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Throat and stomach pain, omeprazole not working

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 9/4/2010 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

For years I've been suffering from bowel pain, diarrhea and constipation (which I was diagnosed with IBS for a couple of years ago) as well as excess phlegm which I constantly cough up (my doctor says this it's probably caused by nasal drip and has been prescribing me Beconase nasal spray which is utterly useless). Just over the last few months though I've been getting really bad heartburn and continuous chest and stomach pain which is partially relieved by burping. My throat has also been sore and feels as if it's burning and is really blocked up. Particularly at the bottom near or perhaps slightly below the thyroid and I have a feeling of a lump on the left hand side. I feel it really bad when I sort of tighten my throat and breath air in and out (making a snoring sound) - then I can feel something becoming stuck and unstuck in my thoat and a sense of lots of phlegm there. My throat also feels a bit awkward and clicks sometimes when I swallow and my esophagus and stomach seem especially sensitive - when I drink I feel the liquid passing all the way down. In addition when I burp it feels like liquid is coming up into my throat and I get a taste of whatever I've been eating. Once I actually burped up a lot of thick saliva.

I've been really worried recently and am terrified it could be something like cancer although my doctor says that's pretty much impossible in a 21 year old and that I'm basically worrying about nothing (especially as blood tests show nothing abnormal). He has though prescribed me Omeprazole (20 mg a day) which I've been taking for almost 4 months. It helps a bit I think but I still get the burning feeling in my stomach and throat and have been burping a lot. Things also seem to have been getting worse again over the last few weeks. So I went to see my doctor last week (for about the 8th time) and finally I've been given a referal to both gastro-enterology and ENT. However he says that on the National Health Service it could literally take months for me to be seen and even longer to get any sort of tests done. I asked about whether or not I could get seen privately but he says it's a waste of time and will cost a fortune.

Do any of you here agree with the doctor that I've been worrying too much also and do you know if what I've been experiencing is common with GERD (assuming I have that)? And should 20mg of Omeprazole (Prilosec) be enough for me? I've also tried to change my diet to eat more healthily and have been taking probiotic drinks (as well as some spoons of Gaviscon from time to time to supplement the omeprazole) but nothing seems to be able to get rid of the symptoms. I really don't want to have this for months to come, especially if it could be something serious that needs urgent treatment.

Post Edited (StuM) : 9/4/2010 1:59:53 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/4/2010 8:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Stum
I have much the same as you. I am 49> On and off Ihave had this problem for 2 years. have just changed GP and the new Gp has started more tests , old one just prescibed Omeprazole (20 mg a day). I am sure the throat problem and also my Back problem are linked to this drug, When I slowly come off medication the other problems seem not so bad. I have had the ultra sound scan on liver and gall bladder (normal). I do find stress sets it off and also looking up stretching my neck and bending down. Some foods so I am on a limited diet. I am waiting for an endoscopy I asked the GP. he said he felt it would not find any cancer but was willing for me to have it. Throat always seems to be sore and often produce alot of phlegm
Posted 9/4/2010 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
it sounds like you're having acid coming up into your upper throat. I had almost the same issues. my doctor had me go up to 80mg of nexuim and 300mg of zantac before my surgery.
Posted 9/4/2010 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
StuM

Welcome to HealingWell.  I had a spell where my heartburn was quite severe and was seen in the ER.  My dose of Prilosec was increased to 20 mg two times daily.  I took this for a couple of months then dropped back to the once a day after things seem to settle down.  You might ask your Physician about increasing your dose.

Remember Prilosec should be taken before meals and some sources suggest 15 minutes before a meal.

Posted 9/7/2010 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
StuM: A GI Doctor I consulted a few months after my Nissen (to repair the Hiatal Hernia causing the GERD) told me that sometimes the PPIs stop working for unknown reasons. After Omeprazole stopped working I got better control of symptoms with Lansomeprazole (Prevacid). Good luck with your symptoms.
Posted 1/15/2011 9:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Im new, I have just got up again with very similar symptoms this has ben going on sinc Sep 10! I am 49 and usually very healthy out of the blus seriously bad heartburn started. After trying gaviscon etc went to doc, I am in BUPA so after trying 6 weeks of Omeprazole (didnt work at all) and added a rantadin 300mg every night, nothing improved had endoscopy. My throat was burning all thet time, sleeping on 3 pillows at night, feel every bit of food going down throat when i eat or drink and the worst is the feeling of a lump or constriction in my throat. I feel it worse when Im moving around these days than when sleepin on pillows - strange!! It is ruining my life to behonest, I love my food, Im not overweight and yes I get stressed and in pre menoapuse but this is ridiculous. Had endoscopy - showed not a lot he said other than very mild inflammation and when i went back for review said not a lot mre he can do! Got the idea he thought it was anxiety? Maybe it is but the only thing making me anxious is this all the time. Its horrible. I do feel sorry for all you out there suffering as it is just horrible, it affects what you do, what you eat, drink. Im scared to have any alcohol as it makes it so much worse. Any suggestions what can I do now? Very fed up. I will go back and see my GP but wonder if these meds are making me worse? certainly dont seem to help me. Heard apple cider vinegar can help? Im willing to try anything to be honest.
Posted 1/15/2011 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome,
First get rid of the pillows, you need to tilt the bed instead. The pillows make you bend at the waist causing the reflux come back up.
Next, go on blandest diet you can find. No spices, chocolate, alcohol, caffiene, or acidic foods.
Then, tell your GP you want to see a GI. The GI will help you more. You need stronger medicines.
Posted 1/18/2011 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Stu, I hope you're feeling better soon.

Just to let you know, (I am also from the UK) the waiting list overe here (Wirral, Merseyside) to see a gastroenterologist was only about 2 months. Once I'd seen someone, I had tests in just a couple of weeks after my appointment.

However if you want to get seen privately, that is well within your rights and choice. Your doctor can't stop you being seen privately. You can ring up and arrange an appointment to get seen by yourself. Saying it is "a waste of time" is just his opinion. But you don't need his permission. It is expensive though if you don't have insurance. I rang up a local private hospital for a quote where a reputable gastroenterologist worked, prices were about £170 for an initial consultation. I have heard though that if you're seen privately, you can ask the consultant to write back to your GP and ask them to arrange for tests to be done on the NHS so you may find a way around combining public and private healthcare.

The main advantages of being seen privately is shorter waiting lists and being more likely to choose which consultant you want to see (if you know one who is particularly good). Disadvantage is definetely high cost.

You could also ask your doctor if you can be referred to a different hospital where their waiting lists may not be quite as high.

Good luck!
Posted 1/21/2011 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
I was just diagnosed after 4 months of suffering( wrong diagnosis). Cough, sore throat, hoarseness. I started on omeprezole but it was not enough also took tagamet, and my Dr put me on steroid pills and steroid inhalers and antihistimines because my insides were so inflamed and angry. I feel so much better! Once the throat and lungs calm down, the plan is to gradually back off on the steroids and antihistimines. Hope you get better. I was suffering 24/7 for 4 months! Got relief within 24 hours! :-)
Posted 1/21/2011 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
Allyh, how are you now since you have had the Nissen? did you improve? I am scheduled to meet with a surgeon the 31st of this month for consultation for a Nissen, after a year of test. I am a bit apprehensive but any improvement is better than the way I have been living for the last 2 years.
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