r/mildyinteresting • u/regardkick • 28d ago
humankind hiccups 😅 Acid reflux can come out of your eyes.
Kind of. Short story long.
I have Silent Reflux, it's like regular acid reflux but it fucks you up especially bad because it's basically the aerosol spray version of stomach acid and doesn't always show the same physiological damage like esophageal erosion or ulcers. So it can be missed on endoscopies and other tests (especially if you're fat because then that's obviously the problem.)
Depending on the force behind the reflux, the vapor could reach as high as the nasopharyngeal area (throat and nose area behind the dangly ball in your mouth), into the Eustachian tubes (ears), or through processes that are too complicated for me to understand, through and around the sinus cavity where it can come out of the nostrils or, pressure builds and forces it up through the nasolacrimal gland (cry hole). Where it mixes with the eye-air causing what feels like acid tears. Side Note: If that's not fucked up enough, the vapors can even be inhaled. Like, into the lungs. There's nowhere it can't go (that's only a minor exaggeration).
I'm lucky because I also have gastroparesis (t1/2=174), a moderately tight (53mmHg) lower esophagael sphincter (I know, lol), spontaneous reflux to the aortic arch, a hiatal hernia at the GE junction, dysphagia and globus sensation. I also had a partial liver resection and 9lb, 20cm choeldectoral cyst removed in 2020 and brain surgery to place a stent to remove a block in my right transverse venous sinus, which was causing Intercrainial Hypertension (10mmHg pressure difference) earlier this year.
Needless to say my GI tract (um, body?) is fucked. Back to the acid-eyes, though: with my specific situation, there's a problem with the muscles that let food enter my stomach, and the muscles of my stomach don't fire correctly so it just...doesn't do stomach things. This is dumb for two reasons. First, it's very hard for food to enter my stomach, which means I involuntarily regurgitate nearly every meal. But! For the food that does enter my stomach, it sits there for 2-3 times longer than the normal stomach. This basically makes a pressure cooker bomb in my belly. Eventually something has to give, the sphincter blows (again, lol), deploying the acid vapor like a weapon into my upper GI and head.
One week ago yesterday I ate a can of Chef Boyardee Raviolis, and I can only describe the last seven days as truly bizarre. After one visit to the urgent care who sent me to the ER who referred me back to my primary care who sent me to an allergist who confirmed that acid tears were a possibility. I am now on a regimen of "monitor to see what happens" and medication to handle the skin autoimmune/skin/hives freakout.
But on a positive note, my PCP and allergist are wonderful. And my eyeball/vision isn't in any immediate danger.
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u/DiscussionWeak2318 28d ago
Irrelevant but I scratched my eye and got antibiotic eye drops. He didnt tell me I could taste the eye drops through my eye. Makes sense but I thought I was getting sick.
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u/regardkick 28d ago
It's WILD how interconnected these things are!!
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u/KaiPRoberts 28d ago
If you have stomach surgery, you learn really quickly that the receptors that make you happy are like 90% in your gut.
90% of our serotonin receptors are in our gut. Go figure. If your stomach isn't happy, you aren't happy.
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u/CrackedCeladon 28d ago
This is something I learned first hand with celiac disease. Every time I get glutened, my worst acute symptoms are neurological. That includes a drop in mental health so severe that I need to be monitored, and I'm typically a very chill/chipper person, even in tough situations. The gut-brain connection is real.
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u/Negative-Impress5151 27d ago
as a fellow celiac, same. my first symptom is usually high anxiety and depression and then the other symptoms follow
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u/KaiPRoberts 28d ago
From a Chrony to a brother with another mother, my condolences. I say I have stomach pain and people don't realize that stops me from having any rational thoughts.
This is why weed is a godsend and I can't understand how some states have alcohol legalized and not weed. Alcohol doesn't treat anything, it masks it behind numbness.
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u/RoutineAd7185 27d ago
until you get CHS and now your stomach is further messed up 😭😭
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u/Sufficient-Club-1230 27d ago
I am allergic to sesame seeds, and if I accidentally eat them, I'll get stomach pain and a scratchy throat, but the worst symptom is this inescabale feeling of impending doom. It feels like the world is going to crumble around me for ~2hrs until the allergic reaction passes. Crazy stuff
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u/oddestowl 27d ago
I’m very lactose intolerant and all this explains why I feel utterly awful if I accidentally consume dairy. I’ve never understood why it upped my anxiety and made me feel so horrific mentally as well as physically.
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u/Kotobug123 26d ago
I’ve recently become anaphylactic to shellfish and as a nurse who knows the clinical symptoms of impending doom for many things it was crazy to finally experience it myself. Spent the whole time telling myself I’m just anxious but underneath that lie I knew something was very wrong like I couldn’t gaslight myself hard enough to escape that.
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u/Informal_Tell78 28d ago
Holy shit... this might explain why when I drink Dr Pepper, I often end up feeling very irritable... Dr Pepper can give me acid reflux. This makes so much sense.
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u/KaiPRoberts 28d ago
Exactly! It's a big misconception that everything originates in the brain. Your body has to be in balance for you to feel good. You can't just sit in a chair all day and expect to have good mental health... because mental health is, quite literally, bodily health.
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u/actualladyaurora 28d ago
It's very easy to think about things in terms of "brain chemicals" or "gut bacteria", but it is very much an oversimplification of what's actually happening.
You are a bag of water, fat, and protein. What happens in your body does not stay in their neat human-made taxonomical categories.
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u/KaiPRoberts 28d ago
Huh?
