Reflux but no burning?

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone can throw any light on my own particular experience of reflux.

I've been suffering sporadic attacks of reflux since the first one hit in June this year. The others have all occurred since I also developed other digestive system problems in mid-August (loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, abdominal pain/cramps, constipation, etc.). Because of the severity of those problems, two weeks ago I was admitted to hospital as an emergency patient and had a CAT scan, colonoscopy and endoscopy performed. The latter showed clear evidence of reflux (I think), in that it showed "tongues" of gastric mucus in the oesophagus, biopsies were taken (results not due until early Nov), and the clinical judgement was "suggested" Barrett's oesophagus.

What I don't understand is that in all the reading that I have done, the main symptom of reflux is usually described as heartburn and sufferers often describe the most unpleasant aspect as a burning sensation in the throat. I have never had either. Instead, I experience reflux as the most disgusting thing I have tasted. I find it hard to describe, but 'bitter' and 'sour' would probably be about right. This taste tends to come in waves every five minutes or so for an hour or more after it starts.

When these reflux attacks strike, it's always when I'm in lying in bed in the early morning, between say 5 and 8am. In all, I still haven't had that many of them, and all but one of them were more than a month ago when I adopted an ultra-bland diet for the other problems. But then last week I had another attack, despite my ultra-bland diet, despite not eating after 7pm in the evening, and despite raising the head of the bed 3 inches. After feeling like I was making some progress, it felt like a real setback.

So to return to my main question: has anyone else had a similar experience of reflux without heartburn or can anyone throw any light on this? I've mentioned this issue to both my family doctor and the specialist at the hospital, but neither seemed to think it is significant.

Rod

Hello and welcome to HW,

Reflux refers to the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus and/or throat.

When stomach contents reflux into the esophagus in an excessive manner, causing tissue injury and symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation, it is called GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

When stomach contents reflux into the throat causing tissue injury and symptoms like hoarseness, throat clearing. increased phlegm and cough, it is called LaryngoPharyngeal Reflux (LPR).

Classic GERD symptoms are: Heartburn; regurgitation.

LPR Symptoms are: Hoarseness; frequent throat clearing; increased phlegm; post-nasal drip; chronic cough; difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); lump-like sensation in throat; choking sensation.

The reflux pattern in the typical GERD patient is a supine, nocturnal reflux (patient refluxing while lying flat at night) while the LPR patient generally refluxes while upright during the day. Remember these are classic symptoms however many of us do not present with classic sx.

People with GERD may experience symptoms such as heartburn, a sour, burning sensation in the back of the throat, chronic cough, laryngitis, and nausea. Because there are often no specific symptoms associated with Barrett's esophagus, it can only be diagnosed with an upper endoscopy and biopsy. I hope they have your biopsy report sooner than the first part of November as I know waiting for results is stressful for most of us.

Remember what I mentioned above, many of us do not present with the common symptoms.

I hope you stick with us and know we are here to support you through this difficult time. Be your own best advocate.

Kindly,

Kitt