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Original poster

Does this sound like GERD?

56 replies

Bepis · 04/03/2023 23:08

For many months now I have been getting the following symptoms:

  • upper back pain
  • heartburn
  • feeling like a lump is in my throat
  • choking feeling
  • tight esophagus
  • red, sore throat sometimes
  • breathing feels weird sometimes - not hard to breathe, just feels a bit odd.

Please be kind with your replies as I do suffer from anxiety and anyone telling me I'm about to die will make me panic 😂.

Does it sound like GERD?

OP posts:
Justwingingit2005 · 04/03/2023 23:11

I has similar symptoms.
Dr has put me on omeprazole to try

Original poster
Bepis · 04/03/2023 23:12

Justwingingit2005 · 04/03/2023 23:11

I has similar symptoms.
Dr has put me on omeprazole to try

How long have you been on the tablets? I was on Lansoprazole a while ago but they made me so unwell so I had to stop taking them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bepis · 04/03/2023 23:12

Justwingingit2005 · 04/03/2023 23:11

I has similar symptoms.
Dr has put me on omeprazole to try

Also did you have the breathing thing? I don't know how to describe it properly.

OP posts:
Justwingingit2005 · 04/03/2023 23:13

About 4 weeks. 20 mg before brekkie. Improved symptoms but still have slight symptoms odd times.

ZittiEBuoni · 04/03/2023 23:13

I had the breathing thing with no other real symptoms. It was very frightening because not obviously GERD at all, but GP diagnosed as silent reflux and omeprazole got rid of it.

Offleyhoo · 04/03/2023 23:14

I'd say those are all GERD symptoms tho not sure about the upper back pain. I'd see the GP to be sure. If it is GERD they'll most likely put you on omeprazole / lansoprazole. The over the counter version is Nexium or own brand equivalent (cheaper). You could try this to see if it helps but really not a great idea to do this unless you know it's GERD so def see GP in the first instance. These type of symptoms are made worse by stress too so worrying about it won't be helping. Hope you're better soon 💐

Original poster
Bepis · 04/03/2023 23:14

ZittiEBuoni · 04/03/2023 23:13

I had the breathing thing with no other real symptoms. It was very frightening because not obviously GERD at all, but GP diagnosed as silent reflux and omeprazole got rid of it.

Thank you so much for this, it has reassured me a lot. I tend to think worse case scenario and then that makes me panic.

OP posts:
Offleyhoo · 04/03/2023 23:15

Sorry cross post as slow typing!

MissShapesMissStakes · 04/03/2023 23:16

I have all of these when my GERD flares up, apart from upper back pain.

The lump, breathing and sore throat especially. Also constant throat clearing.

The dr prescribed me omeprazole but I decided to instead try over the counter stuff first, along with diet changes.

When it was really bad I was having Gaviscon or Rennies after meals or when I got the lump in my throat.

I seem to have calmed it with cutting caffeine totally, eating small meals and not eating late.

The dr said the best way of diagnosing GERD is by treating for it and then seeing if that helps. It doesn't work overnight though. Took me at least a couple of months. Just hoping it doesn't come back now!

Good luck.

Justwingingit2005 · 04/03/2023 23:16

The breathing thing, is it sort of tight chest and squeeze but not short of breath.

ZittiEBuoni · 04/03/2023 23:17

For me, breathing just felt weird - as if I didn't have enough breath, but then when I did breathing exercises it was objectively fine.

Original poster
Bepis · 04/03/2023 23:18

Justwingingit2005 · 04/03/2023 23:16

The breathing thing, is it sort of tight chest and squeeze but not short of breath.

It's so hard to describe, there's no pain at all. It feels like there's maybe mucous around the entrance to my airway. I can still breathe ok though.

OP posts:
MissShapesMissStakes · 04/03/2023 23:20

I get the breathing thing. Sometimes feels like it's a wet chest infection type feeling. Certainly a 'wet' feel to my breathing.

I have asthma and it's similar to that but like it's mucus also

Original poster
Bepis · 04/03/2023 23:20

ZittiEBuoni · 04/03/2023 23:17

For me, breathing just felt weird - as if I didn't have enough breath, but then when I did breathing exercises it was objectively fine.

Yes that's it - it feels weird to breathe in and out.

OP posts:
Todaynotalways · 04/03/2023 23:21

Do any of you GERDies get a sudden coughing fit, just as you drop off to sleep?

I get many of OPs symptoms + the coughing fit. And the coughing seems to respond better to Gaviscon than cough treatments.

Original poster
Bepis · 04/03/2023 23:22

Todaynotalways · 04/03/2023 23:21

Do any of you GERDies get a sudden coughing fit, just as you drop off to sleep?

I get many of OPs symptoms + the coughing fit. And the coughing seems to respond better to Gaviscon than cough treatments.

Yes, I can have a coughing episode on occasion and my throat feels really tickly at the time too.

This thread has been so reassuring for me, thank you everyone for posting so far.

OP posts:
MissShapesMissStakes · 04/03/2023 23:23

Yes to sudden painful coughing fits. To the point where I'm almost sick. And then suddenly it's gone again.

It's more at night because of being horizontal. Tilting my head up helps sometimes. Also having gavscon or something before bed. It acts like a foam sitting on top of your stomach to keep the acid down.

Original poster
Bepis · 04/03/2023 23:25

This is going to sound so silly but because of my anxiety, I have been panicking about esophagul cancer and all sorts.

I've got a GP appointment on Monday for the symptoms.

OP posts:
Sarahcoggles · 04/03/2023 23:25

I'm a GP and I have never heard of GERD. Do you mean GORD?

Original poster
Bepis · 04/03/2023 23:26

Sarahcoggles · 04/03/2023 23:25

I'm a GP and I have never heard of GERD. Do you mean GORD?

Is that the same as Gastro Esophagul Reflux Disease?

OP posts:
MissShapesMissStakes · 04/03/2023 23:26

@Bepis - I was like that! Decided it must be throat cancer as my throat was so so sore and red and swollen.

It's fine now!

MissShapesMissStakes · 04/03/2023 23:27

For now anyway!

Sarahcoggles · 04/03/2023 23:28

Gastro oesophageal reflux disease.

MissShapesMissStakes · 04/03/2023 23:30

It's because it's all the American spelling online I imagine

Original poster
Bepis · 04/03/2023 23:30

Sarahcoggles · 04/03/2023 23:28

Gastro oesophageal reflux disease.

I must be saying it the American way 😂. Sorry.

OP posts:
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