Red raw sore throat for 3 months. LPR?

[pffft2017]

Had GORD for over 20 years and Barrett's was diagnosed about 5 years ago. Was refused a check up by a GP ( quote; The NHS don't do those any more. ) but managed to wrangle a gastroscopy by a reckless and arrogant 'medic' and ended up with a hiatus hernia and thrush, then told I did not have Barratt's so she didn't even bother to take a biopsy. The consultant, can you believe, told me it had 'healed up'. Of course my reflux worsened after this episode.

3 months ago I developed a chronic sore throat, blisters on the left at the back of my mouth and the right side very tender and red, blood blisters on the roof of my mouth. What concerned me was a pain in my jawbone on the right. Was given antibiotics at first, no effect, then Nystan or something for thrush, no effect. I suggested it was acid related but ignored. Consulted Dr Google and symptoms fit exactly with LPR ( laryngopharanyngeal reflux ). Had a doctor's telephone appointment Thurs and mentioned it sounded like LPR and she said " What's that? "

Anyhow it's getting worse, short of breath in the mornings and a cough, pain in the jaw and base of tongue, can't see anything or feel any lumps but fear the worse. Can't get an appointment with the local quacks, any recommendations for a solution please? Any other LPR sufferers out there?

Sorry for the tome btw.

[Judley]

I would demand for an ENT referral. They have both scopes but they will have more experience what's going on in your mouth. Firstly I'd advise cutting out anything that might aggrevate such as smoking, high acid food, drinks. Are you on an acid blocker, if not, you should be eg Lansoprazole. I was told I had LPR then it was found to be a hietus hernia. I have a red throat, sometimes coughing but no sores etc in the mouth. I do have a burning tongue though poss caused through meds or post menopause. Barratts does not disappear so either they were mistaken or the person doing it wasn't v experienced. Barrett's should be looked at every 2 years. If you get nowhere go private for consultation, once they recommend something go back to your Dr saying this is what I need. If they refuse tell them so you're refusing me medical help? I hope you get on ok. With LPR or Silent Reflux as it's also known tends to leak the acid up cos the lower valve opens or fails to close & is loose. Similar can happen with hietus hernia as it sometimes weakens the valve. Hope that helps. Good luck x

[pffft2017 in reply to Judley]

Thanks for the reply and advice. I did quite well on H2 blockers after years on Omeprazole, but of course Ranitidine etc; got banned. I have tried Lansoprazole but it didn't agree with me and I was a bit concerned over the links to heart and kidney problems with Lansoprazole so back on Omeprazole which I upped myself to 30mg per day ( 1x20 & 1x10 ). Big gulps of Gaviscon Advance and sugar free Rennies are also a blessing. I have 4 pillows under my head at night and try to adhere to advice, my gut will not tolerate anything spicy or fruity now but I've never had a problem with chocolate but I do miss red wine.

Yes I was pretty shocked to read a so-called consultant stating my 5 cm Barrett's had healed up. Preposterous. I bitterly regret not walking out of that gastroscopy, it was the worse medical procedure experience I've ever had.

Thanks

[Imperfekt]

See if you can get a referral to Professor Alyn H. Morice at Hull NHS hospital. He hknows lots about LPR and reflux. If uou look online he has a fee questionnaire to help you assess symptoms and also guidance for GPS about appropriate meds. You can also buy Esomeprazole over the counter . This helps stop acid refluxing and can help with LPR.

[pffft2017 in reply to Imperfekt]

Thanks for the reply and information. I shall Google Professor Morice and if the local 'specialists' can't sort it out then I'll request a referral.

Can't find the questionnaire online, do you have a link please?

[Canta]

The Prof Morice questionnaire you want is: The Hull Airways Reflux Questionnaire.

It's probably a very long shot, but many years ago when I was searching for an answer to my burning tongue problem I came across an article by a woman who, after many years of frustrating trial and error, had cured her silent reflux by taking vitamin D. The premise being that vit D hardens muscles and so strengthens the lower oesophageal sphincter. The woman had had a very hard time trying to convince doctors that there was even such a condition as silent reflux. My own burning tongue and stomach problems were cured by B12, as I was deficient.

As regards your disappearing Barrett's, I have read that it can sometimes appear to have healed but it may just be that tissue has grown over the area and the condition remains beneath. I'm sure it would be a good idea to speak to another doctor. Best wishes.