I am not simplifying anything. Serotonin receptors and the "feel goods" are not primary a brain thing; that's the part people get hung up on. 90% of your serotonin receptors and the proteins they are made of, are in the lining of our gut. Sure you feel it in your brain because that's where our consciousness is but it's far from where the feeling originates.
I am not talking about bacteria or our internal fauna at all here.
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u/honeyandwhiskey 28d ago
I read somewhere that this is why recreational drugs that can make you happy can also make you puke.
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u/KaiPRoberts 28d ago
Yes! Like Psilocybin for instance! It acts on serotonin receptors.
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u/SBowen91 27d ago
Wait… what? Any specific stomach surgery ooor? I had WLS done and my mental health has been absolutely trashed the last year.
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u/ExcelsiorUnltd 23d ago
Wait til you find out the food hole and the breath hole are the same!!! Woah 🤯
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u/CrypticIntrigue 28d ago
When eye drops drain from your eye (through the punctum - a little hole that also helps your tears drain properly) it travels into the nasolacrimal duct and you can also start to taste it. In clinic we also use a test where we flush salty water/saline down that punctum with a syringe to see if there are any obstructions in that drainage system (if there aren't any you should be able to taste the salty saline).
With eye drops I'd recommend pressing on your punctum gently for 1-2 minutes after installation of any eye drops to increase the drops contact with the eye (as it doesn't drain as fast) and it has the added bonus of reducing the foul taste too :P
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u/Repulsive-Sail-7841 27d ago
Dry-eyed sjogren’s patient here, while I did passively know that that the punctum (didn’t know it was called that though, what a fun name) acts to drain fluid, it never occurred to me to make that simple connection of blocking it momentarily to improve eye drop efficacy. Thanks for the tip! 😭 (ironic-feeling emoji, in retrospect)
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u/good_life_choices 28d ago
I taste eyedrops too.
It's like the antithesis of skittles "taste the rainbow"
I can assure you, eyedrops do NOT taste like a skittles rainbow.
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u/RiboCyan 28d ago
A friend of mine had a hole in his eardrum and he could taste eardrops as well
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u/good_life_choices 28d ago
Oh god, I feel like that's worse and opens up the potential to also taste ear wax. Poor guy.
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u/holderofthebees 27d ago
Now wait a second that’s fucking cool
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u/RiboCyan 27d ago
It is! Not something I'd want for myself, but very interesting for sure!
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u/MorningSquare5882 22d ago
TIL the word eardrops. Makes sense given eyedrops are a thing, but for some reason it tickles me immensely.
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u/Accomplished_Cell768 28d ago
Xiidra eyedrops made me lose my sense of taste. The ophthalmologist did not understand and thought that I meant it just made everything taste like eyedrops which it did for the first few days, but eventually it made my tastebuds nonfunctional. Luckily about a week after I stopped it did come back.
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u/Curly_Shoe 28d ago
Head of tastebuds: "What, we have this awful Taste for a few days now, nonstop? Nah, I'm sick of this shit. Guys, everyone gets some days off now, I am not doing this!"
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u/bunnygirl93xo 28d ago
Eyedrops taste sooo bad 😭😭 the eyeball demons have cursed me with a case of interstitial keratitis (essentially blood vessels on your cornea) that’s been misdiagnosed multiple times, so I’ve been lucky enough to taste test all kinds of eye drops. Steroid eye drops are my least favorite, and normal lubricating eye drops are my favorite cause they taste like nothing lol
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u/the_witching_hours 28d ago
I had that happen when I tore my cornea and thought I was losing my mind! The taste was wild.
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u/EeveeMotherFricker 28d ago
Same but it was prednisone eye drops, and BOY did I not enjoy tasting pennies 24/7 for weeks
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u/k-byeeee 27d ago
Had prednisone eye drops too and it tasted like I was on a coke bender but without the fun part. Fucking disgusting.
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u/der_innkeeper 27d ago
Don't accidentally spray yourself on the arm with canned air.
You will taste it.
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u/Unlucky-Bite-6988 27d ago
I got antibiotic eye drops once, had an allergic reaction that caused small tendons throughout to stiffen up. Couldnt walk for 3 weeks. It was terrible.
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u/AnnigidWilliams 27d ago
I was playing with my dog recently and this happened to me. I went to urgent care and after putting yellow dye into my eye, they determined that I didn’t have any severe abrasions and sent me home with some antibiotic eye drops. I blew my nose and my mucus was yellow. The same exact yellow as the dye was.
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u/Dont_Even_Know_You 28d ago
That's wild, I wouldn't expect that!
I've had a lot of IVs and every time they flush it with saline I can taste the saline. It's wild too. Tastes kinda like what saline eye drops smell like.
ETA it only happens with saline for me. I don't ever taste anything else going in an IV. Just that, and it's really not pleasant, but it's very brief before fading away. Like a second.
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u/kiwistarbaby 27d ago
A nurse told me that one of her patients said saline flushes tasted like "dirty margararitas" lol. But yeah, there are definitely some nasty drugs you can taste when they're given IV too. Emend made me want to vomit (ironically)... tastes like bandaids and burning rubber.
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u/ExpireAngrily 27d ago
My last MS flare had me hospitalized on IV steroids and I could taste them!
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u/kittymoma918 27d ago
I told my gp that I can taste my saline eye drops right after I use them, and he acted like I was making it up. It did not inspire great confidence in me for his education and experience.
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u/AstralGlaciers 27d ago
You've just answered a question I've had for decades. God, bodies are weird af.
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u/Ferns-N-Frogs 27d ago
Sometimes I can taste things I touch, which does not seem like a thing that should happen.
