Feeling like something is stuck in my throat

I am new and this is the first time I have joined one of these places. Anyway I have acid reflux supposidly and after taking 1 month of medication I did feel better but now it has been a couple of weeks and I feel like I have something stuck in my throat. Is that from the Acid reflux? I worry alot I just want my mind at ease. Should I go to the doctor again and get more of a prescription?

Post Edited (Jammin) : 6/13/2005 1:34:26 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Jammin,
Welcome to HW. Did you go into the doctor's office with the complaint of feeling like something stuck in your throat? This is one of the symptoms of GERD however there could be other things that could be causing that symptom as well. This symptom usually triggers doctors to run tests to rule out anything else. I would definitely bring this up. What kind of medication are you on? Are you on a PPI? The medication should help the inflammation and swelling in your esophagus by shutting down your acid pumps however you may have to try another one. I was on Nexium but had to change to Prevacid because #1 Nexium did not relieve my GERD symptoms and #2 Nexium gave me horrible side effects. Prevacid was (and is) the right med for me.

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I have gone to a doctor before about constantly clearing my throat and feelong like something was stuck and my tongue burning. He said it was acid reflux and put me pantaloc and I have been fine since I was on it but now I have been done for a couple of weeks it has come back. Should I go get more pills, can you be on them for awhile?  I know my husband has to be on stuff for a year because he has ulcers and overbacterium as well. The problem for me is I went to a clinic last time because my doctor has been off the last like 5 months from a broken leg and arm. I guess I could just go back to the clinic?

Jammin,
I have had GERD for years and have had the feeling of something stuck in my throat from time to time. I took Zantac, off and on. Finally, I saw a GI dr. in May because of some other problems I was having and he ordered an upper endoscopy. I was so SCARED!!! It turned out to be no big deal, I "slept" through it and don't remember it. Anyway, the GI dr. prescribed Omeprazole (Prilosec) and to start with I took it once a day. I didn't feel like it was working (even felt like the Zantac I took OTC worked better for me) so he increased it to 2 times a day. I gave that a shot, but I still didn't feel like it was working for me. So, today I picked up a prescription for Protonix. I'm going to give this a try! The moral of the story is to get back in touch with a dr. and let him know about your symptoms. There are other PPIs out there and hopefully you will find one that works for you!

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Sue

Hi scaredy cat

I appericiate your view. We generally try using only PPI or H2 blockers. where as symtoms could demand other remedies too like stomach muscules relievers or mental anxiety relievers. Reglan may be used as stomach muscle reliever under medcal advice for short periods. In case any one one want to learn more about Reglan, here is the link:

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/reg1369.shtml

Hope this benefits

wahijs

Hi I am new to this forum . I reading these postings I totally agree with Dr. Norm's opinion of the carb theory and acid reflux. I do know that acid reflux or GERD is aggravated by pastries and breads or high fat or fried and sugary foods. Breads and or flour based foods are highly acidic and high in carbs, so when your upper GI system is over acidic then BAM!!! you get over production of hydrochloric acid from your tiny proton pumps in your stomach! Also it is highly probable that your LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is relaxed and not closing all the way which can allow the gastric acid to reflux back into the esophagus. I would estimate that about 85-90% of people with GERD or acid reflux have Hiatal Hernias which can causes a myriad of symptomatic problems including: tightness in the chest or sternum area, feeling like there is a lump in the throat , burning in the back of the throat, lump in the chest under the sternum, and those are the mild symptoms. The worst symptoms can be vaso-vagal responses that can cause pvc's or pac's (premature ventricular contractions, premature arterial contractions) and other arrhythmias in the heart (which you should be seen immediately by a doctor if you experience these symptoms) that are triggered by irritation to the vagal nerve (10th cranial nerve) that runs from the scull down the side of the esophagus all the way down past the stomach and can be irritated by over acidity from the aforementioned foods. This over stimulation of the vagal nerve is a result of the erosion in the esophagus and or pressure on the nerve from a full stomach and twisting or protrusion of the stomach through the diaphragm due to a hiatal hernia or a problem with LES not closing properly which over a period of time allow the natural hydrochloric acid in your stomach to erode the thin lining in the esophagus exposing the vagal nerve and other various symptoms, the list goes on!.

I had this very problem.
I did have some mild acid reflux
and actually went on a med
out of frustration but later found
I also had a seasonal allergy going on.
I increaed my Vit. C for starters.

