Throat problem and have tried everthing!

[Smiley2000]

Hi, I desperately need help.

I have had a sore throat now for more than 3 years.

I have Barrets Esophagus - diagnosed in 2009 and had Nissen Fundoplication surgery, 4 weeks ago, for this condition. Barium swallow xrays that was done post-op confirmed good result. I had typical acid reflux - that was confirmed with Endoscopies and PH studies.  And all the ENT symptoms (chronic inflamed and sore throat).
I saw an ENT Specialist and he did Larynxscope in 2010 and said that it was all from GERD. The lumps just got worse with time.

Unfortunately the surgery did not help for all my ENT symptoms. I have a lot of lumps in my throat that I can " feel"  by pressing my finger down my throat to where my tonsil is (tonsils has been removed 7 yrs ago but have 1 that grew back). The reason why I put my finger there is to relieve some of the discomfort that I feel when swallowing and talking.

I feel fine when I wake up in the morning, but it gradually builds up during the day and by bedtime I have trouble speaking without my voice braking or clearing my throat.  I don't smoke, I eat very little due to my throat-issue and it feels as if my glands are also affected.

I have tried throat sprays, but it only helps by numbing it for a few minutes.  I have tried avoiding certain foods, but it makes no difference.

What else should I do and what could this be?

[louige61]

What was the outcome of your throat problems?

[Smiley2000]

I have done some research on the anatomy of the throat and I think I am on to something:  the "lump" that I feel in my throat is the Epiglottis and I am sure it gets swollen during the day that is why my glands become promenant and throat painful and I get voice issues.  

Maybe it is something in my diet that is causing this!  then I would not need nodule-surgery or something!  just need to find out why it swells up.

[Londres70]

BTW:  thanks for the kudos   :)  I try to do my best to help.  

[Londres70]

Yes, definitely keep me posted.  Curious to what they find.  

Well, you and your family have a safe trip and of course have loads of fun too.  

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I have a referral to an ENT Surgeon and will try and schedule it close to my GI scope the 17th.  GP also think that I have nodules on my larynx or down my throat.

Yip, we have to travel 600km to Adelaide as this is the closest City.  We live in the Outback :) very nice for day-to-day living, but a mission to get to Specialists, etc.  But we'll make a long-fun-weekend of it with the kids.

Will come back and update everyone on the findings and progress.

Have a great day and keep up the good work you do here :)

[Londres70]

Yes, definitely discuss this with your GP.  Ideally, another scope from an ENT is the way to go.  Get this sorted ASAP.  

You're dropping weight isn't good either, as you already know.  

You have to drive 600 km for your follow-up with your GI Specialist?  WOW, that's a distance.  

[Smiley2000]

The "lumps" in my throat are getting progressively worse.  I have an appointment with my GP for Tuesday morning, then I'll see what he thinks, but I am almost sure that I need a scope from an ENT.

I am now 4 weeks post-op and have lost about 7kg's in total, but started eating a bit more this week and looking forward to gaining back a bit as I am borderline underweight at the moment and feeling a bit rundown.  My throat is just a huge problem at the moment and very uncomfortable.

I have a follow-up visit with the Surgeon scheduled for 17 April.  He will do Endoscopy and biopsy and that will be my post-op visit to.  Hopefully he will tell me the wrap is still intact and by then I should have some answers for him on my ENT symptoms.

[Smiley2000]

I think I have figgured it out...

It is possible that I have nodules (non-cancerous) that have grown in my throat/larynx due to the longterm GERD I had.  I am going to see an ENT for a Scope and get to the bottom of it.  And if it needs surgical removal then I'll handle that when I get to it.

Hopefully someone can learn from my experience by reading this one day.

All the best,

[Smiley2000]

Thanks, I know that cyber-diagnoses sometimes are not the best option...

I also think that it is time to see an ENT.  The ENT report in 2010 said:
Sinuses normal.  Nasopharynx hyperemic.  Tinsil remnants and prominent lingual tonsils in keeping with reflux.  Hyperemia of posterior commissure of larynx.  Impression:  extra-esophageal reflux.

Bloodtests were done:  low Transferrin and high Transferrin saturation.  all in keeping of chronic inflammatory process.

Since the surgery I have battled more with my voice and throat and
now, 4 weeks later it is definitely worse and I don't understand why.
I have an updated Endoscopy and post-op visit with my Surgeon
scheduled for 17 April.  He does not currently know that I am still
battling.  Hopefully I can see ENT while I am down there as we have to
drive up to Adelaide again - 600km - but we'll make it a long weekend
and spend some time on the beach with the kids.  Going to stay in
Glenelg!  100m from Beach and we can jump on Tram and go to the City
or do whatever :)  I love Aus.

I'll feel better after I've had my Endoscopy, knowing that the Nissen
surgery was successful and is going to prevent the Barrets from
getting worse (it has grown from 5cm to 10cm) and I can feel an
improvement with my tummy and chest area, but not ENT symptoms and
that was my biggest problems.

So the Jury is still out on that one... but I try my best to stay
positive and just keep on smiling :)

[Londres70]

Yes, I think you should reconsult an ENT Specialist in your area.  The physician can visually check vs. me or someone else in this forum just purely guessing what is wrong and/or how to correct this especially given your GI history.  

[Smiley2000]

No, I went to a GI doc from there, then we moved/immigrated to Australia and since then I've seen 2 Surgeons and had my Nissen Fundo done 4 weeks ago.

I really hoped that the ENT symptoms would get better post-op Nissen, but it is actually getting worse and I am battling majorly with my speaking-voice and throat-lumps.

Do you think I should go to an ENT here?

[Londres70]

Have you reconsulted the ENT Specialist since 2010?