Patient Experience: Living Without the Ability to Burp – Noel’s Life-Changing RCPD Treatment

Mr. Noel da Silva Lundgren is an active young professional with a vibrant social life, an outgoing personality, and a passion for travel. However, for over a decade, his life was held back by a painful condition known as Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction (RCPD), or the inability to burp. After years of being misdiagnosed as having IBS or a hernia by doctors in Europe and the United States, his determination led him to Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok. Under the expert care of Prof. Dr. Suthep Gonlachavit, a gastroenterologist, Noel underwent a life-changing Botox injection procedure, finally reclaiming his health and living life to the fullest.
 

Living with RCPD symptoms

When did you first realize something was wrong?

I formally noted it in 2015. According to my parents, they cannot recall me ever burping since I was 3 or 4 years old. As a child, I instinctively avoided carbonated drinks because they made my stomach feel terrible. By 2015, however, it became a major life hurdle.

How did these symptoms impact your daily life?

It affected me a lot. I noticed that whenever I ate, drank and engaged in any sort of movement like walking or talking, I would feel gas build up inside of me within 15-20 minutes. The first symptoms to appear were a sense of dizziness, an unimaginable amount of saliva production and uncontrollable hiccupping. Then, I would experience severe bloating and internal pressure that could last for several hours. The only way to ease them was to lie down flat. I often had to leave events or parties to find a couch or a patch of grass just to get relief.

How would you describe the pain?

It wasn’t just a wave of discomfort. It was a constant, intense pain. It felt like I was expanding from the inside with a relentless ache radiating from my stomach into my neck and throat.
 

The Search for RCPD Diagnosis

How did you discover RCPD or find out about our medical team?

I discovered the ‘No Burp’ community on Reddit in 2025, which was an eye-opener. For the first time in my life, I saw people who had the exact same problem. Through this community, I learned that there are only a handful of specialists globally who understand RCPD, one of whom is at Bumrungrad International Hospital. I knew then that I needed a specialist, not just a general practitioner.

What factors influenced your decision to seek treatment at Bumrungrad?

I wanted this done quickly and by a professional. The medical process in Europe would have taken too long. So, I compared Bumrungrad with another hospital in Singapore in terms of cost and timeframe. Ultimately, Bumrungrad hospital was the better choice. I already knew that Bumrungrad is a highly esteemed, globally recognized institution. After a video consultation with Dr. Suthep, where he expressed confidence that it was RCPD, I was able to arrange everything within my required timeframe, so I booked my flight to Bangkok.
 

RCPD Treatment and Recovery Experience

Did you have any specific fears or anxieties before undergoing the procedure?

The video call with Dr. Suthep removed my anxiety about being misdiagnosed. My only fear was that the treatment wouldn’t work. Since some people require larger or multiple injections, I was reassured that Bumrungrad administered 100 units right away. This increases the likelihood of success from the start.

How would you describe your actual experience during the treatment and recovery process?

The procedure itself was painless as I was under anesthesia. The most uncomfortable part was the diagnostic swallow test, which involved drinking carbonated water to trigger my symptoms. It was unpleasant but 100% worth it. The treatment was completed in 30-45 minutes.

In terms of recovery, I recovered faster than most. For the first few days, I could eat very little and had to eat slowly and carefully to avoid choking. However, after 3 weeks, I was back to a normal diet. The day after the procedure, I started releasing small pops of air. The strangest part was the micro-burping. For a couple of weeks, I experienced a series of micro-burping every 15-20 minutes.
 

Life after RCPD Treatment

Reflecting on your journey, how would you describe your experience with our medical team?

I felt well treated. Dr. Suthep and his team were thorough. They even proactively biopsied a small growth in my throat during the procedure to ensure it was benign, which I deeply appreciated. It was a very comfortable and professional experience.
 

What would you tell others suffering from RCPD but are still hesitant to get help?

If you are experiencing these symptoms, I highly recommend pursuing the treatment. Don’t be afraid. While it requires travel and planning, it is absolutely worth it for the improvement in your quality of life. I have been traveling, eating, drinking and socializing symptom-free for months now. I feel like I am truly living life for the first time and the difference is magical. It is like night and day. I know that in some cases the effects of the injection may wear off over time, but I would gladly do it again if needed.