LPR - ENT specialist or gastroenerologist?

I have been waiting since January for my Gastroscopy (that's how my GP referred to procedure), although I had a phone call on a Sunday three weeks ago, telling me I could have this on the Tuesday. Not enough time given, I had to look after my grandchildren as my daughter was going away. I am on Ranitidine as the PPI di not help at all.

I go back and forth between all three. Then you really have to play doctor yourself. You know your body and what works and dosent work for it. I go to GP, Gastro, tomorrow. Then ENT next Wednesday. I will then take notes and see what I think will work. It really sucks.But the one thing I learned is we all need patience for this seems to take a long time to heal. Patience is hard when you have symptoms all the time.

May I ask how that works, Linda? After seeing the ENT specialist, he returned me to my GP's care. In order for me to be seen by the Gastro, my GP has had to refer me yet again to the hospital. I take it that both ENT and Gastro have both kept you under their care and you see your GP in-between times?

I have seen a Gastro and ENT consultant. Both can help with the symptoms via medication but ultimately it will be the gastro surgeon who will sort you out if surgery is required.

Hi Rosiemags

If you live in the UK like me, I have been through the same 'process' as you. First a referal to ENT who diagnosed LPR after a camera down the throat and discharged me back to my GP to start medication. When these did not work (and in fact caused me more problems with side effects) I had to push to have a gastroscopy to try to find out what was causing the symptoms.

This just showed I had gastritis, no hiatus hernia - so again back to my GP to try alternative meds.

To be honest I think I know more about LPR now from all my reading and research than most GPs!

I have posted my history and progress on other threads on this on Patient UK. Now on a small dose of Ranitidine, Gavascon and all the lifestyle advice and diet recommendations for this condition.

Good luck

Hi lpb. Yes, I'm in the UK and my experience is exactly the same as yours. Initially, my GP didn't see the point in sending me to the gastroenterologist, as he argued that, no matter what the findings, the medication would be the same. However, like, you, I wanted to know what was might be causing the LPR. I also wanted to make sure that my oesophagus wasn't damaged. So I'll see what happens next!

Best wishes.

Hi Rosiemags

I will be interested to see the result of your gastroscopy.

As you say, at least I was reassured that my oesophagus was ok and no HH ......and presumably my LES was ok as they said it was when I asked - though I am unconvinced that they could tell this.

Keep me posted on your result.

LPB

Sorry to be flippant but if you have a consultant of any sort who recognises and diagnoses LPR you are lucky. I saw ENT. To be fair he did say I might only gain 80% of my formerly good health. But he did not diagnose LPR., only gastric reflux. JCB

I suppose I was lucky in that it was my GP who diagnosed it initially after one consultation. He then referred me to the ENT consultant who, with the scope, confirmed his initial diagnosis.