Wheezing/reflux

[Eve]

Hi, have been having some wheezing in the throat for quite a while now and also have been having reflux issues and am wondering if the two could be connected?

I saw a GP after days of having a lump feeling in my throat and a couple of choking episodes, regurgitating food more, bile in my throat, hiccups, constantly trying to clear my throat etc... She changed my Omeprazole once a day to Lansoprazole twice a day for two weeks to see if it helps. Apparently my RA and Sjogrens can have an effect on the pipe.

I didn't think to ask at the time but could the throat wheezing be connected? I had wondered if it could be some kind of allergy as I do have other allergies and when I was younger something in some cordial drinks used to make me wheeze (am asthmatic too), but am now wondering if it's connected to the reflux.

Thanks for any help.

[Buenchico]

It's certainly possible that there's a connection. I have problems with LPR affecting my throat:
http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/laryngopharyngeal-reflux-silent-reflux

[Sqad]

The symptoms that you are describing may well be due to a id reflux, but the association must only me made by exclusion.
Somebody must have a look down your throat, to exclude other disorders and I mean by " somebody" an E.N.T surgeon. If you are given the all clear and not before, should an association between your throat symptoms and reflux be made.

[ummmm]

I think I have LPR. I have more or less all those symptoms!

Chris...how is it treated?

[Eve]

Thanks for that Chris, that is really informative. She did mention the sphincter too about letting acid back up. Have been very croaky too.

Fingers crossed the change in meds will help. She said they will look at a camera down if not. Sounds like they take a few days to kick in.

She had a good feel of my tummy too as had some pains too.

At least I can rule out my gallbladder :)

[Eve]

Thanks for that Sqad, I do appreciate your advice. She did say to come back after two weeks if they tablets hadn't helped and about a camera being asked for if not.

I was quite worried with the lump. I have had issues with acid reflux for many years though this is new.

She did explain a bit about the pipe being more flexible, or similar, with conditions like me, or more likely the sphincter to not work properly.

[Buenchico]

For Ummmm:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gastroesophageal-reflux-disease/Pages/Treatment.aspx

I've found that cutting down on spicy foods, alcohol and fruit juice helps, as does eating small amounts frequently. (Unfortunately, I'm not very good at any of that lot!). 'Gaviscon Double Action', from any supermarket or pharmacy, sorts out any immediate problems but a pharmacist can sell you tablets that actually reduce the amount of acid which your stomach produces (rather than just neutralising what's already being produced) over a period of several days. They definitely work but, because the effect takes time to build up, they don't provide immediate relief. (So, in the short term, you need to use Gaviscon as well).

[Eve]

Gaviscon is brilliant stuff! The Gaviscon tablets aren't bad either for on the move, and only £1 for a box of 8 in the Pound Shop!

[ummmm]

I rarely get any pain. It's the lump that makes it hard to swollen and the constant clearing of my throat.

This what I get daily..


Persistent cough
Hoarseness
A "lump" in the throat that doesn't go away with repeated swallowing
Other symptoms may include:

A sensation of postnasal drip or excess throat mucus
Trouble swallowing

- The other symptoms I get occasionally.

[Eve]

Thinking on, I'm not sure if she meant a camera down like I have had before which was a gastro surgeon I think, had one up and down and a polyp removed. I'm really hoping the meds get rid of it but, if not, should I ask for an ENT referral rather than a general camera down or would they get an ENT surgeon to do it given the symptoms?

I am at ENT already with the Menieres but they are (I assume) ear specialists I see or would they do throat issues too?

[Eve]

Sound like it's worth a trip to the GP to get it checked out ummmm.

[ummmm]

Will do, Eve, in the mean time I might get some antacids...

[Sqad]

You have already had a gastroscopy ( camera down gullet) , but what you need now is a pharyngo- laryngoscpopy to check the back of the throat and vocal cords.

[Eve]

Thank you again for your advice, that is good to know. I do appreciate it.