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.

[Carumba]

My LPR situation is one that I am still trying to get a handle on... One part of it I think is due to food intolerance leading to the stomach attempting to reject its contents.  A reason I say this is when I had a stomach infection once, my stomach definitely closed up its lower sphincter, raised stomach acid levels and tries to kill the infection.  I think that is similar in GERD/LPR where the stomach senses a problem (allergic response to food) and then tries to reject or neutralise the contents.

Mine started after a viral infection and food poisoning, which I think has buggered up some nerves (Vagal nerve neuropathy seems likely but not confirmed).  Also a major food poisoning event before has left me with a weakened LES as confirmed by an endoscopy.  All this may have caused me asthma also.

I have tried many things, and found that whereas PPIs offer some relief they are not a consistent solution.  Digestive enzymes help, and anti-histamines can provide some control.  Also a prokinetic drug can be prescribed and seems to help when the stomach won't empty (eg. Domperidone, but not available in USA).  I am trying that now to try and get the stomach clear before lying down at night.

Soon I will try Zantac again, as it is essentially an anti-histamine, so may solve two problems in one.  I am also interested in trying D3 supplementation.

Problem is that every day brings a different level of problem, and it is hard to get a handle on the cause, or get any accurate measure of improvement when it can take a long time.  I am still trying, and it is very upsetting not being able to sing, and trying to not let the stress caused get to you.

Good luck to all...

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

Thanks for sharing ur GERD journey with us and what is working and not working for u.

Vit D3 is something we all seem to be low on and I do not mean just those with GERD, I mean people in general today....all the sun block, albeit good to prevent skin damage it is also blocking out the necessary rays we need.

Also I found if u do not have enuff magnesium u will not absorb the vit D, so have a full blood panal done.....GERD meds can strip us of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals....so do check and make sure u r working with ur Dr to get the right ones and the right dosage for u !!

[Pmac21]

Symptoms

History of food sensitivities, allergies, and drainage problems. Also anxiety and self noticed arrhythmia.  Rare atrial palpitations found on 24 hr halter test two years ago. Heartrate at bed time usually 47-51 bpm, sitting during day 80-90 bpm. Take 24 hr zyrtec and multivitamin. 

Started with a lump sensation in my throat. Voice was weak and hoarse Dr. Tested for strep, diagnosed as laryngitis.

A week later developed small red sores in back of mouth on soft palate in front of tonsils. Went to ER said probably reflux. Did soft tissue throat X-rays found nothing sent me on my way. 

Went to primary care dr. They said probably thrush due to some white heads on a few sores. Started nystatin swish and swallow. They tested strep, bacteria and fungal culture, blood tests for thyroid, autoimmune screen, std screen, HIV, general blood screening, and etc. only thing was low good cholesterol. 

In the meantime I lost 10 lbs from start of symtoms to now due to lack of eating I didn't like how I felt from the lump sensation.  Lost 35 lbs since January due to anal fissure an diet change resulting. Treated with .3 nifedipine Compound ointment applied to affected area just prior to these issues starting and overlapping. Used it 3 times daily pea sized amount for 5+ weeks.  Fissure healed upon last visit 2 weeks ago but sometimes bleeding still occurs. Had colonoscopy done in feb and found nothing else.

The sores burned excruciatingly and I started taking tums and Prilosec upon suspicion of reflux.

One developed into a large aphthous ulcer that was larger than the eraser of a pencil. 

Eventually this went away about two weeks later. Saw ENT who diagnosed me with just an aphthous ulcer. Looked in my throat with a mirror apparatus since I gagged out the scope in your nose.

Symptoms improved with the sores about a week, I continued the prilosec and propping up my head and back when sleeping pretty substantially.

Constant bitter taste in back of mouth. Throughout waking up in middle of night with dry sour mouth . Would take tums and go to bed. 

Symptoms recurred and constant strangling sensation and dry difficult sometimes painful swallowing of saliva and liquids. No problem swallowing foods whatsoever.

Went to my gastro, had endoscopy done to my duodenum. Found nothing. Ate, went home, slept an hour woke up and felt fluttering in my throat with rapid heart race. Felt like a moth was literally stuck in my larynx.  Not sure I it was palpitations, cricopharyngeal spasm, but I panicked. Called gastro said to go to the ER, didn't, it went away in about a minute. Called my family dr to come in. They tested me for food allergies via blood RAST test. Came back normal. Said I had anxiety and prescribed me celexa 20mg.  I was on this medication about a year for general anxiety but have been off it for a year with no major relapse.  Of course I'm anxious due to not being able to find out what's wrong but I believe this is secondary to my symptoms. Looked up crico pharyngeal spasms and laryngopharyngeal reflux. Both of which I find my symptoms adequately match, however I've been in Prilosec and Prevacid for over a month and increased up to 40mg a day with little relief. Now my stomach hurts an feels like I'm not digesting foods properly. A lot of gas, bloating, sharp pains in lower abdomen and feeling of food not going down when I eat. I am still eating, but things are getting to where I might stop again. Thinking it may be from the PPI but afraid to stop taking it.  No heartburn ever throughout all of this. Very very frustrated. As you can tell ive become pretty obsessed with my Internet research because I'm sooo freaking miserable. Can you help me?

[Sharing_is_caring]

Greetings to all. I recently had symptoms of LPR and GERD and have been a frequent reviewer of these forums to try glean any insight from fellow sufferers. On the advice of my doctor, I was advised that a recent 10 pound gain in weight that I put on in my stomach area might be contributing to the problem. How so?

The doctor suggesting that while I may have expanded my waist size, my clothes nevertheless remain the same and thus, wearing these clothes (including underwear) causes a greater restriction from the expanded waistline. I started to wear looser-fitting clothing and my symptoms improved noticeably.

Google Tight Pants Syndrome. Belching, distension and heartburn, amongst other manifestations, are common under this premise. Think about how logical this is since motility of the bowel is adversely affected by tight waistbands.

Hope this may help some.

[Shon1234]

I just visited an ENT about two weeks ago or so.  He said that I probably have LPR after performing the usual exam.  Over many years (not quite sure how many), I have often had a lump feeling in my throat.  As I get older, it seems to get worse, along with a terrible post nasal drip.  Sometimes, it would go away for a couple of years then come back.  Not sure if stress triggers it back or what. He put me on prilosec OT.  I took for three days and noticed no results.  Went back to regular eating lifestyle.  Got smarter, and went back to taking the Prilosec and being patient.  Changed eating style while reading Dropping Acid....and I must say that I am feeling a little better.  Less anxious, throat doesn't lump up as much after I eat (smaller meals now), still have nasal drip, but remaining positive.  

Sometimes, medicine will work if we are patient, but when you are uncomfortable, you like a quick fix.  I really think the food change is helping.  I do not eat fried food, spicy food, chocolate, etc.. The Dropping Acid book offers tons of foods to eat and not to eat.  Hopefully, I won't drop too much weight because when trying to eat the proper foods, they contain very little (heavy-make-you-full) fattening foods.

My doctor told me to make sure and take it for a while because it takes time for the medicine to actually work.  So far, no side effects and my throat has a slight tickle throb-soothing feeling going (way better than before) and I even feel more better each day.

[Roberthart66]

I am not sure if this is helpful, but I was taking high dosage (80 mg.) omeprazole (prilosec) and it was having no effect.  I recently switched to Nexium and I am experiencing a significant improvement.  I take 40 mg. Nexium at night and 20 mg. omeprazole before breakfast.