Menopause Discussion > Other Health Discussion

Menopause symptom or something more sinister?

(1/4) > >>

Rabbit1977:
So, here we go again it seems...more high anxiety because I'm worried my symptoms are of cancer. My mind always goes for the most serious.

I've noticed over the past few months an increase in burning in my oesophagus, sometimes an hour or so after eating, sometimes at bedtime, which I put down to being heartburn. Sometimes, I will eat or drink something (happens a lot with cups of tea) where I feel like the liquid is coming back up. Today, I have what I feel is lots of trapped wind and a feeling, when I swallow, that I have a lump in my throat. I guess I'm really worried about this as I feel it is an escalation of symptoms that might be something more sinister. I have spent most of the day googling because, despite the odd burp when I beat on my lower abdomen, the feeling of a lump in my throat has not gone. I've been out and bought Gaviscon, and Rennie Deflatine to see what happens. I don't even feel thirsty or hungry at the moment with it all.

Could this be menopause-related? I'm 48.

bombsh3ll:
Possibly, however acid reflux is not a symptom I would necessarily ascribe to hypoestrogenism.

It can be hormonally aggravated but usually by progesterone/progestins eg pregnancy, birth control or other exogenous progestogens.

Are you on any treatment for your menopause?

Whilst there is little reason from what you have said to suggest cancer, I would discuss this with your GP given the chronicity. It is highly likely to respond to a course of acid suppressing medication such as omeprazole.

If it doesn't, then your GP can and should arrange investigation. However with no red flag symptoms and not even having tried any treatment, there is absolutely no reason to worry about it at this point.

VioletAquarius:
It could be acid reflux, ask your gp to refer you for a camera down your throat.

I had the camera done when I had a sore throat type feeling that went on for ages, it caused me so much anxiety as I couldn't see a GP due to the lockdowns, and I thought the worse.

But when I was finally seen at the hospital and diagnosed with silent reflux my symptoms have hugely improved to the point where it's only occasionally when I feel something. The anxiety made it much much worse.

The lump feeling in your throat, that can happen with silent reflux. Now, whether it's possible to have acid reflux and silent reflux at the same time I don't know.

MrsMitch:
Rabbit, I know this may sound an odd thing to help, but if you can't find any relief, while you wait to see your GP,  apple cider vinegar can help. There is lots online that says it does & lots that says it doesn't but I've seen how it helps my husband.
He has had pretty bad symptoms like yours on & off for years so out of desperation he tried it. 1 tablespoon in about 200ml water once or twice a day. You need to good stuff 'with the mother'. He gets reflux pretty bad after certain foods & this stops it completely.
Maybe worth a try.

Rabbit1977:
Thank you all for your kind responses. To try and answer everything:
- No, I'm not on HRT, my biggest issue (so far anyway) has been chronic nausea with my monthly migraines but as the intensity of the migraines are not as bad as in my 20-42s I don't want that issue fixing if it is a hormone imbalance now.
- I have had 3 gastroscopies so far in my life so I know how horrible they are (except they DO help you release a lot of gas given the amount of air they pump into you), I don't envy anyone who has to have those done.
- I will see what apple cider vinegar does - at this point this morning I am willing to shove any and everything down my throat to relieve it.

To be honest, my main worry is the feeling of the lump in my throat - I'm also asthmatic and so cannot stand any feeling that my throat is obstructed. This lump feeling only started yesterday. I normally get up and need a drink and food but I don't really even feel hungry this morning. I will try and get an appointment with the doctor but god knows when that might be!

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page