Continual Sore Throat

[da Wizard]

Hi there... I am writing message this asking for any help available since i am now getting quite desperate to find a solution to my recurring throat pain..

It started almost exactly a year ago when I got a severely sore throat (with no cold or flu etc.), i was on holiday at the time so i just got and over-the-counter throat spray from the pharmacist. two weeks later the condition had still not improved.. i visited my doctor and he promptly took a throat swab followed blood test etc. then by anti-biotics known to fight what ever was infecting my throat.

My throat did manage to clear up only to get infected once again a few weeks later... this process repeated itself many times until i went to visit an ENT which removed my tonsils (but left my adanoids intact)... This was in about June of 2003... everything was fine for about a month after the operation until my throat started getting sore again... Many courses of anti-biotics later (which included: Zinnat, Augmentumn, Rocephin, Orelox, Klacid - to name but a few) i went in for more surgery where the ENT removed my adanoids and lasered the back of my throat... This was almost exactly four weeks ago. I went for my check up three weeks ago to be told that things were looking good. Since the op, large ulcers have formed on the back and sides of my throat causing quite a lot of pain and causing the glands in my neck to swell up and become sore.. i haven't been smoking (used to be a social smoker), nor clubbing for four weeks yet my throat doesn't seem to be healing.i also take anti-inflamotories for my rheumatiod arthritis

[National Jewish]

It is possible that your current problem is related to the effects of your recent surgery and/or laser treatments.  One other source of recurrent infections, as you have described, is a chronic sinus infection.  This should be evaluated if the infections reoccur.

As far as the current problem from ulcers etc, I would suggest speaking directly with your surgeon.  Another option is getting a second opinion.

[Missy4]

Please let me know what you find out.  I have had a sore throat for 18 months now.  Only on the right side, I have tonsil stones on the right side, but worry about worse!  I guess if it were worse I would be in bad shape by now, but you never know.  I have been to the ent numerous times and he has never seen anything.  I hope all goes okay for you and you get to the root of the problem.

[Ellis7]

A persistent sore throat could be caused by GERD [gastro reflux disease].

http://www.gerd.com/faq/gerd-faq.htm#21   Excerpt:
"21. Can GERD cause inflammation of the throat?
     In some patients, acid can reflux into the throat causing inflammation of the back of the throat which can lead to pharyngitis, or into the vocal cords, which can lead to laryngitis and hoarseness. Although there are many other causes for sore throat and laryngitis, GERD should be suspected in a patient with chronic sore throat or other GERD symptoms or when no other cause can be found.
.............................
19. Are there long-term consequences of GERD?
     Long-standing GERD can lead to damage of the esophagus. This damage usually consists of breaks in the lining of the esophagus. In some cases ulcers can develop"
----------------------

Links on sore throat:
http://www.pulmonologychannel.com/pharyngitis/ Pharyngitis

http://www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic408.htm Sore Throat

or search on www.google.com

[tessa0825]

I agree that persistant sore throats can be caused from GERD..I had sore throats almost daily for yrs. and a terrible chronic cough...I had an EGD about 18 months ago and found out I not only had GERD but esophageal ulcers, strictures, and barrett's esophagus...I was put on Nexium 40mg daily and that eventually became 100 mg daily...I recently had reflux surgery at CCF and no more sore throats or chronic cough..If it doesn't go away I would ask for a GI consult...good luck

[BagHag]

Hello to all

In august of 2003, we returned home from vacation, and all of a sudden my husband's voice started to sound very raspy, so after about a week he went to the doctor who as ususal prescribed antibiotics, after a few weeks at the follow up, still no change, so off to the ENT, the first thing they did was scope him, they determined that his left vocal chord was paralyzed , so of course, more antibiotics, and anti-inflamitory meds., still no change over the next few weeks, but they were just intrigued over this(their words), needless to say, we switched ENT's in december, the new doc, had a cat scan done & scoped a few more times, and in 2 weeks he will be having a biopsy, although i am told that if there was a tumor or cancer it would have showed up on the cat scan, i dont know how true this is b/c i am not a doctor.  let me add that my husband has not had any throat pain throughout this whole ordeal, but he does have some acid reflux, which he take prevacid for(as needed), at one point the doc did put him on nexium 2x per day , i guess thinking that the paralyzed voal chord my be caused by acid reflux, (NOT SO)... if anyone can help or has information on this it would be greatly appreciated. thanks

[Missy4]

How is your husband.  I am still suffering myself and am getting pretty frightened about what I might have.  I now have a bump that just appeared suddenly on my gum.  NOw my throat discomfort has moved to the left side of my throat and mouth.

I hope your husband is okay.