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Post nasal drip, silent reflux etc.

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ryan32010
ryan32010

Hi All,

I have come across this forum whilst searching the internet for some answers. I have been suffering from the symptoms mentioned on here for about 6 years now.

Just to give you a short overview, will keep it short: I am living in South Africa, 29 years old, male, problem started with an irritating cough & constant throat clearing & got sore throat but not too often. Started getting upper airway infections & decided to go to doctor that diagnosed me with Asthma. After I started using the Asthma inhalers the sore throat became more apparent but my cough stopped. Decided to stop using inhalers but problem just got worse and worse over the years. Daily symptoms now include sticky white mucus in back of throat, post nasal drip, sore / burning throat, constant throat clearing, hoarseness in voice, throat clearing after eating (does not matter what I eat), blocked noise, sinus infections, etc.

I have been on all sorts of medication, nasal sprays, antihistamines, Cortisone's. I have been to 2 different ENT's, had sinus surgery (which made it worse), been to 2 different allergists, seen many GP's & a homeopathic doctor & no relief. The latest thing I have done is the G-scope after reading about LPR & doc advised that all seems normal. I have tried nexium & now use another med for reflux.

My work also involves speaking a lot so I suffer more at work than at home. I dont drink or smoke either.

I have traveled to other countries & the symptoms still continue.

My question is to those who suffer from this, do you have lots of stress, have you suffered some sort of trauma before symptoms started, do you have an active job or are you sitting at a desk all day?

Also, I haven't manged to find any forums like this for South Africans, so if there are anybody in SA reading this with these symptoms please make contact.

Many thanks, any input will be appreciated.

9 likes, 135 replies

135 Replies

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  • brobb129
    brobb129 ryan32010

    Posted

    I have had really bad post nasal drip for almost a year and for most of that time I have been taking omeprazole for acid reflux from a hiatal hernia.  The times I dialed back the medication to half a pill, or got off of it all together... my post nasal drip has gone away... but my GERD gets worse.  I've switched to pantoprazole and still get the drip.  I've come to the conclusion that if I want to keep my reflux under control I just need to deal with it.  If some of you are taking these acid blocking medications, that might be the cause of the drip.
    • d60977
      d60977 brobb129

      Posted

      The drip was eliminated in me with the start of acid blockers. the reflux caused the drip., cough, chronic bronchitis. 
  • d60977
    d60977 ryan32010

    Posted

    I coughed for 10 years. finally, out of desperation. I saw an alergist who sent me to a specialist. I take medication for acid reflux and I no longer cough. I no longer have chronic bronchitis. 10 years. I have changed Drs.
    • john_88656
      john_88656 d60977

      Posted

      I think you may be able to help. I have asked other people in this forum this but sounds like you had some luck with the medication.

      I'm assuming they gave you PPIs? Which one are you taking and for ho long have you been taking it?

      Reason I ask is because there seems to be a school of thought that GERD gets treated fairly quickly with PPIs - that's were you have common symptoms like heart burn. BUT LPR gets treated with PPIs over a longer period, because you need to repair the damage that has been done to your throat so reduce stomach acidity longer to allow healing.

      I am skeptical about this because there is some parts of the medical profession that think the problem is caused by gases because we are not digesting our food fully. And this causes gases which causes your LES to flap open and allows tomoach contents to irritate your throat. So they suggest you need more acid and more digestive enzymes.

      They are both very opposing ideas which is exhausting to even think about. So have you had any luck with PPIs over a consistent long period like 8-10 months?

    • mack_1946
      mack_1946 john_88656

      Posted

      Hi John. I been dealing with this stuff for 6 long years. They had be on Pantoprazole 40mg 2X daily for a coupe if not three years but nothing was changing I finally got to the point and said we got do something different this isn't working. So for the next 2 or 3 years I took Omeprazol with no results. They've ran a scope down to my stomach, nothing there. Look at my vocal chores and lyarx and said it was red and inflamed. The ENT said Acid Reflux. Three different ENT's and a Gasro Doctor have all said the same thing. Reason for going to so many ENT's is because I  had my doubts. But the meds I'm taking now seems to be working. I've been on them for three weeks and haven't had any flare ups and feel better than I have in a long time. I gave them (PPI's) plenty of time to work but they didn't do a thing. My Gastro said different people have a different reaction. And we just got to find the one that works for you.  
    • mack_1946
      mack_1946 john_88656

      Posted

      I take 3X daily Sucralfate and one Dexilant at night. I believe its important to take them without other meds. and take the Dexilant an hour or so before the last Sucralfate. The first Sucralfate is the first thing in the morning. Talk to your Doctor about them he may or may not recommend them. But my experience has been not all Doctors are created equaily. Takke care and good luck

      Mack 

    • john_88656
      john_88656 mack_1946

      Posted

      Thanks for the quick feedback Mack. That's really interesting that after all these years of PPIs not working that an alternative brand seems to have a better effect.

      Have you not experienced side effects from taking PPIs?

