Burning in Throat

Question
I am 4 year post Roux-en-y, about 18 mos ago, following extensive antibidoic / steriod treatment for chronic sinus infection, I began to experience a terrible burning in the back of my nose and down my throat.  I have had 6 EDG's in the past year and advised I have a grade 3 Esophogitis.  Recent I am on 15 various pills a day for reflux with no releive.  A recent trip to a surgeon resulted in a BRAVO test, revealing in acid problems in my esophogus, he now assumes it is Bile.  But I have been advised there is no surgical cure for this.  I am desprite, I can not stand the burning.  Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Genifer:

I'm so sorry you're going through this.  Long-term steroid use can have a vast array of complications... although I'll be honest and say I was unaware that it could cause esophagitis.  I will say, that once all of this is over, you should definitely get your labs done to check your PTH, Ca, and Vitamin D... as steroids can cause osteopenia and osteoporosis.  With your Roux-en-Y already placing you at increased risk, I'd definitely want to check that out.

Because you mentioned the long-term antibiotic use, I'm wondering if you tried any sort of probitics following your treatment.  I have no idea if it would have any effect on the esophagiitis, but it could help.  Here's a page from a GI group who uses probiotics in their practice, perhaps it will help:
http://www.gicare.com/for-physicians/Probiotics.aspx

As for the esophagitis, it sounds like you are doing everything right in consulting both a gastroenterologist and surgeon.  A Roux-en-Y is sometimes the treatment for Bile reflux gastritis... but there are other surgical procedures that are used.  I have no idea if these would be feasible for you or not.  If you haven't consulted specifically with a thoracic surgeon, I would recommend trying that.  One article I read mentioned lengthening the alimentary limb could help.  
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19095503?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEn...

Sorry if I can't be of more help.  You could try emailing the surgeon who also answers questions here to see if he has any other advice.  Also, the naturopath may be able to guide you regarding specific probiotics that could help your case.

Kind Regards,
Karla

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