Allergies or Acid Reflux?

I have a history of bad sinus problems (had surgery in 2004 and many sinus infections). I also have horrible allergies to dust mites and mold. When I get an allergy shot for the dust mites, my arm swells up from the shot.

For months now, following a bad bout of bronchitis, I have been having mil throat irritation, a cracked voice (off and on), a super dry throat and mouth, and the feeling of something caught in my throat (off and on). I also have traditional allergy symptoms: itchy red eyes, nasal congestion off and on.

I went to the ENT, and he put a scope through my nose and into my throat to see what was going on. He found virtually NO irritation or problems with the throat, voice box, etc. He suspected that maybe acid reflux was to blame and put me on 40mg of Prilosec a day, and gave me a nasal steroid spray.

I quit drinking alcohol and caffeine, limited spicy foods, and even started using a wedge pillow. But even with the medication, I have seen NO improvement. I don't typically get heartburn, or any kind of burning sensation, so I am really confused about what is going on.

I have been on the Prilosec for 16 days, and made dietary modifications over a month ago.

Does anyone else here get symptoms like this from allergy or sinus problems? I am starting to suspect that my problem may not be acid reflux. My symptoms got worse with the harsh winter weather, and my nose dries out so bad it bleeds in the morning.

Before running back off to the doctor, I wanted to see what other people are experiencing.

Alcie:

I get a red, itchy bump from the dust mite shot. I get the shot every week. Bump is usually the size of a dime.

I had a CT scan of my sinuses done in late 2010 after a miserable summer of swelling, headaches, etc. It showed mucosal thickening in the maxillary sinuses and some obstruction of the airways, although the ENT didn't think it was enough to warrant immediate surgery. He said if it gets worse, I might have to go back under the knife.

I have had throat problems in the past, and have always attributed it to allergies and sinuses. Eventually, the symptoms go away, but this time, it has been going ever since I got bad bronchitis last year.

I might have food intolerances, but it would be hard to know which foods are giving me a problem. The PPI medication (Prilosec) doesn't seem to be doing a thing.

This may be completely irrelevant, but I read recently an article by a gastroenterologist whose patient complained of acid reflux. The doctor asked her several questions, among them, "do you use peppermint, by any chance, to relieve the symptoms?" She was astounded and said, "yes, frequently."

She was advised to stop them because they cause more trouble than they do to provide help. The physician said that peppermint causes the muscles to relax somewhat making acid reflux more likely to occur. Without using them, the lady improved remarkably within a very short time.

As I indicated, this may be completely irrelevant to your problem, but worth mentioning just in case you try to self-medicate.

Another route to follow might be that of having an allergist check for mold allergies (since it's worse in winter) or allergens in the home such as minute dust particles or dust mites (which all homes have, no matter how clean).

Good wishes on finding the problem.

It's Genetic

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 2/16/2012 2:10:37 PM (GMT-7)

A food diary is an excellent recommendation, in my view. Some
common triggers may include:

Chocolate, wheat, milk products (notorious for causing mucous for some), sugar. I once had an ENT doctor tell me that the use of chocolate was like adding gasoline to a fire when a sinus infection was present.

The food diary is so helpful and makes it so much easier and quicker to identify food intolerances for some.

The mold thing should be followed up, I think. It's ubiquitous in the atmosphere, and if one is sensitive to it, shots do alleviate symptoms.

It's Genetic

I am avoiding antihistamines because my throat gets so dry, especially at night. Singulair doesn't do a thing for me.

I read a study last night that says GERD/LPR is way overdiagnosed, difficult to find in many patients, and treatments (PPIs) are no more effective than a placebo!

On the acid reflux board, there are a bunch of people who had surgery for GERD/LPR and it didn't do anything for them: they still have big problems.

This makes me think that something else is going on, because I have NO burning or heartburn, but I do have the globus sensation, a very dry throat, and a crackling voice (off and on). I also get some mild wheezing since coming down with bronchitis last year.

So if anyone with bad allergies and sinus problems here has symptoms similar to mine, let me know. Last thing I want to do is go down a rabbit hole with the whole acid reflux thing.

Hey Carrie

I am frustrated with this as well. I'm taking 40mg of Prilosec a day, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and still very little improvement.

Just like you, all of my problems started with a lung infection. The lung problems went away about 90% (I still get some wheezing here and there), but the throat issues never went away. For 6 months it was a feeling of mild irritation in the the throat and cracking voice. Then when the weather got cold and dry, the globus sensation started. This was 8 months after getting sick. I also get the PND, and sometimes feel like I have to clear my throat.

It's very strange that my ENT didn't see anything wrong when he scoped me, even though the problems are largely right behind my tongue, and an inch or two down my throat.

I do NOT want LPR. Even the thought of that is putting me into a depressive episode.

I'm getting better results with my chronic sinus infections and headaches with using Mucinex 12 hour twice a day, than with all the antibiotics and antihistamines I've been given in the last 2+ years. Sinus surgery only worsened my problems and gave me chronic drippy nose.

Antihistamine sprays can cause dry nose and throat. The guaifenasine in Mucinex thins the gunk in the sinuses and lets it drain better, and helps the cilia (little hairs) in the lungs push the stuff out of the lungs.

Silas, if you were having spasms in the throat it wouldn't be seen on a scope. You don't spasm if you are unconscious. Thick mucus can feel like something stuck in the throat.

Carrie, When I had my paraesophageal hiatal hernia, a twice daily dose of Nexium just barely reduced the acid in my throat to the point of not burning right through it. My LES was stuck open. Have you had a barium swallow to check for hernia and reflux?

