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.
28 likes, 899 replies
ninja9
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Gee_McK
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linda55954
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linda55954
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Gee_McK
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ninja9
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I' m on Lansoprazole 30 mg now. Voice is better and reflux up and down. Been waiting for 6 weeks for a PRIORITY endoscopy. Still haven't received an appointment!
The doctors don't seem to understand the terrible psychological strains reflux puts on us all. I had to genuinely argue with my GP to get a change in medication. I really don't understand why.
Gee_mck, if Omeprazole isn't working for you and you are struggling, you need to get your GP to try something else. Best of luck
Gee_McK
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linda55954
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moonbuggy
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My Dr gave me amitriptyline (Elavil) - also mentioned in the reflux bible. Some of our symptoms are down to the vagus nerve getting irritated by reflux. Some more research for you - quite interesting.
I now seem to have a problem digesting my food properly. I had about 4 spoons of mashed potato and was awake half the night feeling like I had eaten 3 T bone steaks. I'm sure this is because PPI's stop acid production so you have problems digesting. Then you get given domperidone to speed thing up and then you get in a real mess with your system. Sigh
ninja9
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I don't know why so many singers suffer with LPR. It would be interesting to find out. Is it something to do with a singers strong diagram and use of breathing?
susan79492
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Susan
billdubya
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I also take Gaviscon Advance most nights at bedtime, although I have had a couple of nights where I went without successfully. And my old standby, xylitol gum, when I do feel some irritation. With this routine, I have almost felt normal the last couple months.
Gee_McK
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linda55954
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Gee_McK
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