HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Lump in throat/tightness of throat

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/31/2013 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
turn Hello everyone, glad to come across a forum that covers GERD.

I'm in my mid 20's and been diagnosed with GERD about 7 years ago when I went to see a gastroenterologist (when I was still living abroad) due to severe recurring chest pains. Over the years the "heartburn attacks" and other symptoms were very minimal if anything barely there. However a year ago I started to have a feeling of something stuck at the back of my throat. I was so scared as I've never had this before so I went to the GP/doctor who prescribed Omeprazole. Within a few days of taking it, the feeling has gone away much to my relief.

Fast forward 2 months ago, it came back again and my gp prescribed me Lanzoprazole. I have also completely stopped drinking coffee,tea, any carbonated drinks, citrus etc ec for 2 months now. After taking a 1 month course of Lanzaprole the feeling of lump in throat/tightness is still there. I went to see a gp again a month ago who said they will refer me to the hospital to get a pill test xray( I take it's the barium swallow). I'm still waiting for the referral appt/letter. I will be going to the gp again this Friday as it's very uncomfortable and it comes and go. Sometimes I get it up to 3x a day on various times. I was initially told by my gp it could be due to anxiety/stress but I've had it a lot during the past 2 weeks of being off work and I've not been stressed at all.

Anyone on the same boat? Initially, I would get a really bad panic attack as I thought I would be choking in my sleep as I often go to sleep with this feeling. I've been switching up Zantac and gaviscon but it doesn't help. It doesn't come with a heartburn although I sometimes still get a slight chest pain/burning feeling but it's the lump/ tightness that's bothering me. :-(
Posted 12/31/2013 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there Kittley, welcome aboard!

My heart goes out to you regarding the lump feeling. That was how my symptoms began, about seven years ago. Like you, I was put on a PPI which took it away til a year later when it came back and stayed for about six more years, with an increase in other issues like heartburn. It has now gone completely. This was thanks to a new GI doctor prescribing Amitryptiline, brand name Elavil in January. It won't cure reflux, but it got rid of that lump feeling, which was the one thing I really felt I couldn't cope with. It gave me back my life. Many worry because it is an antidepressant in its official capacity, but the dose for this is so small it doesn't affect you that way. In fact it is given to children for bed wetting in these small doses too.

I would recommend anyone struggling with the lump, medically known as globus, to ask their doctor about Amitryptiline. I was given 10mg to start which worked like a miracle for a month then needed putting up to 25 when it wore off. After a few months I stopped taking it and the globus hasn't yet returned.

I have since had the GERD surgery, so am in recovery from that now, which has its own problems, but if I do get globus again I will definitely go back for Amitryptiline.

All the best to you

Liz x
Posted 12/31/2013 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Liz, many thanks for your response. I feel a tad better knowing there is something that could make it go away. I will definitely mention this in my appt on Friday. Just want to see a gastroenterologist instead of always going back to the gp and waiting for a referral.

Hoping for your fast recovery x
Posted 1/1/2014 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kittley21

I'm assuming your in the UK as you refer to your doctor as a GP.
I'm pleased you've got a referral to get tests these will tell you a lot more about what's going on.

Please don't let them fob you off with the stress/anxiety theory - they tried that one with me. I eventually went private for tests cause i was getting nowhere with the NHS. It turned out I had a very high demeester score which proved acid reflux.

Still couldn't understand the suddenness of this so with more research I found that it could be a hernia. I went to my GP and insisted on a barium swallow which found a hernia. This hernia wasn't seen earlier on the endoscopy.

You say that you were diagnosed with Gerd 7 years ago. Did you have tests to diagnose this ?

I hope you don't have to wait long for your referral and the tests help you find out what your problem is.

Maria
Posted 1/1/2014 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mcedge/Maria,

I am indeed based in the UK. When I was diagnosed by a gastroenterologist 7 years ago he didn't perform any tests just asked me a lot of questions and lightly touched different parts of my stomach to feel where it always hurts then told me I have acid reflux.

I would love to go private and have looked at the costs but I can't really afford it. :-(

I'm sick of going back to the GP because nothing is happening. I'm hoping there is a way they could follow up with my hospital when. i go this Friday regarding getting the test done as I have the lump/tight feeling pretty much everyday now.
Posted 1/1/2014 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mcedge/ Maria,

Forgot to ask - have you had the hernia treated ? Or do you need to have it removed - don't know much about it.

Thanks

Christel
Posted 1/1/2014 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Try the Strepsils extra strength or other product containing Hexylresorcinol. Let us know if they work to relieve this awful symptom.
Posted 1/1/2014 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Phil-uk, have you tried that before? I'll give it a go, at this point I'm so desperate while waiting for my test.
Posted 1/1/2014 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Liz, my doc wants to put me on an antidepressant due to the stomach pain but especially due to the anxiety I have every day about my stomach problems. But the number one side effect of antidepressants, including Elavil, is nausea. I'm terrified of taking antidepressants for that reason. Did you have any issues with nausea with the Amitryptiline (Elavil)? And did you have any withdrawal symptoms after you quit?
Posted 1/1/2014 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Christel

A hernia is when part of your stomach pushes through your diaphragm . It goes through the hiatus which is the hole which the oesophagus goes through. It is really quite common. My surgeon said that most people who are suffering with acid reflux is caused by the hernia. They pull the stomach back through and then stitch the hole to make it smaller.