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u/Worldly_Skin335 27d ago
I honestly can't wrap my head around the concept of tasting through your eye
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u/Rockin_Geologist 27d ago
I had a bad bloody nose once that starting coming out my tear ducts. It was wild.
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u/NotYourGa1Friday 27d ago
I once complained to a coworker that my eyedrops tasted terrible and he just said “don’t drink them” 😂
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u/Agreeable-Daikon-115 26d ago
my bf said i was imagining things when i told him my eye drops were making things taste bad, but hilariously he got my eye infection and also had to experience the drops of horrendous taste 😭
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u/AvoCarDoughToes 26d ago edited 26d ago
I remember going to the eye doctor as a teen (abusive parent caused a scratch on my cornea and I couldn't bear any light) and they put some random drops in my eye. I went to go collect a parcel after and blew my nose into a tissue and it was neon green! I thought I was dying and had no-one to tell.
You just solved a 15+ year mystery for me lol
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u/Speldenprikje 23d ago
The same mechanism causes a runny nose if you are crying. Tears and up in your nose and both are connected to your mouth.
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u/peanutbuttermuffs 22d ago
I also had these eye drops and they tasted HORRIBLE. Luckily only had to use a few days.
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u/Scary_Opening_8138 22d ago
I had the same thing happen to me with the meds they dropped into my eyes before LASIK!! I thought it was a fever dream
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u/Party-Poison519 28d ago
That must be pretty awful, I remember one time my reflux came up the eustachian tube and burst my eardrum, not pleasant, I commiserate
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u/strangealbert 27d ago
That happened to me too! I had no idea WTF was going on except my ear hurt, then it didn’t, then it was bleeding.
I re-tore it at work just talking to a co-worker while it was attempting to heal.
I was going to say I wish someone told me it was a possibility with silent reflux, but now I’m like I’m
not sure I want to know acid tears are possible!Although it sounds like OP has a lot of sucky issues :/ poor lady. It doesn’t sound like she gets much relief either.
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u/regardkick 27d ago
It certainly was a surprise! And I'm a health researcher, so I actually found a journal article about it on my own and brought that up to my GI and she was like, oh, yeah. That can happen!
I didn't even know that it could impact the ear drum so significantly!? Our bodies are WILD!!!
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u/Exotic_Sundae_3858 27d ago
This is crazy!! I’m a nurse and never heard of this. Did you lose hearing?
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u/eyoitme 27d ago
as someone with some persistent ass acid reflux, i think i need to leave the internet now.
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u/party_p0isonn 27d ago
that sounds utterly terrible im sorry 💔 unrelated note but username buddies
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u/Party-Poison519 27d ago
It was pretty bad as I was a young kid, hell yeah on the username buddies though
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u/AccidentOk5240 28d ago
Ugh, that all sounds like a monumental pain in the ass (and head, and everything in between). I’m sorry.
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u/HydrangeaHore 28d ago
Whaaaaaattttttttttttttt!?!? Omg
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u/regardkick 28d ago
No, I know! I said the same thing!
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u/TakeItAroundTown 28d ago
I’m currently taking Pepcid for a skin allergy. Apparently your body has two type of histamine and the second type is in both your skin and stomach. Bodies are wild
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u/hyacinthshouse 27d ago
i had severe idiopathic hives for a few months and pepcid was the ONLY thing that helped. after all the steroid shots and prescriptions i was given i couldnt believe pepcid was the thing to finally work.
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u/HydrangeaHore 27d ago
My kids are allergic to water (aquagenic urticaria) and Allegra is one of the only things that helps. Hives are awful when they don't take the Allegra. Interesting that Pepcid helps for some types!
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u/TakeItAroundTown 27d ago
Now it’s our job to spread the word lol
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u/regardkick 27d ago
YES!! I love this and it's now my mission to spread Acid Eyes!
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u/Wretched_epiphany 28d ago
All I know is, this is just one more reason I don't eat chef boyardee. New fear, unlocked.
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u/regardkick 28d ago
All I know is that I shant be trying it again!
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u/Haunting_Total_5395 27d ago
Try going glucose and lactose free. It helped mine a lot
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u/regardkick 27d ago
I did make the lactose switch but haven't heard of a glucose switch! Thanks, I'll look into it!
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u/chronic_classman 28d ago
This makes sense from a Chinese medicine perspective because the stomach channel starts under the eye.
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u/regardkick 28d ago
Thank you for bringing this up! The other day a friend asked if I would be interested in looking into non-traditional western medicine and I am, but I didn't know where to start.
I've been too overwhelmed to just start duckduckgo'ing it but I can start here!
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u/LLCmoonwater 28d ago
Also recommend finding asian recipes you enjoy and like! I grew up with a japanese mom and white dad. I find i get acid reflux if i eat multiple western meals in a row. I try to eat 3 asian meals to every 1 western meal so my gut doesnt feel like shit! White rice, miso soup w/ veggies, and a piece of grilled salmon for example :)
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u/regardkick 28d ago
Learning some simple Asian flavor profiles has been so helpful! I make lots of porridge, but when I'm feeling fancy, I try to mimic ramen bowl recipes.
Also, egg drop soup quickly became a staple!
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u/AirCheap4056 28d ago edited 28d ago
Just my two cents as an Asian guy, I find dairy and animal fats in general agitate stomach acids, guten too. I find a diet of rice, vegetable oil, fish, lean meats, and a larger amount of veggies is best for a stable stomach/digestion system.
