GERD and Sinus

[Despo]

Hello.
I have long suffered from severe bad breath. After extensive surgeries and visiting multiple doctors, I was not offered any solution. After extensive research, I found literature on the internet that suggested Sinus problems and GERD can be related and both can contribute to bad breath. I tried Prilosec OTC and it worked!!!  So far, so good. My breath has improved around 40%-50%. So, the problem is definitely GERD. I've elevated my bed to around 6 inches and this is the only thing I'm doing currently other than stop drinking coffee completely! No medications and would rather stay away from them.

Now, the question. My problem is still at 50%. I'm experimenting with exliminating certain foods as recommended online (like tomatoes, spices etc). But, this will not prevent the backflow of the acid when I bend down. I can feel it happening. Is Fundoplication surgery an option for me? I'm 30 and have no heart burn.

[National Jewish]

Before you consider surgery, you should have a trial of one of the stronger anti-GERD prescription meds. These are proton-pump inhibitor drugs such as Prevacid, Protonix or Nexium.  Your bed should be elevated on blocks, so that the entire bed, not just the upper half, is on a slant.  You should also make sure you are not eating or drinking for at least 2-3 hours before bedtime.
Before you consider fundoplication surgery, you would have to have testing to demonstrate reflux (without heartburn).  This testing is either an endoscopy or a pH probe.

[bactitech]

My mother was on Prilosec when it first came out, and is now on Nexium. Prilosec OTC doesn't quite do it for her. She elevates the head of her bed and has been in good shape for over ten years now. Before this she had to have her esophageal opening stretched via the scoping so she could swallow, as the opening can eventually narrow with the onslaught of acid.

You should probably see a GI guy, as this constant backsplashing on your esophagus can wreak permanent changes. My husband has had heartburn for years, and has only been on Nexium for a couple of years. He is 53. Upon scoping, he has changes that the doc wants to watch because it could lead to a nasty condition called Barrett's esophagus.

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/barretts/

Since you've been to numerous docs, did those docs include any GI people? What types of surgeries did you have?

I'm not familiar with the surgery you've indicated, but surgery in this area is major stuff. I would definitely get a scoping and a GI opinion before speculating on surgery.

[Sunny602]

Hi...I too have GERD, severe and suffered from bad breath from it. I also take Nexium, works best for me (I have tried all types from Pepcid to Prilosec). I didn't know it was as severe as it was until I was scoped- it seems I have no tone what so ever to keep the gastric contents from splashing into the esophagus. I din't have severe heart burn either, when I bent over to pick things up, I would reflux. So, yeah I do agree a visit to the GI folks would be helpful. Another thing, do you clean your tongue really well? I scrape mine...bacteria like to hide in the crevices of your tongue and can cause bad breath too. Good luck! Sunny:)

[Despo]

Well, I have tried Nexium too and it works just fine. I just don't want to be on a drug forever. I'm trying to see what I can do to eliminate or prevent the problem.
I've had septoplasty, a revision and UPPP. These were supposedly to clear up my sinus which caused the bad breath. Now, I know that GERD caused it.
I used Hydrogen peroxide twice a day. I also brush twice a day. Ironically, my dentist thinks that I have excellent oral hygine... so much for the bad breath huh? Anyway, any other ideas other than the bed elevation? I'm still working on the coffee, tomatoes etc.

[Inanga]

i had GERD adn sinus problems - eventually had a funiplication to tighted the lower esophageal sphinter. had constant post nasal drip - lots of choking on the stuff at night. That turned out to be food realted -I'm allergic (in some sense) to gluten and dairy. Have elimineated them from my diet and am now fine. Also I think a lot of the problem put down to GERD were also allergy related. Nausea, iritable bowel stuff etc. Definitely had relux when bending over and gastroscopy showed a small hiatus hernia and inflamation (inflammation) from acid reflux. but I feel back to normal after YEARS though a simple diet change. I noticed with the excess mucous that I'd always be getting tonsil "stones" - absolutely foul smelling yellow lumps of stuff. Could contribute to bad breath I imagine. They have gone now too.

[Despo]

inanga,
Thanks for the info. Can you tell me more about the surgery? Like the recover period, the success rate, pain and risks? I read that the success rate is 99% !!
I have been tested for allergies. But staying away from them helps a bit, not a whole lot. The bed elevation by itself has reduced the problem by 40-50%.
Do you think your problem would've been fixed without the surgery? I'm trying to find out if just a lifestyle change would fix the problem.

[1flyguy]

With a bad sinus problem and Bad Breath.  Found the BB was from teeth.  Vigorous 2 min. cleaning with elec. tooth brush and daily irrigation with H202 and and salt solution > no more BB.  Still have sinus, but what the heck, wife says I don't smell bad.

[CG918]

A related discussion, sinus infections and prilosec was started.