Raspy vocal cords, constant throat clearing, sharp pain - doc says it's reflux.

[Dennis S]

I don't have any gas or burning or anything, but he says 99% of the time, those symptoms indicate reflux. He prescribed Ranitidine (Zantac) and told me to raise the head of my bed. I felt like it was a callous-like spot that was caused by clearing my throat because a nerve was irritating the back of my throat, but he's probably right.

[Robert M]

Dennis,

Actually, that sounds more like the effects of post nasal drip. How are your sinuses? If you're stuffed up, what's happening in your throat and the stuffiness could be the sign of nasty allergies or, just as bad, a sinus infection. I have a sinus infection as we speak and what you described in your throat is just one of the symptoms I'm fighting right now. For what it's worth, it could also be acid reflux. Heck, sometimes people have acid reflux and don't even know it. If it is acid refulx, try Prilosec OTC (or the generic version). It'll do wonders for you!

Robert

[lazydays]

I've fought acid reflux for years and your symptoms do not sound like acid reflux at all. If Zantac works for you that's great but I suspect it is something else. From your email i get the impression you didn't actually see the doctor? If not, scurry on in.

For those that do have acid reflux I'd like to recommend this wedge for sleeping at night, http://www.firststreetonline.com/Home+So...ords=wedge&results=2&index=1 . It helped me far more than any medication ever did.

[Robert M]

Dennis,

What you're describing could also be symptoms of strep throat. If you have a walk-in clinic aka a doc in the box around, I'd make a stop in and get checked for it (as well as a sinus infection).

Robert

[Dennis S]

I did see the doctor. I don't feel like I have any mucous or drainage. Nothing ever comes up when I clear my throat.

[Jerry®]

I agree with some of the others - if it was reflux you'd be having some sensation of burning or acid coming up back through your esophagus. Sharp pain too doesn't sound like reflux. I wonder what the other 1% have? (since your doc said 99% of the time it's reflux)

[SDGuy]

Whew....thankfully it's not The Reflex, although this, too, can cause sharp pain...

[Pam]

I'm with your doc! Reflux caused me to have your same symptoms. The sharp pain I had was further down due to a very small hiatal hernia. Otherwise there was no indication of acid backing up into my esophagus. If Zantac doesn't do it for you, try another med. Personally I prefer Axid.

[AlphaDog]

Yes, the voice of doom and gloom is going to be heard. My husband died of gastro-esophageal cancer, and it was an ugly way to go, even among various flavors of the ugly cancers. If your doctor so much as suspects reflux is causing this, make sure s/he orders an upper endoscopy. My husband's doctor spent years telling him to raise the head of his bed, watch his diet, don't eat too close to bedtime, and all of the other bits of advice that are good. However, they were inadequate. I know of several other people who had endoscopys early on, right after their doctors suspected acid reflux. The outcomes dictate how closely they're monitored. So far, none of the others have developed cancer. Too often, this type of cancer goes undiagnosed until it has become stage IV, with metastasis, and then it's too late. My husband lived less than six months after the initial diagnosis, and that period of time included aggressive treatment. This is one of the harder types of cancer to identify until it's too late, so the patient has to make sure the doctor is taking the proper steps.

[lazydays]

I've heard alphadog's warnings over the years and it has encouraged me to keep up with the meds and other treatments. I also had an upper gi as she mentions. It is good advice!