My wife has chronic inflammation in her kidneys, due to a lifetime of GI inflammation. She's been on a strict diet of the above description for 9 months now, and the all numbers on her kidney checkups for the past two months have gone back down to normal levels and holding. She almost don't get acid reflux or and other upsets in her stomach any more, when these were basically part of her daily living experience for the past thirty years.
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u/regardkick 27d ago
I used to try to eat just when there were good day, but didn't change what I was eating, I just ate less of it. But then as the good days got fewer in-between I started eating more seafood and can definitely tell a difference! I have a really hard time trusting vegetables, after some bad experiences. So I definitely should explore adding them to porridge and things!
I'm an awful cook but have actually enjoyed trying to "cook my way through this." And there's a newish Asian market in town and the owner has been super helpful explaining how to cook some things! Is there one cookbook or chef/foodie you would recommend?
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u/AirCheap4056 27d ago
I'm afraid I don't have cookbooks or chefs to recommend, because what I do for my wife is that I modify regular recipes to her needs. I basically take out all the spices and ingredients that will agitate her GI track, and also substitute meats and fats to the ones that she can take.
And honestly, her meals are quite boring and much more bland than anything you'd find in any restaurant, especially since she has to limit her sodium intake as well. But that's kind of the sacrifice she has to make for her health. She wasn't much of a foodie to begin with, so it was not too difficult for her.
What I can recommend is to look up Asian stir fry recipes. Because if vegetable oil suits your body, just stir frying veggies and fish or chicken all in one pot with oil, and eat with a side of rice, or stir in and make it fried rice. That is about the easiest flavorful thing you can make at home. But most recipes you'd find will call for spices, garlic, pepper, etc, and you will need to use your own judgement and make adjustments.
But once you get the hang of it, you can do whatever combination you like.
My general formula is: three types of veggie (including mushrooms), a protein (usually chicken or fish), flavor with some combination of seasoning (garlic powder+salt+pepper, soy sauce+dark vinegar, ketchup+soy sauce, etc), and finish by topping just a bit of herb (cilantro, green onion, basil, etc)
Oh, be sure to use a non-stick for stir frying.
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u/ImpressionFabulous46 22d ago
I suggest Jason Farmer for Asian stir-fry and soup recipes and Made with Lau for Chinese recipes. I’m not a good cook, but their directions are detailed enough for me to follow
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u/Lovahplant 28d ago
My gut has been messed up for a week now (too much drinking, not enough eating) and that meal sounds amazing right now. I’m going to try it for dinner and hope I wake up with a happier tummy! Thank you!
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u/chronic_classman 28d ago
Absolutely acupuncture and herbs are really great for helping with digestive issues. Sometimes it takes more than one visit, just to help set expectations lol.
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u/kvis_ 28d ago
An acupuncturist/CM practitioner would love to work with you on this! I was reading and thinking of sharing with my colleagues as your whole involvement here is really coherent via Chinese medicine.
I would recommend looking for highly reviewed acupuncturists in your area, or searching specifically for ones that specialize in digestive health. Or, if you're lucky to have an acupuncture school where you live, that can also be a great option (and often more economical)3
u/regardkick 27d ago
I live in a town of about 150k about 2 hours outside of a major city. So I will definitely see about gastro specialists! And my PCP office is very open, so I'm sure they will help me find someone too! Thanks again!
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u/Jbizzee243 27d ago
I've found acupuncture really helpful for my reflux! I know that gets an eye roll from a lot of people but all I know is it works for me so they can stfu.
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u/KakumeiDiscoBall 25d ago
I have cyclic vomiting syndrome and accupuncture has actually been really helpful for fending off episodes. I looked into the peer reviewed research and it does have a more than placebo effect on stomach/nausea related issues. It is super common for cancer patients dealing with chemo nausea to benefit from accupuncture apparently.
I started going for a herniated disc causing pain and ended up so surprised when my acupuncturist was able to end a cyclic vomiting episode that usually is only fixed with an IV and a week of bland foods. I haven't had to go to the ER once this year when I was there 8 times last year because I couldn't keep down any food or liquids.
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u/_PirateWench_ 28d ago
Man, the human body is weird. You’re a real strange one OP, thanks for sharing!
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u/regardkick 27d ago
I keep coming back to this comment and it makes me chuckle every time! Thanks friend.
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u/Cautious-Arugula603 28d ago
This might be a hint on health problems my boyfriend has been having! Thank you for posting this! We know he has acid reflux issues but occasionally this happens to his face so it's time to dive deeper. He has terrible digestive issues. We have been wondering why his face does this sometimes and I'm not saying this is is but it's nice to have something to look into
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u/regardkick 27d ago
Definitely encourage him to take notes of when things are happening to him to see if yall can spot a pattern! I actually asked my parents and friends to help me if they notice things I am missing. So even just your notes could be helpful!
Any data y'all can get will make it easier for the provider to figure out what's going on!
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u/misterjive 27d ago
okay, "I had ravioli and it made acid shoot out of my eyes" is kind of terrifying
unless you could figure out some way to weaponize it
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u/Difficult-Way-9563 28d ago
Do PPIs help mitigate any of it?
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u/regardkick 28d ago
Kind of. I'm on pantoprazole 40mg 2x a day after failing a few other drugs. But PPIs aren't the best at stopping the vapor-ized part of this, but it does slow the acid production. But that's a double edge sword, because now there's not enough acid to break down the food quick enough, so it just sits and ferments and forms more acid vapor.
I also have to take 325mg uncoated aspirin a day because of the brain surgery, so that interferes with the ppi too!
It's a really weird cycle.
