Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

[alykat57]

I have recently been diagnosed with LPR. (silent reflux). Just wondering if any one knows if this is connected to my fibro in an way. I find if I get anxious (which is very often these days} I feel like my throat is swollen, I get breathless, cannot swallow very well, and I get hoarse. This is worrying me. Every couple of months I seem to have different conditions and symptoms. Where does it all end???

[soppysokes]

Presumably you would have had an endoscopy to check esophagus etc? It can commonly be linked with H. hernia, thyroid problems amongst other causes as well.

[alykat57 in reply to soppysokes]

thank you. Had my thyroid checked. Only nodules. Endoscopy showed inflammation in the voice box and not much else. Would love to know what has caused this.

[Greenpeace in reply to alykat57]

Hi alykat57 ,

I was reading your post with interest as I suffer with LPR.

What causes this disorder is that when you are asleep, and your muscles are relaxed, the acid from your stomach goes up your Oesophagus and when it gets to your Throat there is a little valve (Epiglotis) which prevents food etc going down into your Pharynx. Because you are asleep and your muscles are relaxed, this valve allows the Acid to go into your Pharynx, and it's the Acid damaginging your Throat that is making it feel swollen. You also get a cough, and a hoarse voice.

If left untreated, the Acid can get into your Lungs and cause Aspiration Pneumonia.

Don't let your Dr. Fob you off with this, insist that you see a Gastologist, as persistent Acid going up your Oesophagus can cause a condition called Barrett's Oesophagus which is a Pre-Cancerous condition.

I don't know if you have been given a PPI like Lansoprozole to take. This allows the inflammation to heal, but you must get to the cause of the acid leaking up. This is usually a Hiatus Hernia.

Because of NICE guidelines, the Dr has to start off with giving you medication. Then if your condition gets a bit better, then you just continue with the medication. If it doesn't, then you will be offered an operation. I have just been told after 10 yrs, and having Barrett's, LPR, and Malabsorption Of Vitamins and Minerals due to taking long term PPIs that I can have the operation.

In the meantime, my advice to you would be to raise the top of your bed about 6" so that gravity can help keep the Acid back. Or use extra pillows. Don't eat anything after 2hrs before going to bed. Avoid the triggers for giving you Acid, i.e. Caffeine, Chocolate, spicy food etc.

You mention that your Thyroid is ok, that's good. You say that you had an Endoscopy, was that of your throat or for you Digestive Tract?

Get to the bottom of why you have Acid leaking up, and get that sorted. In the meantime your Dr should have given you a PPI to take which should reduce the inflammation, and reduce the amount of Acid in your stomach. The long term risks of using PPIs is getting to be quite alarming, so it's best to get the cause of Acid leakage sorted.

Sorry for the long post, but I hope it answers your question of why you have LPR.

In my case it is not a Fibro problem as I had it long before Fibro diagnosis.

Take care.

GP. 😊😊

[alykat57 in reply to Greenpeace]

thank you this has been very helpful.

[rosewine]

I have the same in fact developed it before fibro and have Lansaprazole twice a day which has helped immensely.

The advice given is excellent about raising your bed height near a your head I have three pillows now.it is an excellent explanation by Greenpeace

[alykat57]

Just found out I don't have lpr at all. I have been diagnosed with edac (excessive dynamic airway collapse >50%) Been using a cpap machine for 10 minutes 6 times a day and it is helping. So glad i finally got a proper diagnosis.

[Lorenzsommer in reply to alykat57]

Hi! May I know how you feel now? And what is the correlation between LSR and EDAC? Did you go to Gastro or ENT as you were diagnosed with EDAC? Thanks!

[alykat57 in reply to Lorenzsommer]

Hi My EDAC was diagnosed by a respiratory professor. It was discovered by a multi - slice 3D CT scan. My airway is collapsing more than 50% on expiration, and I was chronic coughing for up to and more than 10 hours at a time. Emergency department had to knock me out to stop me coughing. I was prescribed a Cpap machine to be used 6 times a day for 10 minutes. This has helped a lot, but I still have a very reactive airway and have trouble with a lot of perfume, diesel, petrol etc. I use a ventolin inhaler and anti histamine when required. Hope this helps answer your question.