Feel so hopeless
Posted , 7 users are following.
I've at the end of my tether, as I imagine many people coming to this forum feel as well. I've been having symptoms of throat tightness, rawness/sore throat, feeling of a lump in throat, hoarseness in the voice and a feeling of irritation for the last month and a half. The GPs have told me it was reflux without doing any tests on me other than checking my mouth and feeling around my neck area for lumps, so I'm not sure whether it really is reflux or whether they're just pulling my leg and its something more serious. I was given omeprazole (surprise, surprise), don't really know if it has worked to be totally honest. It may have alleviated some of my symptoms because every now and then I feel OK, then the symptoms come back. It's tearing me from the inside and I'm scared to death over what the future holds for me health-wise. I read online about reflux (LPR in particular) but there's so much conflicting info its messing with my head and only serves to solidify my worries. But what can I do? What other options do I have? I'm sure everybody here has done the same when they first encountered it.
I'm 23 years old. It seems every other person my age can eat what they like, drink till they're blotto, smoke etc and have not a care in the world because it does not really affect them. Ever since this "reflux" barged its way into my life, its quite literally been the millstone around my neck, as it is with so many others on this forum. I can't do the things I used to enjoy, I can't appreciate the company of others because I'm constantly battling my symptoms, I see a bleak and hopeless future laying right ahead of me and, call me melodramatic, but a future full of suffering in silence and putting on a brave face to the world. I lost my job because of this reflux, because it was preventing me from focusing and concentrating on the work in front of me. I feel like my life is falling apart and I'm really struggling to cope.
I'm sure others on this forum can resonate with what I'm saying. I don't even know if I have regular GERD or LPR (Silent Reflux). I'm inclined to believe I have LPR since I don't really get heartburn or chest pain like GERD sufferers tend to get. I know no one on here can give a diagnosis, I just open to someone informing me on what it could actually be. I just need some advice from others on this forum. Is there any way to overcome this reflux? And if there is, how long would it take?
Sorry for the long post, I really am. But I just need some help.
0 likes, 15 replies
postaldogg PH22
Edited
I tried a few meds. Pantoprozole was the one that worked great for me
marie18491 PH22
Edited
i am also on pantoprozole having tried many others!! Im not convinced this is what i have either as i do not suffer with heartburn or regurgitation as such . Every so often i eat & feel like my food is stuck!! I usually sit in panic as i try to let my food go down but 9 times out of 10 I need to rush to the loo to be sick!!! Most people i know are aware & so are used to me & accept its what happens & feel really sorry for me. It is horrible but i don't know what else to do! Im not convinced pantoprozole work but they have worked better than other ppi's.
PH22 marie18491
Edited
Same here! I don't suffer from heartburn but I believe some type of severe heartburn might have set off what I have now.
I'm really sorry to hear about you being sick after a meal. Must feel really debilitating but its encouraging to hear pantoprozole is helping you to an extent.
Maybe anxiety could be at play, I'm not sure. But I reckon anxiety could have a part to play. I've heard a Benign Stricture could also cause something like what you've described. Again I'm just throwing that out but it could be something like a stricture from what I've read.
katerina51789 PH22
Edited
Hi.
sorry u are not feeling yrself. the only thing we know about u is yr age.
can u tell us a bit more?
i mean stats such as if u consider yrself under/ over weight. what u eat. when yr problem started ... .what foods upset u etc...
PH22 katerina51789
Edited
Sure.
Im 5ft 9.
I weigh myself quite regularly as of late. Weight is just over 10 stone, or 65 kg.
I've altered my diet since I've been getting reflux. Usually cereal in the morning, eat fruit midday but I occasionally eat crisps and chocolate. Tend to have regular sandwiches and soups for lunch while dinner varies but is never really rich or spicy.
I used to eat a lot of crisps and maybe I overindulged in sugary drinks in the past, which in hindsight wasn't a wise idea, given the sugar and acid they contain. For a while I ate a fair amount of fast food while at uni but I wouldn't say I ate fast food constantly. I cut back on fast food a lot nowadays.
My issue started around late January this year (Mid march now). It came about quite suddenly to be honest and I reckon some one off heartburn might have triggered it happening. When it happened I was petrified I had a heart problem of sorts. I actually went to the A and E by myself I was that scared. They ran an ECG on me and did a quick chest Xray. All tests came back fine so that providing some short lived reassurance. The heartburn stopped but then the throat reflux started right afterwards.
I'm not 100% sure what foods trigger my reflux. I know yoghurt can, so can fizzy drinks to an extent. I drink a lot more water now and I avoid drinks like orange juice because of what I've heard.
katerina51789 PH22
Edited
Hi again.
thanks for the reply.
reflux can be and doesnt have to be hard to confirm in a patient.
some doctors are helpful and some just ....
on average digestive disorders take time to heal.
ure a young person who developed issue quickly. its unlikely it is going to be anything really worrrying. heartburn can be really unpleasant and can feel like heart attack but it isnt.
there are a few common things they can do for u to help u.
