1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Reflux Oesophagitis

Acid Reflux and Inflammed Esophagus?

Posted , 122 users are following.

Raellen
Raellen

Hello, I started experiencing esophagus problems all of a sudden about two months ago. It started one evening right after I finished supper, I felt like I had a lump of food stuck in my esophagus, rignt between my breast. It did not hurt, just felt like a lump of food just sitting there. I drank a lot of water and walked around the yard trying to get the food (?) to go down. After about an hour, it seemed to be ok. This continued to happen to me every evening after eating, but the symptom started lasting longer. At that time it was just my evening meals, then as the weeks moved forward it started happening with all meals, just worse in the evening. I made an appointment with my Gastroenterologist, who I use to see ten years ago for acid reflux. He scheduled an endoscopy, and the results showed no stricture, and no cancer. He said my esophagus was a little red and inflamed and prescribed me rabeprazole sodium at 40 mg daily. This seemed to make the stuck food feeling go away but caused me really horrible insomnia and constipation, so I had to stop taking it. I now take Nexium at 20 mg twice a day, but it is not helping at all. I am having a hard time believing this symptom has anything to do with acid reflux, as I have not had any acid reflux symptoms, or issues in years. There are no symptoms at all, no heart burn, nothing. Does anyone else have symptoms like this? Could it be anything else? Thanks.

10 likes, 191 replies

191 Replies

Prev Next
  • Krazedoll
    Krazedoll Raellen

    Posted

    Did you ever find anything that helped? I have the same issues but my doctors say nothing is wrong.
  • lorena49979
    lorena49979 Raellen

    Posted

    I am 43 i started having throat spasms after eating that would be on and off through the day, which triggered a sudden urge to cough, a tickle /irritation in my throat and a full feeling in my stomach. i didnt suffer from heartburn that frequent either. i also was belching alot (Excuse me), dont mean to be gross.. oh and i did suffer from post nasal drip and excessive mucus in my throat, which the dr first thought was allergies, l know we have alot of indegestion, gastrointestional problems in my family so i believe it might be the acid in my stomach slowing the food from going down. my dr gave me generic Protonic 40 mg and it stopped after 1 week. what scares me though is if i forget to take it the feeling comes back, I want to know what the problem is so im scheduling with a gastrointestional doctor .
  • Dixieb
    Dixieb Raellen

    Posted

    i believe I am suffering from the same thing.   I have had this annoying cough for 6 months now.  I must drive everyone mad around me.      Your symptons are definitely mine.  I will mention Protonic 40 mg to my doctor when I speak to her next.  Not sure if she will prescribe as I have had very had blood pressure recently.

     

    • lorena49979
      lorena49979 Dixieb

      Posted

      I have high blood pressure, and this medication doesn't effect it at all, in fact it was 110 over 70 yesterday In the am.
  • Dixieb
    Dixieb Raellen

    Posted

    This afternoon i was 145/76 and last Sunday before seeing the doctor I was 270 , I have come down a lot now I am on the tablets and seem to be averaging out to roughly 140 etc which is such a difference from Sunday.   You can see why I must be careful.
    • lorena49979
      lorena49979 Dixieb

      Posted

      Oh yea, I understand,

      I wanted to add, my Dr said that people who suffer from acid or gastrointestinal problems don't digest their food properly and don't get the proper nutrients because of this, so I've had low potassium and magnesium. Because of this,

  • Dixieb
    Dixieb Raellen

    Posted

    I too had these low as well so it must be connected in some way.   What with this darn cough that I have had for 6 months now.   Never smoked in my life.   It makes you wonder.
    • lorena49979
      lorena49979 Dixieb

      Posted

      My throat is irritated too, I think might be the acid
  • Dixieb
    Dixieb Raellen

    Posted

    With so many many people all suffering from the same symptons , both young and old, it makes you wonder what is going on.     I have never spoken to so many people all suffering and there appears to be no answer.

     

  • fim
    fim Raellen

    Posted

    For past few weeks I'm suffering with the same symptoms. Have seen doctor who asked for endoscopy which showed no issue. Was given Pantium 40mg to take daily before breakfast, though taking it regularly, feeling (of something staying in chest) has remained same. Thought its due to some foods but couldn't figure it out which one in particular..
    • eric16160
      eric16160 fim

      Posted

      Hello fim,

      Look up LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux). I've self diagnosed myself with it, as those are my exact symptoms.  

      If that's what you think you have, it can be caused by a hiatal hernia or diet.  I've pretty much solved mine at this point with still minor symptoms every now and again (cough and throat clearing) if i eat too much.  Things that may help you:

      I take prilosec twice a day (once in the morning, and once before bed)

      Things to avoid: 

      Chocolate (contains stimulants which relax LES)

      Caffeine

      Nicotine

      Tomatos

      Citrus fruits

      Garlic (can have in moderation)

      Onions (moderation)

      Eating 3 hours before lying down

      Eating too large of meals

      Eating food that contain large amounts of fat (fat is harder to digest so foods will sit on the stomach longer thus putting more pressure on the LES)

    • eric16160
      eric16160 fim

      Posted

      And just to add to my last reply, in the morning I've been drinking a full glass of water (about 16 oz), pulling my hands up to my chest (this opens up the diaphram), and falling back onto my heels 10 times (you should feel a jolt).  This may pull your stomach down, and help bring the hernia down if that's what you have.  After that, keep your hands up to your chest and pant for 15 seconds (this helps close the diaphram back)

      The water should be warm and this should be done once every morning before breakfast.

