Is it really reflux???

[Coco209]

I want to share my story as it may help others.  I've scanned these boards and others for 2 months trying to find out what was wrong with me since 6 Doctors couldn't determine.

I had "shortness of breath" in my throat for several months.  Asthma medication did not help.  At the first of the year, I got a lump sensation in my throat and a numb sensation.  It felt like someone was strangling me with a scarf.  I couldn't quite determine where it was but it was extremely disturbing.  I went to a ENT who scoped me and said everything looked healthy but lump in throat was GERD.  Insisted that I take double dose of Prilosec for 6 weeks.  Knowing my body, I knew I didn't have GERD.  I stopped the Prilosec after 1 week.  Spent time with other Doctors who suggested everything from Lymphoma to Aids.  I drank something that was cold and sour and the area under my jaw just started throbbing.  Next diagnosis was a salivary gland infection.  The more I "milked" the gland and sucked on sour things, it got worse.  Clear CT scan.  Symptoms got worse after eating and later in the day.  It felt like chunks in throat and waves of tight numbness, dry mouth, need to swallow, pain, constant throat clearing, coughing.  Went back to original ENT, who said I had GERD, he was irritated that I didn't take the full course of Prilosec and said GERD was my only diagnosis.  Luckily, I live close to one of the best University Medical facilities.  I saw a Larynx/Pharynx expert.  He gently touched an area on my neck that sent waves of numbness throughout my throat.  Scoped me....clear.  There is an area on your neck...don't know the name but it's on the left side, just below the salivary gland, where a bunch of nerves intersect.  My nerves were inflamed, probably from a virus. He prescribed a medication for inflamed nerves and within 3 days, I'm feeling better.  I think it will take a long time to heal but I'm not going to die!!!!  I just wanted to post this in case it can help anyone.  I think a lot of the ENT's rely on their textbook training, don't have the knowledge or think out of the box.  GERD is a diagnosis that has so many symptoms and it's an easy solution to get you out of their office in 15 minutes.  So many people say the PPI's aren't working, maybe they can't if that's not your problem.

[jakey2]

thank you for posting this, i have what feels like throat/esophagus spams.  my doctor is wonderful, but i couldn't help but think when i was telling her my symptoms that she thought i was nuts.  she also thinks i have acid reflux causing those symptoms

I will try and see the same kind of doctor you did.

thank you again for posting that

[shurely]

It is so good to hear from someone who actually got a helpful diagnosis!!! I have the lump in throat feeling also. (Also a lot of upper abdominal pain)  I haven't seen any drs for it this time. I just hate to go and be told its GERD. Don't get me wrong, I do or did have heartburn constantly until I started meds for it about four years ago but its controlled now. We know our own bodies and we also know when something is wrong.