LPR/Silent Reflux - desperately in need of a miracle. Has anyone recovered from this?

Thanks so much moonbuggy!!! I will be trying this and will report back as well. Much appreciated!

Tasha

Tasha-I had trouble with supplements with citric acid. There is an aloe juice that is distilled and has no taste and it's 100% aloe. Also, manuka honey (Wedderspoon brand) did nothing for me until I ordered on the internet from New Zealand. It has to be UMF certified to ensure that it has anti viral/anti bacterial effects. I use two different ones that are from NZ and UMF certified and they help.

I have trouble with bananas and apples are acidic, although I can eat them with alkalines and feel fine. You may want to look at an alkaline diet. Rice is acidic too as is chicken. I cut out all grains and feel better. Alkaline water has been a big help! Basically what worked for me was cutting out all high histamine (may cause congestion which reacts with LPR reflux and causes burning throat and other issues) and high acid foods. I wen t on a few weeks with only 10 or so foods. I'm gradually weaning off Nexium (very slowly) and am adding more foods in. I am still grain, dairy and gluten free. I now get the lump much less in my throat and can't remember when I had it last.

Hi all,

Does anyone else find that PPIs work for a few weeks but then seem to stop working? I have tried Omeprazole and Lansoprazole and both have provided temporary relief. I am drinking alkaline water, taking the usual supplements and watching what I eat and practically everything I eat still makes me reflux.

Been waiting for an endoscopy on the NHS but my appointment keeps on getting moved back. Trying to pull the funds together to go private. Can anyone recommend a good private clinic. I am in the south.

Many thanks

The problem with eating the acidic foods is not only what it does in the stomach, but also what the acidic food does when it passes by throat tissue that has pepsin on it. With LPR you get pepsin on your throat tissues. If you eat something that has an acidic pH outside the body (like lemons) it activates the pepsin on the way down the throat. This activated pepsin is what causes all the damage and symptoms.

So, if you stick a pH probe in something and it registers acid outside the body that is what counts with LPR. This is totally different from "alkaline forming food." This is why vinegar is so bad.

Susan

Thanks Susan,

I'll stick with the higher ph fruits then as they are before I eat them then because my throat is the problem with all the usual LPR symtoms. May re-introduce more fruits if and when the LPR symptoms improve a little but given I've had it severe for nearly 2 years now probably not helped by mixed information on what can make it better or worse, I'm not expecting great results anytime soon although the throat spasms and post nasal drip I was getting have already greatly reduced since starting the alkaline water. Just the throat phlegm, globus and throat clearing to deal with now. I'm waiting on a ph probe arriving in the post to test levels of some foods as book doesn't give them all.

Hi all

This is my first post for a few weeks and I just thought that I would update you on things.

I was scoped on xmas eve and prescribed the usual omeprozole and gaviscon. However I had very few symptoms other than mucus and lost voice. The hospital consultant diagnosis was maybe and possibly but no desalinates. Took meds for six weeks and complied with all the dietary advice. bit no improvement. I have also had speech therapy and therapist concurred that all my symptoms were marginal but she recommend some exercises for me anyway and also said if I have a re-flux then it is only just. So I went back to my GP who shrugged his shoulders again and said if I don't think the meds are working then don't take them and if it is no better in another month come back and he will refer me for another scope which could take about another month after that to get.

I left his surgery slightly distressed and promptly booked a private consultation at a private hospital and within 4 days I am in a consultation room and being scoped with an expert saying whilst I may have LPR he thinks I do not have a LPR and that he has diagnosed polypoid changes and posterior glottis and wants me to have microlaryngoscopy and biopsy under general anesthetic.

Basically I paid £360 for the half hour. that is a rate of £700 an hour that I can not afford and have banged on a credit card. And I am so pleased that I have as basically an expert at the top of his profession has said my vocal cords are not burnt with pepsin, I do not have post nasal drip or LPR. but I may have polyps (most likely) or worst case throat cancer ( unlikely but possible)

So i will know more in a week or so instead of spending the next 2 months being treated for something I dont have. I still have to decide if I proceed privately at a silly cost or my GP can also refer me on the NHS for which I can have the same services and surgeons but will have to wait a few weeks longer.

