Silent Reflux or something else ?

Please could anyone help me ?
My symptoms started off with a throat discomfort in May 2016 at the tail-end of a flu. My GP prescribed omeprazole once a day because she thought it was acid related. The PPI worked with Gaviscon as well. But then the PPI stopped working and I then increased the dosage of omeprazole to twice a day and continued with the Gaviscon. Again they stopped working after a while. This was when I developed full blown GERD - chest burns, throat burning and stomach burning. My first gastroscopy showed severe oesophagitis / reflux and a hiatal hernia - I had to stop the PPI for 2 weeks before the first gastroscopy. Life became hell ; I had sleep deprivation and the Gaviscon gave me only 2 hours relief. My throat burned like crazy. Surgery became my one and only hope. I was depressed ; my quality of life was gone. I put all the lifestyle changes in place but nothing worked. I resumed with the PPIs - lansaprazole which worked for a short bit and the esomeprazole which worked at 70% effectiveness level. The surgeon I saw referred me for a second gastroscopy a month after the first one which showed a healed oesophagus, no hiatal hernia and a scarred lower oesophagus. An ultrasound scan showed one tiny gallstone which was not blocking any duct. An oesophageal manometry and 24 hour ph test showed a possible hiatal hernia, nothing wrong with the functioning of my oesophagus, an intact lower oesophageal sphincter and only one instance of normal but weak acid reflux. Surgery was no longer seen as benefiting me. I was now diagnosed with functional heartburn / oesphageal hypersensitivity.

I am now weaning off the PPI ; my chest pains are lessening ( I used to get very gripping chest pains when I eat )and I still get the occasional warm burning sensation in my chest. But my throat still burns like crazy. An ENT consultant had a look and said my voice box was pristine. He took a throat swab which came back as having "significant organisms " for which he prescribed strong antibiotics. I am now on day 6 of a 10 day course and my throat still burns. My voice has not changed and I don't have any of the classic LPR signs e.g. lump in throat, chronic coughing and mucus. I have continued my lifestyle changes and taken up probiotics with my meal. Nothing works. My throat continues to burn.

I am waiting for an upper oesophagoscopy by the ENT consultant and the surgeon has referred me for a repeat PH24 hour test off the PPI because the first test was done when I was on the PPI. To be honest, I don't think the results will be different as I was still having symptoms whilst on the PPI.

I have been reading a lot about vitamin D3 for a burning throat. Has anyone tried this and combine with vitamin K2 ? Anything that anyone could share would be gratefully received. It is very isolating to live with these symptoms still and I do get so down at times.

Hi Martin215

Thanks for sharing. I am so sorry to hear that you are still having problems despite having had the Nissan. Really glad to make contact with someone who has similar outcomes from investigations and a similar diagnosis.

A doctor explained to me recently that hypersensitive oesophagus / functional heartburn is the outcome of a body which remembers pain only too well so much so that when the actual physical symptoms are no longer there, the pain persists - it is if the nerves in your body remembers the pain when there is actually no pain. In the end he said to me that I should give it time.

I find it interesting though that you have tried antidepressants for a hypersensitive oesophagus - that is supposed to be the standard treatment for functional / hypersensitivity and that did not work. I tried elavil - only one tablet and it was enough to put me off. I couldn't tolerate the side effects.

I have also tried meditation and that actually works best in calming my symptoms down ; they don't go away but as you say, gives you a type of calming distraction.

I haven't tried hot tea ( because I avoided caffienated beverages when all these symptoms started ) but I remembered I tried a cappucino once and it gave me the most excruciating chest pain. I dared not try sour drinks and have avoided acidic foods like tomatoes like the plague.

When did you have the nissan done and what PPI are you taking ? Sometimes I think it was the PPIs which were the cause of my problems. I promised myself that when my antibiotics finished I will start to implement natural remedies for my symptoms.

Good luck to you too. Hope to hear from you again

Throat Burn