Gastro reflux disease - no symptoms except for HORRIBLE acidic(i think) breath

[denisbaya]

Hi,

When every i swallow food, water, saliva, or anything for that matter i get this this horrible taste in my mouth. I think its a very acidic taste; I can't eat anything because it smells and tastes horrible. I'm not sure if i have GERD, because i don't have any of the symptoms other than the horrible breath. My doctor prescribed Nexium, but it didn't help. Is there any other medication i can take over the counter or with a prescription?  What is causing this? How can i make it go away. Please Help!

I should add, this has been going on for about 1 week and that i am a healthy 23 year old male, who doesn't drink or smoke, has good dental hygiene and blood pressure; I am 5'9.5'' 160 lbs.

[patient915]

As Dr. Watters said, it could be something like gum disease which can happen even with good dental hygiene.  This is still coming from inside of you.

[denisbaya]

I haven't seen a dentist because I'm certain that this is coming from inside me. Just to be sure, I might go to the dentist if carafate and prilosec don't work.

[denisbaya]

Thank you for your reply. I don't think I have what you listed because I was looking at the symptoms and I don't have any of them.  If carafate and prilosec don't work, do you think I should see a gastroenterologist? You also mentioned a bacterial overgrowth, where could this possibly be? On a side note, there was a storm 2 week ago that took out power to northern Virginia for 3 days.. During that time, I ate a lot of fast food and drank a couple sodas a day during the black out. Do you think this is was caused it? I only ask because I started to get this taste in my mouth after the storm; this is the first time I ever had this.

P.s. The person in the link below has the same problem as me, horrible taste when swallowing but no other symptoms of GERD. The doctor recommended prilosec just as the physician did when I went into the emergency room Monday. I am hoping they are right.

http://www.justanswer.com/medical/3gmx4-immediately-chew-food-swallow-bad-taste-develops.html

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

I wouldn't dream of questioning the emergency room physician about his evaluation of bad breath as I am sure he gave you all the time needed for a thorough evaluation of this life threatening condition but gastric juice brought up to the mouth would not give horrible breath. It is primarily hydrochloric acid which smells a lttle bit like Clorox. Bad breath implies that there is some bacterial overgrowth somewhere. This could be gum disease, chronic tonsillitis, poor gastric emptying, or a Zenker's diverticulum to name a few.  Reflux all the way to the mouth will frequently result in the erosion o the enamel off the molars. It doesn't really matter how good your dental hygiene is if this occurs because these folks end up with rotting teeth and dentures at an early age if untreated. I have seen 26 year old patients with dentures from reflux induced tooth decay.

[patient915]

It can be another dental problem besides dental hygiene.  Have you seen a dentist about this?  Have you tried any dietary changes?

[denisbaya]

Trust me, its not dental hygiene. I visited the emergency room and they said its reflux. They gave me carafate and told me to take prilosec daily. They also said it should take a week to take effect. I hope it works or I don't know what else to do.

[denisbaya]

Trust me, its not dental hygiene. I visited the emergency room and they said its reflux. They gave me carafate and told me to take prilosec daily. They also said it should take a week to take effect. I hope it works or I don't know what else to do.

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  Is it only something you can taste/smell or can people around you smell your bad breath?  Have you seen a dentist about this?  Have you tried eliminating anything from your diet?