LPR - or silent reflux

Does anyone else suffer with LPR. I wonder if it’s an EDS thing as everything else seems to be!

For as long as I can remember I have had following symptoms

Chronic cough particularly after eating

Throat clearing

Occasional waking with choking at night

Excessive catarrh

Difficulty swallowing

Hoarseness

After menopause I had voice symptoms which I put down to menopause however it has got worse and now I cannot sing a note having sung all my life

Saw ent about two years ago and my vocal cords were inflamed due to reflux

I have taken a PPI for years and also take gaviscon advance on a regular basis.

I had a few months ‘respite’ from the chronic however about a month ago it came back with a vengeance.

At first I thought it was a viral Cough. Very loose very wheezy ( I have mild asthma)

One minute I think it’s getting better ( therefore it must be viral I thought) but last two days has been even worse

Eg last night in bed fine until I tried to lie down ( I have been sleeping with a back rest to try and sit up)

All of a sudden I get what feels like a tickle/ spray then almighty coughing fit with a wheeze on inspiration. I have to keep coughing until I can clear whatever seems to build up .

I have been researching a lot about LPR ( laryngopharyngeal reflux) and I clearly fit the bill

I wondered does anyone else suffer? Could it be stretchy valves in my oesophagus?

Would be keen to know or any treatments anyone has had

Thanks in advance

[cyberbarn]

Although not everything we have wrong with us can be attributed to EDS, reflux is one thing that is. The sphincter that is supposed to keep the acid down in the stomach where it belongs can like other tissues in our body be weaker than it should, allowing contents of our stomach too regurgitate. Additionally acidic air can come out of our stomaches and cause problems too.

You are doing all the right things, but it sounds like you could do with a follow up appointment with an ENT to make sure that there isn't anything extra going on, or to see if there are further things that might be done.

And yeah, I have the singing problem too. Can't wait for my GP to fob me off with social prescribing and suggest I join a choir so I can point out to them I can't sing anymore because no-one bothered to take me seriously when I said I was having throat problems. They just kept telling me it was a virus and it would be gone in a few weeks. It took over a year to finally get referred to ENT!

[Saassii]

You may find going on a low histamine and no mold diet resolves your symptoms.

No grain of any description. They're very high in mycotoxins. Mycotoxins will trigger mast cells. Mast cells will produce the reaction that precipitates GERD and also asthma symptoms. Foods high in histamine will add to the burden as the body releases too much histamine as it is trying to deal with the excess means symptoms escalate.

Fruits only low histamine as never after a protein. If before protein it sits behind and ferments and gives GERD.

Try an eliminate diet with and without dairy to learn of its affect on you.

No molds. No cheese, no mushrooms, no fungi, nothing fermented at all. No sugars. No processed foods.

See how you go then, I'd not see how it would be possible to have the problem any longer if you did this.

You're describing a problem in bed too. I must say at this point ensure there's no signs of mold or water damage in your home, that will also trigger all the problems you've discussed with a lot more actually. It's terribly lethal you the right people's tissue ie... Those with EDS. EDS has defective connective tissue... They protective barrier. It's more easily damaged and permeable. Keep your house spotless. No dust. No chemicals. If you're cleaning use a full respirator so you don't longer term aggravate that asthma. Don't allow mold in your shower, use accelerated drying techniques like a squeagy followed by a soft towel to dry the rest. An ounce of prevention is worth a tonne of cure on that one.

[Steenygirl1 in reply to Saassii]

Yes I have had problems with LOT and suddenly coughing in the middle of the night and fits of coughing whilst eating I also was diagnosed with asthma as a child which returned again perimenopause. But then I realised I couldn't digest grains, just sit in my stomach for hours. I was prescribed ppi and they has no effect and quite frankly not good as they block absorption of bit b12 needed for bone formation. I stopped the grains and dairy and the reflux was so much better and asthma went. I also found that digestive enzymes help move the food along as it is broken down and I don't get bloated. I was diagnosed with hEDS after I had found these things helped and with the help of a GP practising functional medicine was diagnosed with h pylori bacter and treated with herbal medicine. A gastro enterologist found a sliding hiatus hernia which added to the diagnostic picture. The gastro agrees with the enzymes as helpful and also the magnesium for constipation to keep things moving along in the bowel. My asthma type symptoms only return if I stray from my diet or eat too much in one sitting, little and often is the order of the day.

[Hidden in reply to Steenygirl1]

Thanks for reply. My symptoms have been with me for many years. And whilst I originally thought it was post nasal drip- a few years ago realised it was reflux. I feel my vocal cords are damaged dreadfully as I literally can’t sing at all anymore.

I feel I am straining my voice especially when I am tired- but the persistent chronic cough probably is the worse!

I must give up dairy ! And chocolate!