Does surgery work for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)?

Posted by Bpositive @bpositive, Jun 13, 2017

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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Ludwig Habada | @lhabada | Dec 21, 2023

In reply to @lhabada "I'm and 82 Y.O. male who was able to eat and drink most things during my..." + (show)

@lhabada

I'm and 82 Y.O. male who was able to eat and drink most things during my life, but I did have a lot of stomach acid and I ate a lot of tums for years. Age has a funny way to sneak up and show your health problems you didn't know you had. About 114 days ago, 5 of my buddies and I were playing our weekly card game. Of course, we drank some beer during the game as usual. After the game, I ordered a pizza to take home. After eating just two fairly small pieces of Pizza I developed a severe stomachache. My wife drove me up to the local ER and after many tests determined I needed immediate surgery. My stomach had grown up thru a hole in my hiatel hernia into my upper chest cavity between my lungs and rib cage. The surgeon pulled the stomach back thru the hole back where it belongs and used part of the stomach to do a 360 degree wrap to close the hole in the hernia. The reason given by the surgeon for the 360d wrap, was so that I wouldn't have GERD after healing from the surgery. The surgeon went on to tell me that had the stomach burst, I probably would not have made it. (Nice news, right?) For 5 days following the surgery I was in considerable pain and couldn't eat or drink anything, so they went back in to cut the two Sucher's holding the wrap, but inflammation didn't allow them to get to the wrap, so they inserted a feeding tube into my stomach which I've had since. During the second surgery they determined the wrap had slipped down a little but there was nothing they could do about it because of the inflammation from the original surgery. As of today, I'm still taking Jevity 1.5 twice a day and just recently starting to experiment with soft foods and juices. The message here, is DO NOT wait to see a GI doctor if you are experiencing any issues with acid reflux. Had I done so, they could have corrected the hiatel hernia issue and I would probably be completely healed, which I am not yet. The surgeon said we will just have to have patience to see how it heals. My quality of life has changed for the worse because I was too stubborn to see a gastrologist. Suggest you take heed if you are experiencing any stomach issues.

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Adding to my history above is the following. Today's date is 12/21/2023 and I am now a young 84-year-old male. I had the G-Tube removed after eating and drinking everything to sustain life 131 days later. I am still not able to eat hardly any normal meal because while undergoing a gall bladder surgery, the surgeon observed I still have a hernia in my esophagus and still unable to eat a normal meal and still experiencing acid reflux. I'm seriously considering applying to the Rochester, MN Mayo Clinic to see if they would take my case to rectify the condition.

jackielb | @jackielb | Dec 21, 2023

In reply to @sanchopanza "Hi. My problem started about a month ago when I started chugging down a glass of..." + (show)

@sanchopanza

Hi. My problem started about a month ago when I started chugging down a glass of water and suddenly I had a spasm in the area of my pharynx. It scared me, and took several minutes to abate, but no other symptoms. Soon, I found that I could no longer drink orange juice without the same problem, and then ice cream gave me very thick saliva that was difficult to spit out as well as the tightness in my throat. I had had problems with normal heartburn in the past, but a few days of ranitidine (Zantac) and I was OK. I think this was because of my taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach. If the Zantac didn't help, which was seldom, I took Prilosec for 3 days and it was gone. Now, after the spasms, I began burping and having hiccups frequently, which was new to me, so I started on Prilosec 20mg once a day. I also changed my diet to conform with the diet for GERD and I think I'm beginning to get better, but it's taken a lot out of me because I've been on the same diet for a long time and all of a sudden I'm missing crucial nutrients that I ordinarily get. By the way, I"m 69 and have been healthy and disease free for at least 20 years. I want to discontinue the Prilosec because I've only been taking it for a little more than two weeks. I'm wondering if I could switch back to the Zantac 150mg twice a day without experiencing rebound symptoms because I've been on the Prilosec for such a short time. I can see that there are many people here with digestive health problems and I'm hoping someone can steer me in the right direction. My doctor is very good at giving labs and writing prescriptions, but he doesn't seem to do much doctoring, but that was OK, because I haven't had any serious health issues. He just told me " You know you have to see a gastroenterologist". Because of the holiday I haven't been able to schedule an appt. yet and now, with some of the symptoms lessening, I'm hoping there's a chance that I can switch to Zantac, or preferably cimetidine (Tagament) which helped me greatly when I developed an ulcer many years ago, and solve this problem without any intervention. The reason I want to stop taking it is because of the side effects. I've had diarrhea a few times and lots of headaches.I"m also worried about the things that can happen when you have so little stomach acid. I"d appreciate any comments from people who have had experience weaning off Prilosec after short term use, or anyone who has suffered with LPR or laryngopharangeal reflux, or anyone at all. Thanks for listening!!

