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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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This has been mentioned several times before, but check out The Chronic Cough Enigma by Dr. Jamie Koufmann. It’s an easy to understand explanation of LPR with suggestions on how to remedy the problem-or at least improve. Book is appropriate even if you don’t have a cough, just the sore throat.
Best wishes, Cindy
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1 ReactionI have 2 of her books and watch her monthly q&a. It has been helpful. I have changed my diet but still have issues with congestion and the Globus sensation daily.
I also have LPR. It started as regular reflux about 13 years ago when I was pregnant. Then it turned to silent reflux. I never get heartburn. I have seen 2 gi, 2 ent and an allergist. None have been very helpful. They prescribed Flonase for my congestion and Claritin-d. I have been on 3 different ppi meds that didn’t work along with Pepcid before bed. I use Gaviscon with some relief. I have an adjustable bed to sleep at an incline. I have had an EGD and colonoscopy, Ct scans, an esophagram. I have the EGD with Bravo scheduled in Jan. I have totally changed my diet and lost 23 lbs which was not needed. I’m 5’3” and now weigh 107 🙁 I have purchased the acid diet books and read a ton of things online. Not sure what to do next. Has anyone found something that actually works or a doctor that knows what they are talking about. That seems to be my problem. I know the congestion, ear pain and pressure, nose blockage and cycling, throat gurgling, Globus sensation, and acid taste are all connected.
It was suggested that I go see an allergist who specializes in sinuses.He did allergy testing and said I am very allergic to dust mites. He is sending me in a perscription for a new nasal spray, as I told him I have an anxiety attack when I cannot breathe thru my nose!! And actually, as the weather has changed, the nose closing off is less than before. I am hoping the new spray will be my salvation.
I too went to an allergist. I also have a dust mite allergy. She tested me for over 40 things. I was told to use Flonase. It did not help so I was switched to Nasonex. That also has not help at all. I have seen a different ENT and he said I have a deviated septum. But I don’t think that would be the cause of the ear plugging, ringing, and lightheadedness.
Just saw a pulmonologist who noticed in my history that my eosinophils (in cbc blood test) are high when I’m experiencing this chronic cough/nasal congestion after eating and at night especially before I lay down . I’ve had the “smoker’s” cough off and on for years. Sometimes it disappears spontaneously. Hope the symbacort he prescribed helps! I’ll keep you posted
Do you have a hiatal hernia? Avoid wearing tight clothes around abdomen area and chest. Have you tried a PPI?
No, I do not have a hiatal hernia. They would have found it during the esophagram or EDG. I am not currently taking ppis. I was on omeprazole twice a day for a month with no help. Then pantoprazole twice a day for two months with no help. The side effects were awful so I stop taking them. I’m not a fan of tight clothing. And with the weigh loss all of my clothes are huge.
Are you avoiding trigger foods - coffee, chocolate, mint, thick red tomato sauce, wine. Sometimes a person needs to eat 5 small meals instead of 3. Chew slowly. Also it could take about a month to two before you see improvement. Hopefully the test in January will give doctor more info. Have you had a esophageal manometry test? I found out that I have that in addition to a HH. There's a new drug that was recently approved that's different than PPIs. It's originally from Japan. Vonoprazan is the name.
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2 ReactionsI have avoided trigger foods since August 3rd when I found I had LPR. Im not a drinker. I would have the occasional soda that’s all. I’m on a low fat, low acid diet. And I’ve lost 30lbs 🙁 I’m now 105. I have always been a slow eater. That eats small meals. I have recently started to had a small snack between lunch and supper. I eat supper before 5pm to give it time to digest before bed. I have not had the manometry test. That was one of the test my GI doctor suggested after the Bravo. Thank you for replying