Can anyone advise with what I should be doing/asking for with these symptoms?

[WadeGrey]

Our GP run an online triage service where you have to describe your symptoms online and they then decide how important it is. I put in a request last week and am still waiting for a response, but I'm getting so fed up now

Around 3 weeks ago I developed a sensation in my throat that feels like something is stuck in it. I constantly feel like I need to cough and clear my throat, but there's nothing there and nothing stuck in it. My throat is really tender and sore to the touch if I put my hands on my neck. I'm also finding it painful and uncomfortable to eat or swallow anything including drinks, and when I do eat I get heartburn pretty much straight after and then feel really uncomfortable for hours after. It feels a bit like when you have trapped wind and feel bloated. Whenever I sneeze I get a really sharp shooting pain in my chest

I was hoping when I did the GP form that they would be quick with getting back to me but they haven't and I'm just getting more uncomfortable every day

This sounds like very severe acid reflux to me but I am no doctor and I'd suggest heartburn/chest pain type things ought to be checked out. Have you emailed and said you are in a lot of pain?

Our econsult system gives a definite time limit and they have to contact you within that time. Our’s is 48 hours. Check what your’s says and then contact the surgery to ask why you haven’t been contacted.

@Okayornot I'd not even thought of acid reflux, but looking at the symptoms it does sound very similar. Thank you! I had no idea it could be so uncomfortable

@Rocknrollstar ours used to say they would respond to all messages within 10 days, but they've recently changed system and removed the time frame and now they don't give one at all. I also can't find an email for them anywhere, they make it impossible to get hold of them. I will keep searching

Do follow up. Even something as mundane as reflux needs checking out and may need treating, and of course it may be something else.
TBH if you are struggling to eat / are in pain and the GP is impossible to reach then I'd call 111. They'll likely say you need to be seen and will tell the GP you need an appointment.

This really sounds like GERD which is similar to acid reflux, but you get weird sharp pains and feel like lego is lodged in your throat. In the meantime Google the GERD diet, ginger tea and green apples massively help mine.

It sounds like GERD or Barrett’s oesophagus. I would follow up as soon as possible. I would call 111 and let them refer you to a gp, it’s not worth taking the risk of waiting lest it be something more sinister.

I had exactly these symptoms last year for months. I was referred for an urgent camera into my stomach which didn’t happen as I couldn’t tolerate it. I then had one up my nose and the ENT guy was amazing. He knew right away it was reflux. I was prescribed Omeprozole and it’s much better now!

Google eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), or asthma of the oesophagus. And if you find you can't eat or drink because you literally can't swallow, get medical help asao

ASAP, sorry!
I weirdly know a couple of people who suffer with EoE and it took them literal years to get diagnosed as it's a relatively newly named condition and lots of specialists aren't even aware of it yet

Thanks everyone, the GP finally got back in touch at lunchtime and have asked me to go in at 4pm today so I'm hopeful they might be able to help me

Resurrecting my own thread here because I'm still so bloody miserable with the same symptoms. I feel like the GP just won't take me seriously at all. They prescribed me 3 months of Omeprazole which was honestly life changing, not to be dramatic. It helped so much. Then they told me they wouldn't prescribe it anymore as I could only have 3 months at a time, but that I could have it occasionally if I really felt I needed it. For the last 2 or 3 months I've had awful symptoms again and I just can't get rid of it. I can't get comfortable at all. I called the GP the other day to beg them for some tablets again and they said it's unlikely but they'll get a doctor to ring me back. Which they've booked for the end of March. What do I do in the meantime? Is there anything I can buy that will help? I'm desperate 😫and OTC stuff like rennies, Gaviscon etc aren't really touching it. I've changed my diet and lost weight which I thought would help, but recently it's worse than ever

Very similar to omeprazole is Nexium which you can buy from the supermarket or chemist. It's expensive but worth a try 👍

You might need a course of antibiotics for H.pylori and full treatment of GERDS.
Speak to the pharmacist, where I live they sell 1/2 strength Omperazole without prescription (and people simply double up).

Almond milk makes a huge difference to my reflux and works instantly. Worth a try.

I second trying esomeprazole (Nexium) it's even better than omeprazole for me. There are also other options you can ne prescribed like famotidine. I don't know why your GP will only prescribe it for 3 months. Many people are on them long term.

Also Gaviscon Advance is good as it puts a foamy barrier at the top of your stomach to prevent reflux.

You can also buy home tests for H pylori. I did this and got a strong positive, took it to the GP who gave me antibiotics and I felt so much better within a week. Inexpensive and you can get them on Amazon.

I think you need further investigations OP, if the treatment the doctor has given has been exhausted and you are still unwell. I'd be asking for a referral for a gastroscopy.

I did buy some nexium from boots today, cost me £23 for 28 tablets but I’m so desperate that it’s worth it if it works! Do I just need to keep pushing and annoying them to do something? I’m worried they’ll just keep fobbing me off. My husband has been taking omeprazole for 18 months, prescribed by the same bloody doctors! But his is due to the risk of some of his other medication, so I’m not sure if they’ve for different rules for that or something

You can also get Omeprazole over the counter (can’t remember the name but it’s a pink/purple packaging). Just in case Esomeprazole doesn’t help (it didn’t for me, but obviously everyone is different).

I’d keep pushing - GPs seem a bit funny about Omeprazole at times, I’ve been told by a gastroenterologist to keep taking it after an endoscopy (GERD due to hiatal hernia, currently waiting for biopsy results for EoE) and my GP didn’t want to put it onto a repeat prescription, despite the diagnosis.

I’d ask what else they suggest you do - not sure on when / how quickly they refer for a gastroscopy as mine was done privately after getting nowhere with my GP, but they should come up with some sort of plan.

In the meantime, also have a look at how to manage GERD, for me the right diet makes a huge difference (avoiding trigger foods, not eating too late etc) and helps managing symptoms.