While researching and looking
into GERD though, as my husband
suffers from it, I discovered
how well adding enzymnes
is working in digesting
food. I take them with every meal
and pineapple and papaya
have helped me a great deal.

It seemed (for me) that when I digested
the food, no heartburn. Worked for me.
I'll continue to take the enzymnes (I'm
55 ) so I'm thinking my body just isn't
producting the enzymnes I need.

Drinking water seems to help and of course
the laundry list of no nos such as coffee,
chocolate, everyone probably knows what they
should avoid for the acid reflux.

I quit the pres. med because I worried
that if I still wasn't digesting my food,
would I have yet another problem from that?
anyway, this seems to put the puzzle together.

Digestion....no heartburn.

Drinking water helps my digestion
(which seemed to give me heartburn)

Hi,
Just a note on the feeling of food getting stuck in the esophagus. I agree with the advice to get it checked further by your doctor. If you want to read more on this, the phenomenon is called dysphagia and can indicate esophageal damage. One cause of dysphagia is stricture, a narrowing of the esophagus due to scarring (typically from continued reflux).

Dr Norm

Wow ..could this be what I have?? ...I have mentioned it to docs..who just shrugged and said ...prob your sinuses ?
I get this terrible feeling in my throat-it feels almost like a tiny tiny bone stuck in there...very dry and almost painful...always causing a cough in an effort to clear it ...it is worst at night ...I suck on a cough drop in order to get to sleep ... it was happening alot more during the day , but recently has seemed to lighten up during the day ...that has happened in the past to the point of me thinking whatever caused it has gone away...only to start again a few weeks later ... its been over a year already .. I am so tired of going to doctors and them just shrugging me off ...any suggestions ?

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Crohns colitis, High blood pressure , Cervical DDD and restless leg syndrome, Anemia : now on iron mega dose ...

Hi,

I also have had this problem on and off for a few years. I was first seen by my ENT, and he numbed my throat and put a scope down and said it was definitely acid reflux. Then I had the swallow test with barium, and was told that my reflux was really severe... yeah, I already knew that. More good news, as we get older, they told me, food tends to get stuck more easily, and that appeared to be happening with me, especially with pills. I was put on a combination of Reglan and Prevacid 2x a day for quite a while, and I got better for a good while. Now it's back with a vengeance! My primary doc put me back on the combination, but this time the Reglan is causing diarreah, which I didn't have last time. So... now I am supposed to cut back on the Reglan. In addition to the reflux, I've had pain and nausea, so they tested me last week for gallbladder disease, but I don't know the results of that yet.

Oh, by the way, my reflux started 24 years ago after the birth of my son. Tests done at the time showed the muscle between my esophagus and stomach was pretty much destroyed, and they weren't kidding that it would get worse as I got older. (I just wanted to mention that in my case the mind-body connection is probably not the cause).

*Hugs* to all,

Bear

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"It's a jungle out there....." 

Misterie,

Please look at the thread I posted about the difference between acid reflux and LPR.  You may have LPR, you're symptoms sound alot like it.

Sillylilly

Sillylilly thanks so much...I looked at that article ..and WOW it does sound like it ...cannot believe it ..however, the only thing i have read after now looking deeper into this is that LPR usually affects during the day where as GERD is a night time thing ?

Am I understanding that correctly ...because though I have mine on and off at different periords during the day , sometimes constant, sometimes I think its gone...but , nites are usually always worse ...
however I dont have the "lower" burning or pain that comes with gerd...also, I have had neck pain for almost as long ...now, I am really wondering that this is what it has been from all along ?? ?

HOw do I get a doctor to believe me ???

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Crohns colitis, High blood pressure , Cervical DDD and restless leg syndrome, Anemia : now on iron mega dose ...

Well, I can tell you that even though it says GERD is a nighttime problem that I and most of us here have it during the day also, so I suspect you can have LPR during the night also.  If your symptoms are worse at night, try elevating your torso with pillows and see if you improve.

 I think I would download info about LPR and actually be armed with info about it so that you can discuss it with your doc next visit.  It is an actual medical condition.  Are you going to a Gastro doc or just a primary care doc?  I would think a gastro doc would know about this.

Since I have crohns you would think that a gastro would be the best one ..however, I can barely get to see him .. hes not the best doc...but the only one I can have right now ... so I pretty much am treating myself ... once he got things under control that is : )

so, I have a appt with a primary care doc next week ... I dont know how knowledgable he is either ...lets just say I have not had any success with doctors in this town ..and thanks to my insurance I am stuck here with just these docs or I pay big time !
it really stinks ...so I have learned to trust God and use the wisdom He gives me at times ...
I am so thankful for the wisdom others here on this site have as well, because many of my answers and understanding come from here ...if only the docs knew and would listen to you all as well !
You've been a great help ! Im going to try the elevating torso thing tonight ...sure would like it to help !