      Also interesting is the sucralfate - it seems like it's used for the treatment of ulcers. Why would your doctor have recommended that if your symptoms are more in your larynx?

    • john_88656
      john_88656 mack_1946

      Posted

      Sorry also have you not read up on the alternative theory that having too little acid is the problem? What do you think about that theory?
    • mack_1946
      mack_1946 john_88656

      Posted

      I have read the theory of not enough acid and that swallowing a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a little honey and a bit of warm water (couple of ounces) will not the syptoms of acid reflux right off. It didn't for me. I've even tried mixing baking soda with warm water no luck there. It did ease my upset stomach though. 1/2 teaspoon with a half a cup of warm water. Now I'm not saying the lack of acid isn't true but it wasn't for me. When I got off my pills for the purpose of giving the apple cider an honest effort I got sick and stayed sick until I got back on my pills. 
    • mack_1946
      mack_1946 john_88656

      Posted

      When it first hit me I lost my voice then over a week or two it became real raspy and now its so much better 98%. I will say I have to drink a lot of water like at least 32oz and sometimes more. I got this info from Web MD for you. (sucralfate oral may also be used to treat the following:

      Inflammation of Esophagus from Backflow of Stomach Acid, Condition inwhich Stomach Acid is Pushed Into the Esophagus, Stomach Ulcer, Medication Treatment for Healing Stomach Ulcer, Stress Ulcer Prevention, Stress-Related GI Bleeding Prevention, Heartburn, Duodenal Ulcer due to Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

  • Cellie
    Cellie ryan32010

    Posted

    Hi Ryan, I am also from South Africa.  Going trough the same thing as you but because I am 48 years old I think mine is a bit worse than yours.  I have tried everything over the years and nothing seems to work. I am going to try go natural way now.  Lemon and honey in warm water.  Also apple cider vinegar in warm water.  Gonna cut out the bread, milk pasta and red meat.  This is terrible.  Even my tongue is burning.  I know what you are going through. Just hang in there, maybe we will come across something that really works.  What part of SA are you in?
    • ryan32010
      ryan32010 Cellie

      Posted

      Hi Cellie, thanks for your post. I have also tried several diet changes without any luck, maybe I didn't do it long enough or just havent found the right food to cut out. I am based in Johannesburg, where are you?

      When did yours start?

    • yvonne78791
      yvonne78791 Cellie

      Posted

      Hi Cellie, I am also from South Africa.

      My Mucus is white and very sticky. Spitting the hole day long. Can that be a Nasal Drip? I am batteling to breath deep into my lungs. I have like a Chronic bronchitis and battle to yawn (Gaap). It feels like I am shoking if I dont spit the mucus out. I do not have medical aid, but every time I went to the Dr, he said I have Bronchitis. The antibiotics makes the mucus more and thicker. (My eating habits is mostly liquids, because it is painfull when I swallow food. I have a burning sensation from my throat (tung) down into my body. When Burping often after eating it is very painfull. Please help me!!

       

  • umair84338
    umair84338 ryan32010

    Posted

    Ryan I can feel your pain the worst thing is the chronic clearing of  throat which is very irritating and person feel embrace espeically in the train or in office.I am suffering from these from last seven years.I have two surgeries as well first one is for polyps and second one is for septoplasty.I have reasearched too much on this one.What I get from my reasearch is that  it's gonna more worst in Cold as compared to summer.So I feel less  problem in hot countries.Secondly it's definately happen because when irritating substances attack over nose for example dust mites it's infected the rhinitis which become the source of post nasal drip.The best way to differentitate that it is happened because of acid reflux or allerigc rhinits is that if it's fall down in your throat and you constantly feel mucus in your thorat then definately it is Allergic rhinits it's not acid reflux because when the irritating substances come from downside it's not irritate the whole day.Now to proper destroy the source of nasal drip which takes some time  may be the whole year. Mineral salt or sea salt is the best solution for it .If someone rinise their nasal 4 times a day and gargle with salt 3 times a day.It's definately recure your rhinitis and you feel much better and it has no any side effect as well.Thirdly Medcines are mostly useless and doctor said to me we can control it just like diabetes or blood pressure but it is not curable .sodium montelukast and nasonex are most effective medicines for it.But the salt is the best solution for it  if you find any other better soultion please let me know as well 
  • yvonne78791
    yvonne78791 ryan32010

    Posted

    Hi Ryan,

    I have all the symptoms that you have. The white mucus gets worse with antibiotics. Is yours also very sticky. It feels like I am suffecating sometimes. I am out of breath if I do things very fast. 8 Months ago I started having proplems breathing in deep. It makes me very tired. I have a lot of stress!! is this all signs of Nasal Drip? The Dr keep saying I have Bronchitis. What can I do!! I need help.

    • ryan32010
      ryan32010 yvonne78791

      Posted

      Hi Yvonne, thanks for your post &  I feel your pain! Yes mine is also very sticky & its quite hard to get it out. I am convinced all symptoms are from the pnd but nothing i have tried has cleared it up. Did all your symptoms start 8 months ago or just the  breathing problems? Which part of SA are you from?
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