1. < Digestive Health

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LRP) - severity and outlook?

Posted by davearnatt @davearnatt, Jan 9, 2017

I have had LPR / reflux for about 5 years and have made the normal lifestyle changes (diet, bed, etc) which reduced symptoms slightly. PPIs do not seem to help so we suspect pepsin rather than acid. The severity of symptoms changes over time with throat "experiences" occuring roughly as follows:

No problem (10%)
Cold feeling like finishing a breath mint (30%)
Like a mild burn from food + tightness (40%)
Moderate to intense pain/redness (20%)

By now, the odds of resolving this seem remote. My doctor talked about me entering "another phase" which feels like it will get worse. My questions:

1. Does anyone have any feedback/experience about the potential impact of this type of continual inflammation leading to severe problems including cancer? Is it possible that just learning to live with this is an option that will not end with something awful?

2. Does anyone have any experience/feedback on surgery options besides classic Nissen fundoplication? I have read about Linx (magnetic ring) and partial (270 degree) fundoplication.

Thank you for any advise or help you can offer!

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Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Jan 9, 2017

Hello @davearnatt,

I'm so glad you found us on Connect, and I want to assure you that you will get the much needed support, information, and good wishes from this community.

I found a great article about Linx device, and studies conducted by Mayo Clinic; you can view it here: http://mayocl.in/2id4OSV
@carolynlivingjaks, @saucy, I see that you have discussed the Linx device as well; do you have some insight for @davearnatt?

Although the eligibility criteria may vary, I would also encourage you to take a look at this clinical trial being conducted at Mayo's campuses in Arizona and Minnesota: http://mayocl.in/2jcpFV1

In the meantime, I'd like to introduce you to a few members who have posted about LRP (also known as Silent Reflux); please meet @smorford, @davehudsn, @stardisc, @cowboy1997, @kaystrand, @ptfitzy.

@davearnatt, has your doctor recommended regular endoscopy exams or other tests to monitor changes to the esophagus? What lifestyle changes have you had to make?

REPLY
1 reply
saucy | @saucy | Jan 10, 2017

I had the Linx procedure Dec, 2014. It does have it's problems. If you don't find out the foods that cause you gas and bloating the pressure from the gas pushes on the device causing pain. It's difficult to burp to relieve the pressure and can be miserable. I read the book,"Fast Tract Digestion", which really helped me identify foods that cause problems. You might check it out before surgery it just might help you feel better without surgery. Simple things like fruit were a big problem. After surgery I was still taking Zantac twice a day. After reading the book I've been off everything! Hope you get relief

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3 replies
cab26 | @cab26 | Feb 27, 2017

I have been diagnosed, several years ago, with LPR. I am currently taking 40 MG Omeprozole twice a day and 300 mg of Randitinine and still experiencing reflux. My ENT and my GI doctors said I was a candidate for the LINX Procedure since the medicine, high doses, is not stopping the reflux. I'm also concerned about the side effects the medicine can have on my body. How many procedures has the Mayo Clinic done with the LINX Procedure?

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9 replies
saucy | @saucy | Feb 27, 2017
In reply to @cab26 "I have been diagnosed, several years ago, with LPR. I am currently taking 40 MG Omeprozole..." + (show)
@cab26

I have been diagnosed, several years ago, with LPR. I am currently taking 40 MG Omeprozole twice a day and 300 mg of Randitinine and still experiencing reflux. My ENT and my GI doctors said I was a candidate for the LINX Procedure since the medicine, high doses, is not stopping the reflux. I'm also concerned about the side effects the medicine can have on my body. How many procedures has the Mayo Clinic done with the LINX Procedure?

Jump to this post

Dr Harold at Phoenix Mayo has been doing the Linx for a long time, she was one of the first doctors to do it. She had written a paper on it.

