LPR blueprint (please read if you have LPR)

[tdonline]

Mamasan, any thing you've come across that has helped your bad breath? I was on double doses of Protonix for awhile but that didn't help. Guess it cuts down on acid production but doesn't necessarily refluxing.

[Mamasan2007]

tdonline,
I have not found a solution to the breath issue-
My husband detects it, and tells me it smells like I am sick.
And that can be RIGHT after I brush, floss and use mouthwash.
I have a healthy mouth, and gums by the way!
It is coming from the acid.....in our stomachs. That leaks up into our throats.

[legaleagle01]

I agree. The smell is from acid reaching the back of the throat and mouth. It so embarrassing. I sit at my desk daily and watch as people pass and hold their nose. No matter what I do it doesn't get any better. I was on two doses of Protonix daily for months-it didn't help. I am now taking Ranitidie once a day doesn't help. I brush 3-6 times a day, with zinc based toothpaste and peroxide and it doesn't help at all. I just want my life back. I haven't been on a date in over a year. I avoid most public places because it so embarrassing. Even my closet friend at work asked me it I flossed daily and used mouthwash as if I haven't tried everything I've come across--Nothing works.

[newbie7500]

As far as I understand it, there is actually no link between bad breath and LPR, just as there is no link between LPR and heartburn. There is indeed a causal link between bad breath and GERD via the acid. As I've written elsewhere on these boards, the most up to date research on LPR suggests it's not even the acid that is the culprit in LPR, it is pepcid, a different enzyme from the stomach. I know some of those on this board have both GERD and LPR, but most GERD sufferers do not have LPR, and vice versa. As I've said before also, I do think it's important to keep in mind that, while someone can have both (along with many other separate things), they are distinct conditions.

[legaleagle01]

Newbie,

I completely understand the research you have done. But I can say without a doubt, along with many other people on this board that there is indeed a link between LPR and bad breath. The link is really commonsense: if you have stomach acid which aren't suppose to travel up your esphogus into your mouth you will indeed have bad breath and sinus irritation(congestion and PND) which makes the smell worse. Imagine everything you eat on a daily basis traveling back up to your mouth after being digested in your stomach sounds excellent right?

I did not have bad breath or any type of hygiene related issues until I developed LPR. Now, no matter what I do I can't get seem to get rid of it at all. I had a doctor, the first one I saw, she was fresh out of medical school and she assured me the BB was not related to LPR. I left her office confused and perplexed but now that I am seeing specialists, people who deal with LPR and GERD specifically they agree that BB is certianly a symptom. As are ear infections.

I am not sure about the pepcid comment that sounds interesting and I may ask my doctor about it, but for all the other people out there who like me didn't have an odor at all I took that comment very personal. I suffer on a daily basis with this and I am 100% sure there is a link I have the proof.