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Crohns colitis, High blood pressure , Cervical DDD and restless leg syndrome, Anemia : now on iron mega dose ...

Tangerine Bear,

Do you still have diarrhea? Is there any possibility you could have c difficile? I got that 2 years ago as a result of too many antibiotics for a sinus infection, and somewhere I read that PPI's could increase your chances of contracting it.

I hope you're feeling better.

Hi misterie,

Just a thought on your doctor situation... Some folks have said they have better luck with an ENT than a gastro for diagnosing and treating LRP. I don't know if you could get a referral from your primary care doc, but it might be worth asking.

Good luck,
WDC

Hi Lonibel,

Yes, I'm still having some problems with it, but not all day long. My doc thinks its from the reglan. I haven't been on any antibiotics, but I was was wondering what c difficle is??? I managed to work 4 hours today, although I almost bailed earlier, so it's an improvement. The biggest problem I'm having right now is severe pain at night, which only the belladonna seems to help. This is the worst episode I've had in years, but I'm hoping it's not the gallbladder, as I can't really afford to have surgery right now. Thank you for your concern.

Bear

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"It's a jungle out there....." 

Tangerine Bear,

Clostridium difficile is a normally occurring bacteria in your intestines that shows an overgrowth when your other bacteria are destroyed by an antibiotic. You need a stool sample, and sometimes several, to get a diagnosis. You have diarrhea that is light colored and frequent - you feel lucky to get out of the house.

Hope you don't have it.

Yeah, me too. I haven't been able to stay at work very long lately, and having way too many trips to the ladies room! It doesn't sound like what I have though, because mine lets up after a while, about midday. So far today I haven't had any problems, so I hope that I'm adjusting to the meds. Thanks for the response! *hugs*

Bear :)

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"It's a jungle out there....." 

Misterie....sorry to hear that you have Crohn's also along with GI symptoms and everything else. My husband has Crohn's so I do know what you're going through. A good doc makes all the difference.

Let us know if elevating your torso works and also sleep on your left side...if there is any acid coming up, this position puts your stomach lower than your esophagus and hopefully gravity will keep it down.

Blessings,
Sillylilly

i have been feeling like there is something stuck in my throat for the passed few days. it doesn't hurt..it's mainly just uncomfortable. when i cough it hurts a bit and hurts a little in my chest. when i eat or swallow it hurts a bit. when i swallow food it feels like it is having trouble getting down. any ideas what this might be???

about 8 years ago I had the same feeling of food always being stuck in my throat as well as having chest pains after eating. I went through many different test and ended up having surgery called "Nissen Fundoplication" (stomach wrap). The feeling I was having was due to refux and the fact I was born with no valve at the top of my stomach. The surgeon created one during this procedure and after that I had a normal life. That is until about 2 weeks ago when once again I started having similar symptons. I have an appointment on May 9th to once again get re-evaluated and see what is happening. The surgery (if you should need it) was relatively painless. The only issue I had was getting the muscles in my abdomen to stretch out again after being cut and then reattached. If I have to have the same surgery again to repair the issue again, I won't give it a second thought. Do it! I had previously live 40+ years not realizing that it was NOT normal to have food come back into your mouth when you burped and I had no idea that when you laid down after drinking something that it wasn't supposed to trickle back into your mouth. Take heart all that suffer any similiar issues as modern medicine today can do wonderous things.

any one out there with LPR? i feel a phlegmy feeling in the back of my throat. almost feels like a sinus infection. any one else have such a sensation/

I am wondering how to live w/ the feeling of something always in the back of the throat.  I have done meds, barium,ct scan endo scope,blood work,   diagnosed w/ gerd,  meds gave me a permanent abdomin ache.  Dr.'s cannot find anything wrong.  every time I go to the Dr.s  doesn't matter which one, specialists of regular, end up feeling like they think i'm crazy. I just want to know how to feel ok.  this has been going on for a year now. i have gained 15lbs. even with diet and excercise. oh,i also have constant mucas and clear  throat all the time.  any one have suggestions?

I too have the exact sme symptoms and tests yesterday I quit taking nexium and tried otc tagament I had a good day and today too. You might want to try it.

Roy