Just wanted to talk to ppl who have been on PPIs for a good while and have had decreased symptoms. I have LPR, and this is my 1st week on 2 40mg nexium. I have so much mucus; Im trying so hard not to kee p clearing my throat. I know its bad. :nono:

I was diagnosed with LPR last October (2004), but did not experience much relief until about 5 months later. Initial treatment was 2 Prevacid a day. I posted my story in response to the thread titled "How long does it take for LPR symptoms to worsen." You will find my 6 month experience there. Just a tip--it helped me to chew gum during the "waiting" period for meds to start showing relief. It's not going to "cure" anything but I found it very soothing. Mint can be bad for reflux disease so I chew fruit flavored sugerless gum--you know like the green apple flavors etc. Sometimes I feel like a "gum popping" teeny bopper, but who cares it makes my throat feel better while I allow time for the healing of the reflux damage to take place. Good luck and hang in there. It takes a long time for any relief to take place, but in my case I can definately say I feel better. Now I am wondering how long it will last!!!

Im so glad you're feeling better; it gives me some hope here. Did you always have the urge to hack or clear your throat to get the mucus out? Did your doc tell u not to?

Yes, the mucus is a disgusting and uncomfortable issue of LPR. My doc did not tell me specifically not to clear my throat or cough. I have heard that when you do, it's like picking a scab on a healing wound so it probably isn't the best thing to do. However, if it gives me some relief I do it anyway. Basically I do anything I can to give me some relief and comfort while waiting for the PPI therapy to heal the damage to my throat. Medical studies indicate that the PPI's will work eventually to heal the damage to the larnyx and upper throat area for the majority of people who suffer from this uncomfortable form of acid reflux. Most often people find releif between 4 and 6 months after beginning therapy. In my case that was true. I repeat though--after 6 months of therapy I still am not completely symptom free, just a whole lot better. I have been dropped to 1 Nexium (40 mg) a day and so far it seems to be doing ok. I am cautious because I was doing very well on 2 PPI's a day and now the doc wants to decrease medication to see if I can maintain at 1 per day. I hope my improvement continues, I don't want to regress after 6 months of therapy and have to start over again! Another good thread in this board is "LPR, went to specialist" it may be down the list a bit as it was started several months ago. There is a lot of good info on that thread if you haven't read it yet. Someone by the log in of "neverenoughslee" cut a pasted an article from a medical journal with great info. about LPR. I don't remember what thread it is on though, you may have to look around a bit for it, also it was a little while ago so it probably will be down a ways on the board.