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ptfitzy | @ptfitzy | Feb 28, 2017

With my LPR, I have no burning at all. I have excessive mucus in my esophagus and it runs into my sinuses. I was told that dairy, caffeine, fried foods, and processed foods contributed to it. I stopped eating processed meats. I eat plain non processed turkey and stopped consuming dairy. I take Probiotics as well as Bromelain capsules 2 to 3 times a day. I tried every Proton Pump inhibitor as well as several antacid tablets, but none work.
I eat smaller meals, no processed snack foods and a lot of green vegetables. I will sometimes take a couple tablespoons of Maalox if it comes on after a meal. I have had some decent relief. I refused to go the route of surgery.
Phil

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3 replies
davearnatt | @davearnatt | Feb 28, 2017
In reply to @ptfitzy "With my LPR, I have no burning at all. I have excessive mucus in my esophagus..." + (show)
@ptfitzy

With my LPR, I have no burning at all. I have excessive mucus in my esophagus and it runs into my sinuses. I was told that dairy, caffeine, fried foods, and processed foods contributed to it. I stopped eating processed meats. I eat plain non processed turkey and stopped consuming dairy. I take Probiotics as well as Bromelain capsules 2 to 3 times a day. I tried every Proton Pump inhibitor as well as several antacid tablets, but none work.
I eat smaller meals, no processed snack foods and a lot of green vegetables. I will sometimes take a couple tablespoons of Maalox if it comes on after a meal. I have had some decent relief. I refused to go the route of surgery.
Phil

Jump to this post

Hi Phil - good news! Sounds like you have found the key and that is where I am headed. Do you have any concerns with longer term damage from other less painful symptoms like tired throat or "cold" feeling like using a cough drop?

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davearnatt | @davearnatt | Feb 28, 2017
In reply to @cab26 "I have been diagnosed, several years ago, with LPR. I am currently taking 40 MG Omeprozole..." + (show)
@cab26

I have been diagnosed, several years ago, with LPR. I am currently taking 40 MG Omeprozole twice a day and 300 mg of Randitinine and still experiencing reflux. My ENT and my GI doctors said I was a candidate for the LINX Procedure since the medicine, high doses, is not stopping the reflux. I'm also concerned about the side effects the medicine can have on my body. How many procedures has the Mayo Clinic done with the LINX Procedure?

Jump to this post

What determines if you are a candidate? I experience some moderate pain (30% of time) but do not get any response to when I should consider surgery.

REPLY
davearnatt | @davearnatt | Feb 28, 2017
In reply to @saucy "I had the Linx procedure Dec, 2014. It does have it's problems. If you don't find..." + (show)
@saucy

I had the Linx procedure Dec, 2014. It does have it's problems. If you don't find out the foods that cause you gas and bloating the pressure from the gas pushes on the device causing pain. It's difficult to burp to relieve the pressure and can be miserable. I read the book,"Fast Tract Digestion", which really helped me identify foods that cause problems. You might check it out before surgery it just might help you feel better without surgery. Simple things like fruit were a big problem. After surgery I was still taking Zantac twice a day. After reading the book I've been off everything! Hope you get relief

Jump to this post

Goof to hear you are reducing pressure. Any possibility that you control this with diet and have Linx removed? I heard that is possible...

REPLY
saucy | @saucy | Feb 28, 2017
In reply to @saucy "I had the Linx procedure Dec, 2014. It does have it's problems. If you don't find..." + (show)
@saucy

I had the Linx procedure Dec, 2014. It does have it's problems. If you don't find out the foods that cause you gas and bloating the pressure from the gas pushes on the device causing pain. It's difficult to burp to relieve the pressure and can be miserable. I read the book,"Fast Tract Digestion", which really helped me identify foods that cause problems. You might check it out before surgery it just might help you feel better without surgery. Simple things like fruit were a big problem. After surgery I was still taking Zantac twice a day. After reading the book I've been off everything! Hope you get relief

Jump to this post

Yes I was going to but very expensive. Also when I had the surgery dec 2014 my insurance didn't cover it even tho it was pre approved so it cost me 6600.00 out of pocket. Check with your insurance and get it in writing! So i'm afraid removal won't be covered. That's why i mentioned the diet first!

REPLY
davearnatt | @davearnatt | Feb 28, 2017
In reply to @saucy "I had the Linx procedure Dec, 2014. It does have it's problems. If you don't find..." + (show)
@saucy

I had the Linx procedure Dec, 2014. It does have it's problems. If you don't find out the foods that cause you gas and bloating the pressure from the gas pushes on the device causing pain. It's difficult to burp to relieve the pressure and can be miserable. I read the book,"Fast Tract Digestion", which really helped me identify foods that cause problems. You might check it out before surgery it just might help you feel better without surgery. Simple things like fruit were a big problem. After surgery I was still taking Zantac twice a day. After reading the book I've been off everything! Hope you get relief

Jump to this post

Thanks - really appreciate this!

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