Test you for the bacteria which can cause stomach ulcers. this bacteria is common.
its easily treatable too.
next if doctors and u feel that theyd like to look at yr gullet and stomach they can offer u endoscopy.
there is also a test for measuring ph level and the two valves ( how well they close after food and if they seal....)
id not rush into any operation if not necessary.
different medication works fir different ppl.
i myself was a perfectly healthy person. on no medication. i decided to stop smoking as had a bit of cough and after yrs of it i got a tad worried.
i was told i had reflux.
i had symptoms in between normal and silent reflux.
it was hell. i was burping all the time. felt really ill. it hurt to eat. i didnt have much burning chest. each attack felt lime a heart attack.
like u i ended up in A and E with the same results as u.
over time i had endoscopy , where they found nothing wrong, but i still had symptoms.
i then had the other tests. everything proved normal. it was driving me crazy.
everytime i tried to come of meds i started getting ill.
over long time it gradually got better.
it took me 3 yrs to heal up and get off meds.
diet is hit or miss. keep trying.
lower carbs isnt too bad.
keep us posted. good luck. xx
PH22 katerina51789
Posted
Hi Katerina
Thanks for replying. So it is possible to get over Reflux! That's encouraging to hear.
Thanks alot
keith52258 PH22
Edited
I'm sorry things are so rough for you right now. I can tell you my experience and hope it may be of some help.
I saw my GP, who diagnosed reflux, and prescribed Omeprazole, followed by Ratinidine. Neither were any use to me. The GP had me checked by a partner and the practice nurse. They all agreed in the diagnosis, so he referred me to hospital. The consultant did not initially believe that I had GORD, as the medications had not worked and I had no nausea or heartburn. However, after several tests, and the initial endoscopy was also negative, he diagnosed GORD and it was decided that I needed an operation.
I don't think that in my case the operation has dealt with the reflux, but I will be seeing the consultant shortly. However, the operation is considered the "gold standard" so it may be something you need and will deal with the problem for you. It is certainly worth asking for a referral as the medication has not helped.
Best of luck to you.
PH22 keith52258
Posted
I've looked into the operations for reflux. The problem is is that they seems to give very mixed results. Not to mention my circumstances living at home. I live with my Mum who cannot even grasp of concept of reflux. It's frigging exhausting. Every time I talk to her about my sufferings from reflux she gets annoyed and angry. More than once she's just flat out called me a hypochondriac and told me its "all in my head".
No one else seems to understand either, family members or friends. They just don't get it.
But anyway back to the operations, I don't even know how to get in contact with someone who specialises in something like reflux. Is it simply a case of persistence with the GP who may refer me? That's a headache in itself when they want to shoo you out the door the minute after you walk in. And then even if I get to go to a specialist doctor and they suggest an endoscopy, how do I explain that to everybody else? Having an operation for reflux? Jesus Christ I didn't think I would have needed to have that if you spoke to me a year ago.
Maybe the best course of action for me is to go to the GP to discuss my options. I read about perseverence regarding reflux, and that it takes time to heal. How long I still trying to find out.
Thanks for replying.
keith52258 PH22
Posted
It's certainly no fun is it? The only thing I can suggest (which you have probably already done) for your mum or friends is to say that the GP would not treat you if it was simply hypochondria.
As for the operation, it's certainly not guaranteed. I think mine has failed in terms of the reflux. Having said that, it has presumably repaired the hiatus hernia and I guess that needed doing.
You might find a good way to persuade the GP to refer you for treatment is to suggest that you won't need to keep booking appointments with them if you are referred to the hospital.
The consultant did not initially believe I had GORD, but referred me for endoscopy. This did not initially show anything, but he then referred me for 24-hour recording and a second version of endoscopy where the camera was initially sent up my nose (not as bad as that sounds) and he then recognised that I had GORD.
Explaining endoscopy? To me it is a recognised and standard procedure for diagnosing a relatively common condition. If people don't understand why this is a check when you have acid in your mouth, it is checking where the problem starts, at your stomach.
I hope this is helpful, and that you get relief very soon.
PH22 keith52258
Posted
Hi Keith
May I asked has your reflux changed at all? If you don't mind me asking what type of symptoms do you get? Are they in the throat or in the chest area?
