Sunday, November 30, 2008 Swapsy asks

Q: Chronic Sore Throat - due to GERD - no relief with full dosage medication

Hi,

I have had a continuous sore throat since about 5 years now. Within the last 5 years there hasn't been a single moment without the sore throat pain and fatigue.

I started with visiting several ENTs and general physicians who took throat swabs and ruled out any infections. After no response to the strong atibiotics, all of them ruled this as acid reflux. I also visited a GI who put me on Zantacs and 2 PPIs for several months but it didn't work. Endoscopy revealed some inflammation in esophagus. the 24-hour ph test and manometry test revealed negative results - no alarming ph levels and good pressure from the LES.

The last GI put me on domperidone, Zantac and PPI. It's been 2 months, it has helped me with the heartburn but zero releif with the sore throat.

I have 24 hour fatigue due to the sore throat, continous sleepiness and lack of concentration affecting personal and work life.

I sleep on a raised wedge pillow since 2 years, but that hasn't alleviated the problem.

Any help with this will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

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Answers (9)

Jan Gambino, Health Guide

1/12/11 5:58am

Hello! Do you know if you are a "mouth breather" meaning you breathe through your mouth at night? Mouth breathing (vs. nose breathing) can dry out the throat and cause a sore throat.

Just wondering. Jan

Bright Kiwi

12/19/08 4:30am

Hi Swapsy

I am going through the same thing but it has been one year. I am on anti-reflux medication as well but my throat is still very painful and my quality of life is bad as a result. My whole family is suffering.

I have been told to have an operation to stop the reflux but as causation has not been established, I am not prepared to do so. My specialist thinks I have an extra sensitive throat. In your case, it sounds like it is not reflux related as your PH test was negative and you are on medication. Maybe it is an allergy or an environmental issue. Sorry can't be of any help but if I find out what mine is, I will let you know.

keanu

1/23/09 6:50am

Hi Swapsy

Ther is exactly same sort of suffering that i am going through, the quality of life and every thing i would love to do is effected .However soar throat is not there allthe time

it comes after few hours after meal and than comes the fatigue . Although i do not feel

sleepiness however the sickness causes very poor level of concentration.

i am currently taking Neksium 40 mg which comprises esomeprazole and waiting for results.

Also check if you have hiatal hernia and/or HPylori.

Joe

7/ 6/09 6:53pm

Hi Swapsy,

I had this continuous sore throat for 3 months now. My GI expert told me it's caused by acid reflux. He did an Endoscopy and he found a very redness area. I am on Nexium for about four weeks and there is a little sign of improvement. I found it's very important to change the diet and take Nexium 30 to 60 minutes before dinner. Starting yesterday, I bought some chinese herb to try. I put it in the water. It works after I drink the water but the pain comes back again after a while. Anyway, I am going to see an ENT by the end of this month. One ENT looked at my throat two months ago and told me there is no cancer.

Keep me posted with your treatment.

Joe

Swapsy

7/ 6/09 7:23pm

Hi Joe,

Late last year I was also put on 2 PPIs + domperidone, it only helped slightly with the heartburn but zero effect on sore throat.

I went on a 15 hour flight, economy class - so you almost have to sit upright. I could still feel the throat pain without lying down.

Not sure what the problem is. Currently I am on no medication and living with the pain in throat and heartburn. My throat hasn't felt painless since several years now. It's a part of my life !!

The chinese medication - what is it for? throat or acidity? more details please

thanks

Clarice

1/26/12 6:44am

Went to the doctor yesterday for chronic sore throat. had a minor cold a couple of weeks ago so figured it was post nasal drip. Then the cold/allergy symptoms went away but sore throat has been here for 2 weeks. PA suggested acid reflux because no other problems...throat cultre good so not strep. Didn't think so because no fever. Going to try pepcid complete and getting some of that snore ease stuff to spray in my throat at night. I actually think I'm sleep with my mouth open and snoring at night.

