1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Reflux Oesophagitis

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

Prev Next
  • debra27175
    debra27175 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    That is great! keep us posted, what is TCM?
    • rtyx
      rtyx debra27175

      Posted

      TCM is traditional Chinese medicine. You have to find a tcm doctor to diagnose you and prescribe the medicine. But because tcm aims to treat the body as a whole (instead of just the symptoms) the medicine has to be taken for a period of time before effects can be seen.

      However, for my own case, the medicine really helps.

  • Dawnnali
    Dawnnali Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    Hi Alex 

    I started drinking a really good Aloe and that has helped me tons

     

    • janet136
      janet136 Dawnnali

      Posted

      Forgive me if you've posted this before but what were your specific symptons? It seems we are all a little different. I've found nothing to cure e yet but have cut out all trigger foods and adapted my diet. I would love to eat normally especially when going out to eat with friends ar in a restaurant - just don't go out these days.
    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 janet136

      Posted

      Me too - I don't go out anymore.  What I find annoying is keeping track.  Raw onions are out but tomatoes are ok - don't understand that.

      Do you find that one week you can go fine with various foods and think you are ok to eat them then the next week they hurt.  And Prosecco wine is out the window and white wine but a smooth red wine or half a draft Guinness is really soothing with no pain afterwards.  This is so hard to work with.

      Keep posting.

      Regards

      G.

    • peter361
      peter361 gwen45436

      Posted

      Most Red wine I've ever tasted years before I had reflux has irritated my throat- a burning sensation which made it impossible to drink. So of course I wouldn't even try a taste of it now.I don't feel like alcohol at all because it's started to be hard work rather than a relaxing thing to do.Sometimes it feels like I'm swallowing sandpaper or as if it's about to give me indigestion.
  • peter361
    peter361 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    I have just taken a first dose of Gaviscon advanced extra strength and feel as if it has really soothed my throat symptoms. I was taking the Gaviscon original before and it also was soothing but not as much as this form.I also tried the Boots and Tesco forms of Sodium alginate equivalents but they weren't as effective.I don't want to waste your time but this might make a difference. I tried the Strawberry tablets a couple of times and my throat felt coated and soothed instantly and this lasted for about an hour.Not perfect but when you get really sick of the symptoms any relief is good. I'm not sure if I wrote this on this this site but chewing menthol chewing gum gives relief, sometimes it can work for hours on end..
    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 peter361

      Posted

      I have just bought this - not used it yes.  You would think the menthol in the gum would hurt.  I will try that also.  Does anyone here have any success with mastic gum or slippery elm.  I have bought both and my stomach does not like slippery elm - hurts it.  Anyone had mastic gum.

      Can I ask you what does your throat feel like?  Mine hurts and burns when its not happy.

      Thanx

    • janet136
      janet136 peter361

      Posted

      I agree about Gaviscon Advance. I avoid all trigger foods, and this helps but still need gaviscon. Also take 40mg omeprazole to satisfy the medics - but not convinced of their value. Maybe a different PPI might be better. My gastroscopy confirmed chronic gastritis and helicobacter pylori, but the 3 pronged anti-biotic attack did nothing. I am waiting to see a gastro enterologist this week. There are so many conflicting opinions about whenther alkaline foods help (I think they do) and the European view seems to differ from the American one, eg Dr Jamie Kaufman says no lemons, but the Austrian doctor says lemons are good.

      WHo do you believe?

      Haven't tried chewing gum yet - it kind of goes against my vegetarian/wholefood principles.

    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 janet136

      Posted

      What I can't understand is why the PPI is not sufficient enough not to need Gaviscon.  I am taking prescribed Zantac 300mg per day but still have pain etc.  I am supposed to be going on Nexium PPI from the doc but really don't want to - last resort.  Janet if you are taking 40mg PPI how often do you need Gaviscon ?  And you have eliminated bad foods too.  It is so hard to deal with this rubbish isn't it.
    • janet136
      janet136 gwen45436

      Posted

      Hi. I take gaviscon after eating and before bed. But if I'm not aware of acid I leave it out. Strange thing is I've never had pain or acid reflux. Just what feels like phlegm in pharynx and larynx making breathing difficult. Becoming an expert in cooking with unrefined sugars and non dairy products. But I have to say there's no real substitute for butter I baking.
    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 janet136

      Posted

      Hi, I just take the Zantac morning and before bed.  Nothing else.  I never even thought of taking Gaviscon after meals.  It just scares me that all tummy acid is gone and a stomach without acid is like a heart without blood.  I hate this - which way is best.  Do I add Gavi or not.  I thought Zantac would neutralise all the acid but looking no so.

      Thanx for reply - all helpful.

      G.

    • janet136
      janet136 gwen45436

      Posted

      It's just that my doctor prescribed it I have peppermint because I don't like aniseed . But I realise there is some disagreement about peppermint. Gaviscon Advance is thick and lays down a physical layer so that acid doesn't rise up. Doesn't cure it but gives me some respite. When I see the specialist I'll ask about alternative ppis. I'm not expecting a miraculous cure because of all the alternative points of view. For example I haven taken cider vinegar and honey every day for other health reasons and I've lately read that it's too acidic. Other sources say it is helpful. Who knows. You can only say what works for you ..
    • peter361
      peter361 gwen45436

      Posted

      If you look on the Gaviscon UK site it gives details about the different products.It's worth checking for yourself but as I understand it the Gaviscon advanced does not change the acid in your stomach but because of the seaweed component a layer is formed to stop the acid coming up into your oesophagus or even higher.I've read somewhere a theory that the throat symptoms are caused by an aerosol effect, presumably when you belch , so that acid or pepsin from your stomach is sprayed onto your throat and this irritates the larynx etc. So if you take gaviscon, my guess is that you should take it as soon as you finish your meal and the regurgitation conspicuous or silent is stopped in its tracks. Unfortunately if you eat or drink after taking it the layer or barrier will be broken and cease to be effective. Also I find that the length of time it's effective for can be as little as half an hour but sometimes a couple of hours but perhaps most of the reflux actions comes straight after the meal.
    • peter361
      peter361

      Posted

      Sorry I meant to suggest if the reflux is at its height straight after eating the gaviscon might prevent the worst of the damage/irritation giving less pain and some opportunity for healing.
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.