Acid and thick phlegm

Posted by Ryman @ryman, Oct 20, 2018

After having botox injections in my esaphagus in early Summer, my throat just seems to get worse. Lately I have very thick phlegm with acid reflux that wakes me. It chokes me and I have a hard time breathing until I get it coughed out. I dread going to sleep. The doctors wanted me to do the injections again but I won’t. I have tried several times to get an apt. They say they will call but don’t. I think I would have to go to Buffalo NY to see another gastroenterologist. Does anyone know of a natural treatment?

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Jamie Olson | @jamienolson | Oct 21, 2018

Hi @ryman, what is this procedure called? And where do you receive your medical care?

Do you notice a difference with hydration or if you have a humidifier in the room where you sleep?

Ryman | @ryman | Oct 22, 2018

Thank you for your reply. Yes, we just switched from dehumidifier to humidifier and it does help. We havr a hospital in Bradford where I live and one about 20 miles away but the big hospitals are in Buffalo NY and Erie Pa, both over a hundred miles. I am sorry I don’t know the mame of the procedure. They inject botox into the lower esaphageal sphinter so it does not close so tightly. I had it done in Erie. For me, it made swallowing harder, and I have a lot of burping and movement in my throat. Of course, it lets more acid up for which I take Zantac twice a day. The acid is mixing with thick plegm which chokes me at night. I see my primary tomorrow.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 22, 2018

Hello @ryman

This sounds like a very uncomfortable problem. I hope that you appointment with your PCP goes well.
Will you keep in touch and post a follow up as you feel comfortable doing so?

Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Oct 26, 2018

Hi @ryman,

Here is an article about endoscopic botulinum toxin (botox) injection for achalasia and other esophageal motility disorders:
– https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221317951400008X

I'm tagging @tryingtofindanswers @montgomery41 @leeross123 and @travelgirl to see if they have more insights that might help. @ryman, may I ask your reasons for not wanting to do the injections again?

Ryman | @ryman | Oct 27, 2018

In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hi @ryman, Here is an article about endoscopic botulinum toxin (botox) injection for achalasia and other..." + (show)

I think my condition has been worse since the procedure. Which is reason enough but the hospital where I would have it done is two hours away. My grandson has to take a day off. And ,having dealt with the doctors and their staff, I no longer have confidence in them. I will read the article. Thank you so much. I need whatever help I can get. Meantime my primary messed up my prescription so I will run out of the Zantac before I get that straightened out or I will buy it out of pocket.

ZeeGee | @fourof5zs | Oct 28, 2018

@ryman For what did you have the botox injection for? There are a lot of conditions it is used for. I have achalasia, but have never had botox done for it. I had to have a gastric bypass “with a twist” to fix a paraesophageal (sliding) hernia. I get a lot of the thick phlegm. They suggested I elevate the head of my bed. It does not help. I can sit in my recliner to sleep and still have it come into my throat.. and it is very difficult to cough up at times. They are surprised I have not aspirated.