LPR: When did the lump show up in relation to initial onset of symptoms? - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

vintagegirl · 05-03-2005, 04:15 PM

Hi, if anyone can't already tell, I am starting to worry a lot. One thing that I have been learning from these posts and this board is that it is best to be aggressive with LPR right out of the gate. Today my stupid ENT prescribed Protonix only once daily, so I had to call back and leave a message that I did not want to take a "wait and see approach", I'd like to do it twice per day to get better coverage.

What I need to know most from you all is when to expect this lump to show up.

So far I have had burning in voice box--comes and goes--coughing--remarkably better--none of the mucous people are describing. I just want to prepare myself. Any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks! I wish I could relax.

ginger65 · 05-04-2005, 07:00 AM

Hi Vintagegirl,

Double dose full strength PPI should be used for LPR. I tried it for 3 months (standard in UK) with no success. Hope you fair better. Bit confused by waiting for lump to show. If by this you mean the globus sensation of something sticking in your throat it is usually one of the first physical symptoms of LPR although the reflux could have been present for some time (silent reflux). If you do not have it yet it sounds like you have caught the reflux in time. What I experience is an annoying feeling of something that you cannot clear. It is usually a semi-permanent feature of established LPR. I believe the cause is inflammation of the pharnygeal / laryngeal tissue from the reflux although the mucous / PND could be an aggevating factor.

Hope helps

vintagegirl · 05-04-2005, 07:14 AM

Thanks for replying, Ginger. My first symptom was loss of voice on and off and then a dry, spastic cough. That is gone now...I never had a sensation of mucous or a lump...but am just really terrified that I will develop that if this PPI therapy skips a beat in any way. Come to think of it, the ENT's first question to me was, "Do you feel as though you have something stuck in your throat?" I said no, but the cough was embarrassing because I could hardly get through a sentence without it sneaking up on me before I could cover my mouth, and I did not want to put people off. He said my vocal cords looked a little red. Then yesterday, I was feeling really good until I had one cup of coffee, burped a few times, then I went on a coughing jag. Not sure what to make of that. I really am rooting for all of you on here, my heartfelt best wishes to you......

ginger65 · 05-04-2005, 07:50 AM

Hi Vintage girl,

Thanks for your kind words. Coughing is noted as a symptom but I have always ignored it as I do not get it just now. However, thinking back a couple of years I did used to have coughing fits regularly especially with alcohol. I suppose these must have been the very early stages of the reflux as I only got the mucous and globus last year.

For info the process I have gone through was to firstly see an ENT who diagnosed mild nocturnal GERD to which I was sceptical as I never experience heartburn. Had 3 months pantaprozole (PPI) , no alcohol, lost weight. Still experienced the acidic taste,bad breath,burning mouth, PND, mucous and globus. On follow up ENT said there was clear evidence of LPR on larynx and that given failure to respond to meds etc best option would be fundoplication surgery. Next stage was an Endoscopy and 24 hr PH monitoring prior to any surgery consideration. Endoscopy last week showed no damage to esophaegus but no surprise there as no heartburn, evidence of reflux further up, sliding hiatus hernia and the H.Pylori bacteria (cause of peptic ulcers). Unfortunately whilst the endoscopy helps in identifying possible cause of reflux it does not really detect the severity and regularity of LPR. Having PH study next month and possible Barium X-ray too check for sphincter malfunctioning. Depending upon these findings surgery next step.

You can use this continueum to see where you are at although I hope the PPI's do the trick.

Best wishes

mjcm123 · 05-04-2005, 07:54 AM

Hi Vintagegirl. Know it sounds basic, but my sisterinlaw had a dry hacking cough for 6 months and they couldn't figure out what the problems was. Finally ... post nasal drip. The muscas was going down her throat and making her cough. With my lpr, I do have a cough, but I also have a burn in the throat, like someone is cutting it with a razor blade and a 'thick' feeling in the throat - like it is partially closed off (except when I eat). Also, I lose my voice easily. However, if the ppi is helping you, it probably is lpr. Just thought you might want to check the other in case.