    • fim
      fim eric16160

      Posted

      Hi eric16160, Thanks for your explanation. According to endscopic results, there are no signs of hernia. However, the diet could be problem. I need to be more disciplined with it. Among the list of things to avoid, I think I need to avoid Orange (as I used to take fresh juice sometimes), others I'm avoiding anyways.

      I drink warm water in morning mixed with honey. It helps in keeping my cough (which is usually just in morning) in control.

      And as you said, these things are usually self-diagonsed ultimately. I had these symptoms sometime back (I think almost 2 years ago) and found it was morning tea which was causing reflux. And as I stopped the tea completely, I recovered. Now I don't drink tea so have to find-out what exactly is causing it.

      Many thanks for your thorough explanation. Wish you, myself and all a healthy life smile

  • liz16631
    liz16631 Raellen

    Posted

    I am new to this forum but have been reading people's comments with interest. I am 60 years old and my problem started about two months ago when I was taking a low dose antibiotic for recurring UTIs. I took the dose just before bedtime and woke up a few hours later with discomfort in the upper part of my stomach. Over the next two weeks the symptoms came and went until my GP told me to stop taking the antibiotic. I then got another UTI and took another course of the same antibiotic but spread the course over five days as I didn't want to take it at night.  Things seemed to settle down but then I started to get this feeling of a lump in my oesophagus and pain in between my shoulder blades. My GP prescribed 40mg of omeprazole which I've been on for just over two weeks. My husband has taken this drug for years and it has been a life saver. However I haven't noticed any improvement and if anything my symptoms are worse. I'm now getting heartburn at night which I've never had before. I'm also getting a lot of mucus in my throat which is coming from my nose. I think all the acid has damaged my oesophagus and my sinuses. I'm due to see my GP next week but I'm wondering if there's anything else she can give me. This is making me sooo miserable. Does anyone know how long it can take to feel better? 
    • eric16160
      eric16160 liz16631

      Posted

      Hi Liz,

      Do you have these symptoms?  Excessive throat clearing

      Persistent cough

      Hoarseness

      A "lump" in the throat that doesn't go away with repeated swallowing

      Other symptoms may include:

      A sensation of postnasal drip or excess throat mucus

      Trouble swallowing

      Trouble breathing

      Sore throat

      Coughing while laughing

       

    • liz16631
      liz16631 eric16160

      Posted

      No I don't have a persistent cough or hoarseness but I do have postnatal drip and excess mucus and the feeling of a lump in my throat. I also find that even drinking a glass of water can sometimes give me discomfort in my chest and back. It's such a nuisance and I don't know why the omeprazole aren't working. Perhaps I have to be more patient 
    • eric16160
      eric16160 liz16631

      Posted

      Well Prilosec (or Omeprazole) will only reduce the acidity of the stomach acid, which is good to prevent further damage to your esophagis, but if you have LPR (silent reflux) which it sounds like you do, pepsin can still get up into your throat causing symptoms.  You may not even have the classic heartburn burning sensation with LPR.  I'd suggest talk to your doctor about it and tell him your symptoms.  Also, for now, do some research on LPR yourself and see if that's maybe what you have. The problem with LPR lies with the LES (Lower esophagael spincter).  Foods like Chocolate, Coffee, Alcohol will cause the spincter to relax.  

       I'm a 30 year old male, and unfortunately I have LPR, as it runs in my family.  I remember my grandpa clearing his throat and coughing all the time.

      My symptoms are much better now..  Are you taking the Prilosec twice a day?  I take one in the morning and one at night.  But right now I'm tapering off, because my symptoms have gotten better, and taking Prilosec for long term can cause calcium defiency (osteoporosis) and increased risk of bad bacteria surviving in the stomach, something you should also talk with you doctor about and how long you should stay on it before tapering off.

       

    • eric16160
      eric16160 liz16631

      Posted

      If it is LPR, it's can take up to 6 months for all symptoms to clear with treatment, but in my case it only took a few weeks with dietary changes and lifestyle changes.
    • liz16631
      liz16631 eric16160

      Posted

      Yes I take 20mg of omeprazole twice a day. I've read a little bit about LPR and it does seem to fit with my symptoms especially as I had no heartburn in the beginning. Thanks for your advice. I shall mention it to my GP although I'm sure her heart will sink when I tell her I've been researching on the Internet! I'm not looking forward to trying to eat all that rich food at Christmas! Happy days
    • christina84478
      christina84478 liz16631

      Posted

      I dscovered i had candida also and needed to treat that...look intoa candida teatment also and seeif that heps and get to a gastro specalist for an endoscopy
    • eric16160
      eric16160 liz16631

      Posted

      You're welcome. Yes, Christmas.... Go easy on the alcohol, chocolate, and large plates of food :-)
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.