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u/Beneficial-Damage197 28d ago
Have you tried anything like Reflux Gourmet which works well to block the vapors? I was having ET issues from GERDS and helped. “Alginate-based products create a protective gel raft that sits above stomach contents to block reflux.”
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u/Local_Wolverine2913 28d ago
My ENT just started me on Reflux Gourmet. I'm crossing my fingers!
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u/regardkick 28d ago
I haven't heard of it! But I have appointments with the allergist and my PCP next week so I'll ask them about it!
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u/kiwistarbaby 27d ago
Geez, that's a super high dose of PPI too, and you're still having symptoms. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this!
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u/ScrattaBoard 28d ago
I'm sorry to hear that. My mom had issues with fermenting food in the stomach and that was so rank. Even her breath was so bad
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u/regardkick 28d ago
And every burp sounds like it's coming from the pitts is hell somewhere! It's wild!
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u/surprisedropbears 27d ago
Discuss sipping alkaline water throughout the day with your Drs as an adjunctive support.
It immediately neutralises the pepsins coating your throat which are a main cause of the damage from silent LPR.
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u/jacyerickson 28d ago
Omg! I've had chronic reflux for years and haven't experienced this. I'm sorry and hope you recover soon.
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u/regardkick 28d ago
Okay, but listen! Keep careful track of your symptoms. For the first half of my treatment (over the last 3 years) it was treated like GERD. But then patterns started shifting and I started noticing weird things I didn't believe could be related! But are.
These specifically are the symptoms that had my GI consider changes in my reflux diagnosis, but if course it wouldn't necessarily be the same for you!
Burning on the back of the tongue (closest to the throat hole) or a "hot mouth" after eating (even if it's not spicy food). Increased difficulty flossing or gum soreness or increase of cavities. I got to the point I could barely brush my teeth, but it was slow. Stuffy nose when eating or soon after (even if it's not spicy). Thick saliva or swollen/painful salivary glands. This was a big one. The acid makes it hard for your mouth/glands to make saliva, so it can get thick in the glands kind of coating your mouth in... gross. Almost like you coughed up phlegm from your cheeks.
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u/oldmanandtheflea84 28d ago
I feel so lucky to have read this. I’ve been experiencing increased reflux symptoms over the past handful of years, and specifically have told my PCP that sometimes it feels like the heartburn is in my eyes and ears. The insides of my ears “itch” from it, sometimes!! The mucous after eating and taste bud pain are both common for me too.
Thank you so much for sharing this information. Appreciate the level of detail. I’m going to start actively addressing these things now before they get worse.
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u/regardkick 28d ago
I wrote this because I was feeling so frustrated and didn't know what else to do. So I'm really glad that you found this!
I had to ask my twice about the potential for NERD or LPR. She would look in my throat (in the office) and not see redness or swelling. And then she would say, let's try another couple of weeks on blah blah. Silent reflux and non-errosive reflux do not show the same physiological symptoms that traditional GERD or reflux.
I stopped explaining what I thought was happening and started telling them exactly what was happening.
The doctor asked me "do you have pain in your chest?" And I said, "no. It's not painful, but it feels like 1000 bubbles are exploding and sometimes it chokes me. It makes it hard to breathe sometimes and then my chest gets tight and that feels like I pulled a muscle" And instead of telling her my ears hurt after I ate, I told her "it feels like there are bugs in my ears after I eat. If I eat a bigger meal, the bugs move faster."
It's frustrating, but when I stopped saying "my reflux is getting worse after I eat" she started adding more tests and didn't focus as much on what I was eating.
I don't think it's weird if you don't: let me know if you ever need some moral support when you are going through this. It's hard.
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u/oldmanandtheflea84 28d ago
Thank you so much again, truly invaluable advice and insight (really appreciate the detailed examples on how you changed your approach to telling them what is happening). I’m saving this and also appreciate the offer to stay in touch, I hope your health journey gets easier.
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u/doctor_jane_disco 28d ago
Do you have issues with teeth grinding at night? After several decades of bruxism my dentist finally suggested it could be from acid, endoscopy confirmed ulcers so now I'm starting on pantoprazole. Never knew until now that connection even existed! Has me wondering what else it's causing!
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u/regardkick 28d ago
Yes! But also here's the thing. The acid weakens the teeth causing deterioration. But my dentist thought it was teeth grinding so I wore a mouth guard for a few weeks, but no improvement. After they figured out the acid thing, my PCP recommended some over the counter toothpaste to strengthen teeth.
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u/PartiallyRehydrated 28d ago
I'm allergic to my own tears, this is how I look for a day or two after I've been crying.
It sucks.
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u/regardkick 27d ago
That's awful!
Especially if it's anything like this, the eyes are just trying to protect us by making more tears not knowing it's the literal worst!
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u/PerformanceOne5998 27d ago
Oh goodness. That must be a terrible feeling. :( I'm so glad you have a good care team!
As someone with a lot of what you have (gastroparesis, hiatal hernia, dyphagia, acid reflux) this is absolutely a new fear. I've felt AR in my nose before, but never the eyes.
Sending you all the healing vibes <3
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u/Thir13enth_Ghost 28d ago
Girl, you got me cracking open a a Grey’s Anatomy book… holy cow I am so sorry for everything you have to deal with. Love and hugs and wishing you the best!
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u/regardkick 27d ago
You let me know if you find anything I missed!! I've learned so much about how bodies actually work through this... I kind of wish I didn't know some of it!
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u/Critical_Band5649 28d ago
Sometimes I have heartburn so bad I swear I feel it in my scalp. Normally I tell myself I'm crazy but this is a cool new fear unlocked.
