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

Dear jamie515,

I do not know about the others but yes I do check the forum.

I have never used such supplements. Also how do you get tested for candida in your body?

Thanks

Dear jamie515

I check the forum & try the remedies that others will be using. I am interested in the information on the candida supplements please tell us the whole process.

I was interested to read this discussion thread because I too have suffered from symptoms such as these, and having been an asthma sufferer, I actually believe that this condition is related to that. Dairy products, meat, sugar and chocolate and so on can induce or worsen asthma. I used to think asthma could just be termed a shortness of breath or wheezing or finding it difficult to breathe. However, it can, as far as I'm aware, also include symptoms such as having a bad cough, and excessive mucus production, which in turn makes it difficult to breathe. It's not just a shortness of breath and wheezing. The acid reflux if harder to explain as part of symptoms of asthma, but I think all of these problems are kind of related to anxiety and stress. I have also suffered from anxiety attacks and panic attacks, and these often mirror asthma attacks and can involve feeling like you're choking on your saliva and so forth. Stress often manifests itself in unpleasant ways, and if people actually can change their lifestyle and make themselves more relaxed, then these symptoms should diminish. People perhaps eat too quickly, this can cause indigestion problems and perhaps simply don't get enough fresh air in their lungs. This too can cause breathing difficulties. Long healthy walks in the countryside or on the coast, should help. I've found cough remedies actually helpful in opening up my tubes when I've needed to breathe and break up thick green mucous. Halls mentholyptus are particularly good as is Vicks vaporub. Antacid indigestion tablets can help with the acid reflux. People may need to stop drinking tea and coffee and any carbonated drinks because this can seriously make acid reflux worse. I also recommend sipping camomile tea for panic/anxiety and acid problems. It really calms the nerves and unsettled stomachs down. A lot of these symptoms again could just be stress-related, and the more stressed you become, the worse they become. Try some alternative therapies such as Indian Head Massage and Aromatherapy or anything that makes you relax. And see if this doesn't improve your condition. People could also be allergic to house dust mites, which multiply rapidly in hot conditions, or in a home with central heating on high a lot. Fresh air and cool room, kills them off. They can live in pillows, in duvets and so forth. And these need to be cleaned regularly to remove them. People should perhaps ask for an allergy test, because they could be allergic to something else without realising it, and these are the resultant symptoms.

mcson - i have not been tested but i have read that there is a blood test, stool test and i think urine test, there is also a simple method that i read about and did and seems that i have the candida issue. Just search candida saliva test.

Just a quick post to acknowledge everyone's input on this awful condition. My doc has me on prilosec (omerprazole, sorry for misspelling), 40mg qD. I'm supposed to avoid tomatoes, spicy foods, laying down after eating & eating 4 hours before sleeping. I'm also not supposed to clear my throat under any conditions... but to sip water instead. I've been taking the medication, not lying down after meals, not eating 4 hours prior to sleep, avoiding tomatoes. But I am having a hell of a time trying not to clear my throat. Sipping water does NOT help the symptoms remit at all. I understand the purpose is to try to let the LP area recover from the damage but I can't do it, so I feel like a failure. I also dont think the prilosec is working and I am very frustrated. Anyway, I will continue to follow the thread. I also appreciate this thread for not endorsing any impossible & unrealistic regimens, such as an all raw food diet, cutting out all dairy or meat, taking handfuls of supplements several times a day & so on. Please. I live in the real world where I work & take care of children & try to build a future for myself & my family. Thank you.

Dear hpearl

I understand your comments; it's frustrating following medical advice and not getting the results you hoped for. I also have followed the diet sheet and advice given by medical people. However, the best information I have received has come from this forum. Candida, bladder infections, or virus, may have been a contributing factor to my LPR; these conditions were not mentioned by my GP, or hospital specialist, but I think, in my case, it may have caused my LPR. I took medication for my yeast infection, and I also had an. awful virus infection which took ages to recover from. During this time I coughed, and wheezed day and nightThe family were very concerned, however I eventually recovered and was told I had LPR. Omeprazole and Gaviscon Extra were prescribed, along with the 'diet' sheet, also I did sip water throughout the day to keep dehydrated, and free from constipation. I do feel a lot better now, but it's taken quite a long time. Keep anopen mind, be honest with yourself, and don't give up trying.

Wouldn't wish it!

Dear carlosamery,

I really feel you. Believe me the things you told are so much familiar to me.

My symptoms started after 2 cold/flue type of infections I had in April-May. I remember back then was so much nose clearing. After two weeks symptoms totally vanished and I got back to my normal life of eating, smoking and ocassionally drinking. However one morning in May I felt like soar throat and then started having excessive mucus, sinusitis, caughing after eating , throat clearing.

First I did not understand and doctors told me that I had sinusitis so prescribed me with antibiotics for 2 weeks. This did not solve the probem.

Then I went to another ENT doctor who prescribed me with another type of antibiotics for 2 more weeks and sinus rinse. After 2 weeks I was still the same.

I changed my doctor and found a good ENT. He checked my throat, larynx and vocal cords with endoscopy and told me that I have symptoms of LPR. He put me on 2x Nexium and 4x Gaviscon Advance plus sinus rinse. This was in July.

