Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux - made a decision to visit the Mayo Clinic

Posted by CMaso67 @cmaso67, May 13, 2014

Hello, I've made a decision to visit the Mayo Clinic in a last-ditch effort to correctly diagnose and treat what's going on with me. I've had a history of LPR (laryngo-pharyngeal reflux) for several years - had surgery twice. 2010, had the Hill Repair (similar to a Nissen) done and most recently an operation to fix a hiatal hernia that I thought was at the root of my most recent symptoms.

It helped a good bit, however, most of my symptoms have persisted. I have throat irritation, wheezing, coughing spells (without much being coughed up, and when something does come up it's thin and clear), need to clear my throat often, discomfort breathing (chest/upper airway congestion), and strangely, a yellow tongue and and a "cool" or tingling on my tongue at times, as though I've been sucking on a mint.

My Lower esophageal sphincter is very tight; I'd be very surprised if any acid at all is coming up from the stomach. However, my upper ES is weak, so I'm concerned that I'm chronically aspirating food and liquid particles, and it's irritating my airway and lungs. Most of my doctors have failed to show any interest in playing detective or taking much initiative; it's pretty much had to be me doing research and suggesting tests/courses of action. I'm really hoping the Mayo will be able to nail down what's happening and how to alleviate or cure it.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Support Group.

Hi @cmaso67. I hope you find the relief you're looking for at Mayo. For more information on appointments at Mayo Clinic, visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments.

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Thank you, looking forward to the visit. Was wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what to expect - 5-7 days makes for a lot of testing...

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@cmaso67

Thank you, looking forward to the visit. Was wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what to expect - 5-7 days makes for a lot of testing...

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Here is a YouTube playlist of video guides at Mayo Clinic in Florida: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL726AA0A5A8700D25. In Arizona: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBA21638186C6B0B9. In Minnesota: http://videotours.mayoclinic.org/minnesota-videos/. Can anyone provide some insight into what to expect during appointments at Mayo Clinic?

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Don't worry about 4 or 5 days of testing at Mayo; its a piece of cake. I would highly suggest you get copies (CD's if possible) of all medical visits/test you had done in the last year and take with you to Mayo for the doctors to review. It can save a lot of time for the doctors. After 10 months of doctors in my town not knowing what my health problem was, I went to Mayo in Jacksonville, FL. After 4 days of extensive testing I was diagnosed with a rare disease. I am under treatment now at Mayo and never felt better in my life. Sure testing was long, but not unpleasant and you have nothing to fear. Good luck to you and I wish you well.

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@pauletta

Don't worry about 4 or 5 days of testing at Mayo; its a piece of cake. I would highly suggest you get copies (CD's if possible) of all medical visits/test you had done in the last year and take with you to Mayo for the doctors to review. It can save a lot of time for the doctors. After 10 months of doctors in my town not knowing what my health problem was, I went to Mayo in Jacksonville, FL. After 4 days of extensive testing I was diagnosed with a rare disease. I am under treatment now at Mayo and never felt better in my life. Sure testing was long, but not unpleasant and you have nothing to fear. Good luck to you and I wish you well.

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Thank you for your reply - that's wonderful and encouraging news -- best wishes for your future health! As far as testing, they can test me as extensively and as long as they want. It's just hard to get a picture of how they're going to fill up a week's worth of testing, but I'm more than happy to find out. At this point, I almost feel a completely fresh set of data would be most beneficial, but I've kept copies of my most recent and relevant records, so I'll let the doctors at Mayo decide what they think is useful.

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@cmaso67

Thank you, looking forward to the visit. Was wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what to expect - 5-7 days makes for a lot of testing...

Jump to this post

Awesome treatment. Everyone treats you like a real person and greets you <br />
with a smile. Totally professional and very aware of your needs. The best <br />
hospital I\'ve been to.

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