Stopped using the air cleaner in my bedroom; don't know if that's causing something. Just can't figure what's wrong and I'm not going to have a bunch of tests and ENT until I try the home remedy route.

Sore throat came about with the allergy/cold so it's not like it slowly creeped up on me and I have throat cancer. Stopped smoking 3 months ago after 30 years smoking. No weight loss, but can't eat because it hurts to swallow. Hot tea and honey helps for a while as does gargling warm salt water.

joe

7/14/09 8:58pm

Hi Swapsy,

I bought a book called Gastrointestinal Health written by Steven Peikin. I followed the instruction of PPI, diet and raising 6 inch on bed as per the book. My throat pain have been greatly relieved. The book said that sleeping on the raised pallow will make things worse. I stopped Chinese medicine after a couple of days. It helps but some website said it's not good to take it for long term. The english name is Sterculia lychnophora.

I did extensive reasch recently on the chronic sore throat. It might be reflux esophagitis or post nasal drip or infections.

Joe

Swapsy

5/21/10 10:12pm

Thanks Joe. I always sleep on an inclined wedge pillow... I am so used to it I cant sleep without it. The throat is getting worse and affecting sleep quality.. I have also noticed dry mouth only when I sleep. Recently I was on a 15 hour non-stop flight and was upright all the time --- i still woke up with a bad throat in the flight... not sure what the heck this is.

How are things with you?

Hip

9/17/09 10:28am

If your chronic sore throat is accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, depression, muscle aches, pins and needles, then see here:

http://chronicsorethroat.wordpress.com/

Hip

9/17/09 10:30am

http://chronicsorethroat.wordpress.com/

Swapsy

9/17/09 10:38am

Is this really true and does it have a solution?

sgee

9/28/09 2:12am

Try "APPLE CIDER VINEGAR".... it also comes in pills at the pharmacy. Gargle with it, drink it, and or take the pills. Its been known as a "cure all" for thousands of years.

Swapsy

5/21/10 10:14pm

will try that soon. I heard apple cider vinegar itself is acidic... will try this soon

Swapsy

1/11/11 2:25pm

just an fyi. The apple cider vinegar didn't make any difference to my condition

MomB

1/11/11 9:31am

GERD can cause severe sinus irritation as well. Is it possible that sinus drainage is still happening and irritating your throat? Try a OTC cold or allergy medication for a few days and see if it calms your throat.

Swapsy

1/11/11 2:24pm

Thanks for your note. I did take an OTC cold medication when I got severe colds - didn't help with the throat. I was also prescribed allergy medication - didn't help the throat.

I was never diagnosed to have sinus drainage, but it's worth a try. I have noticed sore throat even when I sleep hours on a chair (like on a flight) - sleep worsens the throat irrespective of the position.

Let me try a sinus medication and see if it makes any difference. Appreciate your note.

Vicki

6/ 3/11 10:35pm

Hi- I have it too and this is what I do know. Eat an apple a day- maybe two- it helps reduce stomach acid and it is a natural remedy. Eat Kefir- a cousin to Yogurt. To rid yourself of the Gerd-- go to bland food (NO chocolates, fried foods, greasy foods, milk, citrus, caffein) this all aggrivates Gerd & the sore throat. You will need weeks to heal...You have to get Manuka Honey- this would be the first one to use for the sore throat as the other stuff above reduces the stomach acid- Gerd.

Put a tablespoon of Manuka Honey in your mouth and let it melt- don't eat or drink for 15 minutes. Manuka Honey is great for the sore throat but you still have to settle the Gerd down- You can do it...

murugan

1/31/12 7:35am

Hi,

I have been suffering from chronic sore throat for 6 years now. It started a few months before i was diagnosed with ulcer (gastric). I took many medications but it didnt help. Finally medical grade manuka honey reliefed me of the problem. But till this day i cant talk for long hours. I need to take care of my voice. I also get gastric problems often. If there is anyone with similar problem contact me at mountainmurugan@gmail.com

Q: Chronic Sore Throat - due to GERD - no relief with full dosage medication

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