can altitude affect reflux? looking for input for 3 year mucus problem

[azhummer]

Hi all,

I have a friend who we have just basically "self diagnosed" her with acid reflux - something doctors have not figured out yet.. and she has seen a gastro, pulmo, and ENT.  She may post here soon with more detailed info but I just loved the support I'm seeing at the forum here.

She has had what we call a "cough" for 3 years now.  It has left her sleepless at nights trying to "get all of it out"..  it being the feeling that something is closing up her throat..   its almost as though she feels if she does not do it - she will eventually gag..  It is like she is trying to clear a sensation in her throat out - she is constantly getting out mucus and with it sometimes comes bits of unknown small particles - sometimes she thinks they are metal splinters, then she thinks they are gum that was stuck in her...

I noticed when we went on camping trips to 2600ft elevation from where she lives at 1400ft that the symptoms aggravate even more..  this has occurred several times..  could altitude affect this?  

some notes about her diet:   she smokes, she drinks mountain dew, she hardly eats ANYTHING else....    would smoking/mtn dew be about the two worst things if shes constantly on an empty stomach?     Any other input on what she might have..  whats strange is she does NOT have heartburn or chest pressure.. just the esophagus/mucus/throat symptoms...

Thanks for any input  

[Flycaster305]

I've read your post three times to make sure I got it right.

I'm not a health professional, so please understand I'm not trying to diagnose, but I must say that a diet of Mountain Dew and cigarettes sounds like a fast trip to both diabetes and lung cancer. I have absolutely no idea what Eagles Syndrome is.
Forget about GERD.  Your friend has serious issues that should be addressed by both a dietician and a mental health professional.  As a friend, I'd urge her to get professional help to save her life.  

[azhummer]

I forgot to add she has been on several courses of antibiotics because she needs them for any dental work.. these have caused a significant candida/yeast issue - she can scrape white stuff off her tongue..  she is on nystatin rinse and when she tried one course of Diflucan it helped alot (even the "cough" problem) - but then she had another tooth abcess and needed one month of heavy antibiotics...   not to mention she was diangosed with Eagles syndrome and was told she should have it taken care of - maybe these 3 things are leading her through this awful life experience?