Silent Reflux or LPR

Posted by cmdw2600 @cmdw2600, Jan 27, 2023

Has anyone been diagnosed with silent reflux or LPR? This is a condition where there is no heartburn, but acid makes its way to the throat. I have had a sore throat/throat irritation for over two years.

Would like to treat without PPI and do what I can homeopathically.

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kim1003 | @kim1003 | Apr 11 10:40am

Yes, I also have LPR and have a sulfur smell in my breath. Does anyone else have this??

helenaj1126 | @helenaj1126 | Apr 12 9:35am

I have it also. I have been suffering with it for over 4 years. I have had my throat dilated a few times. I suffer from vocal chord collapse at times. It’s all from silent acid. I have been on a few different PPIs. Am on pantropazole right now. Doesn’t really do anything to help much. It’s depressing. I have weird wheezing in my throat and sometimes a cough also. Wish I could figure out the cure

baguette | @baguette | Apr 12 11:20am

This website has good info on LPR and advice on how to manage it: https://jamiekoufman.com . I have LPR as well as GERD and I do the low acid, whole food diet (I use the Dr. Aviv version, Dr. Koufman has one too). I found that the diet works for me along with lifestyle changes like sleeping with head elevated, not eating late in the day, etc. The digestive enzyme pepsin is the main culprit. It gets into the throat, the sinuses, the ears. If the drugs aren't working for you try the diet for at least a month and see if you have improvements. Doesn't cost money to try to eat low acid. Lots of info on the internet on the acidity of different foods. There is a FB group with a ton of recipes based on Aviv's diet https://www.facebook.com/groups/199013402360712. When I follow the diet my cough disappears, my throat feels better. I have fallen off the wagon the last two weeks and the symptoms have returned. Good luck to all.

beablemom | @beablemom | Apr 12 5:56pm

In reply to @helenaj1126 "I have it also. I have been suffering with it for over 4 years. I have..." + (show)

I have had it for three years. Don't know what to do at this point. I also wish I knew how to tighten my upper and lower sphicter muscles. WE so need help.

rsy | @rsy | Apr 14 5:36am

In reply to @kim1003 "Yes, I also have LPR and have a sulfur smell in my breath. Does anyone else..." + (show)

I was diagnosed with LPR by an ENT doctor. Treated by ENT who prescribed ppi’s which made the LPR worse. Went to internal medicine doctor who tested (breath test) for SIBO….and unfortunately I tested positive for SIBO. Before you go down the LPR path, ( wasting time and money) get tested for SIBO. The treatments are vastly different. Wish someone had told to get the SIBO test. Good luck to you!

kim1003 | @kim1003 | Apr 14 11:49am

In reply to @rsy "I was diagnosed with LPR by an ENT doctor. Treated by ENT who prescribed ppi’s which..." + (show)

Thank you so much for the reply! Yes, about 15 yrs ago I tested positive for Sibo and since then have had multiple rounds of antibiotics. I went for a 2nd opinion and had an endoscopy when some biopsies done and he concluded that I don’t have Sibo. So, I’m so darn confused. I have an appt with another dr in May. We’ll see what she says. Did you have the sulfur smell also?

baguette | @baguette | Apr 15 12:46pm

In reply to @kim1003 "Thank you so much for the reply! Yes, about 15 yrs ago I tested positive for..." + (show)

Have you tried the low FODMAP diet? You could try that while waiting to sort out the SIBO question with a doctor. I was having SIBO symptoms but the PCP blew off the suggestion of being tested. She said do the diet and if it works, then fine. With me, the abdominal pain and gas went away after about three weeks on the diet. I had no sulfur smell, at least that I noticed.

kim1003 | @kim1003 | Apr 15 1:36pm

In reply to @baguette "Have you tried the low FODMAP diet? You could try that while waiting to sort out..." + (show)

That’s a good idea, I’m going to try that. I was on it a few yrs back. If you had the sulfur smell you would know. People would surely tell you. I’m glad that you don’t, it’s horrible.

ksprech | @ksprech | Apr 16 6:22am

Reflux Gourmet has helped my LPR tremendously. All natural product.

ttiezm | @ttiezm | Aug 4 11:48am

In reply to @jdecks "I was finally diagnosed in 2019 after so many tests. My GP was on Medical leave..." + (show)

@jdecks

I was finally diagnosed in 2019 after so many tests. My GP was on Medical leave so another doctor in the practice ordered all the lung tests. I had shortness of breath, extreme excess phlegm, a feeling of something stuck in my throat, small bits of food getting stuck and chest pressure. The chest x-ray, cat scan and breathing tests made me relieved but did not solve any problem. I was prescribed Prednisone and that did partially clear my throat and relieve the chest pressure but my main symptoms persisted. I tried a few home remedies which did make me feel better temporarily. Next, I made an appointment with a Cardiologist. After EKG, Echocardiogram and a nuclear stress test found nothing I did not know where to turn to.

I was thinking Allergist and decided an ENT doctor would be better first. Well he knew pretty quick what it was. Trying to make a now sceptic patient believe it could be so simple as diet related took some convincing. He put the tube through my nose to my throat and prescribed Prilosec. I scoured the Internet for LPR which I did not know existed. At that time I did not have a great diet but consumed a lot of healthy food and drank lots of water. Every morning I made smoothies for myself and my kids. Like a lot of other people Apple Cider Vinegar was a regular part of my life. If you look even now you will still see that people swear by ACV to help with their acid problems. I stopped using ACV / water mix and kept it out of my smoothies at the same time I was taking the medication. Because I read a lot online I learned my other culprits as well. My afternoon espresso and the mint candies. I didn't seem to have a problem with tomatoes as long as they weren't mixed with spicy peppers. Not every LPR sufferer will have the same triggers. My life was saved by just food changes and 8 months of Prilosec. I will say that due to this issue and also high triglycerides I completely changed my diet. I don't think you need to go to extremes but I'm now Vegan - WFPB. ACV - even the smell makes me sick and causes my throat to burn. I actually do vomit if it's in anything I eat. I don't believe I'll ever be cured but it's very rare that I have symptoms now. I really do think ACV is so bad with anyone with LPR.

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Hey there. May I ask how you are feeling now, and whether your shortness of breath ever comes back? I have been experiencing shortness of breath for 3.5 years and it's very likely that I also have LPR. Been through the same tests you've been through too. I believe it's mainly a matter of whether our stomach acids are considered low or high though, as both could lead to the same LPR-like symptoms, strangely enough. In my case, the PPI's did not work for me, in fact they made me feel worse. I started drinking diluted ACV because I suspected that my stomach acid levels were low not high - this was because I knew I had other low stomach acid symptoms like unintentional weight loss, hair loss, and iron deficiency. So far, replacing the PPI with ACV hasn't been too big of an issue - even when I eat my trigger foods. I just started but I think I also would like to believe that this might be the better way since PPI's didn't really work for me (especiallly for someone with low stomach acid)!