I had the operation 9 weeks ago but so far my recovery isn't going too well but hoping that it's still early days and it could be internal healing causing the problems.

I can't believe that you were diagnosed with gerd 7 years ago and not had any tests.

When you see your gastro consultant tell them that you want tests. An endoscopy and a barium swallow may show up a hernia. A 24 hour ph test will show if you have acid and non acid reflux. All these tests can be done on the NHS.

I had some of my tests on the NHS and some private. You need to tell the gastro consultant that you want the tests - be firm ! Don't let them fob you off. Tell them you want answers !

Maria
Posted 1/1/2014 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Kittley21, hi, yes I have used the lozenges with Hexylresorcinol for about a year now. I got the tip from this website.
Posted 1/1/2014 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks mcedge/phil-uk. Will try the strepsils extra strength tomorrow and will definitely put my foot down when I see the gp again this Friday.
Posted 1/2/2014 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Phil, oddly, anything with hexylrecorsinol in it makes me totally lose my voice! Very strange.

Lilbrooks, no, I did not get nausea, because the dosage of Amitryptiline is so small. The most I got was slightly sluggish in the morning in the first week. I came off it with no issues either.

All the best xx
Posted 1/4/2014 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your replies.

I finally have a barium swallow test booked on Monday morning. I'm really looking forward to getting one step closer to finding out what is happening as I now have the feeling of lump in throat pretty much all day and gets worse when I eat something other than water (even if I chew it until it's liquid).

Will keep you updated once I get the results x
Posted 1/6/2014 10:13 AM (GMT 0)
Just had my barium swallow test and was re-confirmed that I indeed have acid reflux and just found out I have a small hiatus hernia. They will send X-rays to my gp so have to wait again until they get it to talk to my gp again for the next step.

Does anyone know if my Gp is meant to call me once they get it? I don't have much hope even though the hospital said they should so I will call my gp instead in a few days.

Mcedge- I understand you had an operation recently due to your hernia. What made the doc/you decide to go for that route? I'm hoping I won't need surgery. The only symptom that has been bugging me for 2 months now is the lump in throat feeling. Thanks
Posted 1/6/2014 10:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kittley

I went down the route of surgery because I couldn't control it through diet and even the drugs didn't relieve all the symptoms. I certainly didn't want to take ppi's long term and I knew the hernia was never going to go away. Once you have that large opening in the hiatus the stomach can push through whenever it wants. I decided I couldn't live like that.

My decision to have surgery had nothing to do with my GP. I sought help privately because of the lack of help from the NHS although I've kept them informed all the way along and I still see the NHS consultant.

You need to get a 24 hour ph test as this will give you an accurate reading about how much acid is in your oesophagus. You would need this test and also a Manometry test if you or your doctors decide on surgery.

You need to get in touch with your GP but you need to tell him/her that you want to be referred to a gastro consultant to discuss your options. Remember that the GP is not qualified in this area.


Maria
Posted 1/6/2014 10:47 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Maria - hoping for your fast recovery
Posted 3/9/2014 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Maria,

Was wondering how you are doing with your surgery recovery?If i recall you had some LPR symptoms plus hiatal hernia.Did the surgery help with the LPR?

I have tried over the last few months to get off the ppi's and it's pretty well impossible.Always end up with that pain on the left side below the rib cage.

I am reconsidering asking for surgery again even if my doctor will likley say no i hope that if i ask for a referral to a larger centre he will do it and there will be more specialized services there.I can't really afford the private sector but may have to consider it.Would like to see more people with lpr who had the surgery and how they feel afterwards.

Louis        

Posted 3/15/2014 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I have had this awful feeling of a lump in my throat for the past 3 yrs on and off now along with many if the other symptoms associated with LPR. It is unbearable to live like this everyday. I know I saw that ZELDAGOBLIN was prescribed Elavil. Can you tell me how long after taking this medication did you see a difference. I am making an appt now to ask for this medication and want to know more about it so when I go to the doctor I can have my facts straight. If this works, it will be a life changer in deed. Thanks!!

Che
Posted 3/15/2014 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chebug,

I've had the LPR symptoms since last june and with good diet i believe it's improving i don't get as much of that bitter taste after eating as i used to.I am back with one ppi/day plus xantac as needed although i am sure the docs would want me on double dose but the pills are already giving me bad side effects.I googled the medication you are inquiring and it is an anti depressant.Make sure you are at that stage as you will likely get dependant on another pill as i don't believe it will solve the cause just relieve some symptoms.Have you looked at the Kaufman Diet?
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply