Connect
← Return to LPR and shortness of breath?
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
You're amazing. Thank you for your wonderful response.
I already eliminated the typical "culprits" with high acidity, but I have never taken it as far as you're talking about. Which I need to do! I picked up the The Acid Watcher's Diet from the library. I will get into that Facebook group. Thank you for those resources!
I was told to drink alkaline water between 8.5 and 14 ph. I tried some the other day when I was having an episode but it didn't really help. Is it something I have to be drinking all the time? Is the pH it more preventative and not so much once the ball gets rolling?
In regards to Vagus Nerve Dysfunction- I am coming off of a benzodiazepine. Do you think there is a chance that my "wires have been crossed" and that is making things much harder with the LPR? Or could I be overstating that impact?
How does postnasal drip feel for you? I have always wondered if I have it but I don't know if I do. Do you have that separate from the LPR or is it all related? I always thought of it as an allergy thing, but all of these conditions seem so interconnected it's been driving me nuts trying to understand things.
All of those psychosocial suggestions are fantastic. I do some already (I have a very cute little dog) but volunteering at a shelter is something I have wanted to do and haven't done yet. That might be next on my list.
You are definitely right. I am completely overwhelmed. I'm so thankful to have found this message board.
Replies to "You're amazing. Thank you for your wonderful response. I already eliminated the typical "culprits" with high..."
Connect
Alkaline water should be all the time. It helps to kill the digestive enzyme pepsin that gets lodged in our throat tissue. Dr. Koufman also suggests spraying the water into the back of your mouth. Some people also use it as nose drops. Dr. Koufman suggests a filtered water pitcher brand, and today on her blog she noted which pH balancers work if you already have a filtered water pitcher that makes the water acidic.
For episodes you can try the usual antacid tablets, Gaviscon Advance (order from Amazon, from the UK), or warm water if the episode is coughing or the globus sensation.
For me postnasal drip comes out the nose and down the throat; with the latter I am hacking up phlegm periodically. And coughing. It has subsided when I do the diet properly.
Your postnasal drip may be allergy related. The one ENT I saw said that to me. He scoped only my nostril, not my throat, so he missed the opportunity to explore whether I had LPR. But I had a sore throat for about 1.5 years and that is gone so I think for me while I may have allergies I also have LPR.
I have no idea if the drug you are coming off of could affect the vagus nerve. I have found that following the suggestions for LPR/GERD has helped my health overall whether I know what specifics are going on. I am learning about fillers and acid in processed food/supplements/vitamins and that some people can have bad reactions to these ingredients, even if it's at a low-level so it's not as obvious as breaking out into hives.
All you can do is follow processes that work for others to see if they work for you, find a medical team that is competent and caring, and find joy every day doing whatever it is that brings you joy and satisfaction. You can do this!