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Suggest Treatment For Ear Infection, Dry And Irritated Throat, Anxiety And Breathlessness
Question: Hello-
Several years ago, I had difficulty swallowing after a couple of weeks on antibiotics. I was put on Prevacid and within a few weeks, I was able to eat again. In March, I had another ear infection and I was put on Biaxin (two rounds of this)-and I now have the same symptoms all over again. The feeling of something stuck in my throat, after swallowing. I can sallow liquids. My throat is dry and irritated. I tried OTC Prevacid for a few days, but for some reason, I felt a little short of breath (probably just the GERD itself) so I switched and have been on Nexium OTC for four days. I have had GERD since I was a teenager. I am now 56. I am a peri-menopausal female, and I am on estrogen/progesterone (low dose) daily as well as Armour Thyroid. I am feel quite a bit of anxiety with this, as you can imagine. How long does it take to heal. And it is typical to have a bit of swallowing challenges with this-right? I did before. It seemed that it took over two months to heal. I do eat "right" and I exercise as well. I was prescribed a PPI last year, but I didn't take it. I probaby should have....oh well. I need to heal. I'm impatient! Thank you.
Several years ago, I had difficulty swallowing after a couple of weeks on antibiotics. I was put on Prevacid and within a few weeks, I was able to eat again. In March, I had another ear infection and I was put on Biaxin (two rounds of this)-and I now have the same symptoms all over again. The feeling of something stuck in my throat, after swallowing. I can sallow liquids. My throat is dry and irritated. I tried OTC Prevacid for a few days, but for some reason, I felt a little short of breath (probably just the GERD itself) so I switched and have been on Nexium OTC for four days. I have had GERD since I was a teenager. I am now 56. I am a peri-menopausal female, and I am on estrogen/progesterone (low dose) daily as well as Armour Thyroid. I am feel quite a bit of anxiety with this, as you can imagine. How long does it take to heal. And it is typical to have a bit of swallowing challenges with this-right? I did before. It seemed that it took over two months to heal. I do eat "right" and I exercise as well. I was prescribed a PPI last year, but I didn't take it. I probaby should have....oh well. I need to heal. I'm impatient! Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Possible candida thrush,following advice
Detailed Answer:
Hi my dear,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
1. Having difficulty with swallowing after a course of oral antibiotics with irritated and dry mouth are indicating possible oral thrush (fungal infection of mouth).
I advise to start taking :
- otc oral antifungal medications like nystatin or miconazole for at least 7 days.
- probioticsto stabilize intestinal flora
Antibiotics are altering gastrointestinal flora, thus candida will flourish.
2. Nexium and Prevacid are PPIs. They will help to optimize stomach pH already altered by antibiotics use.
Try to avoid spicy, chilly foods.
I encourage to continue using them as well.
Hope it was of help!
Dr.Klerida
Possible candida thrush,following advice
Detailed Answer:
Hi my dear,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
1. Having difficulty with swallowing after a course of oral antibiotics with irritated and dry mouth are indicating possible oral thrush (fungal infection of mouth).
I advise to start taking :
- otc oral antifungal medications like nystatin or miconazole for at least 7 days.
- probioticsto stabilize intestinal flora
Antibiotics are altering gastrointestinal flora, thus candida will flourish.
2. Nexium and Prevacid are PPIs. They will help to optimize stomach pH already altered by antibiotics use.
Try to avoid spicy, chilly foods.
I encourage to continue using them as well.
Hope it was of help!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Would this come on slowly? Gerd swalowing difficulty came on slowly-as this did and was relieved within a couple of months by the use of PPI's. Where would I get an OTC antifungal? Is this a mouthwash? A swish of some kind? I don't believe I have ever seen this. I would like to purchase this soon-is there a brand you are familiar with? I take probiotics, but not often enough. I will begin taking yakult again.How long does this usually take to resolve? Just an idea? Thanks!
I'd also like to say that there are no white patches on my tongue or in my mouth? Could these "patches" be in my throat? UGH.
I'd also like to say that there are no white patches on my tongue or in my mouth? Could these "patches" be in my throat? UGH.
