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Acid Reflux and Inflammed Esophagus?

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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

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  • zoe_09242
    zoe_09242 Raellen

    Posted

    The exact thing just happened to me this week and I have never had anything at all like it, never acid reflux or anything. But, like you, feel there is something lodged between my breasts and there is discomfort when I swallow. The ONLY think I have done differently at all, is taking some antibiotics for an abscessed tooth. Nothing else different and I have always eaten what I pleased, albeit it healthy. This is weird. The first time I noticed it, was when I was having my afternoon glass of red wine.. I did't finish it, thinking it was giving me "heartburn" (silly word) 
    • Sammy8
      Sammy8 zoe_09242

      Posted

      Yes it could be gastritis from the antibiotics. Since you mentioned teeth, the reason I believe I got gastritis may not be any of the possible reasons I mentioned above, but I think I got it after attending to a dentist where I accidently swallowed a bit of their acid which they use on teeth, not sure what it's called, but it's really strong stuff.
    • simss
      simss zoe_09242

      Posted

      Hi there, I've just recently as of Jun 2nd been dealing with pretty much everything everyone here has been experiencing and then some...

      Actually it may have started about a week before 6/2 but thata the night i went into the er thinging i was having a heart attack. I had gone in that night complaining of feeling like pressure on my sternum, severe heart-burn like sensatoin but in my chest area and feeling like i had a tennis ball stuck in my chest and my throat - they did a chest x-ray and ran lab work - found nothing being border-line anemic that they werent concerned about.  The sent me home with just Carafate 100mg to take before meals and at bedtime then said to follow up with GP if symptoms dont go away within 72 hours - so it didnt..saw my GP on 6/6 and did a physical and also ordered another blood test to rule out H.Pylori - and also prescripbed me Omperazole 20mg. That came back negative so he thinks I have GERD/esophagitis. Was told to follow up again in 7-10days and here I am still suffering.  What's wierd is that about a week ago I was also experiencing actually seeing my intestines spasm like as if there was a ball rolling around in there and then would come and go - this would make the burning sensation and that feeling of something stuck in my throat come back -  I had that going on for a few days so made another appt. and GP wasnt worried by it since it didnt cause additional pain or anything.. .anyway, that comes and goes now.

      I'm freeked out tho by all this sudden onset of this... Before this started, a girlfriend had introduced me to 2Tbs of apple cider vinegar and apple juice that i had been taking so would it be wierd to associate that with this? I'm going to give in and go ahead with having an endoscopy done if this doesnt resolve in the next 7-10 days.  Its the burning combined with that feeling of a golfball in my sternum and the inability to eat - which by the way I've lost about 8 pounds since this episode.

      I'm just scared that I might have stomach cancer or something scarry like that... Here's what I've been doing to cope which I have found some relief (except the other night, the burning was so bad I had to get out of bed at 3 AM and shower and move up and about):

      Swedish Bitters (1 teaspoon daily)

      Aloe Vera Organic(you can find this at Whole Foods) - 1 Tablespoon of it raw and eating the goo and pulp 

      BioKefir yogurt probiotics (this stuff makes me bloat a little but I figgure that i need some good bacteria since the Omeprazole use)

      I've also been drinking tea that is good for digestion (Licorice, Fennel, Dandelion) and completely cut out caffeen and alcohol

      I'm not that much better but I feel like it helps.

       

    • henrique20581
      henrique20581 simss

      Posted

      Hi simss,

      How are you doing ? I would like to know more about how are you feeling recently.

    • simss
      simss henrique20581

      Posted

      Hi, I'm a lot better than week 1,2 & 3 but seems that my healing process had reached a plateau. I'm OK in the AM, then it starts.. its mild tho .. I'm officially off the antiacid - I've unfortunately read too much against it But-have been on it religiously for the dose of the prescription to allow my stomach/esophagus to help heal (didnt call in for refills) Still havent had cafeen or alcohol. I do get relief from eating very small bites of something cold like an apple or bananna -I'm worried that Im stuck with this forever, but wont throw in my towel just yet as I've been told by others they've suffered for months so I'm trying to hang in there.

      I did see an ENT and he did an inoffice laryngoscopy and he said he wasnt worried... said that although stress doesnt cause GERD & ulcers, it sure agrivates it once you acquire it.  I do think about having the upper GI endoscopy done but freeked out about it - i know its minimally invasive, but the're always that chance of protrusion.. and that freaks me out. 

      My appetite has come back and been able to put back a couple pounds (I have lost 12lbs since the start of this illness). The chocking sensation has kinda left me thankfully - and actually, i read this article that was pretty funny which have to say that played a major role in relieveing my squeezing, lump in throat "feeling like you're about to cry" sensation.

      Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.

    • henrique20581
      henrique20581 simss

      Posted

      Good to know you are feeling better!!! I realise I get better when I find a way of not thinking about this problem or any worries in life (very difficult) and I get worse when I am stresses or anxious about something.

      I have done the barium swallow exam today and will let you know the outcome. I am quite sure we have these problem due to high level pf stress and anxiety.

