Could I have reflux and not know it? I got a cold about 3 weeks ago and with it came a sore throat. I went to the doctor (keep in mind, I have no insurance, so I only go to the doctor when I feel my problem is worth being seen for) because my sore throat was so severe after 2 weeks I thought maybe I had strep. They did a throat culture and it came back negative. It seemed like my throat started to get better, then just yesterday it starts hurting me again, but only when I swallow. When I swallow, it feels like I'm trying to swallow a lump and it's painful.
I have an appointment to get a fill today. The last fill did not take at all. I had a complete unfill, then 2 more fills. After that second fill, it felt as if they completely unfilled me again. So I guess I'm just really concerened about band issues. I love my band I don't want to have any problems with it. Do you think that my throat issue could be caused by a slipped band giving me acid reflux? I have absolutely no heartburn, so that seems strange to me. 
Another thing is that I teach 3 choir classes and I am singing alot to help them learn their different parts. But I have been doing this for a long time and believe I know how to sing and use my voice in a healthy way. Could it just be overuse of my vocal chords while I was sick?
I am going to ask my band doc these questions today, I'm just wondering if anyone has had anything similar and what it was.
I'm up at 4 am because of the pain in my throat. I just want to know what the problem is so I can fix it.

I've had a bad sore throat due to reflux even when I wasn't aware of other reflux symptoms. I think it's called Silent Reflux.  An ear-nose-throat specialist I saw years ago told me that he a lot of patients sought him out for treatment of a sore throat that turned out to be related to reflux. 

Good luck at the doctor today, and keep us posted.

Jean

Do you know if they need to scope me to diagnose that or would they just have me try meds first?

I am absolutely not qualified to answer that question, but being me, I'll try anyway.

Based on my personal experience, the medical approach to this would be:

1.  Rule out (or treat) ear-nose-throat problem (strep, etc.), possibly take a throat culture
2.  Try acid-reducing meds (like Prilosec)
3.  Remove a small amount of fluid from the band
4.  Do an upper GI study
5.  If none of the above was helpful, do an upper endoscopy

The endoscopy is the most expensive and most invastive procedure, so they would do that as a last resort.

Jean

I used to type for an ENT who had female patients get mad and stomp out of his office because he told them they had reflux.  They just weren't going to hear it, dammit.  They had sore throats and wanted antibiotics.  He also had trouble tactfully telling women the inside of their nose was raw or bleeding and mentioned abrasions on the nasal tissues.  One lady had a fit because she said he was accusing her of picking her nose - and she does not pick her nose!  My DH wakes up in the middle of the night with a sore throat and cough and thinks he's sick.  Last time I told him he was probably fine, it was just acid reflux from the snack of yogurt and cereal just before bed, he was insulted.  He knows when he has a sore throat!      I've noticed he hasn't eaten cereal before bed in quite some time now. 

My DH wakes up in the middle of the night with a sore throat and cough and thinks he's sick.  Last time I told him he was probably fine, it was just acid reflux from the snack of yogurt and cereal just before bed, he was insulted.  He knows when he has a sore throat!      I've noticed he hasn't eaten cereal before bed in quite some time now. 

It sounds like my husband has a brother we weren't previously aware of!

Jean

 lol! that might be all men! my mil had a similar experience with a cough only the dr gave her the meds and didn't explain so she was mad about getting stomach meds for her cough but i explained it to her and she was ok. didn't help though cuz she refuses to change her diet!