Resolved question:
Hi there,
Since just before Christmas, I have had this feeling of a piece of hair in the back of my mouth, around the tonsil area. It is the second time I have had this problem, the first time the problem went away after six weeks following a heavy cold, and an endoscopy from an ENT specialist.
When the problem re-emerged, I had it checked by my local GP, and was advised in the first instance it was a problem with the way the back of my mouth looked. Apparently, it is rough, and I was suffering irritation. I was prescribed antibiotics, and advised to also gargle co-codamol.
Unfortunately, this treatment did not remedy the problem.
I then approached my dentist to have my mouth cleaned out, and upon telling him of the problem, he referred me to an ENT specialist. As it was the second time I presented with the problem, he referred me for an endoscopy under a general anaesthetic in the local hospital. This showed no abnormalities. Neither did a subsequent CT scan, and an MRI scan.
I had another appointment with a GP, and he has suggested the problem could be post-nasal drip or rhinitis. To this end, he prescribed me Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray. But again, this did not work.
Everytime I breathe out, I can feel this scrag of hair. It is really uncomfortable, and it is making me feel run down. I often use difflam spray or mouthwash (drug name: benzydamine hydrochloride) to numb the pain.
As you can see, I have explored a variety of options with no joy. It is the first time I have had to approach an online doctor. Incidentally, I can supply images of the MRI scan if needs be.
Please, if you can help me, I would really appreciate it.
Nick
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
ENT Specialist
Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
I can understand your problem. You are suffering from foreign body sensation in throat for 3 months.
First episode improved in 6 weeks time following endoscopy but they didnot remove any foreign body but
it improved.
Now again you have similar symptoms and one endoscopic examination is done under GA also, Usually
repeat endoscopy can be done again in opd also, anyway it is done for you and under GA a detailed
examination is over. At this stage i can say that any organic lesion can be picked by endoscopic
examination.
So likely cause of foreign body sensation will be ether acid reflux(most likely) will cause minimal
swelling in thorat and it can be postnasal drip which can irritate throat. These are not symptom of
infection as infection will not present like this for more than a month. So you don’t require any
antibiotic. A real foreign body is not there as both scopy are normal.
Now to treat this condition you can start Tab. Rabeprazole 20 mg once in morning for one month. You can
try some life style changes also if you have acidity.
You can add Tab. Levocetrizine 5 mg once in night for 10 days.
Hope this helps,
Feels free to ask further queries.
Best regards
Hi there Doctor, thanks very much for your reply. Before you replied, an administrator told me I should send over some images from the MRI scan. Please find them attached. If you can notice anything, please come back to me.
Nick
Hello,
I reviewed the images, they look normal to me.
However,since they are only images, I will get my radiologist to also review and I will get back to you within a couple of days.
Regards,
Dr. Jalan
Dear Dr Jalan,
Thanks very much, I will leave the consultation open for the time being, if that is okay? In your previous response, you said I should try some lifestyle changes if I have acid. I cough up phlegm quite a lot - it runs through my nose and into the back of my throat.
Is that classed as acid? Also, what kind of lifestyle changes would you recommend I make? Being honest, I am quite sedintary... and my diet is not very good as I work long, unsocial hours.
Nick
Hello,
Secretion running from nose to the throat is post nasal drip, it is not acidity. for post nasal
drip you can add Tab. Levocetirizine 5 mg once in the night for 10 days.
Acidity will present like burning sensation in abdomen or regurgitation of food from abdomen
to the mouth and bitter taste in mouth.
lifestyle changes include
drink frequent sips of water, dryness of throat can cause this foreign body sensation.
avoid very spicy food.
avoid the consumption of tobacco and alcohol
reduce excessive tea and coffee and frequent fast food.\
do not lie down immediately after lunch or dinner, you can walk for 10-15 minutes if possible.
and a normal sleep of six to eight hours
hope this helps
best regards
Sorry I have left the consultation open longer than normal. I was just waiting for your colleague's response to my head and neck scans. Once I get them I will close off the consultation.
Thanks once again,
Nick
Hello,
Did you get a copy of the report?
Regards.