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u/regardkick 28d ago
I can only tell you from my experience that it feels like there are bugs crawling in my ears after I eat or drink (anything). So I don't think weird scalp tingles are out of the possibilities for this reflux shit.
Keep a log of the weird tingles and go from there. I used the phrase "dangly ball thing" in my post because that's literally how I had to explain it to my doctor when I said it feels like there's always hair in my throat.
She asked me if it could me my hair. My hair cut is a style choice, and has been this short or shorter the entire time I have been her patient. I said, no. No it is not my hair. It feels like there's hair stuck to the dangly ball in my throat. And she looked and it turns out there was unusually thick mucous coating my uvula (the dangly ball) and the back of my throat.
But for multiple appointments she dismissed my "hairy throat" symptom as nothing but a nuisance. You didn't ask, but my advice is to get enough personal data so you can go to your next appointment and say confidently, "My scalp hurts when I eat spaghetti and pizza, like I'm wearing a headband that's too tight."
I am not a medical doctor, so this is not medical adcice. But both of those foods are highly acidic and can cause reflux, which if its strong enough can cause tension like headaches which often show up like you are wearing a headband or hat too tight. So this statement might make you feel ridiculous, but it's a legitimate data point that your provider should take seriously.
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u/Thendsel 27d ago
I’ve had that problem with the ears over the last year. I thought I just needed to have my ears cleaned out (I’ve had to have it medically done on occasion over the years), but I’ve always felt stupid reaching out to my doctor’s office over something seemingly so trivial. Now you have me thinking it’s probably related to my acid reflux, which I’ve only taken care of minimally with the OTC medicine that my gastro doctor told me to go on after I landed in the hospital from internal bleeding from the reflux creating a hole in my esophagus. I guess it’s more the reason to go back to the gastro doctor, but self care hasn’t been my strong suit recently.
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u/regardkick 27d ago
I haven't mentioned this earlier in the post, but I'm not hiding it. But I want you to know, because I think I've felt the same way. I have a master's degree in healthcare quality and a PhD in health research. I currently work as an independent health researcher with companies that pay me because of my expertise and experience.
I was made to feel like I was stupid time and time again trying to get care for my issues. I didn't start getting adequate care until I started questioning, publicly, if the care they were providing followed CMS guidelines.
And I realized that if I, with all of my knowledge, am struggling to navigate this system, than others with out the same background must be having a hard time too. That's why I wrote this.
Our trivial concerns should be taken as seriously as our emergency concerns! So friend, start taking a log of what's happening to you, even if it doesn't feel connected! And write it out in terms that make sense to you, the doctor can figure out from there what's important for them to know or look further into! It's not your job to know the complexities of the human body; you just have to be able to tell them what's going on with your body.
If you ever need a reminder or support scheduling an appointment, let me know! I mean it.
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u/Mouthydraws 27d ago
Whenever I get congested, I have to be careful blowing my nose too hard, otherwise the snot comes out of my eyes. A larger than average nasolacrimal duct is a great reminder at how all these holes are connected
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u/Al_Zahrawi 27d ago
I’m a foregut surgeon and specialist in esophagogastric disorders. Deal with and treat things like gastroparesis, GERD, dysphagia, cancer, etc on a daily basis. Metabolic/bariatric surgery is also part of my practice.
Very tough constellation of issues but sometimes a carefully tailored approach can significantly improve one’s quality of life.
Depending on where you are located, you might have an esophageal/gastric center or specialists near you. It might be worth discussing options. Of course I can’t give medical advice over Reddit, but things like pyloroplasty can improve gastric emptying, there is a new class of medication for GERD which some leaders in the field swear by, and plenty of surgical options (including for patients with altered anatomy such as after bariatric surgery). There’s so much more, my partners and I typically spend an hour getting to know the patient and advising them in detail on options.
These things may or may not work for you (gastroparesis particularly is notoriously difficult to treat), but one of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is meeting somebody who has clearly been suffering for so long, and being able to help their quality of life in my own small way as we work out a plan that works for them. With GERD being present in 60-70 million people in the US, every day I meet people who have very capable medical teams struggling with some of these issues. But there are definitely options worth learning about.
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u/regardkick 27d ago
I have to be honest, I haven't been able to reply to your response until now because it made me feel emotional. I'm really glad you responded, because my faith in the healthcare system was dangerously low. I have not been able to get in to a motility clinic or higher level of specialist care. There are two large academic hospital systems in my state. One of which just cancelled my upcoming tests (I have been waiting since May) because they are "short staffed." They rescheduled one for mid-november and put me on a wait-list for the other two. Though my appointment with the doctor himself isn't until March 2027. And other than my PCP and my allergist all of my other specialists have handed off care (to empty referrals).
I know you can't be my doctor, but it really does help me to know that there are patients who are active in their healthplan from providers who care. I think I understand better than most patients now fucked the US healthcare system is. I have a master's degree in healthcare quality and a PhD in health research. So every appointment, every delay, every pass-off of care is an extra little stab to my soul because I know what it's supposed to be (or what it could be).
I don't really know what to do next for my own care, but I decided to turn to what I know best and have been working on a patient-focused case study. Maybe I can gain some traction on the research end and help other people get to practices like yours!
Thanks doc!
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u/MooCowQueen-16 27d ago
You should get your money back for receiving a defective (or hostile?) body.
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u/lizzabean 28d ago
Really... Vaporized acid shooting out of your eyes sounds like a super power.
On a real note, thank you for sharing your story. I hope the medication they put you on helps you.