Brief Answer:
Following answers to your queries...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
1. Yes, it's gradually set as per GERD as long as you have repeated antibiotic course without using probiotics or anti-fungals.
2. You can ask at your local drug store; in some countries there is a mouth gel containing miconazole (daktarin gel) that can be sold OTC. I hope you can find at your local pharmacy too. Or you can ask for fluconazole tablets.
They are not mouthwash, but as gel or syrup or tablet.
3. Yakult is a good choice for probiotics. Try to use it for at least 10 days consequently until symptoms are resolved. Then, can use from time in time.
Yogurt drinks containing lactobacilli are also good choice of probiotics taken in long time.
4. White patches are showing a kind of inflammation : if located on your mouth (oral) or located on the lower part of your throat.
The most common cause are :
- drinking too hot drinks
- cold/flu
- candida thrush
depending on your general health problems.
Hope it answered to your queries!
Dr.Klerida
Following answers to your queries...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
1. Yes, it's gradually set as per GERD as long as you have repeated antibiotic course without using probiotics or anti-fungals.
2. You can ask at your local drug store; in some countries there is a mouth gel containing miconazole (daktarin gel) that can be sold OTC. I hope you can find at your local pharmacy too. Or you can ask for fluconazole tablets.
They are not mouthwash, but as gel or syrup or tablet.
3. Yakult is a good choice for probiotics. Try to use it for at least 10 days consequently until symptoms are resolved. Then, can use from time in time.
Yogurt drinks containing lactobacilli are also good choice of probiotics taken in long time.
4. White patches are showing a kind of inflammation : if located on your mouth (oral) or located on the lower part of your throat.
The most common cause are :
- drinking too hot drinks
- cold/flu
- candida thrush
depending on your general health problems.
Hope it answered to your queries!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your response. I just want to clarify that I do NOT have any type of white spots or patches at all-not in my mouth or at the back of my throat. My throat is a bit sore-most likely from GERD that I have had lifelong. The swallowing is the concern. It is a bit challenging at the moment. Comes and goes. My antibiotic use was in April. THIS began two weeks ago. I am fairly sure it's the GERD problem as it was in the past. It took about 6 weeks last time to resolve with a PPI. I am hoping it won't take that long. I am taking two zantac daily as well. I don't believe we can get fluconazole tablets here without prescription anyway. So.....just t clarify. NO patches anywhere, and NO white spots. I'll continue yakult and PPI's and give this few more weeks to heal my swallowing issues-hopefully this will work gain. So-this isn't about white patches or spots-just the GERD. I will ask about the "gel" anyway. I just don't think this has anything to do with my situation. I'm thinking the thrush would be obvious. I have looked a many photos and it is something that can be seen, correct? Thanks again.
Brief Answer:
Oral candida to rule out by culture;following treatment strategy advice...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,
Let me explain you again.
GERD is your principal diagnosis and explain most of your symptoms. However my opinion is that you may have a mild mycotic overgrowth due to antibiotic use. Mycotic overgrowth exacerbates your symptoms and my suggestion is to exclude this as a precipitating factor.
The white patches are the golden clinic for fungal infection. However, that is not true for all the cases. There are reported cases of patients who have only difficulty in swallowing or burning sensation in mouth or throat. After culturing the oral swab, candida overgrowth was confirmed.
Meantime I would like to recommend the following measures to relieve your symptoms:
- continue taking PPIs for at least 6 weeks in order to see evident improvement; sometimes 8 or more weeks are necessary to pass to see improvement
- take Zantac at bedtime (not twice daily)
- take antacids after meal
- continue with Yakult for at least 10 days
- avoid foods that would aggravate your symptoms: oily, spicy, chilly, etc.
If after six weeks of treatment your symptoms will persist than you should exclude all precipitating factors (including candida overgrowth).
Hope it helped!
Dr.Klerida
Oral candida to rule out by culture;following treatment strategy advice...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,
Let me explain you again.
GERD is your principal diagnosis and explain most of your symptoms. However my opinion is that you may have a mild mycotic overgrowth due to antibiotic use. Mycotic overgrowth exacerbates your symptoms and my suggestion is to exclude this as a precipitating factor.
