Yes, It's LPR! (Just as I suspected)

[priss58]

I wrote on the forum a couple of days ago, and some of you were kind enough to reply.

I saw an ENT privately today, and he listened to me (a good thing) and wasn't put out when I said I thought it might be LPR. Anyway, he looked at my ears, cleaned them out, and put the camera down my nose. How uncomfortable is that? And worse after because my throat is swollen, including my vocal chords, and I thought I was going to choke. I have all the symptoms. He also would like me to take the Lansoprazole everyday for a month. And use Gaviscon advance. I know lots of you don't like Lansoprazole but I thought I'd give it a go for now. I can't stop coughing, even drinking water or lukewarm chamomile tea. He actually scared me a bit because he said if my throat swelling got worse I should get to the hospital fast! 😬 And that I should see an NHS ENT. But how long will that take? I've ordered a food delivery, trying to include as many low acid foods as possible. Thing is, Dr Koufman, Jonathan Aviv and Molly Pelletier say slightly different things. If any of you have or are doing the healing diet, who did you go for? Any ideas and advice welcome.

Weirdly, last week just before this nasty flare up, I went out for dinner and had all the wrongs things, including wine, tomatoes and chocolate. Thanks x

[Jumpey]

I followed Kaufman's diet and it helped a lot but took months.Not a quick fix.Good luck.

[priss58 in reply to Jumpey]

Hi, thanks. I'm definitely going to try it. I know it'll be difficult what with trying to live your life, visiting family, holidays etc. But have to get this under control.

[Aimeecait in reply to priss58]

My consultant in Barrets syndrome clinic didn't tell me anything about particular diets available...just not to eat 3 hours before bed, no coffee chocolate or chilli and omaprazole twice daily. I'm wondering if I should get second opinion. I have lost two siblings to oesophagal cancer....he said of that wasn't the case as the barretts is neither high nor full circumference they wouldn't even see me again. I'm not due to see them for 3years from first appointment......where do I find these diets? I have silent reflux....only had an endoscopy because moved, changed HPs and she was concerned about that family history.

[priss58 in reply to Aimeecait]

Hi. I think there's more to the whole diet thing than they tell you. I bought 3 books about it, though I got them second hand. Two diets are quite hard because I can't afford to lose weight, and one is better but they are all from the US so a bit trickier in the UK. It's about not eating high alkaline foods, and also to some extent, foods that ferment in your gut. I'll be honest, it can get confusing. I think if I were you, I'd look for a second opinion. I've been at the doctors loads recently and paid to see an ENT. It wasn't til.last Thursday when the doctor noticed some unusual blood results that suddenly I'm being sent for an endoscopy in 10 days. So, there's the Acid Watchers Diet by Dr Aviv, Dropping Acid by Dr Kaufman, abd Fast Track Digestion by Norman Robillard.

However, I'd try to speak to someone else familiar with your condition who has more time to spend with you and explain. All medical practitioners are not equal. Also stress plays a big part and yiu dint need that. Take care.

[SableBandit in reply to priss58]

I just got that book by Robillard. Is that not one of the best books ever. He explains it so well and it makes much sense to me. Just came back from 7 hours in emergency and all they gave me was a prescription for a ppi. No way am I taking that. It caused me to have a severe depression last time so I’m going to try what Robillard suggests.

[priss58 in reply to SableBandit]

Goodness! What happened that you were in emergency? I found several medical articles about trials for PPIs in LPR whilst googling. Legit, proper medical write ups. They all say that PPIs don't necessarily help and really shouldn't be prescribed at all. I only took one for a few days and felt worse. I liked Norman Robillard's book as it is less restrictive than some others. There's a Facebook group too if you're interested.

[SableBandit in reply to priss58]

Not sure, felt pressure all around my chest and back, really bad reflux, couldn’t breath. EKG, blood work and X-ray came back okay. But their only advice was a ppi. Just can’t understand it. Do doctors today not know what ppi’s actually do? How much problems they create? Geeze. I too took one for about a week. The depression was severe. Not going that route again. I will check out the Facebook group. Thanks for the heads up. Hope you are doing good.

[priss58 in reply to SableBandit]

I've got that pressure round my chest and back as well. About 18 months ago I rang an ambulance. Like you, everything clear but one blood test showed raised levels. Alt, which I think is liver related. Anyway, they sent me home, and no one bothered investigating. Will check in with everyone again once I've had this endoscopy x

[priss58 in reply to priss58]

Quick one..had my endoscopy, luckily I dropped off to sleep almost immediately! I have a 1cm hiatus hernia, sliding I think. They did some biopsies as well though all looks clear. They're planning to do a barium swallow and CT scan too.

And of course, they'll want to give me omeprazole. I don't think I'm happy about that though. Looks like hernias are common with acid reflux x

[SableBandit in reply to priss58]

Glad you got to sleep through it. What’s with all the tests. They know you have a hernia so why subject you to more unnecessary tests. I think it’s just greed on their part. The sicker we are the more money they make. I personally refuse to do anymore tests other than non-evasive ones. No more endoscopies, no contrast dye X-rays, no barium swallows. I will do regular X-rays and ultrasounds and blood work. They wanted me to do a stress test and I said no, I can save you the time, I’m telling you I am stressed. Haha my doctor thinks I’m a pain but I just know what I want and don’t want.