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

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Hi - I'll be as brief as possible. For almost a year I have had symptoms which have worsened, starting with throat clearing and progressing to regular spiting out of white, frothy stuff, post nasal drip, lump in throat or sharp sensation, streaming or blocked nose and hoarseness. These are all unpleasant and irritating but because I talk for a living my work is becoming badly affected so it is now making me depressed and anxious as well. I was referred to ENT, had the camera up the nose and down the throat to rule out anything sinister and was given Omeprazole and Gaviscon Advance. No advice, no explanation. I had to find it all out myself. (and I'm not confident/assertive with docs, either).

The drugs haven't helped, I'd go so far as to say the reflux significantly worsened. I had faith in the Gaviscon Advance having read how it works but that hasn't made any difference either. I have monitored everything I eat and drink and can't find anything that triggers it with the possible exception of bread, and I may be grasping at straws there. Certainly coffee, alcohol, spicy food etc don't trigger it and ginger, acidophillus, apple cider vinegar don't help. It does seem to be cyclical - I'll have a week or so of decreased symptoms then it gradally works up again to two or 3 weeks of hell. No heartburn, and the reflux is almost always upright, no problems sleeping...just the other 17 hours a day! The ENT was brusque on my return visit and said that, aside from speech therapy, there was nothing more he could do for me. This can't go on, though. At it's worst it makes me tearful and desperate at work and speech therapy isn't going to stop me spitting up into a whole toilet roll each day, or reduce the other symptoms. I'm also worried my teeth will rot and I fear for my job. Has anyone experienced this with the same pattern/lack of triggers etc? I would love to hear any positive experiences that don't just repeat the same old same old, ie, raise the bed 6 inches, dos and donts with food etc.

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  • Posted

    Hi musicchick

    I have also just had my food tests back and was horrified at all the healthy foods I have been eating that I am intolerant to (bananas, potatoes, strawberries etc etc)

  • Posted

    The runny nose with me is persistent. I have asked and asked doctors for months if anything can be done. They say it's just me and I am sensitive to some foods. What foods? What should I avoid? Why not do a test and see if I have a reaction to something?
  • Posted

    Hi Gee_McK

    The problem is there are so many to test. It may be an additive that you are allergic to. You can try an elimination diet where you cut out dairy, sugar, gluten for a couple of weeks and then re-introduce one at a time. However this didn't help with me as I seem to have problems with certain fruit and veg. I had my testing done bykinesiology (worked for me). It only helped a bit with my nasal problems as the main culprit was the reflux. I have now bought a nasal irrigation system and us it with alkaline water. That really helps to clear everything

  • Posted

    Problem is, I have a high metabolism so if I don't have cereal and milk for breakfast, what else would I eat that would fill me up? I don't eat red meat so little I can put in a sandwich for lunch either. If I eat soup or salad I get a headache because I haven't eaten enough. I don't take much diary or drink a lot of tea/coffee so not sure what I could cut out.
  • Posted

    Just because you are sensitive to a food doesn't mean you always will be...
  • Posted

    Hi again, has anyone tried drinking chamomile tea. It seems it has lots of benefits.
  • Posted

    My head hurts. I try to educate myself and read as much as I can about LPR, but I feel like it is stressing me out. Do you take PPIs or dont you? Do you try all natural or dont you? Try fruits and veggies with high PH.... DONT eat fruits and veggies with high PH levels. All these articles are making my mind work double time. My friends and family are starting to look at me now like its all in my head, and I know for sure that this LUMP IN MY THROAT isnt all made up. The burning in my ears and throat are real. Sorry to go on and on, but I think Im losing it,lol. Right now I am eating ripe bananas, taking aleo vera, and melatonin at night. Do I see a change? Maybe a little. I know "PEOPLE" say it takes time....so I guess thats what I have to do. Wait and see. OH...by the way the doctor gave me Dexilant (PPI) that I am taking, but want to stop. I am afraid to stop because some articles say when you stop your symptoms get worse. See what I mean. Do you or dont you?
  • Posted

    Since taking the break between one prescription and restarting them again, the last 2 weeks have been as if I had never taken any medication. The reflux is so high in my throat, I can almost taste it. I'm struggling to swallow although I can eat ok, but the feeling is like a blockage in my throat and as if it's closing over. I am unsure whether to stick it out for another week or two, or go back to the doctors sooner. I was fine on the tablets before it was suggested I took a break to see if the symptoms returned. Of course they would return if I am not on the medication! I am so angry.
  • Posted

    I don't know what medication you've been on, but if it was a PPI you can get 'rebound' - a worsening of reflux symptoms - when you come off them suddenly. The acid in your stomach has been suppressed with the medication. When it's suddenly no longer being suppressed more acid than ever is produced. You're supposed to come off PPIs gradually to avoid this. If this is the case, it might be worth going back to the doctor and having a word about it. To be honest, even if it isn't the case, you're obviously not doing very well, so I would go back and discuss it further.
  • Posted

    Hi Gee_McK

    I had a similar situation when I came off my tablets. The reflux became terrible- I had been warned that it would get worse but was sure I could handle it.I tried desperately to diet it and ended up losing half a stone over a couple of weeks- I don't have the weight to lose. I felt terrible and unfortunately the dramatic changes to my diet didn't help the reflux atall. Back on the meds and still being careful with my diet and feeling much more human. It does make you feel very reliant on the PPIs though.....I don't like the idea of being on them for the rest of my life.

  • Posted

    I'm taking omeprazole. Started in Nov, took it for 2 months, then another 2 month prescription then told to come off them for 2 weeks. No idea why, I knew the symptoms would come back. Now back on them about a month.
  • Posted

    I read that you have to stop taking them slowly. One every other day then half a pill. Maybe worth a try.
  • Posted

    I don't want to come off them, I was fine before when I had no break. Now I feel like they won't work again.

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