LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux) support forum?

[Grosser]

Hello,
I was diagnosed by LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux). I would love to discuss managing of my LPR with other LPR sufferers. However, I can't find any active support group, forum etc. Do you know about anything? Could you send me a link?

Thank you.

G.

[Red_Star]

Yes my mother had severe GERD and LPR for 5 years. Her worst symptom of LPR was when burning stomach acid poured into her mouth walking around shopping. It was terrible to watch. Today she is free of GERD and LPR. She takes NO acid blockers (after 25 years of being told she had high acid!) and takes digestive enzyme supplements to help with digestion and betaine HCI with pepsin to increase stomach acid. She even has a hiatus hernia so these supplements are gold. Also when she is stressed she needs magnesium and probiotics to prevent any upsets.

[Ladybut1973]

This is very helpful information. I constantly have a sore throat and was told it was LPR and put on a PPI almost a year ago. it really has not helped much. I am 61 and have heard stomach acid decreases with age but have been afraid to try increasing it.

[Conrad1970]

In September I had my first encounter with LPR, which lasted for a good 8 months.  I went on a low acid diet and increased vitamin D3.  I chalked it all up to bad diet/luck, maybe eating too many acidic foods.  I mean, I had it bad.

  I thought the simple answer was I developed LPR, end of story.  More recently I got my answer as to why I developed it.  I ate a lot of fast food, especially Subway, and other starchy breads almost daily.  There was a Subway right next door to me, so it was convenient, and at the time I also thought it was a healthier choice among fast food places.  
What I didn't know was they put Azodicarbonamide in their bread.  This chemical is banned in every country but the US.  It is a chemical is put into almost all bread products in US.  It is the same chemical they put in rubbery plastics, yoga mats, tires.  In high enough concentrations it will cause LPR - like symptoms.  Azo, as it is called, accumulates in your system and takes months and months to finally filter out.  It is highly residual.  People who handle the stuff have a high rate of respiratory/asthma issues compared to the rest of the population.  I personally knew one person who had to have a lung transplant because of it; yet, the FDA is totally fine with it.  In the UK if a company is caught using it, it could result in a $15,000 fine and possible jail time.  I do suffer from LPR, but I am convinced this chemical is THE reason why.

[Angie171284]

Help I have LPR and haven't eaten solid food for 4 months losing the will to live it's so painful ??

[F2017]

I have LPR. I would like to meet others to discuss symtoms

[Phatwombat]

I was having pretty advanced symptoms LPR that just seemed to get worse every year over a course of 7 years. The worst of it has been over the past two years:

bulge in throat
constant throat clearing
constant cough
sore throat
bitter taste in throat upon waking
burning in throat
throat tightening when speaking
gagging and dry heaving in the morning
belching
feeling of acid moving up throat
constant post nasal drip

I have good days and bad days. Mostly good days now as I've almost nailed down a system that appears to be healing everything over time; it's just having the willpower to stick with this system and not fall off the wagon.

For me, I've found that I need to completely remove the following from my diet:

Raw Apples (I have a minor oral allergy to these which causes major reflux)
Most Dairy (I drink lactose free skim milk and eat freshly grated Parmesan cheese)
Pork, Beef, Processed Meats
Coffee, Carbonated Beverages, Alcohol, Tea
Marinara and Cream Sauces
Fresh Garlic
Soy Sauce or Teriyaki Sauce
Fish Oil Capsules
Spicy foods
Chocolate
Citrus
Mint
Fried Foods
Fatty Foods (anything in the double digits)
Refined sugar
Pepper and spices
GLUTEN!!!! (this has been a huge factor for me in reflux)

Snapshot of what I eat in a day:

WAKE TIME 6:30AM
Drink 16 oz. spring water with 2 DGL chewable tablets

BREAKFAST 7:30AM
B-Complex vitamin, iron with vitamin C and calcium with D3
Gluten free toast with avocado, egg whites and chickpeas OR oatmeal with chopped cooked apples
Bowl of cantaloupe, honeydew, blueberries and grapes
Everything is plain; no salt, sugar, pepper, etc. added

AFTER BREAKFAST 10:00-11:00AM
Sip 16 oz. spring water with 2 DGL

LUNCH 11:30AM
Vitamin complex A, D, E and K
Salad with arugula, kale, spinach, corn, black beans, broccoli, pumpkin seeds, strawberries, carrots and 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.