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u/thefilmforgeuk 27d ago
My uncle used to get acid reflux. I went to the doctors once for a stained ankle and they gave naproxen , and omeprazole to counter the damage. I’ve never had such joy eating sausage rolls and pizza without heartburn. I mentioned it to my dad and he has been on it for 20 years and so has his younger brother. His older brother didn’t have it and is now dead, cancer of the oesophagus
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u/HeatherJMD 28d ago
I had silent reflux, chronic hives, and pressure induced angioedema for 6 years until I was prescribed omalizumab (Xolair), which blocks histamine reactions (it’s a different mechanism than traditional antihistamines, which did nothing).
Maybe a medication like that would help you? You have a lot more going on than I did, but maybe worth a shot to ask. Mine was finally prescribed by the Allergy clinic of UVA, although my reactions were not allergic reactions
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u/lilwrallis 27d ago
I hope this is fine to ask on OPs thread, but I might be going on Xolair for chronic hives soon and just wanted to ask if you've experienced any side effects?
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u/HeatherJMD 27d ago
Not at first, but when I took a break for a year and a half and then started again I experienced joint pain, which thankfully went away when I stopped the medication again. There are other medications and combinations of medicines that can be tried if you have side effects. Evidently joint pain is a rare one
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u/regardkick 28d ago
It's like you were in the appointment with me! The ER started me on Prednisone, so the allergist said we had to continue that. So she gave me some oral things to try while finishing that. If there's no improvement we are going to try Xolair!
The plan is to check back in 2 weeks and see what's next! I'm glad to hear your experience with it! Thanks ♥️♥️
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u/HeatherJMD 27d ago
I hope that it will help you! My symptoms stopped immediately and nothing had worked previously over 6 years. My system calmed down after a few months and I was able to space out my doses and then stop completely. The symptoms stopped fully for about a year and a half, came back, I took 3 doses of Xolair and stopped again, so far no symptoms after one year
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u/Excellent_Yak365 28d ago
I’ve had GERD for 15 years and never heard of this, I do have TMJ and eustachian tube problems
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u/regardkick 28d ago
I'm not a medical doctor, just a super frustrated patient who didn't know stuff like this could happen. But what I've learned over the last few years is that reflux disorders can change, or progress. And often medicines can mask new symptoms.
All of these parts are connected, so it does sound reasonable that the reflux could be in part responsible for the ear thing.
Something else I just thought of, reflux can impact the salivary & other mouth glands. Lots of which are on the lower jaw or right there in the jaw hinge. When the glands get thick they can get blocks causing jaw pain. Again not a medical doctor but if you want some articles or something, let me know!
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u/Excellent_Yak365 28d ago
I’m thinking my GERD is related to a bad gallbladder, if it doesn’t go away after the surgery I’ll look into better control methods. I had a full scope front and back when they found the colorectal cancer but they said my esophagus and stomach was fine
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u/Grand_Swimmy 28d ago
Never thought I would learn of an ailment that makes me grateful for my GERD 😭 But I do have awful unexplained sinus problems all the time… so I wonder…
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u/purplelilac701 27d ago
Whoa I have regular acid reflux and I had no idea this could happen! I hope you’re better today.
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u/Alive_Community2363 27d ago
This is very educational, thank you for sharing. I also have a decent amount of acid reflux, but that’s kinda scary. Things to look out for 👀
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u/onthedrug 27d ago
Hang on, I was literally wondering why my eyes started to look like this and I have bile+acid reflux
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u/__8petals 27d ago
omg. I cannot imagine this. I have awful GERD/GI issues, but never heard of this. I’m so sorry. Thank you for speaking about it.
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u/uskglasses 27d ago
oh god 😭 I have GERD that I’ve recently started feeling more in the back of my nose/sinuses - had never even considered it could go as far eyes. poor you!
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u/NUNHUSTLER 28d ago
This is both incredibly interesting and scary because of how uncomfortable this must be. I'm so sorry. Thank you for sharing, ill keeo it in mind when I hear people talk about acid reflux. If you find things that help, please share! Hoping you find a solution.
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u/Creative-Air-6463 28d ago
Does it sting constantly like acid in your eyes?
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u/regardkick 27d ago
The sting isn't the actual eyeball. That feels totally find and normal! It's the skin around the eyeball. It starts in the corner of the eye where tears kind of settle. So it burns and then from there, it kind of causes a chemical reaction on the skin.
My eye only hurts when the irritation is too big and then it feels like I rubbed my eye with hot sauce.
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u/ms_slowsky 28d ago
Damn! I got cursed with asthma, pernicious anemia and autoimmune hepatitis as well as urticaria (hives) of unknown origin.
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u/wonkywilla 28d ago
esophagus > throat > nasal cavity > eye ducts = All connected.
Your ears are also connected to your throat via the eustachian tubes. It’s also why infections in any one location can quickly end up spreading to another, especially in children. (And why ENT—Ears, Nose, Throat—Drs specialize in all three.)
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u/KTKittentoes 28d ago
I am not happy knowing this possibility. And very sorry for you.
I did know the connectedness. Found out when I ruptured my eardrum. The pain was the worst, but grossed out was second. And I don’t gross out especially easily.
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u/GerwulfvonTobelstein 28d ago
Man, what? And I'm sitting here lamenting about my finger I've cut today when preparing for for wife and me.
My best wishes, I... I don't know what else to say.
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u/regardkick 27d ago
You listen to me right now friend. Just a few weeks ago this cry hole was normal! And now there's acid coming out of it! So you better watch that cut... You never know!
