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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Remedy For The Acid Reflux And Does The High Dosage Of Omeprazole Have Any Side Effects On The Health?

It started 3 months ago and has been fairly consistent ever since with only a few weeks break. It doesn’t hurt; just I have the incredibly uncomfortable feeling of having a lump in my throat like I’m being choked. The best I can put it is that it isn’t that I can’t breathe (I have no problem breathing) but instead is the feeling that I’m not going to be able to breathe, like I’m wearing a shirt that has the neck too tight. I think it’s in my lower throat but sometimes it’s hard to tell because it’s just uncomfortable all over. It happens in evening around 6pm normally, but sometimes earlier. It’s only mildly irritating in the early part of the day most of the time and it progresses to where I can’t study or do anything in the evening because it’s so uncomfortable and I just wait till I can sleep so that I’ll have some relief because it doesn’t affect or bother my sleep at all. I’ll have a week or a few days with relief, no tightness in my throat and then it will come back for multiple weeks. It seems worse if I don’t get a full night’s sleep and worse if I’m not distracted with TV or something, basically it is difficult at times for me to sit in class and be with friends and such. I went and got a barium swallow that came back clean, then I got a scan to check for cancer and that was clean. I’ve also had the camera through the nose into the throat thing and 1st time my doctor said my vocal box was irritated and I probably had GERD/acid reflux. I was on 40mg of Omeprazole for a month and it didn’t do anything to help, then I was on 40mg twice a day for a month (so 80mg total) and it didn’t change anything. I’ve never had heartburn problems before or anything and it seems really bizarre that 1) such a high dose of meds wouldn’t do anything and 2) that I never had reflux or heartburn and now I suddenly got it constantly? Also, I have changed my diet and cut out all the acid foods… it did nothing. I eat fairly healthy anyways and am not overweight or anything. I quit smoking which helped a lot because my throat was worse and more constant then but unfortunately, it wasn’t the solution because I still have it. Also it isn’t alcohol related either, except if I have a few drinks the feeling seems to go away. I got it really bad the other day when I ate too much and the same the other day when I was starving and then eating seemed to help. But eating food seems to make it feel better actually, at least immediately after. Also lying down, tilting my head to stretch my neck, and kind of massaging my neck with my hands helps relieve the symptoms but they all return as soon as I stop these things. The second time I got the camera down the throat the doc said everything looked fine but my lymph nodes were a little swollen but that this is pretty normal for people who have had their tonsils removed. It’s just hard to believe it is GERD unless it is just constant reflux that isn’t food related and unresponsive to meds. The only reason I’ve been trying all the acid reflux cures is that I do get wet burps occasionally but it’s just I’m going to get this lump in my throat around 6 pm no matter what I eat. I’m thinking of getting my thyroid tested even though I was normal for it a few years ago, but that seems like it wouldn’t be time of day related either. I just don’t know what to do but it’s making me miserable. I’ve never had any serious health problems and I’m a 21 year old female. I wish I could go to a doctor when it is really acting up but of course doctors are closed in the evening. I just read about cricopharyngeal spasm and that sounded actually a lot like what I have actually. I need guidance on the next step!
Sat, 18 Jan 2014
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello
Question 1 . Omeprazole 40 mg twice is not a high dose , even for long time use . However there are few side effects but these side effects are usually minor ,so need not to worry .
2 As you mentioned that suddenly you develop sudden chocking sensation in throat and all tests as for acid reflux came back normal .
Since you are a 21 years old female and so active so may be due to .
1 Hyper acidity , as you mentioned that after meal or food you feel better , this is a proof in case of hyper acidity patient . As on empty stomach there secrets Hydrochloric acid and this causes pain in few cases ( as may be in your case ) and once some food enter into stomach this acid acts as a digestive acid and hyper acidity subsides .Try raising the head of your bed about 4 inches with blocks . It also might help to avoid eating or drinking for 2 hours before you lie down.
As you mentioned that you are taking omeprazole but in such severe cases I usually prescribe REBAMIPIDE 2 -2 -2 orally for 3-6 months for complete relief.As this is a prescription drug so consult your treating physician and get his opinion.
2 The 2nd possibility may be TENSION ( stress ) in your case. In my clinic I have seen such cases where patient feels chocking sensation and uneasiness in chest with breath due to tension . So if such thing is in your case ( if you think ) either relax or consult a psychiatrist and get his help.
Good luck.
Dr. HET
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What Is The Remedy For The Acid Reflux And Does The High Dosage Of Omeprazole Have Any Side Effects On The Health?

Hello Question 1 . Omeprazole 40 mg twice is not a high dose , even for long time use . However there are few side effects but these side effects are usually minor ,so need not to worry . 2 As you mentioned that suddenly you develop sudden chocking sensation in throat and all tests as for acid reflux came back normal . Since you are a 21 years old female and so active so may be due to . 1 Hyper acidity , as you mentioned that after meal or food you feel better , this is a proof in case of hyper acidity patient . As on empty stomach there secrets Hydrochloric acid and this causes pain in few cases ( as may be in your case ) and once some food enter into stomach this acid acts as a digestive acid and hyper acidity subsides .Try raising the head of your bed about 4 inches with blocks . It also might help to avoid eating or drinking for 2 hours before you lie down. As you mentioned that you are taking omeprazole but in such severe cases I usually prescribe REBAMIPIDE 2 -2 -2 orally for 3-6 months for complete relief.As this is a prescription drug so consult your treating physician and get his opinion. 2 The 2nd possibility may be TENSION ( stress ) in your case. In my clinic I have seen such cases where patient feels chocking sensation and uneasiness in chest with breath due to tension . So if such thing is in your case ( if you think ) either relax or consult a psychiatrist and get his help. Good luck. Dr. HET