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

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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

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  • billdubya
    billdubya Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    This condition is so individual, so you have to try many things to see what wworks for you.  For me,  I had good results drinking a glass of warm water with 1-2 teaspoons of raw apple cider vinegar with a half-teaspoon of raw manuka honey.  I also read that reflux can sometimes be caused by too little stomach acid resutling in poor digestion, so I tried taking betaine HCl with my meals, and that helped alot!  Fish gives me problems while chicken does not; for you it may be the opposite, although I have read that chicken is the least problematic protein source.  I also had to eliminate coffee (caf & decaf) and tea (except herbals like chamomile), which made me very sad.  Now I drink "fake" coffee (Teecino), which is pretty good.  The European Gaviscon works at night, the American Gaviscon does not; I buy it on Amazon, and it's not cheap, but it works for me if I'm having a rough night.  My last test two years ago showed that my reflux is now alkaline (pepsin/bile) where it had been acidic for 17 years.  Why the change? No one knows, but the good thing about the sodium alginate Gaviscon is that it works on both.  Like everyone you will have to try all kinds of different things, because it is so individual.

    I am not a candidate for Linx because I have motility issues.  I am waiting for someone to invent an artificial LES that you can close with a wireless remote at night and open it in the morning.  Hopefully before I die....

  • billdubya
    billdubya Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    I can't believe I forgot to mention, since it is the most consistent source of relief--my constant companion, xylitol gum, which I buy by the hundreds at a local health food store (also available on line).
  • peter361
    peter361 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    Chewing gum helps me a lot but all the sugar free ones seem to use aspartame or acesulfame which I don't like to consume and I think it's in some Gaviscon products but if it gives relief what can you do. I almost bought some xylitol gum but when I noticed it had peppermint in I decided not to because I found peppermint tea gave the worst reflux of all. I suppose it's possible that in a different form it might be ok.

    The one I use most uses menthol eucalyptus so maybe this is why it doesn't irritate me.

    I might experiment a bit with menthol cold remedies and see if inhaling them makes a difference.

    • janet136
      janet136 peter361

      Posted

      I take peppermint tea after my evening meal, without fail and it gets rid of reflux - usually - for an hour or so, until it 's time for bed and the gaviscon.

      You can make your own from leaves, but I like Taylors the best.

    • peter361
      peter361 janet136

      Posted

      It's very strange isn't it?If I drink peppermint tea I feel like someone is scorching my gullet.

      I drank it every day for years to help with ibs which it did but I wonder if I've caused the reflux by taking it?

    • janet136
      janet136 peter361

      Posted

      I have heard ofother people experiencing peppermint as a trigger. In fact I think Dr Kaufman says so. Strange indeed.

      One herb which work for me was thyme. Just infused in hot water. Usually picked fresh.

    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 peter361

      Posted

      I believe my reflux and esoph came about by using a new "natural" toothpaste which is also a mouthwash.  It is oil based in a bottle and uses peppermint oil and almond oil - 100% natural to treat gum problems.  You put a couple of drops on brush twice a day.  You also put 4/5 drops in water twice a day to use as a mouthwash.  It also said to rub in neat into your gums once a day.  5 step programme that would heal my gum problems (so I thought).  It was very strong and tainted all my food all day long. A week after using it my stomach started to hurt and down the esophagus. I carried on for another week the hurt got stronger so I stopped.  Since then I have this complaint.

      Who says 100% natural is natural - I think it has done damage.

      Peppermint tea now is a no no but was not before.  Same with Chamomile tea, lemon and Cider Vinegar all which I have never had any problems until now.

      Onward and upward - keep posting peeps.

    • peter361
      peter361 gwen45436

      Posted

      I think "natural " is dangerously over used. I mean what could be more "natural" than typhoid or Ebola? Poisons are found naturally all around us.

      It's a shame that we feel like we have to experiment to try to sort out our reflux problems. What makes it much harder with lpr is the time gap between eating and symptoms.When you get a reaction straight away as you're eating something it could be because your throats ultra sensitive and have nothing to do with your gut.

      I've been surprised a few times when I've had a dreadful cough and minutes later I'm absolutely fine or my throat is so sore I think I'm in for a really bad day and then I realise it's gone away. I really have no idea if food or drink makes any difference. I ate a good sized lunch the other day and went for an afternoon snooze about half an hour later and had zero symptoms and yet when I tried the avoid all triggers approach my symptoms were pretty horrible!

    • janet136
      janet136 gwen45436

      Posted

      When I went to see a gastrornterologist, we were discussing Helicobacter pylori and he said that triple therapy should work etc. He knew of someone who had found that on examination it was still in her toothbrush. This hs resolved me to buy a new one and sterilise somehow, but I guess I need another test to see if I still have it. My stomach and oesophagus have never hurt, just lots of tasteless acid in pharynx and larynx
    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 janet136

      Posted

      Tea tree oil will kill any bacteria - it is recommended to use it as a toothbrush cleanser.  I use it sparingly in a little warm water and leave the brush in it.  Rinse it after. 
    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 peter361

      Posted

      Oh yes you are so right!  I am so glad you said that - my husband absolutely can't understand what I say - I am sure he thinks I am making it up lol.  I don't have a cough - well not a big one  - the odd tickle.  But the throat is a big issue - but it changes day by day - I can't keep up with symptoms.  Throat today has been ok - would not think I have reflux issues - went shopping and stood behind a lady at the checkout who had a strong perfume on - within seconds my throat went aching - got home and it had gone.  Then tidied my hair up and sprayed a little unperfumed hair laquer (but stuck cotton wool in my nose to shield the smell) - but minutes later - bang again went the throat - hurting and aching and lumpy to swallow.  Still have it 2 hours later. 

      I definitely agree with you on "natural" it has wrecked my chest, throat etc.   Interesting comparison with typhoid and Ebola - makes you think.   Thanks for response.

      G.

    • janet136
      janet136 gwen45436

      Posted

      Thanks for that. Just bought some sterilising tablets but will try
  • shelley30084
    shelley30084 Anxious_Alex

    Posted

    this is the third time i've tried to comment but for some reason my post disapears.

    I have silent reflux and globus, it's a horrible condition and very difficult not to let it take over your life and remain positive.

    ​I was refered to ent who looked at my throat via my nose, he told me i had acid reflux and gave me pantoprazole telling me i would feel better in a few days.

    12 weeks on i still have globus and feel the reflux is worse as i know have a feeling of pressure in my stomach and throat which i didn't have before.

    ​ent dismissed the idea it was the tablets and refused to change them, he is going to look at my oesophagus under a GA next month. I am trying to find which foods set it off but haven't got a clear picture yet. I guess i'm feeling a bit let down by ent as i feel he is dismissing a lot of what i'm saying such as my ers being affected and my voice. I daren't risk challenging him though as he will be rooting down my throat.

    ​I have found useful advice and support on here though

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