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Suggest Treatment For Persistent GERD And LPR
Question: Ive posted before. I have had reflux for many years and my symptoms are not normal reflux. No chest type pain, mostly regurgitation, throat sorness, dry throat, coughing and nagging feeling to cough when larynx is irritated.
I have been monitored by a gastro for 10 years and have had multiple endoscopies, probably every 1-3 years, only irritation and at times gastritis has been found. all biopsies normal.
I have also seen several ENT's. I was last seen by an ent about a year ago and he saw irritated larynx but said nothing loked alarming and agreed that it's likely LPR. He said to watch my diet and gave me a steroid shot and things did settle down.
It's weird but it has always been mostly on the left side of my throat. doctors have all said it was likely because of the way I sleep the acid pools on the left side of my throat because thats how my head is probably positioned.
My question is can a cold and sore throat feel much worse if you struggle with LPR symptoms as well?
My daughter was sick and I was taking care of her. I just so happened to be struggling with LPR symptoms for the past month. I woke up this morning and the left side of my throat feels litterally raw and swallowing hurts. I do have a runny nose and some malaise and a cough that feels different than LPR cough so I do think I got what she had.
Anyway, I hate going to the specialists every time my symptoms flare up and my docs have assured me it's not neccesary because I get checked very often (in their words). The LPR thing is just quite a bit different than normal GERD and can create some anxiety so I'm asking questions here.
I have been monitored by a gastro for 10 years and have had multiple endoscopies, probably every 1-3 years, only irritation and at times gastritis has been found. all biopsies normal.
I have also seen several ENT's. I was last seen by an ent about a year ago and he saw irritated larynx but said nothing loked alarming and agreed that it's likely LPR. He said to watch my diet and gave me a steroid shot and things did settle down.
It's weird but it has always been mostly on the left side of my throat. doctors have all said it was likely because of the way I sleep the acid pools on the left side of my throat because thats how my head is probably positioned.
My question is can a cold and sore throat feel much worse if you struggle with LPR symptoms as well?
My daughter was sick and I was taking care of her. I just so happened to be struggling with LPR symptoms for the past month. I woke up this morning and the left side of my throat feels litterally raw and swallowing hurts. I do have a runny nose and some malaise and a cough that feels different than LPR cough so I do think I got what she had.
Anyway, I hate going to the specialists every time my symptoms flare up and my docs have assured me it's not neccesary because I get checked very often (in their words). The LPR thing is just quite a bit different than normal GERD and can create some anxiety so I'm asking questions here.
Brief Answer:
Yes URI will make your throat symptoms worse
Detailed Answer:
Than you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that you have such significant GERD and LPR. Whenever you have an excess amount of post nasal drip whether from URI or allergies your throat symptoms will be worse. First because the extra drainage will irritate the throat and second because the extra drainage allows for more sotmach acid to be drawn up the esophagus and throat.
Usually I recommend doing salt water gargles to clear the drainage from the back of the throat. You could also use an antihistamine or cold or flu medication to reduce the drainage too.
For the GERD if not already done elevate the whole bed not just extra pillows as they only cockup the head. Also take your PPI on an empty stomach and then eat 30 mins after taking the PPI.
Just some suggestions that have worked for my patients in the past
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon
Yes URI will make your throat symptoms worse
Detailed Answer:
Than you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that you have such significant GERD and LPR. Whenever you have an excess amount of post nasal drip whether from URI or allergies your throat symptoms will be worse. First because the extra drainage will irritate the throat and second because the extra drainage allows for more sotmach acid to be drawn up the esophagus and throat.
Usually I recommend doing salt water gargles to clear the drainage from the back of the throat. You could also use an antihistamine or cold or flu medication to reduce the drainage too.
For the GERD if not already done elevate the whole bed not just extra pillows as they only cockup the head. Also take your PPI on an empty stomach and then eat 30 mins after taking the PPI.
Just some suggestions that have worked for my patients in the past
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So you think the feeling of my throat burning and being swollen is due to the combination of existing LPR and having gotten a cold/ virus?
Im 100% sure I did get what she had.
Do think seeing these doctors and being scoped every 1-3 years would be considered adequate and staying on top of things?
Thanks for the quick reply during a stressful time
Im 100% sure I did get what she had.
Do think seeing these doctors and being scoped every 1-3 years would be considered adequate and staying on top of things?
Thanks for the quick reply during a stressful time
Brief Answer:
Agree with EGD every 2-3 years
Detailed Answer:
Agree with you that the URI is increasing you symptoms at this time and you do not need re-evaluation at this time.
I do think that you should have screening every 2-3 years to be sure you don't get something called Barrett's esophagitis. This is a precancerous lesion caused by the constant irritation of the EG junction. Repeat EGDs is the only way to screen for Barrett's esophagitis. It is not dangerous if caught early but if left alone can eventually cause cancer of the lower esophagus
I hope I answered your question
Agree with EGD every 2-3 years
Detailed Answer:
Agree with you that the URI is increasing you symptoms at this time and you do not need re-evaluation at this time.
I do think that you should have screening every 2-3 years to be sure you don't get something called Barrett's esophagitis. This is a precancerous lesion caused by the constant irritation of the EG junction. Repeat EGDs is the only way to screen for Barrett's esophagitis. It is not dangerous if caught early but if left alone can eventually cause cancer of the lower esophagus
I hope I answered your question
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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