Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Vomiting, Burning Sensation Throughout Esophagus And Throat?
Question: Hello Dr. Rynne,
I am at the point that I can't hold food down, I have burning through out the esophagus up to my throat and feel like some type of lump is in my throat. I can barely swallow I'm at the point where I can't swallow my heart medications or other meds. This started about 6-7 weeks ago, slowly and then progressing to this point. Could you please advise me as to what to do. It's Saturday evening, so I don't know when I can get a Doctors appointment.
Thank you so much, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
I am at the point that I can't hold food down, I have burning through out the esophagus up to my throat and feel like some type of lump is in my throat. I can barely swallow I'm at the point where I can't swallow my heart medications or other meds. This started about 6-7 weeks ago, slowly and then progressing to this point. Could you please advise me as to what to do. It's Saturday evening, so I don't know when I can get a Doctors appointment.
Thank you so much, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Start Ranitidine (Zantac) 150 mg twice a day.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX
It is likely that you are dealing with acid reflux that has created damage to the lining of the esophagus and throat. I would strongly advise that you go to a pharmacy and get Zantac (generic is Ranitidine) 150 mg, and begin this tonight. You don't need a prescription for it. However, on the bottle it will say to take once a day but you should take the prescription dosage which is to take it twice a day. If you are having a hard time swallowing it, crush it and mix it in with apple sauce. Take two tonight.
You will need to continue to take this for approximately 6 or more weeks to heal the tissues, and after this, you can see if you can reduce it to one pill a day, or if you need to continue to take two.
Zantac is in the family of acid blockers called "H2 blockers". It is safe to take it if you have heart disease. There is another family of acid blockers called "Proton Pump Inhibitors" (PPIs). These can also be bought without a prescription, but I would not advise getting these. While they may be stronger, they can cause complications if you have heart problems, and also when you try to discontinue them they can cause severe rebound problems.
If this gets worse instead of better, or if you throw up blood or something that looks like coffee grounds, then go to the ER. But the Zantac should help and you likely will not get to that point. Also, if you are not able to get any liquids or soft foods down, then you need to go to the ER.
Other things to do that may help decrease reflux (in addition to the medicine):
Raise the head of your bed on blocks. This is preferable to using extra pillows to raise your upper body up as extra pillows can create more pressure on your mid-body.
Don't eat for 2-3 hours before going to bed.
Avoid coffee, cola, and other things with caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, peppermint, tomatoes, and citrus until you are healed.
I hope you start to feel better soon. But do take action now - don't wait.
Start Ranitidine (Zantac) 150 mg twice a day.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX
It is likely that you are dealing with acid reflux that has created damage to the lining of the esophagus and throat. I would strongly advise that you go to a pharmacy and get Zantac (generic is Ranitidine) 150 mg, and begin this tonight. You don't need a prescription for it. However, on the bottle it will say to take once a day but you should take the prescription dosage which is to take it twice a day. If you are having a hard time swallowing it, crush it and mix it in with apple sauce. Take two tonight.
You will need to continue to take this for approximately 6 or more weeks to heal the tissues, and after this, you can see if you can reduce it to one pill a day, or if you need to continue to take two.
Zantac is in the family of acid blockers called "H2 blockers". It is safe to take it if you have heart disease. There is another family of acid blockers called "Proton Pump Inhibitors" (PPIs). These can also be bought without a prescription, but I would not advise getting these. While they may be stronger, they can cause complications if you have heart problems, and also when you try to discontinue them they can cause severe rebound problems.
If this gets worse instead of better, or if you throw up blood or something that looks like coffee grounds, then go to the ER. But the Zantac should help and you likely will not get to that point. Also, if you are not able to get any liquids or soft foods down, then you need to go to the ER.
Other things to do that may help decrease reflux (in addition to the medicine):
Raise the head of your bed on blocks. This is preferable to using extra pillows to raise your upper body up as extra pillows can create more pressure on your mid-body.
Don't eat for 2-3 hours before going to bed.
Avoid coffee, cola, and other things with caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, peppermint, tomatoes, and citrus until you are healed.
I hope you start to feel better soon. But do take action now - don't wait.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello again,
Thank you for your response
I am already on a 'H2 Blocker' called 'Pantoprazole.' It has worked excellently for about four years. I don't think the food is going past my Diaphragm and into my stomach. I hurt from the top of the stomach and up to and including my throat. I even have a hard time drinking fluids.
I have been told it is probably a 'Hiatal Hernia.' I find it easier to try and swallow with my head tipped to the side.
I do have heart issues with three heart attacks, two this past Summer. Therefore, I am on a lot of heart meds in which I have great difficulty swallowing.
Please respond one more time concerning this issue.
Respectfully Yours,
XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Thank you for your response
I am already on a 'H2 Blocker' called 'Pantoprazole.' It has worked excellently for about four years. I don't think the food is going past my Diaphragm and into my stomach. I hurt from the top of the stomach and up to and including my throat. I even have a hard time drinking fluids.
I have been told it is probably a 'Hiatal Hernia.' I find it easier to try and swallow with my head tipped to the side.
I do have heart issues with three heart attacks, two this past Summer. Therefore, I am on a lot of heart meds in which I have great difficulty swallowing.
Please respond one more time concerning this issue.
Respectfully Yours,
XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
If you are unable to get anything down, please go to the ER.
Detailed Answer:
This sounds pretty rough. If it has gotten worse this weekend or in the past few days, then I would go to the ER and not wait for an office visit. If you need clearance to do this because of your insurance, you can call your physician's number and tell him/her or the doctor on call for his or her group what is going on.
I think that if you are already on Pantoprazole and your symptoms have gotten to this point then you should go in to be seen.
Good luck to you.
If you are unable to get anything down, please go to the ER.
Detailed Answer:
This sounds pretty rough. If it has gotten worse this weekend or in the past few days, then I would go to the ER and not wait for an office visit. If you need clearance to do this because of your insurance, you can call your physician's number and tell him/her or the doctor on call for his or her group what is going on.
I think that if you are already on Pantoprazole and your symptoms have gotten to this point then you should go in to be seen.
Good luck to you.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