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My gastro doc advised me against a nissen fundoplication because esophageal manometry showed i had presbyesophagus that causes motility/swallowing issues. He put me on 30 mg of amitriptyline but 20 mg keeps my spasms under control. There's a surgeon in Austin Tx - Dr. Francis Buckley - conducting a clinical trial for a new GERD/Hiatal Hernia procedure. There's also a new acid reflux med that's been available in other countries for some time now that is different than a PPI. It's called vonoprazan.

cmdw2600 | @cmdw2600 | Jan 6, 2024

In reply to @cmdw2600 "Has anyone been diagnosed with silent reflux or LPR? This is a condition where there is..." + (show)

Has anyone purchased and utilized an alkaline water maker? I keep buying alkaline water in plastic bottles ranging from 16 oz to a gallon depending on availability and price, but don’t like using plastic (environment) and the inconvenience of shopping for it.

Dr. Jamie Koufman recommends one but wanted to get several opinions before I purchase. Thank you!

Cindy

baguette | @baguette | Jan 7, 2024

In reply to @cmdw2600 "Has anyone been diagnosed with silent reflux or LPR? This is a condition where there is..." + (show)

I haven't bought one. I had a regular water pitcher filter and used that until I tested it and found that it was extremely acidic (removing minerals apparently is why). I am on the verge of ordering drops to put in the filtered water. I was looking at the Swanson ph booster drops because they appear to be the cleanest, no titanium or other contaminants. If you already have a water filter system you may want to consider drops.

Also see if there is an alkaline filtered water dispenser at one of your local groceries. There is one at my local Kroger; 35 cents per gallon. A cancer survivor recommended it to me. I can't vouch for its filtering efficacy, but the person is very picky about what she consumes so it may be an ok option. I already have the water pitcher with a many filters in the cabinet so I am going that route for now.

rsy | @rsy | Jan 10, 2024

In reply to @cmdw2600 "Has anyone been diagnosed with silent reflux or LPR? This is a condition where there is..." + (show)

Hi,
I have a suggestion for you. I was seen by ENT doctor and told, after an endoscopy procedure, that I had LPR. She prescribed PPI’s…which only made my symptoms worse. After a lot of research, I asked my family doctor if he would schedule a breathe test for me to check for SIBO. The test showed I had hydrogen SIBO. LPR and SIBO treatments are “vastly” different. I spent a lot of time and money going down the LPR path, when in fact I had SIBO. So my suggestion is: Get tested for SIBO before going down the LPR path. I wish someone (like a doctor) would have suggested this to me. Good luck to you!

seapen | @seapen | Jan 11, 2024

In reply to @cmdw2600 "Has anyone been diagnosed with silent reflux or LPR? This is a condition where there is..." + (show)

Has anyone here ordered the LPR course from refluxgate? Was it worth paying $99 for it?

patricia1234 | @patricia1234 | Jan 11, 2024

In reply to @rsy "Hi, I have a suggestion for you. I was seen by ENT doctor and told, after..." + (show)

I have SIBO now - finished the Xiafaxin and remains in the SIBO low fodmap diet for 6 weeks. Not improving after 2 weeks/diet - meeting with a functional medicine doctor soon.

romans8 | @romans8 | Jan 11, 2024

In reply to @cmdw2600 "Has anyone been diagnosed with silent reflux or LPR? This is a condition where there is..." + (show)

Has anyone used “Reflux gourmet” for silent reflux? I have recently been diagnosed with LPR, and this product was recommended by the dietitian I saw this week.

Marta | @interest | Jan 12, 2024

In reply to @patricia1234 "I have SIBO now - finished the Xiafaxin and remains in the SIBO low fodmap diet..." + (show)

I had same and after finishing the 3rd week of the diet started gradually feeling better.

madje | @madje | Jan 12, 2024

In reply to @cmdw2600 "Has anyone been diagnosed with silent reflux or LPR? This is a condition where there is..." + (show)

ENT referred me to speech pathologist since it was affecting my voice and breathing. Read book Dropping Acid which is about stopping high acid foods. It did work but I didn’t stick to it and 10 yrs later losing my voice again and getting therapy.
So, I quit therapy, started the strict low carb (< 20g) keto diet and within a month my GERD and LPR appears to be gone. Also lost 20# in 2 months. This may end up being my long term solution for reflux and weight control. Good luck. LPR can be life threatening if it continues to worsen and left untreated. Stay vigilant.

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