Allergies or Gerd, why can't DR. tell??!! pls help.

[mariazzzz]

Hi Everyone, Here are my symptoms......Started about 4 years ago and has progessively gotten worse......Sinus (?) headaches, sneezing (not a lot but more than a normal amount) sensitivity to chemical smells (which have increased to the point of my husband thinking I am a hypo), smoke (cigarette, fires,etc) even when I was in Lowes garden center I had to leave because of the irritation. The sensitivity seems to be in my throat and chest. Smoky, burny feeling. Breathing seems to be fine though. I have had more than usual itchy throat which leads to a coughing spell. Most times nothing major but I did have such a coughing attack after a tickle-like sensation that was brought on for seemingly no reason ,that I could not breath in, it was super scary. Thank God it was short and cleared up with no after effects. I have PND with constant throat clearing. I do blow my nose more than the average person also. Not much runny nose or eye symptoms (dry eye maybe). Also my tongue/mouth "burns" a lot of the time. As for the GERD, I had a barium swallow a few years ago because of swallowing problems (lump in throat, and occasional "missed/ or brain forgot how to swallow" episodes) and the tech told me she saw minor gerd and to use lifestyle changes. I had no follow up and have since learned the barium swallow is not a reliable test for gerd. Great. So while I thought it might be gerd causing all these symptoms ( I harldly ever had more than minor heartburn by the way) I am really leaning toward perennial allergies. I do remember seeing a doctor many years ago who told me I had mild allergies. I don't remember why I saw him or if I had any tests! What do you think. Should I ask my GP for some allergy tests or go right to an allergist? These symptoms are lowgrade about half the time but really do interfere with quality of life. The chest/throat thing has me at my wits end. I really need relief. Some days are pretty good and some days I am constantly drinking tea to soothe myself. I am not into invasive tests and medication but I am at the point where I will try a relatively mild allergy med......Please help and advise if you can. Sincerely, Maria

[Titchou]

Well, you could try two things (both rather inexpensive). Take a benedryl at bedtime. It's the "PM" component of Tylenol PM. If that doesn't help, try Claritin. It's OTC also and is non-drowsy. If either work, then you know it's allergies. And you should see and allergist or immunologist, not your GP or a standard ENT. Hope this helps.

[benzos]

Mariazzzz see my post on acid reflux thread. I know how you feel!
Benzos

[mariazzzz]

Titchou,, I am quite a medication phobe, doesn't benadryl have a lot of side effects. I really do not want to take anything before bedtime, in case I have a reaction I would rather take it during the day....Benzos, I could not find your post can you post the link to the thread or tell me how to find it..Do you think this could be gerd? Thanks, Maria

[MountainReader]

It took me several years to figure my symptoms out. Turns out I had allergies, asthma, PND & GERD. I had to find the balance of treatment/lifestyle changes for all causes in order to get the symptoms under control. Everytime one of these is thrown out of control, it aggrevates the symptoms of the others. I got a sinus infection in january that then triggered a chronic cough, asthma and GERD. It took me about 3 months to get the infectiobn cleared and everything back in balance.

I had already had allergy testing and completion of immunotherapy so I knew what my triggers were. (I strongly recommend allergy testing by an allergist to find out what your allergies are to if you have them, find out what to avoid, and find out how to treat them.) I found a Primary Care Physician who was willing to listen to me and methodical in trying new treatments. I also went to a GI specialist this year to confirm the GERD my PCP was already treating me for--ended up upping my PPI to 2x/day. My Dr. also recommended seeing a Pulmanologist if the symptoms return again.

Currently I am taking allegra for Allergies, Singular for allergies and asthma, Advair 500/50 and Albuterol for asthma, Flonase and Astelin nasal sprays for allergies, Prevacid 2x/day for GERD. I know you aren't into medications, but after years of suffering and having my symptoms get worse and worse I have found them to be worth it at this time.