Welcome new forum members. If you haven't already may I suggest starting your own threads so you get more answers.

If you get no relief from avoiding the traditional "reflux foods," it might help to check into food allergies and sensitivities. I can eat tomatoes and other acid foods just fine - unless they are processed or cooked with my reflux triggers. I react to things like gelatin, corn starch, mixed spices, garlic and onions, maple syrup, molasses, most salad dressings, most yogurts, some nuts and other weird stuff. My stomach heaves, what I call refluxing, and I often get very rapid heart beating.

New allergies can start at any time. I just got a new one to grass last summer when the grass pollen count was high. Pollen has increased even in some northern areas in February this year, so a visit to the allergist may be a good idea. Some of them are knowlegeable in food sensitivities too.

If you have true allergic symptoms after eating something you might try Benadryl or Alavert (or their generic ingredients). I've used both with success after eating sunflower seeds and getting a reaction.

If you only get stomach or esophagus reactions you may have a sensitivity, and antihistamines don't help, at least not for me. My only remedy is avoidance. I keep a food journal - see the search box at the top of the page for more info.

Gut balance is worth pursuing, but may have nothing to do with a sensitivity. My allergist lumps sensitivities with allergies. "Lump" feeling in the throat can be esophageal spasms. A gastroenterologist may be able to figure that one out with a swallowing test, but there's probably nothing to see with just a scope.

name is Kenneth riley hans beens eeing a gi the past year for what is known as reflux recently seen an ent tht said lpr reflux the yput me on omeprazole 40 mg june last year twice a day been on it ever since symptoms cleared up in December went away came back in march 2016 they stopped my meds for the ph / bravo teset all my testing scopes came back clean but I have this burning in my throat chest and stomach throat is the worst difficulty swallowing some foods this burn travels up to my ears and face everytime I take abreath the throat burning gets worse ive vhanged my diet for a reflux diet since last year but I ahvnt been able to track my food triggers or nothing sinc emy stomach and throat and chest have been burning up its not just having symptoms when eating having them all day allw ekkfrom the time I ge tuo to the time I lay down is this confirmed as reflux and how do I brk the triggers and stuff as it is

Hello Everyone,

I've read everyone's responses and thought I would share my problems and shed some insight.

Background: I'm 32 years old, white male. 6'2" 240LBS. Been an athlete my entire life. Big weightlifter and outdoorsman. Fish, hunt, and am outside all the time. I live in Texas, Been here my whole life.

When I turned 30 I started having crazy re-flux (medicine didn't help anymore, all sorts of PPI's), went to my Gastro Doc and was put through several tests. Scoped my throat and stomach, did the Barium Swallow (twice), 24 hour PH study(the worst ever).

After 24 hour PH study I was told I was the worst they had ever seen. People are usually at a 14-15 and I was at 75 on the scale. I do not know what these numbers mean, just remembering what I was told.

In June of 2016 I had Nissen Fundoplication surgery to fix my acid re-flux problem, I had no choice really, the muscle that closes above my stomoch was not working right anymore. When they were in there they also fixed a Hiatal Hernia that I had, stomach sucked up into my chest.

Let me just say I'm as tough as they come and recovering from that surgery nearly killed me. I went for 245 to 200LBS. After the surgery everything was awesome. I felt great August, September, October, until November 2016 I started feeling weird again.

I couldn't pin point whether it was re-flux or not. My thoughts were allergies were causing me to have re flux. My Gastro Doc said do a Barium Swallow and make sure everything is still good, Had that done and he said I looked great and shouldn't be experiencing re-flux.

He told me to go see an ENT doctor. I went to see the ENT doctor last week 2.28.17, he said he didnt seem to see much but wanted to do a 40 panel prick test. I asked Scott and White how much that would cost me and they said 3000.00. HAHA! I havent met my deductible this year so Im out of pocket 3k for a skin test, I said no to the tests.

So here is where I'm at today: My diet is not very good, I've always felt I could eat whatever I want since I work out so much. I dont drink during the work week but on the weekends I put back some beers. I can easily drink 12-18 beers on friday, saturday, sometimes on sunday. I drink a lot coffee. Dont eat much sweets. Dont really smoke, dip snuff on occasions.

I've been having what I feel is small acid re flux, my throat is dry and sore often, sometimes I have head aches, and Ive recently started experiencing what yall call Globus Hysteria or Globus Syndrome. I feel as if I cant clear my throat and something is stuck in there, I also feel like I cant suck the mucus out of my nasal cavity.

Im taking PPI's again, I have tried Claritin, I have tried Mucinex, I take tums.

I recently started keeping a journal of my life and what I eat and how I feel. I'm going to take this to my Gastro Doc in a few weeks and tell him I want answers.

Any advice you guys have, let me hear it.

Thanks,
Casey

Thank you. Ive been keeping track of all foods i eat for the past 2 weeks now. Im going to try and pinpoint what some of my triggers are. I do drink a lot of water but im not anywhere around 6 to 8 glasses, i will try to drink more water. The booze is something im dealing with too, trying to not have more than 3 drinks on a given day. I will say this i picked up some Flonase this weekend and it has been making me feel pretty good here lately. Thankyou!

I have not tried Aloe. Please tell me where to get it and what it is called exactly. I will get some and try it.

Thanks,
Casey

I believe my pollen allergies cause acid reflux. I was using Doxepin and Benadryl for the allergies and Omeprazole for acid reflux. My stomach was always tense or burning. I stopped using Doxepin, Benadryl and Omeprazole and began using NasalCrom.

This is my second day of NasalCrom. It is working for me. I hope it continues.