Baked Sweet Potato

Grilled Salmon seasoned with a dash of sea salt OR White Bean Soup (vegetable broth, kale, carrots, cannellini beans, mushrooms, green peas and zucchini)

I take 1 HCL Betaine tablet if I eat the Salmon at lunch

1:00-4:00PM
Sip 32 oz. spring water

SNACK 3:00PM
Banana with homemade granola bar OR
Homemade granola bar with baby carrots and hummus

6:00-6:30PM
Sip 8 oz. spring water with 2 DGL

DINNER 7:00-7:30PM
1 tsp of calcium citrate powder with 1 HCL Betaine capsule
6 oz. baked chicken breast or trout or salmon
Steamed fresh green beans
Green salad

BEDTIME 10:30PM
2 Gaviscon Advance chewable tablets (the ones from the UK)

It's a pretty boring diet and very strict but it does work for me. I also use a Medcline wedge pillow and sleep on my left side. I have to be very strict about not eating or drinking anything 3 hours before bed. I don't strictly drink highly alkaline water as that seemed to inhibit my digestion, so I stick to spring water mostly like Evian or Fiji which have a higher ph than tap or filtered. And I don't drink anything during, or directly after or directly before meals. I usually will give at least a 30 minute window. I am completely done drinking anything by 6:30PM (this had made the biggest difference). I've been doing deep breathing exercises to strengthen my diaphragm and this seems to help. Getting enough sleep is crucial for me.

[Ivylynn2016]

I'm having the reflux for 3mths now. I went to ENT and done endoscopy and he just said it's reflux and asked me take Omeg, gaviscon and domperidone for one month. Now I finished my medication but I still have the following symptoms.
1) bitter taste in the mouth in the morning
2) throat tightening
3) eat and drink ok but feel pain to swallow saliva
4) weak voice and don't want to talk much
5) excessive dry throat
I don't have phlegm in my throat. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with choking from dryness in the throat.
I'm so desperate now since it seems like ages to have these throat problems and I wish I could recover soon but don't know when and for how long.
Everymorning I wake up I have a wish and hope that today these terrible sufferings totally gone for good.

[dany1982]

are you better, did you find something to help?

[Ivylynn2016]

I'm having the reflux for 3mths now. I went to ENT and done endoscopy and he just said it's reflux and asked me take Omeg, gaviscon and domperidone for one month. Now I finished my medication but I still have the following symptoms.
1) bitter taste in the mouth in the morning
2) throat tightening
3) eat and drink ok but feel pain to swallow saliva
4) weak voice and don't want to talk much
5) excessive dry throat
I don't have phlegm in my throat. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with choking from dryness in the throat.
I'm so desperate now since it seems like ages to have these throat problems and I wish I could recover soon but don't know when and for how long.
Everymorning I wake up I have a wish and hope that today these terrible sufferings totally gone for good.

[ericTnTN]

If you don't mind me asking what did she recommend ?

[NEN781]

I just wish this condition wasn't so complex but it seems to differ with each individual. Some things will bother others that may not affect me. I could have kicked the doctor that initially diagnosed me because he just told to stay away from everything. So lazy! It's not that simple. I was very ill, couldn't eat, lost almost 45 lbs and developed a sleep disorder.  Went to my PCP more than once and when I explained my symptoms she would look at me like I was absolutely nuts! I went through so much hell when I had my first experience with this debilitating disease as both my PCP and my husband, thought it was all in my head. He even recommended to my doctor a Valium prescription. I can't tell you how angry I was! Needless to say, I still have that bottle of Valium. Finally ended up making an ENT appointment on my own without my PCP's counsel. While waiting in her office I noticed a rather large file for LPR. I felt vindicated! She was wonderful and helped me a lot.

[maggie0509]

hI,
I have been dealing with some symptoms that seem to be LPR. But not sure.
for 3 weeks now, i have had
-sore throat (burning sensation/sandpaper dry
-a little hoarseness
-some nasal drip
-not much of a cough
-feeling a lump in my throat when i swallow my own Sylvia not with food/drinks
-itching/pain in both ears (not at the same time)
-swollen  neck gland
-white patch at end of throat, but mostly red
I have an apt with a ENT 1/11/15 and i super nervous. I have also been dealing with anxiety for several months, and my mind seems to go to the worst place like cancer!!

