For the past 2 years I've gotten drunk every day. At least 5 beers a day, and usually at least 1 shot.
I am a smoker, and eat poorly. I'm 23.
After saying that, you might wonder why I even need to ask if those lifestyle choices could be causing the gastritis/esophagitis I was diagnosed with.
However, I know plenty of people who drink/smoke/eat the same amounts and are fine.
For almost a year, I haven't been able to breathe properly (there is no narrowing of airways, according to endoscopy). My chest feels tight, my neck feels tight and angry, I get random shooting pain in places above the waistline to the neck. palpitations, light-headed. 24/7
I don't get heartburn. My throat always feels dry and a bit painful.
I'm constantly clearing my throat.
I was put on Sucralfate after a double dosage of Protonix did nothing. However, during that time I also didn't abstain from alcohol. I stopped drinking recently for a week and felt no different. So now I'm just taking sucralfate and continue to drink 5-8 beers daily.
I've had my lungs and heart tested multiple times, and they were fine.
So:
Could alcohol abuse have triggered an acid reflux issue, and could quitting altogether for a few months
let my body heal so these symptoms might begin to subside?
Of course the answer is "Only one way to find out.", but the panic and anxiety of dealing with these symptoms is only alleviated by... alcohol. It's a stupid cycle.
Has anyone gone through alcohol-related reflux issues?
Post Edited (Paul's Brother) : 2/12/2017 2:21:18 PM (GMT-7)