*Dealing with NASTY esophagitis (I think) Please help*

Hi Everyone!

  I've had a rough few months and wanted to share my story with hopes that someone could relate. I'm a 4th semester nursing student, and under a lot of stress. However, I don't have anxiety - I'm just really busy! I gained about 15lbs, which I'm sure if a factor here also. I'm a 31 year old female, pretty healthy otherwise than having about 30lbs of extra junk in the trunk.

I noticed in May of this year, that my stomach started to become very sore. Not a stomach ache, or a muscle ache, just a lot of tenderness. I didn't think much of it. My doctor gave me some Omeprazole which I stuck with for a month, and endured nasty side effects and NO HELP.

about a month later, I started having this really weird feeling in my throat. It feels like a tightness (almost like being choked from the inside at times) and feelings of excessive mucus, discomfort, and pressure. It also feels like my throat is swollen. This is the MOST uncomfortable thing I've ever experienced in my life! It waxes and wanes, but is there 24/7 in one form or another. I'm starting to wonder if this is ever going to go away!

I saw a GI doctor who did a Barium Swallow and EGD. My biopsies showed I have mild esophagitis and mild gastritis. Biopsy ruled out eosinophilic esophagitis, and no crohn's disease, celiac, etc.

I was put on Dexilant for a 2 week trial with no relief (I think it gave me hives) so I stopped that.

Now, I'm on 40mg of Protonix once daily. It's been about 2 weeks and STILL no relief! I'm trying to adhere to the diet changes. The hardest thing for me has been giving up chocolate /spicy/carbonated beverages.

I've been keeping a food diary - trying to see what makes it worse or better. I did have a few days last week, where my throat issue was almost GONE! I thought HALLELUJAH! The Protonix is working. Yet to no avail, I'm having another bad throat day today. WHY?!?!?

I wonder: the fact that I've had a few pretty great days, tells me that something is exacerbating this, and give me a tiny glimmer of hope that this will get better. I'm starting to wonder if this is something other than esophagitis - but I've had loads of blood work, and everything has came back negative.

My question to you folks is this: Can acid cause this much discomfort in the throat? How long did it take for your esophagitis to heal? Any home remedies that have helped you? Any other tests you could recommend to discuss with my doctor?

Man, if this is MILD esophagitis, I can't imagine having a severe case. It is so uncomfortable! Thankfully, I have no erosions or ulcers.

I've just had this awful throat thing for almost 3 months now, and I am SERIOUSLY fed up with it, and will do anything for relief.

Thank you so much everyone! I'm so glad I found this forum. I thought I was the only person in the world that has this.

Many people in this forum have reported similar symptoms. I also have had the tight throat sensation and problems with esophagitis. Acid can and does contribute to all kinds of problems with the esophagus. Stress, anxiety and general worrying can exacerbate the symptoms i.e. the more your worry, the more pronounced the symptoms. Give it time and continue to work with your doctor. Hope you feel better.

Hi buffychick,

I've been on PPI for about 6 weeks now and the dry throat/lump in the throat feeling is still there. I have to bear with the nasty side effects too - a lot to enumerate. I wonder if others are experiencing some side effects.

I can always run to our company doctor because she's just in the other buiding and shes a GP. She would patiently examine and always encourage to bear with the side effects. My GI is from from where i live - my GI is the one who prescribed me with Dexilant 60mg. I will be 1 month with Dexilant on Friday.

The most dreadful side effect is the sleeplessness and the general feeling of body malaise. I am with HR and being not on top of everything is very discouraging. I am the one incharge of our Christmas Party this year and its so frustrating not to have the usual vibe that I have about a month and a half ago.

I am asthmatic and have allergic rhinitis. My latest complete paranasal x ray revealed bilateral frontal and maxillary sinusitis and i am just spraying my nostrils with Flucanase and Avamys.

I really thought at first that this dry, itchy, lump in the throat feeling was just post nasal drip.

Have you tried medidation. It helps you from always thinking about that lump feeling. GERD plays havoc to your mind. Its really anxiety provoking.

Let's just be patient. Watch what we eat as well.

Healing is a process.

Take care.
Pie

Buffy, I am so sorry that you are having this problem. I am also a nursing student and mine is terrible too. I have lost 10 pounds in an effort to get some relief. I don't know what to do, I could lose 20 more and still be a healthy weight but I don't think that is going to be hard as I am beginning to not even like eating as I am desperate for some relief and think that weight loss might help. I don't have health insurance and I don't have the money to go to the doctor. Anyway, I feel for you. It is terrible having severe GERD. I feel like I am losing my mind. It makes it difficult to concentrate and study and I can't help that sometimes I am grouchy because I am anxious and frightened. Good luck. Please if anyone knows of any home remedies: aloe? I don't know, anything that has helped please let me know.

Hey Gunnar,

I've had a CBC / Chem Panel / Liver and Pancreatic Enzymes all checked. No issues, except a low Vitamin D level.

How did you elevate the head of your bed? I was thinking about bricks, but do you lay them all the way across?

My symptoms are worse at random times........not more so worse at any time, just different severities.