[halmatro]

hi maggie, I'm having the same symptoms as yours, for the past 4 months. Any news form ENT?

[ericTnTN]

I also have been having these symptoms for 3 months. Symptoms are as follows (Dry cough( that is not some much anymore) ,  throat clearing( for phlegm sometimes, something is there mainly after eating or drinking and sometimes its dry clearing ). , Minor Throat soreness that comes and goes, TOTAL sensation of a lump or glob in throat , feeling of not breathing enough air , minor hoarseness and  a fizzy/sizzling sound at times in my throat when I drink water.  At first it started out as what I thought was cold. I went to my PCP and he said I had lots of drainage and clogged nasal passages. I was only prescribed a steroid shot. A week later I got a feeling of something in my throat. Then a few days after that I got laryngitis. With my job I have to talk of machinery and that made it worse. I went back to the Dr and he gave me 10 days of augmentin.  3 weeks later I finally went to ENT and was treated for post nasal drip and bacteria infection as she said I had a lot of drainage in nose and throat.Prescribed Flonase which did help with nasal passages being stopped up but the sensation of something my throat remains. In the meantime I has a full physical and blood test all good there. Went back to ENT and continued flonase. The 3rd visit my ENT said it could be a combination of getting sick with a respiratory virus and my vocal cords were irradiated then and at the same time it was exsposed to acid reflux coming up in my throat. I have had GERD for many years and have been taking tums,prilosec as needed most of the time daily. I also drink daily about 4 beers per day which I think has been the main culprit to the reflux. With the ease of access of OTC PPIs its just easy to go get and eat and drink what you want. I used to eat late at night as well until I had a few bouts with waking up suddenly choking and gasping for air and reflux in my throat. I am now taking 40mg daily of Protonix , Flonase and Gavascon . On my own I have been taking Vit D3 5000mg , 8oz aloe vera juice, Drinking plenty of water with 8.8 PH.I I have also changed my diet with protien shake and banana in the AM / apple, yogurt for lunch for dinner smaller portions and a low carb menu. I have also cut down on caffeine to 1 cup of coffee. I am going to purchase a bed wedge to elivate myself when sleeping. Trying to stay busy and relax more because mt stress builds up anxiety which is making matters worse. I have a upper endoscopy  and nose scope coming up in the next month I felt I had to push my Dr's to do this but I felt it best to check it out fully.  Sorry for the bad grammar but If anyone has knowledge of this or any ideas please respond. If anyone has another remedy or story please reply. Thanks

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

Any surgery can cause stress to the body and the meds used during surgery can trigger symptoms of GERD to flare....and then weight loss or gain will also be a trigger....

The nausea is typical for this type of surgery as you need to slowly go back to eating a normal diet of solid foods....small meals are suggested.

Not being a medical professional I do not see a reason you couldn't have LPR after the surgery, but it is best to discuss this with your surgeon.

Let us know your progress and what you find out.

[Osper]

In July this year I underwent Roux-en-Y surgery to fix chronic GERD. I can now barely eat anything without suffering from the worst bouts of nausea and often gag quite severely in my attempts to hold down what little food I have consumed. However I have also been suffering from what appears to be excessive post nasal drip since I had this op and a little research would indicate that it may be LPR and not a sinus infection.

My question is :-
Is it possible to suffer from LPR if I have had a Roux-en-Y procedure

[Lillye]

I just read about your mom--I have the same thing as her and have been taking Zypan by standard process. It really helped last time I had these symptoms but it has been over a year of being okay and not taking anything and now the zypan is not working as well. Is your mom on this forum?

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

Before you accept a diagnoses of LPR you should have some tests done:  i.e. 24 hour PH study or BRAVO capsule.

These tests will measure the amount and severity of your reflux and then you can work on a treatment plan.

If you want to follow a very good diet for reflux:  have a look at FODMAP diet on the Internet.

I hope this was helpful.

[Tommycro]

I am from Croatia and i also had reflux, its very bad thing,  i have been taken medication(natural) which i bought in Italy, its working perfectly and its helping me a lot. I am able to give you this info for free,   its neobiancid,  search it on internet!