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u/Additional-Local8721 27d ago
I will never complain about my minor reflux issues and low tolerance for food poisoning again. Wish you all the best and I hope nothing else goes wrong for you.
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u/DoIt4ThePun 27d ago
Well, all those channels are connected. Ears, nose, mouth, tear ducts. I remember some time ago they used to have competitions to see how far someone could shoot milk from their eye by drinking(?) milk and sending it up the right tubes.
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u/TemporaryShip9791 27d ago
This might not be useful information to you, but I recently found that ginger increases gastric emptying by a lot for me (there’s also research, so I’m not pulling it out of my ass) I suspect that my heartburn issues are partly due to very slow emptying and constipation and ginger seems to have helped. Ginger tea and ginger root supplements.
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u/regardkick 27d ago
Yes! Thank you for the reminder, I meant to buy ginger tea to try it out! I'll add it to the shopping list!
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u/shellbellgb 27d ago
I really appreciate your post, and it has me setting a reminder to call a GI specialist on Monday. I had gastric sleeve 6 years ago, and while I don’t have a problem with my ears, I have aspiration, chest pain, burning in my mouth, throat pain that’s gotten progressively worse. My PCP has chalked it up to anxiety and started me on meds for general anxiety disorder and upped my PPIs. I KNOW it’s got to be something more because of the sleeve.
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u/Ok-Session6628 27d ago
I have pretty bad reflux and I know intimately what foods I eat that really wreck my body. I know what combinations of what foods, and in roughly what amount will cause my reflux to fire up. I know when I need to take drugs, and what the signs are that maybe I should sleep on an angle tonight to avoid acid climbing my throat.
I cannot mix pasta or bread with sugar or lots of salt or i will be in trouble. You seem to have a condition that is ten times worse than mine, and you are fine with scarfing down a can of chef boyardee ravioli?? That's crazy.
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u/Such-Lingonberry9370 27d ago
No lie when my digestive tract isn’t working right I get bloodshot eyes and swelling.. every single dang time.. Pepcid immediately calms it down. Been told I have MCAS so Pepcid should be taken regularly but I hate having to take it. I’ve had gastric bypass 21 yrs ago and wish I could reverse it.. we no longer have a valve to keep acid from coming back up.. and yes it can come back up easily even with GBYPASS .. even riding a spin like being slightly bent over can push acid back up
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u/bedefiantstill 27d ago
Whelp. As someone who is trying to manage GERD that makes me regurgitate acid and choke for days, this now makes my swollen, painful eyes after 'gerd attack nights' more significant than my doc has acknowledged Also have functional gastroparesis due to stomach surgery. No one can understand unless they've been there. It's such a specific fermentation and force kind of event. I have had a little relief by avoiding tomato and acid-trigger foods, multiple daily ppi (protnixs)and otc famotine. ALSO try supplemental digestive enzymes. Before you're days into an attack, otherwise they could erode damaged tissues.
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u/regardkick 27d ago
My experience is that things like this are always worse the next morning! But it's the first time it's been this bad.
I caved to the raviolis after a few good days and it just reinforced that the restrictive diet was working. I don't think I'll be testing it again!
Something else I noticed but don't know if there's an actual physical mechanism for it (though it feels legitimate), the attacks seem to get worse if I've been more constipated than normal.
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u/Chapardeur11 27d ago
I’ve had acid reflux for years, experienced this and had no idea the two were related! Tysm op
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u/JeNeSaisQuoi_17 27d ago
Thank you for sharing this. I know a lot about bodies, but this is something I didn’t know. I hope you feel better soon!
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u/Diligent-Rabbit2896 25d ago
I went to an ENT for pain in my sinuses. She said "I have good news and bad news. The good news is I know what's causing the pain. The bad news, I'm not the one who treats it." My sinus cavities were full of acid burns from stomach acid...
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u/TheStrawberryBazooka 24d ago
DUDE QUESTION!
I have gerd really badly and never knew there was a aerosol version of reflux. Question, can you taste when you are about to become dead tired? Like, you are wide awake but you get a taste in your mouth and you know in under 40 minutes there is nothing you’ll be able to do to stay awake (unless you pound coffee and go run around if at work but even then it’s a fight for you life)?
My siblings say it’s just my gerd but my dad and grandma who also have it don’t have the sleep taste and my gerd feels different that’s this
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u/Dramatic_Future_7652 23d ago
Wow I'm so sorry this is happening to you! You've got problems stacked on problems over there. I wish you hope and healing in your future; it sounds like you have a good attitude despite it all. I hope you have a gas-free day!
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u/Speldenprikje 23d ago
Wow this is so interesting! Well, first things first; that sucks. A lot. I'm sorry for you.
The biologist in me does get excited about these niche type of conditions, especially because I swear that there is a link between my itchy eyelids when sometimes my stomach is upset (IBS). I thought it might be something allergy related, but I will pay closer attention to this. I by far so not have as severe symptoms, but with some ingredients food just seems to sit in my stomach for hours and hours. The moment I'll lie down flat it just comes up again. On those days I just drink chocolate milk, tastes much better the second time and helps a bit to fight the acidity.
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u/redhedstepkid 22d ago
Girl tellin us about her cry holes and various sphincters… Im def listening though.
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u/FigSuccessful4075 21d ago
Have you ever looked into the gut microbiome / SIBO / SIFO / Gluten etc. Rabbit hole? Might wanna check that out. r/Microbiome is a great place to start. Sorry ur going thru this
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u/Unusual_Passion6351 21d ago
I have this. I take high dose PPI for it and can live a normal life, before that it was hell. Dry eye, ears were blocked, all kinds of things.
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