Need information on Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

@ashby1947 Hi Sue. I have had some reflux, and don't get heartburn. I was told it could make my asthma worse, and recommendations were to avoid eating food 3 hours before bedtime so it has time to clear the stomach, and to sleep on an incline like a wedge pillow on the bed, or to actually incline the bed by putting some blocks under the legs at the head. I would also avoid large meals late in the evening that could take longer to process. Eating a larger mid day meal, and a smaller evening one is probably a good idea. I didn't feel good on omeprazol and discontinued it. If I overeat and my stomach is really full, I can burp some acid up into my throat, so I keep meals smaller and take more time to consume them.

Did your doctor give you any advice like that as simple ways to help prevent a problem?

Hi Jennifer - Thank you for your comments. I've only just received the diagnosis and will discuss with the doc in 2 weeks. I'll know more then. Sue

I find Gaviscon to be very good and without side effects. (Which side effects are you referring to?) The nice thing about it is that it creates a barrier so the acid doesn't leak up, while not trying to reduce the acid completely, which I think is better for your digestion.

Hi- first post here. I've had LPR for a few years now. It was streaky for me for a long time. But the last few months have been ramped up. It's stress related. My wife was going through some physical problems and it really spiked to where I was throwing up every day. It gets worse as the day goes on. And I'm a medical marijuana patient, and for awhile, during the stressful period the cannabis made it so bad, I had to quit.
It's not all stress. Different foods helped- greasy, dairy, colas. I stopped everything and it helped. I even stopped some of my meds and it made no difference. But as the stress decreased, so did the coughing. Still struggle with the throat clearing.
Sorry to be so long, but I guess I'm a veteran with this and maybe I can help.

I suffered from silent reflux a few years ago. After going to different specialists in my area with no answers, I finally found Dr. Jamie Koufman in NYC. She is an the expert on silent reflux. I never saw her as a patient, only reading one of her books and studying the info on her website which has tons of valuable info. I highly recommend her book, The Chronic Cough Enigma. Based on her recommendations, I eliminated a lot of harmful foods from my diet, changed the timing of my meals, and only drank high ph water and herbal teas. I also purchased a wedge pillow which elevated by head and torso for sleeping. The only medication that I found helpful was Dexilant. It was incredibly expensive but was worth it. Hope you can find help and relief.

Hi, I also have chronic cough and lpr. Google my doc, Craig zalvan in NY. He has a talk on YouTube and did a study on plant based diet and lpr which supports his recommendation of plant based diet with small amount of animal protein 2 to 3 times a week. He also recommends a product with sodium alginate to create a "reflux raft" above stomach contents to keep acid and pepsin out of esophagus. And of course natural, spring sourced alkaline water. Not with minerals added. I think all this has helped me. Good luck!

Hi, I believe I have LPR, I have not been diagnosed but I have all the symptoms. I have bitter/sour taste in my mouth almost 24/7, sore throat, pain in ears, breathing issues, and voice fatigue. I have had endoscopies with and without BRAVO, gastric emptying scan, PH monitoring, manometery, and Barrium swallow. Everything comes back normal. I’ve taken PPI’s and H2 blockers that do not help at all! The only medicine that has helped but only for a very short time is Gaviscon Advance from England. How did you receive your LPR diagnosis? Is there any test to confirm reflux of pepsin? Any feedback or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

Hi Michelle 34,
Honestly, my LPR diagnosis was anecdotal. My symptoms checked all the boxes and Dr. Zalvan recommended his plant-based diet (which I have a hard time sticking with - I try for just one small portion if animal protein daily) and Gaviscon Advance or Reflux Gourmet. That the diet is helping is further evidence of LPR. I tried Reflux Gourmet, but didn't find it particularly helpful. Here is Dr. Zalvan's youtube discussion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaIysT3CEVs
I like Esophageal Guardian, from Life Extensions much better. I chew one (recommended dose is two) near bedtime, follow with some alkaline water and it settles any reflux symptoms.
As I understand it, PPIs and H2 blockers reduce stomach acid and not pepsin.
When you say that Gaviscon Advance helped but only for a short time, do you mean that the effect only lasted a short time each time you took it or that after some period of time it stopped working for you?

Hi Mistea, thank you so much for your response! The Gaviscon advance only works for about 20 minutes after I take it each time and then I feel the acid taste and sore throat coming back. I’m so scared of getting cancer that it has really effected my daily life and mental health. My father passed away 18 months ago from esophageal cancer. Are your symptoms the same as mine? Once you started the diet how long did it take to feel relief from your symptoms?

I'm so sorry I only saw this today. I got slammed with work and wasnt monitoring mayoclinic closely. I don't have sore throat or acid taste. I have a chronic cough and voice hoarseness. I had reflux/heartburn evey evening, especially if I lay flat, like for exercises and at bedtime. Now that I know about LPR, I am much more aware of these things. Esophageal guardian at bedtime, which i follow with about 4 ounces of natueal alkaline water, gives me immediate relief. Better than prilosec which I never liked.
And I do notice more "heartburn " and voice changes after a meal with meat or dairy.
Good luck! I sincerely hope you find something that works for you.