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

Posted , 270 users are following.

Anxious_Alex
Anxious_Alex

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

899 Replies

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  • Gee_McK
    Gee_McK Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    Well I was curious and decided yesterday to reduce my recent daily intake of 2 tablets to 1.  Big mistake!  Had to go back onto 2 again today as I'm hoarse, coughing and clearing my throat.  I just thought I would see if the symptoms could withstand 1 tablet a day again, but it seems not.
    • brandy10353
      brandy10353 Gee_McK

      Posted

      So sorry to hear that ... But at least 2 is working keep us updated
    • daniela99184
      daniela99184 Gee_McK

      Posted

      Hi,

      You could try some herbal pills, DGL licorice which diminishes the mucus, slippery elm, gorgle and swallow alkaline water 30 min after meals, learn how to breath using the diaphgram, eat slowly.

      Take care,

    • Gee_McK
      Gee_McK daniela99184

      Posted

      Thanks guys.  Don't misunderstand me, I'm happy to be on medication if it works but I'm disappointed a doctor cannot advise these things.  What form is the DGL licorice in?  Where do I get it?  Does it discolour the teeth?
  • DB909
    DB909 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    In 2003 I had throat cancer. I had a throat dissection and rebuild with a radial flap. Radiation followed. This caused reflux with a vengence. The Radiologist said that was to be expected and just to take a quarter teaspoonfull of Bi-Carbonate of Soda in water before breakfast, repeat if need during the day, and to always sleep on my left side with a memory-foam pillow between my knees to stop me sleeping on my back. Cured the problem and if I have ever had it since I take the Bi-Carbonate of Soda and since the date have always slept with a pillow between my knees and on my left side. Works everytime. May sound too simple and somewhat ridiculous but it worked for me. If I get a cough first thing in the morning with a 'thick' throat, especially after breakfast I use a warm salt water gargle.
  • sandra55837
    sandra55837 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    Hello Alex.  I have suffered similiar symptom for a long time.  Recently I found that the white frothy stuff and other mucas tasted acid laden.  My doctor sent me to have a camera into my upper gastric tract.  I had an ulcer in my gullet.  Ulsers like this produce their own acid outside of the stomach.  My stomach medication was changed and the dose upped.  6 weeks later my ulcer had healed.  Hope this helps.
    • Gee_McK
      Gee_McK sandra55837

      Posted

      Sandra just wondering how bad did it get for your doctor to send you for this investigation?  I have had a camera down my throat but hospital ENT dept found nothing.  I take 1-2 Omeprazole a day and at the moment I am fine.  But just wondering if this got worse, do I suggest this to my doctor or wait until they do?
    • mo76136
      mo76136 sandra55837

      Posted

      Hi Sandra, I am just curious to know did your symptoms begin with voice problems/ throat clearing ? Id never considered having an ulcer before. My ENT doctor thinks I have silent reflux but I also need to consider that it could be something else.
  • mo76136
    mo76136 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    Hi Alex, I know you posted this a while ago but I have only just read it and your symptoms are very similar to mine. I wonder if you have had any success with the suggestions posted here and if I have any good results, I'll be happy to share them with you.