[Vaudois]

Do you still need asthma meds, too?  I am thinking of setting up an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic and wonder if you'd mind telling me which doctors you saw.  My LPR symptoms are really affecting my quality of life and I need a doctor who actually understands this disease.  I know some places are starting to recognize it as an "aerodigestive disorder" meaning it affects the airways as well as the throat.  I am on omeprazole for six months now, but symptoms are still terrible...especially the shortness of breath.  I put myself on a strict low acid diet for the past three weeks, and having some better days, but still some bad days too.  What treatment plan are you on?

[dillonk]

I was misdiagnosed for 5 years or more. They told me I had asthma, and I had pneumonia a lot. I finally went to Cleveland Clinic and found out I have silent reflux. Five years of my life in pain and in the hospital. When my husband took me to the clinic I went in a wheel chair, this was in April of this year. When I went back in August I walked on my own. I am now going to a gym. I still am on a very strict diet. Anyone else on a strict diet? I would like to hear from people who have the same thing as I do.

[LAStanton]

I know it's been a long time since your post but I too have the same symptoms as you. I was diagnosed with LPR and am on the Dropping Acid diet. I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis at 50 and have been an active athletic person all my life. I don't get why my symptoms aren't going away. Did you find a cure?

[tessie51]

About two weeks ago my throat (larynx) closed up and i could not breathe.. I dont know how long it lasted but by the time the ambulance picked me up I was having a heart attack which was brought on by lack of oxygen. I have been diagnosed with GERD for 30 years but it keeps getting worse. I have taken Zantac, Prevacid and am now on Nexium. It sounds like I may have LPR but was wondering if anyone else has had a heart attack because of this. I have an appointment with my gastro doctor on monday so we will discuss it. I have had trouble swallowing for a few years and have had tests-endoscopy, barium swallow and esophagram-with no answers. Thanks

[tessie51]

I have had a barium swallow. It is a natural test to see why you are having trouble swallow so it shouldn't automatically mean they are checking for cancer. Hope this helps.

[africanqueen66]

Did you have a barium swallow x ray? I am worried about they may think I have cancer, or is it a normal test for LPR

[quackducker]

I've had what was just diagnosed (ENT) as LPR, for a couple of years. I'm a singer, or rather was.  Even with aging, I had a lovely bel canto voice until this started,  Now, I simply cannot sing, and have stopped all my chorale singing.  It's a bit of a downer!

Also, I teach ESOL to adult immigrants, and, as such, am talking a lot. But my vocal cords feel swollen or numb.

I have no symptoms of reflux (just the sore larynx!), and no acid or burping or anything that would have made me consider LPR.  My innards have virtually always been great because I have taken acidophilus and other probiotics, as well as enzymes, for decades. No GERD.

I'm faced with what to do.  I'm cutting out coffee (will still take my No-Doz in the morning though). And will watch for anything else "acidic"

The ENT prescribed some new PPI, that costs about $250.  I cannot afford that, and won't pick it up. I have taken ranitidine, and it makes me sleepy, so I just take it at night.

Other than that, I'm really more comfortable taking the Enzymes as suggested, and taking them more regularly.  I do have on-hand, a combo enzyme that includes all you referred to.

Any other ideas from your mom?

Thanks!

[RoVal]

Thank you for the information. I am following a similar diet path as you (no chocolate is the hardest!). One suggestion I have is to reduce/eliminate dairy. Although it is not especially high in acid and may not be the cause of your problem, it has helped me because I think it adheres to the mucus I already have. I definitely notice increased phlegm and throat clearing after eating dairy. Soy yogurt doesn't seem to bother me as much, although it's not as tasty. On the bright side, eliminating all of these foods (especially dairy) has caused me to lose 15 pounds. It's nice to have something positive come out of this frustrating situation!

[ClarissaW]

I just got diagnosed with LPR a few weeks ago.  My main symptom is a constant clearing of my throat and post nasal drip.  I have been taking the medicine that the doctor prescribed for 2 weeks now and it seems like my symptoms are getting worse.  I now have a chronic cough and a hoarse voice.  I also feel the symptoms get worse during periods of high stress.

I have found this forum very helpful.  I am willing to try the supplements that your mom takes as I don't want to constantly have to take something every day that isn't natural.  How often does she take the medicine?