Would you say the lump in the throat and the burning sensation in the throat is really a sign of reflux? It's just really messing with my head. I can't help thinking about cancer and whether I might have it. I certainly feel ever since having this reflux, I've been kicked to the front of the queue and just feel so hopeless. I seriously feel low and I don't quite know where to turn.
keith52258 PH22
Edited
I'm awkward. Being me, my symptoms aren't typical, which is why the consultant didn't initially believe I have GORD. The main thing for me is the constant taste and swallowing what I thought was saliva. You obviously know what the taste is like.
I know it's scary, but if you think that it is stomach acid coming up your throat, you will understand why you can have a burning feeling in your throat. Given the doctors said you have reflux, I think it is unlikely that you have cancer. If you have endoscopy that will certainly ease your mind as the doctor doing that will see anything in your throat.
Normal symptoms, which I don't have, are a burning sensation in your chest and also feeling something coming up your throat as if you are about to vomit.
Obviously having acid coming up your throat is not a good thing. I have to admit that at my recent dental check up I asked if the GORD was a problem. Thankfully the dentist told me that there was no damage to my teeth, so the acid didn't come up quite that far.
Having said all that, to answer your question, although the operation is meant to be the gold standard it doesn't seem to have stopped my reflux. I am waiting for my next appointment with the consultant to see where I go from here. Equally this may just show that I am as awkward as I said I am. Clearly the operation helps a lot of people.
I know you are scared, and I fully understand why. I think that getting a referral and having endoscopy will help resolve at least some of your fears, and start towards getting everything sorted out.
Best wishes
Keith
Sgt.lindalee PH22
Edited
Hi PH22, I know exactly what you're going through, it would be helpful to be sure its not a hiatal hernia and to have your ph/acid levels checked, ask if h.pylori is a possibility(causes ulcers & etc but, not sure thats what this is) I wont go into my lengthy history but, some things that maybe helpful, reflux can be caused by too much acid production, reflux of that acid where it doesnt belong, or even normal acid, where it doesnt belong, unless you have a hiatal hernia or even if you do, surgery does have lots of issues, drawbacks & etc.. So 1st, meds are most effective after regular use for a few weeks(stick with it & dosage may need increasing) H2 blockers control acid(Ranitidine has been recalled due to a contaminated source, so it is not available, making OTHERS in big demand & can be hard to get some places) while PPIs may take a few tries to get one that works best, you need to take it daily as prescribed and can be used WITH H2 blockers for MAX effect, talk to your Dr before using any meds even OTC about dosage, side effects(incl. long term usage) & if they're appropriate for you!! There are foods/drinks that can cause more symptoms(differ person to person) but, as a general guide, greasy, spicy, dairy, caffeine, chocolate, carbonation, fruits, high fat, high sugar/corn syrup, to name a few can increase acid production(eating makes you create more stomach acid, they can also cause bloating and gas, so if you eat the wrong things...double whammy!! Don't eat within 4 hours of bedtime, but eat multiple small meals during the day(over-eating is bad for reflux)sleeping propped up from waist up(gravity helps acid stay down)...certain medications can cause reflux/heartburn & acid production, like aspirin/ibuprofen(anti-inflammatories), acetaminophen, some vitamins/supplements, anti-biotics and etc... may need to be taken with small amounts of food!! Last resort is antacids like tums/rolaids, OTC reflux meds like Gaviscon....ask your Dr about those too, intented for short term... with Calcium in high amounts can cause things like kidney stones, Magnesium can have laxative effects in higher doses...One simple thing is to stay hydrated with WATER, it dilutes stomach acid & ice water can have a soothing effect...besides your whole body needs it 4-8 glasses daily(depends on your size...more if exercising, sweating, sick or feverish)...I wish I could be of more help but, this is how you need to start & try things, see what works & be sure to eliminate OTHER causes...Good Luck and if you have any questions, come back...you may get more help on here, so keep checking!! BEST WISHES💒☮🍀🌈♾🐾🎶💞
PH22 Sgt.lindalee
Posted
Cheers Sgt Lindalee
Very informative comment. You sure know your onions 😃
Feel a little better now I've purchased Refluxgate. I'm still looking at seeing whether it really is acid or whether pepsin is the issue.
I would also recommend looking into doing a peptest. It shows the amount of pepsin in your saliva and it is an non invasive, relatively straight forward procedure. It can show whether you might indeed have silent reflux or not. I'm doing one now.
Sgt.lindalee PH22
Posted
Haha too much personal experience...I had an open hiatal hernia surgery 1992(incision about 7in long diagonal) then I lifted at work & it ripped it out...another open surgery 1994 before they figured out what it was the hole inside was size of a softball, another open surgery (4 inches midline), looks like an upside down check mark...the hernia surgery slipped, so back to square one...no more surgery, life of medications(still not worked out)....so at least I know what causes my problems, not knowing for ME was so much worse...I really hope you get a good solution, that works w/o side effects!!Best Wishes💒🐾🎶💞🍀☮🌈♾