Gerd or something else?

[Christinak74]

Good Morning

I am a 35 year old female. Non smoker, occasional drinker.

In Sept 2009 I got a cold..with the virus I found my asthma which is usually very under contol became out of control I needed to use my inhalers every 4 hours. I reported this to my dr who gave me advair and advised to take this for 10 days. I was still needing to take the other inhaler as well. Within a few weeks I felt better.

I then got another cold. ( I have a three year old in daycare,lol) this time it did not seem to go away with time..the cough and runny nose did but after weeks it still felt like there was a lot of mucus in my throat and my asthma again was out of control.  I started to feel like I needed to clear my throat all the time and my voice became hoarse.Around this time I started to get a sore throat and pain when swallowing. I went back to the drs and was advised to take the advair again for 2 months. The dr had chest and sinus X-rays done and they are clear. Over the last few weeks my voice has started to grow hoarser and I can sometimes feel pain in my chest when swallowing. The dr has persbribed me a Proton Pump inhibitor for reflux. It has been several days and this has done nothing. Am I wrong in thinking that there should be a more thorough examination of my throat and esophagus? I know my history leads against it but could this not be a tumor causing this? I am getting frustrated at the constant and worsening symptoms and I know that the dr has to rule things out , but the medication for the reflux is not causing any improvements in the symptoms and my asthma symptoms are still bothersome. Previously I only ever needed to take inhalers when I was sick and now I need them everyday.

Any advice or suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Christina

[selmaS]

HI Christina,

DO try to be patient as these meds can take up to 2 weeks or longer for u to feel the effects and or benefits. May I ask did u modify ur diet and lifestyle in addition to starting the meds?

U will need to do all of it in order to get the best results.

DId ur drs check u for autoimmune issues?

And were u on ne antibiotics when u were sick?......what r the side effects of the meds u r on?

"selma"

[Christinak74]

Hi Selma

Thanks for your response.

I will try to be patient and allow the meds time to work..I guess my frustration comes from the fact that it took months for me to get to this point.

I am a vegetararian and i try my best to eat healthy foods although obviously I dont always hit the mark.

The dr did not check for any autoimmune issues.

I did take antibiotics when the mucus situation did not clear up on its own-it was bioxin and between that and the cortisteriods I was taking for my asthma I developed trush which thankfully I was able to clear up within 3 days-and so far no reappearance.

Christina

[Tom_123]

Hi Christina,
I had a sore throat so my ENT dr. performed a Laryngoscopy using a very simple device thru my nose and found what appears to be an ulcer on my left vocal chord. I am now on Nexium for 3 months hoping it will clear up. After 2 weeks there hasn't been much relief.  

[Christinak74]

Tom

Sorry you havent had any relief, is there any other course of action they can take other then reflux medicine?

Does it effect the quality of your voice as well..or is it just sore?

Christina

[Tom_123]

It is painful when I swallow with my head turned to the left. Weird huh.
The cold air aggrevates it a bit.

My voice is a little hoarse which means some air is escaping.

http://www.voicedoctor.net/
The voice doctor has an excellent website with photos and videos

I'm actually less nervous after visiting his site

[Christinak74]

That is a little odd.

I will check out the site for sure.

Currently it feels like I have sunburn in my throat. This has been the feeling for the last few days. Sometimes I feel like there is barely any sensation in my throat at all ( I am sure that sounds wierd) but always there is a feeling of mucus and my voice sounds quite hoarse.

I am really feeling doubtful that it is GERD.

[energeticmom]

I too have the sore throat, mucas build up, clearing of throat, etc. I also have swallowing issues. Very sensitive gag reflex. I cannot eat popcorn, grapes, cut up red/green peppers.... anything with a skin that can get stuck on the back on my tongue. Drives me nuts trying to get it off, like someone is holding their finger in the back of my throat. Also, my throat will freeze up and not alllow me to swallow my spit. Just for a second, but it causesd me to gag, cough like my saliva went down the wrong hole.

I had the camera up the nose and the camera down the throat , barium swallow tests. Only Hital hernia found.

I was put on Prilosec ( 9 months ago) and sore throat was gone in about 2 weeks. Still haves swallowing issues and mucas in throat though. At least no pain.

If you are taking any Proton Pump Inhibitator (like Prilosec) for a long time (box says no more that 14 days in a 4 month period) then you need to watch for a B12 deficiency. Look up B12 deficiency on the internet for symptoms. It is a specific blood test (B12) to check your levels if you develop any symptoms.

My doctor did not mention this, and she forgot that I was on Prilosec and I developed a B12 Deficiency. Awful!! And can be dangerous.  I must take B12 lozenges under the tongue (stomach cannot process B12 from food or pill form due to reduced acid).

If you take Prilosec for a long time, then keep in mind about the B12. The lozenge works great (or you can get shots).

[Christinak74]

Thanks for the update about the b-12..I already have a deficiancy and I have been feeling exhausted over the last few days-so I will mention that to the dr when I see him on Wednesday.
I just dont understand how Gerd starts just like this after a cold and I dont even really have heartburn...also the pain is more in the upper throat then lower in the esphogus///however what do I know I am certainly not a dr..and the throat pain disappeared yesterday after about 8 days of treatment so maybe it is GERD after all.I just think the dr should do the tests rather then just treating.

Anyway have a great day and thanks for your response.