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Does surgery work for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)?
Since December 13, 2016. My symptoms started with a soar throat, soar inflamed taste buds on the tip of my tongue and inflamed salivary glands on my soft palate. My tongue, throat and soft palate had a painful burning sensation that was on and off. My General practitioner referred me to an Ear Nose throat specialist who referred me to an oral surgeon who referred me to an oral pathologist for burning mouth syndrome. After wasting 3 months of running around with these Dr's and being tested for oral thrush, hsv tests, vitamin deficiency tests, auto immune deficiency tests, cultural bacteria tests all which came back normal. I decided to go for a second opinion with another E.N.T. specialist who performed a camera scope and diagnosed me with acid in my throat. I was put on Dexilant and noticed the pain dissipate almost immediately only problem was I couldn't tolerate the medication. I was then put on Tecta and referred to a G. I. My general Practitioner did some blood work for h pylori and I tested positive. I started to develop tinitus in my left ear. I had a gastroscopy where they found a 2 cm Hiatel Hernial and my lower sphincter was weak. Thats when I was told I have a mild case of gerd, but I don't suffer from any heart burn. I was put on triple dose of antibiotics for h pylori and continued with the Tecta, domperadone and sucrolafate. I'm getting a little relief from the PPI and meds but I still suffer from bitter reflux taste and burning pain in my throat, soft Palate, the tip of my tongue and dry mouth that comes and goes. I'm in the process of having a 24 hr ph level test done. The G. I. I was seeing says my esophagus biopsy tested clean and he doesn't believe what is happening in my oral cavity is related to my gut. He stated in order for acid to travel to the throat it has to travel through the esophagus and the esophagus tested clean. Thus he can't help me anymore. I'm so confused my ENT says I have acid in my throat and the G.I. doesn't agree.
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I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in the spring of 2019 and underwent chemo, lumpectomy and radiation. I’ll never know what caused my throat issue. Was it cancer treatment, or the Prolia I had injected after because I developed osteoporosis, or just aging (70 now).
Regardless of the reason, I have many GI problems now. I visited an integrative medicine doctor throughout my cancer journey and he helped me greatly so I continue to see him when I need to. His suggestions for silent reflux are:
Marshmallow tea
DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice)
Zinc Carnosine
Aloe Vera
Alkaline water
If interested, you should investigate each of these before ingesting.
My husband has Parkinson’s (and I know this is rationalizing), and a glass of wine with a healthy dinner is something we both look forward to (like Navia). I know it is acidic but we limit it to one standard glass and have dialed it back from two glasses. I know I may have to give it up completely as I already have many other things that I enjoy. I have found some good low acid coffees online and have made that switch.
Like others, I have appreciated Dr. Koufman’s books, including The Chronic Cough Enigma. I don’t have a cough, just chronic sore throat, but this book was still very informative.
Lastly, I did quick drinking alcohol for a month and took Esomeprozole (Nexium) for the same amount of time and did not get better. Trying to find a doctor in my area that will perform the through the nose acid test. I know I can get the Bravo meter implanted, but it requires another endoscopy which I don’t want to do just yet. Would like to give the homeopathic methods a chance to work.
Best wishes to all of you dealing with this confusing condition. Cindy
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1 ReactionCindy, I am a retired Oncology Nurse and I empathize with you, and for all you have been through. Sometimes I have to remind myself that what I complain about is nothing compared to what others have been through. I am all for that nightly glass of wine girl!! You have to weigh the pros and cons, and if it makes you happy, just go for it!!
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3 ReactionsThank you for your reinforcement! My husband and I went right from my cancer nine months into Covid lock down. Add in his PD and our world has become small. I am not complaining as I have many friends and a wonderful family and generally feel pretty content, but these little pleasures have come to mean a lot.
Thanks again and best wishes to you!
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1 ReactionI 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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4 ReactionsI'm so pleased that you have found the answer to your problems. I will have to try harder with my diet, although I don't really think that it is too bad. I know a lot of people who have this problem but they are not usually as bad as I am. I've seen all the right Drs and had all the right tests including an endoscope which showed nothing. It is a weird but horrible disease. I haven't identified a lot of food items that make me bad because everything seems to make me bad. I have just started drinking low acid coffee and I hope this helps me in the morning. I find it so hard to wake up in the mornings without that one cup of coffee.
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2 ReactionsPlease try this cheap and simple solution. Google apple cider vinegar and LPR. Follow the guidelines. I got relief from LPR systems the first day I tried it. What have you got to lose!! I, like you, was trying to get rid of ppi’s which were doing nothing for me. Try it!!!
Before I have Bravo meter implanted (to measure acid) which requires another endoscopy, I’d like to have the transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) or the 24 hour ph-Impedance test. Unfortunately I cannot track down an ENT who performs these tests. Any advice on how to find? Keep reaching dead ends.
Thank you!
My experience is that you have to be referred to a hospital that does this. I am insured with kaiser and they don't do it but they will give me a referral to a hospital that does this. I don't know if this helps at all. I was waiting to have this done but we travel a lot and each time they called me we were away even though I gave them the dates. It is frustrating trying to get this done plus I dread it because I don't think it is very pleasant at all.
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1 ReactionThe bravo is simple accurate and easy. If you are approved for it Do it!! Technology makes it so much easier. Most insurance companies cover it and may require it before moving on to other solutions
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1 ReactionWhat does your diet consist of? What do you usually eat?
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