NO RELIEF WITH LPR, PLEASE HELP! Yes, you!

[dalgolds]

I am a 22 year old female who had a sudden onset of about a year and half of GERD (more specifically, LPR) symptoms. While I have no heartburn, I feel the need to clear my throat hundreds (maybe thousands) of times a day. It causes headaches and a loss of voice. For the past 6 months I have used multiple PPI's (Aciphex, Protonix, Nexium, Prilosec) and other medicines such as Reglan, Zantac, every antacid there is, Mucinex, etc. I still have this problem and none of the medicines have done much to help. I have had Upper GI's which show a severe reflux, and have been tested for allergies without avail. At the end of April I will be having surgery on my vocal cord as I have developed a cyst (which I partly blame on the throat clearing). In the morning I do not have any throat clearing problems until eating, then after every meal I have about an hour to three hours of terrible throat clearing. The nighttime is really terrible. I have made adjustments to my already healthy diet, I am thin and exercise so that is not the issue.

Do others have similar problems? If so, is there ANYTHING you do for relief? I am at a breaking point. I am going to a gastroenterologist in about two weeks and am seriously considering one of the plicator or stretta procedures. Does anyone know anything about them and their success (or not)?

Any advice would be helpful. I'd love to hear from anyone out there with advice. This has been going on for a long time and it never gets any easier.

Thank you and I hope to hear from someone soon.

[mommyinVA]

I have had LPR for about a year and a half as well. My primary symptom is constant post nasal drip and I also clear my throat (although I try to stop myself from doing so since it does make things worse). I also went through allergy testing and nothing showed up. Have you had an ENT do a laryngoscopy? That will give a closer look at your throat. I also had an upper endoscopy and they found a hiatal hernia. I have been taking pepcid, which has worked for me (before breakfast and before dinner), but taking a little break since it might be contributing to headaches (I am prone to headaches as it is). You mentioned that you have taken Nexium? I know that the treatment for LPR is supposed to be at least two nexium/day for 6 months, so it just might be that you need a higher dose or a longer period to see if it's working. I have heard of the stretta, but haven't heard much in the way of success stories. I wish I had more words of wisdom, but I just want to let you know that, this probably doesn't help, but you are not alone and people on this board are very helpful.
Good luck,
Kathy

[Kellir]

yes the throat clearing sux and is really annoying. I take mucinex and that seems to help quite a bit for me so you might wanna try it.

[Kellir]

also i dont think the tons of mucus in our throats have anything to do with our digestive systems, it has to do with your sinuses. Ever since my reflux started ive been having terrible sinus problems(i have LPR). SO i would suggest taking sinus/allergy medicine like mucinex, that seems to help me the most, you can get it at walmart for about 10 bucks i think. Take care.

[alex12]

Kellir

Also you may want to try Flonase or Nasaquart..they are cortisone sprays for your nose.