      I do feel fine in morning and get worse near lunch time and afternoon and evenings.

      I have an endoscopy booked in a month time. You should do also, it is very safe proccedure!

      Have you done any more exams?

  • PhilDNZ
    PhilDNZ Raellen

    Posted

    I ampathise totally, and thank you for sharing your symptoms which match my own exactly. I too continue to consult GPs who don't quite understand (believe?) that I can have an almost permanent 'tennis ball' in my chest without having reflux at all. I am now convinced that the root cause of all my issues is a digestive system that has been damaged for years (bad bacteria, poor flora, H.pilori infection) and successive GPs have been treating my symptoms and not looking for a holistic cure for the root cause. My assessment is that these GPs had little knowledge of, or interest in, the digestive system and complaints just go in the 'too hard' bin. Many of my symptoms are within the IBS range, but the major pain continues to be the now almost permanent blockage in my chest. I have had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy and have been told what I DON'T have which is a relief but not what I DO have. I will be following this discussion with interest and hope your enquiry elicits a helpful response. Thanks for sharing, it's nice to I know I'm not alone.

  • don27158
    don27158 Raellen

    Posted

    Just saw th

    Are you atill having issues?. Hah mine balloon stretched twice

  • kristin_39599
    kristin_39599 Raellen

    Posted

    Ive had the same thing! It never happens when laying down but the moment i get up I get that feeling of something stuck but I think it feels more like a burb. this is what I found.

    "Dyspepsia is a burning feeling and discomfort in the upper middle part of your stomach. It’s known as indigestion. Heartburn can be a symptom of dyspepsia. Pain can be intermittent."

  • kathyr
    kathyr Raellen

    Posted

    Sounds like me. I also found my dr unhelpful. I was told it was me and put on anti anxiety meds.She sent me to "her" specialist and they we equally unhelpful.Then I got lucky I found an ENT who knew what he was doing and listened. It's call pharyngeal reflex. This is how he help me. 1. Gave me a cortisone shot ( in the arm). The inflammation will not go away on its own.You have been "burning you throat for probably months before your feel the symptoms. 2. Anti proton pump meds Any one. *****take it right!!!!! Read the instruction. You MUST take it on an empty stomach. Then wait 30 minutes to eat.(4 crackers is all need to activate the meds). This is what was messing me up I was taking it and not waiting to eat. You decrease its ability to work by a lot if you don't wait to eat.3. Education: Don't eat 3 hours before sleeping, Use a wedge to sleep on(extra pillows don't always work), stay away from carbonated drinks, and foods high in acid. Try not to bend over( gardening ) after eating.The cortisone shot is the key, and no one seems to know it. I'm much better.Still have set backs every couple years, but I go back to my angel ENT and reset.I wish you could all go to him. Detroit area Michigan USA. Good luck don't suffer. Some hospitals are atablishing Refex clinics, these guys know. My ENT is trying to spread the word by starting one in my area.It's a big world and seems the word gets out very slow. Research it and bring you findings to you dr. Good luck.

    • sharon94811
      sharon94811 kathyr

      Posted

      Hi kathyr,

      My  name is Sharon and I am also from Detroit area,michiganI am experiencing the same problem that associated with severe GERD.really tired of this problem.always feels like something is stuck in my throat.But I have an appointment with the GI doctor to figure out why I feel like that.I can't even eat anything solid foods.When I eat something solid form that sticks in my throat.So I am afraid of eating solid forms of foods.Does it sounds like I am too much stressed out?.And let me know who is that specialist ENT (Name of that doctor and hospital and contact information plz) in Detroit area.Hope you can understand my situation.Thank you.

  • nicole48845
    nicole48845 Raellen

    Posted

    Ive had dysphagia for 7yrs..I thought it was tonsil stones got my tonsils out to no relief...Ibkeep hearing acod reflux is the issue...I think there is some truth to that but only as the main corprate that has lead to the dysphgia sensation...I believe the acid has cause holes in the throat whoch os allowing food partical to get lost on its way down...and is becoming compacted and cause discomfort...I have chest pain as well I even experience pain on my gawls as if ive eaten somerging real sour...I thonk we all need a specialist that deals woth oud type of dysphagia...remove the stuck food and stich the holes that allow the food to get lodged in
  • cassandra81
    cassandra81 Raellen

    Posted

    I am having the same problem feels like I could vomit too I can't sleep at night

    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 cassandra81

      Posted

      Does it feel like you can't swallow.  If I have reflux bad and I eat something that it is a bit lumpy it gets stuck going down and I have to either wait for it to drop down (standing up with arms up helps) or go to the loo and bring it up, then I can carry on eating ok as if nothing had happened.

  • bob.ford
    bob.ford Raellen

    Posted

    I've had this over a year I have the same symptoms my doctor told me it was the same thing that your doctor said I've been taking the acid reflux pills for years still have the same feeling of something in my throat and I'm very worried about it drinking warm coffee nothing helps

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