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Post nasal drip, silent reflux etc.

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ryan32010
ryan32010

Hi All,

I have come across this forum whilst searching the internet for some answers. I have been suffering from the symptoms mentioned on here for about 6 years now.

Just to give you a short overview, will keep it short: I am living in South Africa, 29 years old, male, problem started with an irritating cough & constant throat clearing & got sore throat but not too often. Started getting upper airway infections & decided to go to doctor that diagnosed me with Asthma. After I started using the Asthma inhalers the sore throat became more apparent but my cough stopped. Decided to stop using inhalers but problem just got worse and worse over the years. Daily symptoms now include sticky white mucus in back of throat, post nasal drip, sore / burning throat, constant throat clearing, hoarseness in voice, throat clearing after eating (does not matter what I eat), blocked noise, sinus infections, etc.

I have been on all sorts of medication, nasal sprays, antihistamines, Cortisone's. I have been to 2 different ENT's, had sinus surgery (which made it worse), been to 2 different allergists, seen many GP's & a homeopathic doctor & no relief. The latest thing I have done is the G-scope after reading about LPR & doc advised that all seems normal. I have tried nexium & now use another med for reflux.

My work also involves speaking a lot so I suffer more at work than at home. I dont drink or smoke either.

I have traveled to other countries & the symptoms still continue.

My question is to those who suffer from this, do you have lots of stress, have you suffered some sort of trauma before symptoms started, do you have an active job or are you sitting at a desk all day?

Also, I haven't manged to find any forums like this for South Africans, so if there are anybody in SA reading this with these symptoms please make contact.

Many thanks, any input will be appreciated.

9 likes, 135 replies

135 Replies

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  • Kirstyy
    Kirstyy ryan32010

    Posted

    Hi, my name is Kirsten but please call me Kirsty, I am also from South Africa. I know that you posted this question last year about but I just wanted to ask you a question. I suffer from the same problem; have been since I was about 6/7 years old. I was wondering if you found out what could be wrong?
    • ryan32010
      ryan32010 Kirstyy

      Posted

      Hi Kirsty, sorry for the late reply, don't go on here often anymore. Sorry to hear you also suffer from this...unfortunately I haven't had any luck to find the cause or a cure. I'll send you my email address if you want to chat more about this.
    • Kirstyy
      Kirstyy ryan32010

      Posted

      Hi Ryan,

      It's really not a problem. Thanks for replying. I appreciate it. If you ever find out though would you please let me know what the possible cause would be? Thanks again.

      Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the email address/phone number as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

      http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

    • ryan32010
      ryan32010 Kirstyy

      Posted

      You're welcome. Will most definately let you know & if you could do the same it will be great. I've send you a private message if you want to make contact. Thanks.
    • ryan32010
      ryan32010

      Posted

      Also, just out of interest, what meds or sprays have you used in the past? I presume you have seen some specialists as well? Thanks.
  • Kaleolani
    Kaleolani ryan32010

    Posted

    That sounds terrible! I do know that reflux, if bad enough, can do that to you. Assuming you have no infections, maybe it could be some sort of allergy that's causing your nose to be filled up. Sometimes, even through testing, they can't find your allergy. When you're in certain envirnments, does it seem worse than in others?
    • ryan32010
      ryan32010 Kaleolani

      Posted

      Well the problem is year round and I havent been away in other parts of my country or other countries to notice a difference sad
    • ryan32010
      ryan32010

      Posted

      Sorry I meant to say I havent been away long enough to notice any difference.
  • michelle_4247
    michelle_4247 ryan32010

    Posted

    Hi RYAN, >>>AND EVERYONE ELSE < please="" feel="" free="" to="" give="" any="" advice!="" i="" am="" writing="" because="" i="" am="" physically,="" mentally="" and="" emotionally="" at="" my="" wits="" end!!!!!!!="" crymy="" symptoms="" started="" shortly="" after="" i="" moved="" to="" the="" state="" of="" arizona="" approx.="" 11="" years="" ago.="" to="" be="" exact,="" i="" live="" in="" prescott="" valley,="" az.="" i="" haven't="" ever="" suffered="" with="" any="" of="" these="" symptoms,="" not="" even="" anything="" close.="" before="" i="" go="" any="" further,="" i="" will="" quickly="" state="" my="" symptoms!="" the="" most="" devastating="" and="" truly="" life="" altering="" symptom="" is="" the="" lump="" in="" my="" throat!="" i="" also="" have="" a="" burning="" in="" my="" right="" ear,="" acid="" reflux,="" constant="" post="" nasal="" drip,="" having="" to="" clear="" my="" throat="" from="" the="" time="" i="" wake="" up="" till="" the="" time="" i="" go="" to="" bed,="" always="" feeling="" as="" though="" there="" is="" mucus="" i="" need="" to="" get="" out,="" which="" causes="" me="" to="" have="" to="" make="" this="" absolutely="" wretched="" sound="" and="" just="" plain="" disguisting.="" of="" course="" nothing="" ever="" comes="" up.="" i="" typically="" (always)="" get="" these="" symptoms="" around="" march="" and="" one="" other="" time="" throughout="" the="" year.="" they="" come="" with="" no="" warning.="" i="" just="" wake="" up="" and="" the="" lump="" is="" there!="" the="" worse="" part="" is="" i="" don't="" even="" get="" a="" 5="" minute="" break="" from="" the="" lump!="" as="" long="" as="" i="" am="" awake="" and="" i="" feel="" as="" though="" im="" going="" to="" gag="" 24/7!="" sadi="" have="" tried="">EVERY SINGLE< over="" the="" counter="" allergy="" meds,="" nasal="" sprays,="" script="" allergy="" meds.="" not="" to="" mention,="" i="" have="" also="" been="" seen="" by="" an="" ent,="" and="" was="" told="" not="" to="" stop="" my="" "prilosec"="" because="" i="" had="" done="" so,="" he="" stated="" that="" was="" the="" cause.="" (it="" wasn't)="" i="" have="" been="" to="" several="" emergency="" rooms,="" doctors,="" and="" was="" even="" diagnosed="" with="" a="" illness="" called="" "throat="" fullness"="" by="" one="" of="" the="" emergency="" room="" doctors="" i="" had="" seen.="" the="" most="" pathetic=""frown, ridiculousfrown, and by far scariest diagnosis I have ever recieved to date. So here I am several years later, and feel like I am so close to entering a Psych Ward! I don't feel like I can go thru this one more time. I spend a couple months each and evertime, holed up in my room crying and crying and crying!  There is simply no way to explain to someone the Insanity that comes along with these dreaded symptoms. Worse of all, there are no answers and there doesn't seem to be a diagnosis for whatever this is. BTW, I to was told it was "anxiety"! However, there hasn't ever been a single difference from the day before I wake up with this nightmare and the day of. I have even tried anti-anxiety meds with no relief. I sincerely apologize for rambling on, but this is the first time I have ever asked the public for help. To each and everyone of you, (even if there is only ONE of you that reads this)I just want to say thank you! lol if any of you reconize these sympyoms and can help me with any info at all,  it would be much appreciated! I HAVE TO FEEL ANSWERS, (HOPE) FROM SOMEWHERE, IS BETTER THAN NO HOPE AT ALL! DOCTORS HAVEN'T HELPED MAYBE THE PUBLIC CAN!