I will let you know what happens

A very depressed Paul in SN1

Hi again

Big typo error in my post above at second paragraph where is says" but no desalinates" it shoukd say nothing definite

sorry for any confusion

P

I haven't had it officially confirmed I have LPR but reading all the symptoms, I would guess that is what it is.

A couple of weeks back it dawned on me that the continual coughing, mucus and wheezing wasn't what I initially thought, i.e. an infection, so after trawling the internet decided this is what I am suffering from.

Someone on here suggested drinking alkaline water and contrary to what others have said, I have found this hugely beneficial. I see you can make your own alkaline water by adding lemon juice and that is what I have done. I don't drink it constantly, but I have a glass first thing in the morning and if I feel the urge to start coughing I have more then.

I am also trying to eat mainly alkaline foods but not exclusively.

Patient55

Adding lemon to water would make the water acidic not alkaline. Maybe the diet change is what is helping you.

Susan

It depends what study you are reading, although acid it converts to alkaline ash within the body.

Patient55,

Whether lemon water converts to alkaline in the body is not the issue here. What Dr.Koufman recommends is alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 when you measure it in the glass. This is so when the water first enters the throat, before the body can do anything to it, the water can denature the pepsin on the throat tissues as it passes over the tissues.

Susan

Hi

I have been following this discussion and similar discussions on other forums for some time as I have been suffering from LPR for at least a year. The interesting thing is that, whilst people on these forums appear to have found some relief for normal GERD and other digestive problems, no one seemed to find anything effective for LPR (and this covered several countries - I am Australian)). About 2 months ago, I suddenly came across some positive posts and they all related to the "Fast Tract Diet" - developed by Norm Robillard in the USA. It has certainly helped me, although following diets from other countries is always a bit difficult as they have different products. To get all the details you need to buy his book or ebook version, but I found it worthwhile and have read no negative comments so far. It all relates to the type of carbohydrates you eat. Have a look at his website - it may offer some relief.

Hi All,

I have come across this forum whilst searching the internet for some answers. I have been suffering from the symptoms mentioned on here for about 6 years now.

Just to give you a short overview, will keep it short: I am living in South Africa, 29 years old, problem started with an irritating cough & constant throat clearing & got sore throat but not too often. Started getting upper airway infections & decided to go to doctor that diagnosed me with Asthma. After I started using the Asthma inhalers the sore throat became more apparent but my cough stopped. Decided to stop using inhalers but problem just got worse and worse over the years. Daily symptoms now include sticky white mucus in back of throat, post nasal drip, sore / burning throat, constant throat clearing, hoarseness in voice, throat clearing after eating (does not matter what I eat), blocked noise, sinus infections, etc.

I have been on all sorts of medication, nasal sprays, antihistamines, Cortisone's. I have been to 2 different ENT's, had sinus surgery (which made it worse), been to 2 different allergists, seen many GP's & a homeopathic doctor & no relief. The latest thing I have done is the G-scope after reading about LPR & doc advised that all seems normal. I have tried nexium & now use another med for reflux.

My work also involves speaking a lot so I suffer more at work than at home. I dont drink or smoke either.

I have traveled to other countries & the symptoms still continue.

My question is to those who suffer from this, do you have lots of stress, have you suffered some sort of trauma before symptoms started, do you have an active job or are you sitting at a desk all day?

Thanks, any input will be appreciated.

Ryan

Your symptoms sound the same as mine. I think it's important to keep a diary of symptoms/food/remedies. I now have trouble with breathing which I am convinced is to do with the reflux/mucus. 3 trips to A and E plus 2 different Dr's have told me my lungs are ok - so why do I feel I cannot breathe in? I think stress does play a part in all this. I also have a hiatal hernia so that causes its own set of issues without the reflux.

I bought a sinus rinse system which I use alkaline water in and also a facial steamer. This does help to clear all the nasal/throat problems. It can be a bit time consuming but if you get in a routine I think you will find this helps. I think JPT mentioned this also.

I've had 2 years of this and it is severely affecting the quality of life (even though the Dr's say I am not dying (feels like I may as well be lol!)