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ENT REFERRAL

Posted , 4 users are following.

libralady13
libralady13

Hi, Just a quick question although I may have asked this some time ago.

If I ask my gp to refer me to ENT for a Throat scope (I think that is what it is called) Will I have to attend the ENT clinic first then get them to make the appointment for the scope or can my gp send me straight for the scope.  I think I have LPR and am worried about my voice amongst other things and would like to know one way or the other although I suffer from anxiety and am frightened of hospital and tests.  I am in Greater London.

Thanks.

2 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • julie03582
    julie03582 libralady13

    Posted

    Hi Libralady, how have you helped your throat? Out of interest do you take probiotics?
    • libralady13
      libralady13 julie03582

      Posted

      Hi,  Firstly I do drink yakult, but I don't take any probiotics in tablet form.

      I am not sure what to say about my throat.  I did at first change my diet a bit but not drastically, just more fruit and veg, smaller portions  cut down on tea and did not eat chocolate for a while.  I  also drank alkaline water, still do but not as much.  I do still notice that chocolate causes mucus.  I think this is very common so I don;t have much. Two weeks before Christmas I had a bad cold and then a urinary infection, and I had to take antibiotics which upset my stomach (ibs).

      I did have a return of the symptoms just after Christmas, I think it was a combination of the cold and eating goodies at Christmas.  Since then it seems to have settled down again.  I asked for the ENT referral on 6 th Jan as I was worried about my voice and damage to the vocal chords.  There was a mix over the app but as I mentioned I am going to ENT on 16th of this month.  I have managed to lose 1 stone, still more to go.  Did I mention about coming off omeprazole?  I came off end of October and it took weeks to get it out of my system

      Now I hardly ever have indigestion and my IBS is not causing any trouble.  The only thing I can think of is stress.  Although I still have anxiety, over Christmas and New year I had family stay and I was much more relaxed, so perhaps in my case stress exacerbates the lpr if that is what I have got.  Sorry I can't be more helpful.  How are you doing now?

       

  • julie03582
    julie03582 libralady13

    Posted

    So lovely to hear how well you're doing. When I went to the ENT specialist he didn't think that I had LPR. My sore throat is linked to reflux. I'm trying probiotics and thinking about trying acupuncture to see if that might help! Good luck with your appointment. Keep me posted. xx
    • libralady13
      libralady13 julie03582

      Posted

      Update for Julie and Elle and anyone else who has kindly replied to me on this subject.

      I went to ENT today.  Had to wait an hour for the consultant to arrive.

      He was however very nice.  He did a throat scope as my doctor has said in her referral that I had been worried about damage to vocal chords when last year I was unable to sing so well in my choir and stopped going.  As you know my voice is now fine and I am back singing.  The consultant said everything was great nothing sinister and voice box is fine.  Another doctor showed me the photos they took.  He has diagnosed me with allergic rhinitis which I sort of though I have anyway.  I have been given a nasal spray and am to have 1 session of voice therapy.  He said something must have tipped me over last year for the symptoms of flare up badly.  He noted the family history of asthma and hayfever.  He checked my neck which was ok.

      I assume from that no LPR.  I asked about diet and high alkaline water and he replied just drink lots of water whatever type and no special diet.  He was very nice and quite helpful but I'm not sure if he is convinced about the existence of LPR although I may be wrong.  He asked about heartburn etc and I was able to tell him that I don't really get it anymore.  The leaflet which he has given me about voice

      care lists all the usal things not to smoke drink plenty of water etc. but it does mention avoid caffeine so tea coffee chocolate and fizzy drinks.  It does also say about not clearing the throat because it become more irritated and produces more mucus.  So all this refers to LPR too.  I am just happy that I have no damage to throat or vocal chords and will see what they say when I have the voice care therapy.

      Hope eveyone is ok. 

       

  • julie03582
    julie03582 libralady13

    Posted

    Hi Libralady,  how lovely to hear from you. What an interesting consultation you had today. Also very glad to hear that you feel well again. I'm trying vit D and vit B12 and hoping to feel better soon. Best wishes Julie x
    • libralady13
      libralady13 julie03582

      Posted

      Hi to all just a recap. Saw the voice therapist 2 weeks ago just one session. Most of what she advised I already knew about,

      Reducing caffeine steam inhalation etc. The last few days the symptoms have been creeping back so I need to try and stop it getting worse so back to diet. I have let it slip of late also we had a plumber in and the sealants have made me stuffed up

      And short of breath. Plus it being hay fever season everyone cutting the grass it is hard to know what the main problem is.

      I don't feel too bad this morning just a bit of throat mucus so I hope I can get back on track soon. Oh and have been stressed which I think really contributes to this problem if only because it makes you turn to comfort food or overeat. Hope everyone

      Is doing well. Using my kindle as my laptop has died don't

      like it for messaging.

    • libralady13
      libralady13

      Posted

      Hi to elle1234 and julie03582,  Just wondered how you were both doing.

      After my throat scope in March 2015 things remained quite good with minimum throat mucus. From Sept we had a lot happening with family illness my husband and son.  Was away at Christmas at my daughters and came home with an awful cold the coughing was awful.  Now have problems again voice still a bit hoarse but nearly back to normal cough 

      and digestive problems and back pain.  It seems to be that if you get a cold it just brings back the symptoms of LPR (although according to the consultant I don't have it) reflux, ibs or what ever.  I am going back to gp tomorrow just to check everything.  My cough is still there but much improved so hopefully on the mend but always worried about stomach or back problems (probably IBS and my spine arthritis) but anxiety plays a part although I am no where as bad as I used to be.  Just thought I ought to check with doctor.  Would love to hear from you both.

  • libralady13
    libralady13

    Posted

    Hi,  Not sure what to say.  Recently suffered a bad sinus infection and eye conjunctivitis both eyes given anitibiotics.  Felt terrible pain in head face and teeth and usual yellow green mucus from sinuses.  I have also started to suffer with blocked ears itching and some pain right ear worse.  Also intermittant ringing although this is much better now.  At my last gp visit doctor told me there is fluid in the right ear but she can't gvive me anything like a decongestant as I have high blood pressure and on tablets for this.  When I had a throat scope just over a year at a time when I had been suffering from throat mucus and voice problems the consultant said nothing seen and diagnosed with rhinitis.  I have been taking an antihistamine and steroid nose spray for this.  The hayfever season seems particularly bad this year.  It helped at first but now I have ear pain and fullness and awful choking cough plus roof of mouth near teeth on the right side feels very sure and irritated.  I am wondering if in fact I do have lpr.  I do take the odd ranitadine and gaviscon advance at night.  I can't take ppis.  I still get throat mucus especially after sneezing but not too bad and always worse after a cold. Added to this I have had a lot of trouble with an upper molar and am having a crown (no root canal needed) in the next couple of weeks.  I have read a lot of about sinus lpr etc and dental problems.  Wondering if this is anything to do with it.  Also we are moving in a few weeks 200 miles away to live near daughter  we have wanted to do for sometime.  Obviously this is stressful and does not help my anxiety problem. I am getting the dental crown done check up and scale and polish before we move so I don't have to rush to find a dentist.  I always have regular check ups.  I am back and forth to my gp trying to get all my problems sorted before we move.  Obviously there is not time for referrals to hospital etc.

    I am worried that I am going to move feeling ill and have to straight away ask my new gp for referral to find out if I do indeed have lpr or anthing else.  Sorry to have rambled on. Just finding it all a bit much.  Any thoughts on whether I might still have lpr and the dental problems.  

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