What causes burning throat BESIDES reflux?

So... I just noticed a few weird things over the last few days. The reason? My reflux symptoms have hit me very hard, and all my usual ways to reduce the symptoms simply aren't working. Even the usual meds like Gaviscon Advance and Mirtazapine do nothing. I've decided to be brave and try some 'bad' foods to see what is really going on. Here's what's been happening, with the aim of explaining why I've been so freaked out by the weirdness of my symptoms:

- A few days ago, I started getting symptoms of a common cold. Nothing special, I used to take some honey to push away the sore throat that comes with it. I had some Manuka Honey and felt like my esophagus was set on fire only 10 seconds later. Crying didn't get rid of it. Even Gaviscon didn't.

- Because I was so wary of the burning throat, I spent a few days just sticking with my "Jamie Kouffman reflux diet." EVERYTHING made me burn. Even a sip of ph 8.2 - 8.8 water or a single bite of a banana... On the first of these days, just a small glass of water at lunch made me burn. Nothing else. Just water.

- This continued for a few days. I tried many things; the only relief I got was to fall asleep or to visit a local steam room of all things. Anyway, I felt so depressed after my latest bagel-and-burn, I gave up and ate some angel cake. And suddenly MY SYMPTOMS IMMEDIATELY VANISHED. I was even able to burp with no consequence. No burning throat, no throat clearing, no tickly throat, and the burping diminished probably because I was able to release my gas.

- Chocolate, Angel Cake, Rich Tea biscuits and Milk. I keep hearing from people how these things are bad for GERD/LPR, but I tried some (one at a time of course!) each evening for the next few days. Nothing happened at all.


I don't want to think I just had a lucky few days, because I thought reflux didn't work like that. How on earth did acidic "problem" foods - and so many of them to boot - keep my burning throat away? On that note, is there something other than LPR that could cause a burning throat sensation? Maybe from me clearing my throat habitually out of anxiety or something?

Sorry if this post makes no sense. I'm just very confused, so any observations and insight would be very handy, especially if you've suffered from/recovered from similar symptoms. Thank you. :)



EDIT: One of the best example scenarios I can think of just popped into my head, and it's an important one..! I had just finished work for the day, having shrugged off a cold all day. I finished off my room-temp water and took a single bite out of a salmon bagel I had - a recommendation from Dr Kouffman no less. Only 2 seconds later, or almost immediately after swallowing, my throat burned like hellfire. 2 minutes later (I was still burning at the time) I collected one of my rapid spit test samples. It reported no reflux, even though the burning continued for another 10 minutes after.

Yes, I was going to mention allergies...similar to what JR was talking about with the drainage of secrections from a cold/virus.

Constant post nasal drip can be the cause of this chronic throat irritation.

Have you seen an ENT? I can't remember you mentioning this before.

Perhaps checking in with our Allergy Forum might be a good idea?

I hope that you are feeling relief soon.

S.C.

Scaredy Cat said...
Yes, I was going to mention allergies...similar to what JR was talking about with the drainage of secrections from a cold/virus.

Constant post nasal drip can be the cause of this chronic throat irritation.

Have you seen an ENT? I can't remember you mentioning this before.

Perhaps checking in with our Allergy Forum might be a good idea?

I hope that you are feeling relief soon.

S.C.

Hey, thanks to everyone for the replies thus far. Yeah, I tried the allergies route but apparantly that is a dead end. An ENT said my throat was fine but he scoped me on a good day, typically. Water is crrtainly the cause, not even chocolate triggers my burning. I want to believe it isn't reflux, but it's hard when everyone says it is :(

Could be due to an irritated nerve ending. Those foods you mentioned (idk what "rich tea biscuits are", but the other 3) are all smooth, creamy type food/drink. That would typically sooth nerve endings. Have you tried a numbing throat spray like Cepacol? If that helps, maybe you could see what foods/drinks within your diet are smooth, creamy foods -- not too hot, cold, spicy or acidic either. Moderate temp creamy soups, yogurt, gelatto, spongy cakes, mashed bananas, ripe melons, pureed vegetables, etc. If those help along with the Cepacol, it should settle down within a week or so. If it comes back immediately, check with your ENT about it, or all else failing, talk to a neurologist. Unfortunately, if it is a nerve issue, sometimes you just have to ride it out.

good luck!