I have been battling a sore throat. It's not a typical sore throat. It has been very difficult and painful to swallow. It is actually in the esophagus, the tube that carries the food from the throat to the stomach. Esophagitis is caused by an infection or irritation in the esophagus. An infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or diseases that weaken the immune system. Infections that cause esophagitis include: Candida(yeast infection); Herpes(simplex/zoster - viral infection); or gastric reflux disease (GERD).
Symptoms include: difficult/painful swallowing; a feeling of something being stuck in your throat.
I went back to the ENT doctor this morning. She sprayed some medication in my nose to numb my gag reflex. She inserted a long, flexible tube with a camera into my nose and down my throat. She found visible irritation & throat ulcerations at the top of my esophagus. She did not immediately refer me to a gastroenterologist, because they would prescribe the same treatment that she was going to. And if there is no improvement in 2 days, she would schedule me to see a gastroenterologist on Thursday.
Treatment includes: Diflucan 100mg tablet once a day for the possible yeast infection; Dexilant 60 mg once a day for possible reflux; Carafate 10ml 4 times a day for treatment of intestinal ulcers; Viscous Lidocaine - 1 tsp an hour before eating to numb the throat so that I can eat. Continue with the Levaquin for the ongoing sinus infection and new urinary tract infection.
Oh brother, do I feel like I've been hit by a truck. Sleeping about three hours per night lately. Everytime I swallow it wakes me up. Hope this round of medicine works and no further testing is required.
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