Chrissie B

Following on from the thread ’LPR as something else, falsely being treated as acid reflux? ‘

I think I am cured!!! Thank you so much ‘Seeking Sunrise’ for advice posted.

I have suffered from occasional cricopharyngeal spasms following stressful employment situations. The last occasion it kicked in was two days prior to undergoing a big spinal operation in September. I told the anaesthetist about this. After the 3 hour operation I was put in intensive care because my oxygen saturation levels were low and I was on oxygen until I was discharged.

Immediately I knew my breathing was ‘wrong’. I knew it started from the date of my operation. It was like my lungs were set permanently at ‘1’ and would not change or increase the oxygen demand 'setting' for climbing stairs, walking up a slight incline etc. As a consequence I was continually breathless. I was also coughing a lot and latterly I have been awash with a clear phlegmy stuff.

Within days of discharge from hospital I went to my big GP practice to say ‘I can’t breathe’ and started the fun game of Diagnosis Roulette. Although I stressed that it started from my operation date to everyone I met, nobody took this on board.

The first GP sent me to the hospital for tests for pulmonary embolism – chest X rays/ECG but all clear.
The second said it was anxiety and prescribed Valium.
The third found that as I smoked (25gm packet of ‘baccy’ lasts me a year) it must be COPD.
The third diagnosed that as I did wood turning for a hobby, it was emphysema.
The fourth said it was obviously GERD and prescribed PPI’s and an inhaler ‘in case it’s asthma’.

I didn’t take any of the meds. I had been looking at LPR on the internet but only had coughing and breathlessness so it didn’t really fit. I spent £50 in Gaviscon but nothing helped until last night.

I read the OP of the thread on laryngeal sensory neuropathy. it was suggested that you can 'bump start' a vagus nerve by restricting breathing or wobbling your Adam's Apple.

I did it by pinching my nose and holding my breath to the point that I was just about to burst and hey presto!! the coughing/phlegm have stopped and today I walked the dog for an hour and had no breathlessness whatsoever. Just got back from the supermarket and feel great!

It's worth a try, it worked for me.

Thank you Seeking Sunrise, you have given me my life back.