    regards,

    mo

  • cindi25
    cindi25 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    Alex I am so sorry you are having such a hard time. You mentioned some of the food you stopped eating have you tried not eating tomato products and citrus products. When I first found out I had silent reflux I cut out eating the list of food my doctor gave me for about six months. It really helped, than I slowly started to add foods back in one at a time to see if they were triggers. Those I stay away from completely. Lemon, green peppers, strawberries and to much tomato product are the worse for me.
  • AnnaHahn
    AnnaHahn Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    I have benefitted so much from reading this thread - thanks to everyone. I can only share my own experience and hope that it will help someone else. I got diagnosed with LPR about two months ago. I had bronchitis and landed in hospital. The ENT specialist was called and he made the diagnosis. My GP and Physiotherapist were very dismissive about the diagnosis and even though I was sent home with medication for this condition they didn't seem to take it seriously at all - nor did my GP even talk to me about the LPR - what to avoid eating etc. I learned about LPR on the internet and educated myself about it. When I got home I stayed off coffee and chocolates for about two weeks - and got better. I got complacent and started with the chocolates again and the occasional cup of coffee - not at all in an LPR mindset. I took a turn for the worse. The sore throat (in the absence of any flu or cold symptoms), post nasal drip/mucus, a terribly hoarse voice were my main irritations - and a persistent cough! I got very scared. Searched for help on the internet and did not go back to the doctor. Immediately increased my water intake, took my PPI meds regularly, cut out all fried foods, coffee, tea and especially chocolates (among other things). It was NOT a tough thing to do because I was in a bad state and now desperate to get better. I tried everything - honey - even bought that expensive Manuka honey (which I can't say whether it helped or not!), Gaviscon, probiotic drinks, inhaling steam - you name it. It all cost me a fortune!!! It eventually got better - after about 3 weeks. However I then got a very black tongue and black lips and an awful taste in my mouth. My mouth was also very dry, and I couldn't taste my food. I didn't do anything special to try and get rid of it - it's now beginning to fade and I can taste my food again. Now I am very conscious about what I eat and I also do not eat late at night. I make sure that I only go to sleep 3 hours after supper or later. I sleep with my head and upper body elevated – this helps a lot. No coffee, chocolates and fizzy drinks and I east smaller meals, more frequently. And yes, I chew my food properly.  Now I don’t spend money on anything – other than my awesome ginger tea. It comes in a granulated form – just add hot water and honey if you prefer. I have this ginger tea when I wake up, before I sleep and any time during the day when I feel I need it – especially if my voice feels croaky. It’s inexpensive and I get it from the supermarket or spice shops - so it is very accessible. I don't take Gaviscon as much as I used to and make every effort to avoid spicy food, and over eating.   Hope my experience helps someone!
    • CoolBreeze
      CoolBreeze AnnaHahn

      Posted

      Thanks for sharing AnnaHahn. I hate the hoarseness. That is my main SX. I have an adjustable bed. It really helps to sleep with the head of the bed elevated.
  • abhishek0810
    abhishek0810 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    I have been suffereing from LR symptoms from beggining of this year. I have tried quite a few things but with the recent one I have felt considerable improvement in my symptoms. I eat very basic food, mostly veg cooked in very little or no oil. No alcohol or smoke. With this I make sure i eat 4 small meals throughout the day.

    With decipline in what I eat I also follow a water drinking schedule which is mentioned below

    1. Drink 1 to 1.5 litres of water erly morning empty stomach

    2. Always drink water before 30 minutes of having my meals (about 0.5 litres)

    3. I don't drink water for 2 hours after food and during eating

    4. For a day i drink 4.5 to 6 liters of water

    5. have your dinner before 3 hours you go to bed. ALso, your last water intake and sleeping time should have 30 minutes of interval

    I hope this helps you. Remember you will have to keep patience as LPR symptoms will take time to heal. May be you will see the affects only after 7-8 days or it may take longer depending on amount of damagae the acid has done to your throat. For me it has been a month now I am following this and there is 60-70% improvement and i have decided to follow it further. Pleae dont take any antacids or PPIs while you follow this. Excersise, stay active through out the day, wear light cloths and most important follow the above religiously every day even you start feeling well. Again during the healing there may be some day when you have more symptoms but continue with the schedule. 

  • sarah13796
    sarah13796 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    I am so relieved to have found this discussion ! I am also so sad that so many people

    have similar symptoms to me, but also much worse and have also suffered for so

    long !! I have only had these symptoms since March 2014, after 4 different courses of

    antibiotics, the gp refered me to an ENT doctor, so far I have had a camera down my

    nose a couple of times, been put on omeprazole, 20mg for 6 weeks and now 10mgs.

    I take gaviscon at night and a nasal spray morning and night. I am booked in for an ultrasound of my throat and a thyroid biopsy, also a barium swallow, they are thinking 

    GERD or hiatus hernia, but my problem is all about my throat and the continual

    mucus stuck in it, and the feeling of a lump in my throat, definitely getting worse

    after eating ! So good to have people who understand !  I'm very interested in the alkaline idea, and will look into the water jug. Thank you everyone for posting on here,

    it's really made my day to find others in my situation, feel like I could scream with

    frustration some days, and don't want to continually complain to family and friends

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