I also put myself on low acid diet which included eating alkalising food and pH high water. I have been on this diet over a month now . I have had days good and bad but not completely symptomless. There were days also I was tired of the diet and ate normally. Not much different either.

Anyways last week I got a stomach endoscy. It came out that I had inflamed gut which is gastritis and I was taken 2 biopsies for H.Pylory checking. The doctors told me that H.Pylori is the main cause of Gastiritis and it appeared that I had it. I am now waiitng for the results of biopsy and if it comes out H.Pylory positive I will be using certain combination of antibiotic for eredication.

I have also been told that H.Pylory causes excessive amount of gas in stomach which in turn results in GERD/LPR. They also suggested me changing Nexium with pantoprazol. These are two experienced surgeans, especially in Nissen operations. For the moment they do not think that I need surgery.

Also this week I went to n-my ENT doctor again who checked my throat and stated that I had 2 vocal cord nodules. I think these appeared because of excessive throat clearing.

So within these 4 months, I have had days with so much throat clearing, hoarsness, voice loss. However it is true to say that the amount of post nasal drip and mucus so much decreased. Especally I believe sinus rinse which I still use, contributed in decrease of PND from my sinuses. I suggest you use that as well!!!

As for the mucus created in larynx or throat, I believe that is the body's protection mechanism against the acid/pepsin or whatever is refluxed from stomach.

Finally I share the same thoughts with you and I wish all of those who suffers from this horrible disease a quick recovery!!!!!

All the best!!!

Mcson,

Thank you for that information. I did use the neilmed sinus rinse regularly for about 2 months but although it cleared my head and sinuses, the throat mucus remained. I have just purchased a reflux wedge so am waiting for that to arrive. I believe that at night is when the damage is done lying down so the contents escape, irritate the tissues and if course I am left with it all day.if I can keep it from escaping day and night then hopefully it might settle over time. I also find that fresh ginger tea helps a little to thin the mucus but chewing gum definately temporarily relieves it. As soon as I stop chewing, literally 20 seconds I have to cough up white gluey mucus. It isn't a sensation, it is actually thick, clear, glue like mucus. My plan is to see another ENT this month and explain the whole year to them and hope for an alternative method. Just hope they don't throw another form of PPI at me. I don't think I have excessive acid, I have a hiatus hernia which means the LES doesn't close properly which is a physical fault that can't be helped with meds. I've Been trying for months with different pills and it makes no difference. Regardless if there is less acid, surely whatever is in the stomach can escape and irritate the linings of oesophagus because there is an opening that doesn't close efficiently. Anyway I'm hoping for the best.

Take care

Dear Carlosamery,

I have throat mucus only after eating something. In my case I am totally symptomless at night. In fact mornings are the only moments when I feel normal. Then all symptoms come back with the first meal of the day. Olsu I do not have so much mucus, I have rather a little bit of mucus but vocal cords get effected badly sometimes. Also I have soar throat sometimes.

Yes in your case hiatus hernia may be the main cause behind all these. I wish you best of luck and healthy days!!!

Take care and all the best!

Mcson

Your help is very appreciated and I will update the board with any breakthroughs.

Thank you

Dear Carlosamery,

Your help is well appreciated as well.

I will also write here the updates.

Many thanks

This started for me in October 2011 so nearly two years ago. Had a mild virus and then had a terrible sore throat that would not go away, constant coughing up for mucus (like every five minutes) and a lump in my throat. Had several rounds of antibiotics before being finally referred to an ENT consultant. He scoped mt throat and diagnosed LPR. Put on the diet which helped at first, but it came back. Put on 20mg of omeprazole then oesomeprazole.

I have to say that the only thing that ever worked for me for a while was oesomeprazole so people should ask for this and give it a go. However, it came back despite the oesomeprazole and I have now come off those as they were giving me some problems.

I have had breathing problems with it too and back pains (which does not seem to be a common symptom from what I have read).

This has completely ruined my life for large parts of the last two years. Its debilitating and miserable and very hard to explain to those close to you or the GP just how horrible it is. The symptoms are very transient and sinister at times which has caused me a great deal of anxiety which makes things worse. My symptoms are definitely worse when I am tired or stressed and when the symtoms get worse so does the anxiety so its self fuelling in a way. I must have been to the doctors 10 times in the last 2 years and before that I hardly ever went so I feel they have written me off as a time waster and hypochondriac, which I am not.

The only things that help for me are rest and relaxation (which is not very often possible due to the demands of life at the moment). Oesomeprazole is also definitely worth a go in my experience. At one point the doctor also thought it might be asthma which can cause constant mucus. I had an inhaler which did seem to help a bit, but that was perhaps coincidence. I have tried everything else - changed diet, I also cleaned out our shower head as I read an article on those causing respiratory problems which is completly ridiculous I know!

I have also seen a homeopathic dr. Her theory was that the virus and the subsequent unnecessary antibiotics had damaged my "gut" and caused an inbalance and she put me on a pro-biotic diet, low carb and supplements, but it was just impossible to stick to and she said I would need to stay on it for several months to be effective which I just could not do.

Its really interesting to know that there are others out there suffering the same thing and that I am not completely mad! Good luck and best wishes to all. Please share any hints and tips that you might have.