Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LRP) - severity and outlook?
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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Thank you, Saucy
Thanks again for connecting me to so many great people! I am going in for my second endoscopy in the next few weeks and have an esophageal manometry scheduled for April. Things don’t look too bad now (redness, irritation in back of throat) however I understand that long term irritation, even mild, will lead to gradually worse problems…
This makes sense – I have requested another endoscopy. Thanks!
Thanks for the advice on supplements. I have been eating pineapple but think aswitching to bromelain capsules might be more effective.
I sure hope it helps. I was also told certain acidic fruits can aggravate it. I stick to strawberries and blueberries.
Phil
Phil – Interesting about acidity – how do you determine which is which? I can find articles form fairly reliable sources that cite blueberries (or lemons or other) as “acidic” and “alkaline”…not sure who to trust!
Dave,
I would just Gooogle “foods to avoid eating with LPR”. There are several articles listed I also eat smaller meals which seem to help.
Phil
Dave, I subscribe to this Newsletter below. Just copy and paste it to Google.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/875920?src=wnl_edit_tpal&uac=202198MY
Phil
Thanks Phil…you probably already tried this but I have been using a nasal rinse with saline and some type of cortisol steroid for about 1 week and have experienced a very positive benefit (less sore throat and nasal congestion). Just a thought..
Dave, I’ve tried the Nasal Rinse with the sodium packets. What steroid do you add to your rise?
Phil
Phil – it is Pulmicort .5mg/ml budebsonide suspension for inhalation…it was prescribed by doctor due to an inflammation in the back of my nasal passage. Seems to help a lot.
Thanks for that info.
Phil