    SEVERELY SUFFERING IN PRESCOTT VALLEY,   Michelle

     

    • ryan32010
      ryan32010 michelle_4247

      Posted

      Hi Michelle, sorry for only replying now, dont go on here often anymore. Sorry to hear you struggle with this too. Where did you live before Arizona? Was it a different climate? Unfortunately I dont have any advise as I still havent found anyting that helps really sad Please do let me know if you get this sorted.
    • peter361
      peter361 michelle_4247

      Posted

      Sorry if I misunderstand you but are you saying it comes on in March but not all the the time? You deem to be suggesting another time of year as well.

      I get allergic symptoms to pollenIt always used to be in May and June and I would get really poorly some years.Then strangely I started to get symptoms in March and I couldn't believe it until I discovered birch trees emit their pollen at this time of year so it made sense. If your illness is seasonal I wonder if March in Arizona produces something your immune system reacts badly to.

  • mack_1946
    mack_1946 ryan32010

    Posted

    I've have the same exact illness. Only exception is I'm not sure about the post nasal drip. I don't really feel it dripping but I understand you may not feel it drip. I get a tickle in the back of my throat and when that happpens I try to clear my throat and or cough it up which will be  about a teapoon of clear thick mucas like spit. I also end of gagging and the clear mucas comes from my throat not my stomach.  I been to three ENT's and one gasro Doc. and they all say I have Acid Reflux. Only one ENT mentioned Nasal Drip. I'm going to see her next week. Oh and I sometimes get a quezzy stomach which I believe its from to much acid. It's so bad sometimes I have to lay down and wait the quezzy stomach out. They've all ruled out cancer. Any more news and I"ll post it for you.
  • mack_1946
    mack_1946 ryan32010

    Posted

    By the way they all say drink plenty water and no foods spicy or has acid in them. I'm drinking at least 64 oz of water a day. Take care
  • richard73974
    richard73974 ryan32010

    Posted

    Mine started after a trauma and I since have found it very difficult to enjoy things which are formal or not relaxed if you like I have a very short temper and I think it because my body locks up now and doesn't want to experience these emotions. I have ppi medication which I'm on and off but I've been going through a tough spell recently. I snap at my wife sometimes feel like I'm not getting a break. But I feel like I should have done and shouldn't feel tense..... my job is stressful at times but home is very stressful on and off.
  • john_88656
    john_88656 ryan32010

    Posted

    Hi Ryan

    I know you wrote this post more than a year ago and may have either found a solution or not. It would be great for you took time to go through this and offer advise if possible.

    I am 28years old living in South Africa and have spent the last 18 months trying to figure out what is wrong with me. Same as you, I have seen multiple doctors - from 1 1 Medical Gastroentostinal Doctor, 1 surgical Gastro specialist, a specialist dentist, 2 homeopaths and an ENT specialist. Besides the homeopaths I must say the ENT specialist seems to be the only that is open minded and does consider that the problem is not just typical GERD but a form of LPR, maybe. I'm not entirely convinced.

    My symptoms started off with waterbrashing. That was my only irritant and from the first doctors I saw they said I had GERD and put me on PPIs which I was on for almost 4months with no effect. In fact I think it started making my symptoms evolve now I have a really sensitive stomach, I think it's chronic IBS. I think the medication they gave me made me worse and when I told the Gastro specialist they refused to acknowledge and said I have anxiety which I absolutely don't and this may be the cause.

    I have had two Gastro scopes which came back normal, a Ph monometry which came back normal with slight breach with my LES. And a Barium swallow which showed that I have mild reflux (I think if this was down with more people it would come out that most people probably have mild reflux so being open to other causes should not be ruled out cause if this).

    My current symptoms now is a post nasal drip with some waterbrashing and an extremely sensitive stomach. I have taken the time to educate myself about this and have tried everything but nothing seems to work. Just like you I work in a job that requires a lot of talking and it's starting to impact my work and relationships. I would like to learn more about your experiences and any other persons.

    If long term use of PPIs is the solution (say 6 - 8 months) I am worried that it will further damage my digestive system and cause othe symptoms like H Pylori and Intestinal bacterial overgrowth and malabsorption of nutrients.

    Thanks

    Ryan

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