Could it be ...STRESS ... related ...?

Diseases & Conditions GERD & Acid Reflux
1

Its now been 5 month's now since I had my " floppy" fundo done, after years of taking a High dose of drugs, and suffering a constant sore throat ( no heart burn ever ) .Stright after the surgery I started to have the same symptoms of a sore throat , that I had before the surgery and told my Doctor, who said this may be due to the surgery itself and the sore throat should subside after a longer period of time , Well now after 5 month's ive still have the constant sore throat and went back to see the Doctor , who arranged a berium meal xray test, in his word to check if I was still refluxing !!, The test results said this ..

1. Normal swallowing .

2. Tertiary contraction of distal esophagus ( I am not sure what this means.(.? )

3. No gastroesophageal Reflux is demonstrated.

4. No intraluminal filling defect or extrinsic pressure effect . ( ..? )

5. Stomach is normal in rugal fold and pliability.

6. No ulcer or intraluminal mass.

7. Normal mucosa and distension of duodenal bulb.

8. No widening of duodenal loop

9. Normal location of duodenojejunal junction (..? )

IMPRESSION ... No gastroesophageal Reflux is demonstrated, Tertiary contraction of distal esophagus ( which I think means a fundo ..? )

Well after the Doctor read this report , and looked at the xray's ,and he showed me the berium meal going through the esophagus and the reduced area of the fundo,

His comment was this x ray shows you don't have any refluxing going on, and it also shows the fundo as being as about the best pressure it could be , with out causing any problems with food going into the stomach area. My next question to him , was ... so if the xray's shows no refluxing, and you think the fundo has been carried out correctly .. Why do I still have my sore Throat symptoms...?

His answer was well may be there's some acid leakage , which is not showing up on the x ray's , he then examined my red and sore throat throat, his comment was it looks as if you have a throat infection due to the reflux acid and reflux laryngitis . he then perscribed the following ...

Prevacid 30mg ( 2 a day )

Ranitidine 150mg ( 2 a day )

Amoksiklav 1000mg ( Amoxicillin ) ( 2 a day )

after one month on the above drugs , there's no change, I still have my sore throat . So ive now been back to see the Doctor , who has now arranged two throat swab tests, over the next month.

He also said that may be a Ph test would be the way to go, the only problem is that here where I live (in Thailand and i had to travel to Europe for the Fundo ) getting this Ph test here is very difficult to do , The Doctor said that he will have to try and hunt down a hospital who can not only do the Ph test but also has some one who can correctly interpret the results. In his words the Thais don't seem to have this acid problem He thought due to the diet and the drinking of large amounts of water every day .

One thing ive only just noticed is that my sore throat seem's get worse when i am under stress, over the past few years due to financial problems ive been what you could call ..stressed out !!,

Does any forum members think that my being ..Stressed out ... could play a part in my symptoms..?

and if so , what can i do about it...? any comments or advice would be most welcome .

Thanks.....

 

 

 

 

 
2
   Im so sorry to hear about your problems.  I know how you feel it is so frustrating to go to the doctor over and over and get no results.  I dont have a problem with a sore throat I just have constant phlegm in the back of my throat and a feeling of not being able to swallow properly and also sharp pains behind the breast bone after I eat.  I to have had the barrium swallow done, and the test was negative.  I also had a upper gi done where they put a camera down into your espophagus and check it out, it showed a little bit of inflamation and a small amount of bile in my stomach, other than that normal.  So I keep asking myself why do I have all these problems.  I need to have the 24 hour ph test done, just need to find the time.  I sometimes think I am obsessed about it and that is why it wont go away.  Maybe its in my head.  I dont know anymore. I sure do wish you the best of luck, and let us know if they ever find out what is wrong. 
3
Hi there!

I also have GERD, with heartburn as my major symptom.  I know that during times of stress for me, my acid does flare up considerably.  I also get stomach upset, which I'm not sure is due to stress, or my GERD, or maybe both.
 
I know there can be so many different symptoms with GERD, and I know a sore throat is one.  I would have to say stress DOES play a major part in your discomfort level.  Have you tried OTC acid reducers?  I know none have worked for me thus far, but there's a new product from Rolaids that is supposed to work well w/o the chalky taste (that tends to make me nauseous).
 
I would also advise talking to your doctor, as I'd think your sore throat would have diminished after your surgery.  He could probably tell if the procedure wasn't performed correctly.  I know how frustrating this must be for you, but know that you are not alone!

Hope you're feeling better quickly! :)
Toni
4
I'm starting to think my sore throat and vocal cord issues is due to stress as well. I've had a ton of post nasal drip and didn't have heartburn symotoms until I started taking prilosic. Thinking I don't even need it.
5
Stress is known to increase stomach acid production, so tackling stress and anxiety usually has a very positive effect on symptoms of heartburn and indigestion. I never like to blame psychological factors entirely for gerd or lpr symptoms though, because although reducing stress improves things, it may not get rid of it completely, you may find diet adjustments or other therapies to help relieve the symptoms further.