The white patches are the golden clinic for fungal infection. However, that is not true for all the cases. There are reported cases of patients who have only difficulty in swallowing or burning sensation in mouth or throat. After culturing the oral swab, candida overgrowth was confirmed.
Meantime I would like to recommend the following measures to relieve your symptoms:
- continue taking PPIs for at least 6 weeks in order to see evident improvement; sometimes 8 or more weeks are necessary to pass to see improvement
- take Zantac at bedtime (not twice daily)
- take antacids after meal
- continue with Yakult for at least 10 days
- avoid foods that would aggravate your symptoms: oily, spicy, chilly, etc.
If after six weeks of treatment your symptoms will persist than you should exclude all precipitating factors (including candida overgrowth).
Hope it helped!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok-now I understand that the white patches, may or may not appear. Ok. Makes sense to me, and I thank you for the clarification.
One last question. I am a Dr....psychologist-and I KNOW better, BUT this is causing a great deal of anxiety. Is it possible to take Xanax as needed? ONLY if I am anxious....I am a very mindful person, and I meditate as well-however, I have just lost a dear family member, and I seem far more anxious than usual. And menopause isn't helping either. Just a lot right now. I want to work, yet I feel a bit panicky. Probably because I haven't eaten much the past couple of weeks. Since I am doing mostly liquid at the moment in order to heal, I am not doing anything spicy. I am no longer drinking tea or coffee-and I am continuing to exercise. If this is thrush will it go away without treatment with an anti-fungal? I haven't had a culture-sorry that's TWO questions....
Oh well. :(
Thanks so much!
One last question. I am a Dr....psychologist-and I KNOW better, BUT this is causing a great deal of anxiety. Is it possible to take Xanax as needed? ONLY if I am anxious....I am a very mindful person, and I meditate as well-however, I have just lost a dear family member, and I seem far more anxious than usual. And menopause isn't helping either. Just a lot right now. I want to work, yet I feel a bit panicky. Probably because I haven't eaten much the past couple of weeks. Since I am doing mostly liquid at the moment in order to heal, I am not doing anything spicy. I am no longer drinking tea or coffee-and I am continuing to exercise. If this is thrush will it go away without treatment with an anti-fungal? I haven't had a culture-sorry that's TWO questions....
Oh well. :(
Thanks so much!
Brief Answer:
Using xanax as needed is of help in relieving stress and GERD...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back dear doctor,
First of all, I want to give you my condolences for the loss of loved one!
Yes you are right anxiety and stress is another aggravating factor for GERD and lowering the stress and anxiety levels will be very helpful in stabilizing your symptoms.
It’s very important to control your stress levels by:
- Avoiding unnecessary stress situations.
- Reduce alcohol, caffeine and energy drinking (as you already are doing)
- Increase recreational activities (sport, dancing, yoga etc. as you are already doing)
- Using chamomile tea
- Using anxiolitics drugs (Xanax) as needed.
More over if there’s a thrush it may go away without treatment. Keep in mind that thrush is an opportunist infection and in patients with a good immunitary system it may be healed even without anti-fungal treatment. However anti-fungal treatment will make this process faster.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Klerida
Using xanax as needed is of help in relieving stress and GERD...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back dear doctor,
First of all, I want to give you my condolences for the loss of loved one!
Yes you are right anxiety and stress is another aggravating factor for GERD and lowering the stress and anxiety levels will be very helpful in stabilizing your symptoms.
It’s very important to control your stress levels by:
- Avoiding unnecessary stress situations.
- Reduce alcohol, caffeine and energy drinking (as you already are doing)
- Increase recreational activities (sport, dancing, yoga etc. as you are already doing)
- Using chamomile tea
- Using anxiolitics drugs (Xanax) as needed.
More over if there’s a thrush it may go away without treatment. Keep in mind that thrush is an opportunist infection and in patients with a good immunitary system it may be healed even without anti-fungal treatment. However anti-fungal treatment will make this process faster.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Klerida
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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