LPR and taking medications - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

neddyflanders · 09-16-2008, 09:12 AM

I may be onto something here with LPR. Is there anybody that has LPR that can honestly say they are not taking any other medications? My thinking is that my LPR started around the same time I started my High blood pressure medication. Side effect is dry mouth. I also take Pepcid Complete when I sleep, Side effect dry mouth. I have no spit when I sleep, I use to have a problem with too much spit, now I have none. My theory is the LPR is caused by a reduction of saliva, we don't have heartburn because our stomach is functioning normally but because of our lack of saliva which normally keeps the throat area safe, we are getting burned. If we didn't have this lack of saliva the normal acid or fumes that rise from the stomach would be neutralized. Who knows, GERD may be caused by something simple like too little saliva.

My test since my LPR only happens when I sleep will be I will set the alarm for 4AM (that seems to be when it starts) and will get some sour candy or something to restart my saliva(water doesn't work). If I eliminate LPR then I will know my cause. Of course this medication is only one that lowers my blood pressure, but I'll take it one step at a time.

I've been wrong many times but who knows, I'm due for a bit of luck.

CharBerry · 09-16-2008, 12:05 PM

I was "never" sick before all this GERD/LPR crap started. Never. Not even a cold. Wasn't taking any meds, never had heart burn, no stomach problems, nada. I got sick Jan 19th, 1997 (I thought it was a cold and lost my voice, started the roller coaster life of Dr., Spec, test after test )and been sick ever since. After 2 yrs of being mis-diagnosed, I got the GERD diagnose and had scope, which showed my stomach totally trashed. Even after taking all the meds for reflux, I continued to be sick. Still had the cough, hoarse voice, choking, asthma like spells, felt like I couldn't breath and continue them to this day. Sometimes my throat will be feel like it's burning and so dry then others so much mucus I can't keep swallowing it all.

I still say it starts with our diet and life styles that are ever changing. Along with stress that none of us can avoid. My lower LES doesn't even show to be loose, yet they keep saying this crap is coming from my stomach? I'm going to go thru with the surgery but I have to be honest that I'm scared to death and have my doubts that it will help me one bit. What else is left? Unless, you come up with the cause and cure! I'm depending upon you!

Char

neddyflanders · 09-16-2008, 02:25 PM

I originally had GERD over 15 years ago. It was during a period of real stress (divorce). I took nothing for it and put my bed on a slant, after 4-5 months it was gone. Went through similar stress 2-3 years ago and it came back. It is obviously stress related but why did it not go away this time? I watched the diet, I slept on a slant but it didnt' go away. It improved but did not go away. The only difference I can think of this time is the dry mouth. You need saliva and enzymes, now when I sleep my mouth is dry as the desert. Obviously medication caused. So in my opinion (about my LPR, and I'm probably wrong like I have been 100 times before), my LPR will only go away when I get my saliva back which means stopping medication that I have to take. Will test it by getting saliva flow back at 4AM and seeing it's effect. If that starts to eliminate throat problem I'll take it from there.

I notice people with LPR say PPI's sometimes make their reflux worse, couldnt' this be the cause?

Also the mucus in the throat is from inflammation, that has nothing to do with the regular saliva the mouth produces.

CharBerry · 09-16-2008, 11:37 PM

This may sound gross but I think there is something you can spray into your mouth for dryness. My boss has problems because of Parkinson's and uses some kind of spray. Dairy doesn't work? Or can you not drink milk? Maybe a small glass before bedtime. It will protect your teeth too!

I know I must sleep with my mouth open. Hate to even think of that sight.

Char

applesauce · 09-22-2008, 01:29 PM

I've only been taking Omeprazole for 2 weeks and my throat was iffy before (lump sensation, soreness, pain when singing, etc) but right now I about have no voice.

(As a singer, this is terrifying me, because I seriously cannot live without singing - it's also affecting my work because of being in such a busy environment).

I'm going to see my doctor this week to see if there's a connection between the omeprazole and the worsening of my voice (since it takes forever to be seen by an ENT in this darn country :S). But I can say my throat has been much drier in the mornings than it usually is...

And I am on no other medication. (My body is generally anti-medications anyhow, it usually rejects them after a little while so I think that this might be another example of that :S)