands. I hadn't ate at all yet before going out and doing this. So I was hungry, and a little bit stressed out, and the burning came on. Ugghhh, I guess it is true, that stress can aggravate many things.
Thanks so much for talking with me about all of this.
Thanks so much for talking with me about all of this.
Yes, that is a common way for people to describe this annoyance.....
If u elevate the head of ur bed it will help as gravity will keep the acids down in ur stomach and help prevent it from going up into ur throat....
There r several tips in the Health Pages like this that may help u as u heal.
Thanks. They called me today with biopsy results. No infections or H Pylori. She said the biopsies just showed some gastritis, which I knew from the scope, along with the mild esophagitis and duodenitis. So I am to take Prilosec for a month, and see how that works.
The sore throat I get...is pretty high up in my throat, like almost back of my mouth very upper throat. That's what I've been feeling the past two days. And it doesn't feel like it's on "fire", just burny, dry, and scratchy, almost raw feeling. Ever heard it described like that?
The sore throat I get...is pretty high up in my throat, like almost back of my mouth very upper throat. That's what I've been feeling the past two days. And it doesn't feel like it's on "fire", just burny, dry, and scratchy, almost raw feeling. Ever heard it described like that?
I know how u feel....sad how slowly the medical professionals move....I am not sure they know how we feel....sigh...
I pray u get answers and treatment soon.
Let me know what u find out.
((hugs))
The doctor took biopsies for H Pylori and other things. I haven't gotten the call yet with those results. They said within a week, and tomorrow will be 6 days. He said he will decide on medication once the results came back. I got the information on diet and lifestyle yes.
I have just been through the runner with doctors since January. Not the gastro doctor, he's been great. But with my PCP and such, I just want answers, and to finally get treated and better. I feel like I've been running in circles getting nowhere.
I have just been through the runner with doctors since January. Not the gastro doctor, he's been great. But with my PCP and such, I just want answers, and to finally get treated and better. I feel like I've been running in circles getting nowhere.
Were u DX'd with H.Pylori?
esophagitis, may be caused by GERD.....and the duodenitis.....
The esophagitis may be just the prolonged untreated GERD or H.Pylori...or some bacterial or viral infection....
Regardless u need to treat this as GERD, and avoid foods and bevs that will irritate and cause ur symptoms to worsen...
No spicy, greasy, acidic foods, no carbonated bevs or caffeine, and no alcohol as it can erode the mucosal lining of the stomach..which at this point is already been breeched.
Did ur Dr put u on meds? a modified diet and life style?
Thank you so much for responding Selma. I have seen some information regarding LPR, on here and other websites. But I wasn't sure if that would have been seen on the endoscope?
The doctor didn't say I had GERD, not that I remember, but he also didn't say I didn't have it either. He mentioned the irritations from the esophagitis, gastritis, and duodenitis, could GERD have caused these?
The doctor didn't say I had GERD, not that I remember, but he also didn't say I didn't have it either. He mentioned the irritations from the esophagitis, gastritis, and duodenitis, could GERD have caused these?
Hi...yes it is possible to have the burning in ur throat and not ur chest...not everyone gets heartburn or the typical symptoms of GERD and this is y it is over overlooked as an issue.
Look to the Health Pages, u will see several pages and types of issues, one is Silent Reflux or Laryngopharyngeal reflux.
Symptoms of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux are:
Continual throat clearing
Chronic throat irritation
Chronic cough
Hoarseness
Excessive phlegm the throat
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Constant sensation of something in the throat
Swallowed food comes back up
Post nasal drainage
Weak voice
Cracking voice
Blockage of the breathing passage
Spasm of the larynx (voice box)
Wheezing
Heartburn (but not all have this issue)
My error. The results said lower third of esophagus-mild esophagitis. Middle third was normal. It didn't say anything about the upper third.
I was just worried because the irritation (esophagitis) was found on the lower end of esophagus and the upper portion looked "normal" according to the paper they gave me. So it makes me worry that if the throat burning was due to acid my upper esophagus would show irritation? But it was the lower. Anyways, when he spoke to me and my hubby after, I don't remember much because I was still coming off of the twilight drugs, but my hubby says the results could explain the throat burning. What do you think?
Thanks selma. I got the scope done. He said it looks okay, with some mild esophagitis, mild gastritis, and mild duodenititis. The esophagitis was on the lower portion of the esophagus. He is a wonderful doctor, I knew him from when I used to work at the hospital he works out of. I asked him if this would explain the burning in the throat, and he said yes it can present that way. From your knowledge. is throat burning a common complaint with GERD/reflux/esophagitis...etc the other things I mentioned? I just don't ever get a burning sensation in the chest at all, just lower neck (where my collar bones come in and meet at that divot at bottom of neck) and throat burning. And not severe, just uncomfortable.
Good luck with the scope.,...try to relax as all that will do is add to how u feel and it can trigger ur reflux symptoms.
Keep us posted : )
Well I saw the doctor. I am going in for a scope on Thursday, and I am nervous as heck....
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