Hi ladies, this thread is exactly what I have been going through too!
I have had a hoarse voice on and off now for over 6 months, constant throat clearing trying to get rid of the awful lump feeling and post nasal drip (which was diagnosed a year ago as non allergenic rhinitis). I too have had one side of my throat feeling weird, swollen, and also in the sides of my neck up to my ears.
I have had really bad anxiety over the last year due to my 92 year old Mum with Alzheimer's who lives on her own with carers - she is now in hospital following another fall and fracturing her collarbone.
I have been on Omeprazole all this time too, as I have all the usual reflux symptoms, constantly burping, heavy feeling in chest, have to watch what I eat, can't drink alcohol or eat fatty or spicy foods. When I suffer any calamities it goes straight to my gut which feels constantly clenched!
I'm 63 and have been on transdermal oestrogen and Utrogestan 100 mg oral daily for past 11 months. I often wonder if HRT (mainly the Utrogestan?) has made reflux symptoms worse??? I've been wondering whether to stop it for a while to see if any improvement?
I spoke to my Dr about my throat, she called me into surgery last Tuesday. She said she couldn't feel anything but immediately referred me through to ENT under the two week rule because I'd been hoarse so long. I got a phone call the next day from ENT giving me an appt for 2 days after that, which was yesterday. (how quick was that, Bolton hospital is great!!)
I also told my GP about my bad anxiety and she said after all these tests we could discuss anti anxiety meds to help me, she mentioned fluoxetine and citalopram, anyone had any good results from these???
So I had the camera up my nose (not painful at all) and he had a good feel around and shone a light down my throat. He told me I had a lazy voice box probably due to the reflux and prescribed 10mg Omeprazole twice a day and Gaviscon advance 3 x 5ml a day for 6 weeks which he gave me script for.
I told him I was diagnosed with benign thyroid nodules about 15 years ago which had never been checked since, so he said he would also send me for an ultrasound scan on my neck. So am waiting for that now.
There seems to be an awful lot of us going through the same kind of issues, anyone any other advice for me too please??
Thanks xx