Lump in Throat Sensation/ Experience with Zantac

Yes, while I was pregnant with 2 of my 3 kids I had the "lump sensation" even went to the Minor emergency once because I had convinced myself it was effecting my breathing...it effected my swallowing, so there for made me self conscious of it and thus my breathing...and oh, did it suck.

They did nothing for it and said I was fine. They were right, I was fine. It still was very real and uncomfortable for me.

My only comfort to you is that it did go away...and someone else knows what you are talking about!

Google 'Dr. Donsbach' and Let's Talk Health. Acid refllux is not cured with an antacid but with acid. He has a product called No Gerd that treats acid reflux and he also explains what happening and why zantac and prilosec is the opposite of what you need. Good luck with the thyroid problem. I would get a second opinion.

You really can get that lump in the throat feeling from acid reflux without having any other symptoms of acid reflux. It is really really annoying and stressing out I am afraid is just going to make it worse. I also experienced that feeling one especially stressful semester at school and I went to an ENT who gave me some steriod spray for inflammation and had me take guifenisen, which helps thin the mucous build up that is most likely in your throat as a response to the acid. You may have to try a stronger antacid and for like two weeks. I know that with prilosec you are suppoed to take it for two weeks per treatment.

I haven't had this problem, however your husband might be right. IF you've had consistent acid reflux for a long period of time then you might have a sore or damaged area in your throat that is causing the "lump in throat" sensation. You'd have to take the antacid long enough to keep acid out of your throat so the sore could heal. I totally understand your concern about taking medications while pregnant. You should discuss the possible pregnancy complications with your doctor on your next visit (if it is soon) or give her a call so she can talk to you about it. Good luck to you!

I wasn't pregnant at the time, but I did once have a feeling like I had something in my throat that I couldn't swallow for about a month, and it turned out to be acid reflux. I went to my ENT thinking my thyroid was enlarging (I'm hypothyroid, so we're always watching it). So he scoped my throat (numb the throat and take a peak with an instrument that goes down through the nose) and it was fine, but he could see that my esophagus just above the entrance to my stomach was irritated and inflamed. A few weeks on Zantac was all it took to clear it up. I never felt like I had a heart burn feeling at all. With Zantac, you have to take it for a long period of time to make sure the irritated area has a good chance to heal up. Taking it sporadically doesn't help.
I don't know how safe Zantac (or other acid inhibitors) might be to take while pregnant. Ask your ob/gyn. If your condition keeps you from eating a balanced diet, then it might be better for the baby to treat it than not. If you are mostly feeling ok (except for that annoying feeling in your throat), and there is no reason to expect you will have long term damage to your esophagus from leaving it alone while you are pregnant, then maybe you can leave it till after you have your baby.

This sounds a lot like what I went through last year (except I wasn't pregnant). I had the lump sensation and my regular physician said my thyroid felt enlarged based on her external exam. I had an thyroid ultrasound which was clear and then went to an endocrinologist who insisted on a second ultrasound but my thyroid was completely normal. She suggested that I try antacids for a month and to call if it hadn't changed. I tried Gaviscon, Zantac, and Pepcid twice a day and I still had the lumpy feeling 3 weeks later. Felt like I had a piece of food stuck in my throat and it made me repeatedly swallow and try to clear my throat. Really frustrating! I called back and told her the antacids had not worked so she suggested that I try taking an antihistamine because sometimes allergies can cause the same sensation. I feel stupid to admit this, but it was allergies all along. I started taking Zyrtec and the sensation went away. Maybe this could be a solution for you too but of course check with your OB first to see what kind of allergy medicine is safe during pregnancy. Oh, and btw, I was prescribed Zantac (Ranitidine) by my OB during my second pregnancy. My son was born completely healthy and I took it twice a day from the 6th month on. I hope this helps! :)

I've had that feeling before, and I was told by a friend that it can be caused by stress. I'm sure it also has to do with allergies and possibly heart burn too, because I get both. But it ended up going away on it's own after a few weeks. Maybe just try to destress your life a little, or at least calm your mind every day and just breath! Byt he way both zantac and zyrtec are fine during pregnancy.

I took Zantac and Pepcid during both my pregnancies as per my OBGYN's advice-- my acid reflux was terrible (although I had no heartburn) and I was always gagging and had the worst all-day morning sickness. Certainly discuss with your OB, but it should be fine and helped SO much. I also experienced that lump in my throat feeling (when I wasn't preggers). It felt like I had a constant rock in my throat-- so uncomfortable, esp. when I swallowed and was really starting to freak me out. It eventually went away. I'm guessing it was stress and acid reflux, but hard to say. Good luck and congrats with the pregnancy! Hope you're feeling better soon!

I had that with my thyroid. I also get that sensation when I'm reacting to medication (I'm sensitive and allergic to a lot.) When I was pregnant, my thyroid went crazy AND I was reacting to my meds. I took Zantac with early pregnancy because of HG. It was in an IV and everything was fine. Good luck and congratulations!