Throat Issue - Ideas, Please!

For about three weeks, I have had a sore throat in one spot. Everything in my throat looks normal, but I cannot see the spot that hurts (left side, up high on my esophagus, front side of my neck). Hurts when I swallow but not otherwise. No other symptoms. Consistent in intensity for three weeks.

I assumed it was from allergies (via post-nasal drip irritation) because it began suddenly the day after I did yard work for the first time this spring. Unfortunately it hasn't improved despite all the MCAS and allergy meds/supps and wearing masks every time I go outside, so I moved on from the allergy hypothesis.

I checked for tonsil stones (with mirrors and flashlights) and gargled with diluted ACV and salt water for a couple of days in case there were tonsil stones I couldn't see, even though tonsil stone pain generally would be located up higher.

My current theory is that laryngopharyngeal reflux has caused irritation or ulceration in that spot in my esophagus. I started eating pickles (yum) most days around the time this started, and have a bad habit of jamming in half my daily hydration in the evening, and then sleeping on my stomach. I never feel a heartburn sensation, but before this I have occasionally awakened with a transient sore throat or sour taste in my mouth. So LPR seems like a possibility. I have had it before, when I was mostly reclined due to being bedridden.

Other ideas for me about what it could be, or dos it sound like I'm on the right track?

Assuming it's irritation from LPR, I have continued gargling with warm salt water three times per day, and have begun:
- limonene
- DGL with slippery elm and marshmallow
- lozenges with slippery elm and zinc
- not eating past 6 p.m. or drinking past 8 p.m.
- hydrating more earlier in the day, between meals
- oral cromolyn sodium
- no more pickles or anything acidic
- no mints or mint tea (because they relax the various valves)
- not taking supplements on an empty stomach
- trying (trying!) not to sleep on my stomach
- doing yoga (which includes lots of inversion poses) when my stomach is fairly empty
- planning to raise the head of my mattress today

For those familiar with refux, how long would it take esophageal irritation to heal, given the above strategies?

If I don't see improvement in one week, then I'll have it checked by a doctor, but like many of us, I am very reluctant to involve them if it's not necessary!

I don’t have anything useful to say…
But…. I’m wondering how you can sleep on your stomach.
Isn’t it hard on your neck?

Thanks, Garzie. I left out that I realize it could be a combination of things causing the irritation. LPR plus allergies, most likely, combined with the dry air in my house. I will be patient and try to go easy on my throat.

Try gargling with Biotene mouthwash before bed. I went through something similar back in December when I had a sinus/ear infection virus thing that took about 6 weeks to get over.

At some point post the 2nd abx, I had a weird sore spot in my throat and even got tested for strep (negative). Then I wondered if I had reflux and had burned a spot. So, I decided to try Biotene, since I also have dry mouth that keeps me awake at night. It worked.

Saraeli,

My wife had severe tonsil stones. ABX were not clearing these.

I suggested she try my Goat fenbendazole and water 50/50, she used as a gargle and the stones went away in 2/3 weeks.

Fenbendazole has many medical properties including being a very potent antifungal, used topically.

It very benign as far as side effects.

Something different anyway, good luck.

When my throat would tighten up as a natural response to reflux acid making its way to my mouth, I eventually learned to do active release on my neck muscles. It helped and was very easy to do.

When it was from hypothyroid (before managing it) that did not work since the thyroid gland itself would swell.