Persistent sore throat after 25 years of GERD

This year marks the 25th year of having GERD. I’m also a Crohn’s patient. My Crohn’s has been relapsing since November 2022. I keep having recurrent sore throat episodes. Two weeks ago, I had a severe sore throat + fever (38.5). My GI diagnosed it as a corona virus infection then. My fever went down finally but the soreness persisted. I saw the ENT doctor again, he examined me again and said that my throat was sore because of GERD. I take Nexium 40 mg double dose, Baclofen 40 mg and famotidine. I always have this feeling of soreness whenever I eat or drink anything. Tbh, I’m worried because of my long standing GERD. However, I’m scheduled to have a colonoscopy next week and currently we are focusing more on the Crohn’s as I’m very sick. I was really devastated when the ENT doctor told me that it seems my GERD is not under control. Any suggestions of what to do in order to control the throat soreness? The ENT doctor prescribed 3 meds: a compounded gargle that contains prednisone and I shouldn’t swallow it, a spray for soreness and an oral gel. I have vanoprazan and started to take it but I always feel Nexium is stronger.

Thank you, Sharon. I’ve always followed a restricted diet for my Crohn’s and definitely my GERD is included. I’m glad it turned out to be a coronavirus reinfection and not GERD. I will also bring it to my doctor’s attention when I see him and ask to have an upper endoscopy along with the colonoscopy.