Just Diagnosed!

[Rosemint]

Hi,

My ENT diagnosed me with LPR after looking down my nose and at my throat.
Shouldn't I have more tests to make a definitive diagnosis?
I'm hoping it could be something else!

He didn't recommend any medication; just told me to
avoid chocolate and bedtime snacks.

My question to you is: of the following options, what do you
feel is the single most important lifestyle change to make:

avoiding chocolate
not eating at bedtime
raising the head of the bed 6"

Also...by "avoiding chocolate" -- does that mean I could still have
a little bit of it occasionally? I should mention that my LPR symptoms
are completely tolerable.

Thanks so much for your thoughts.

[Rosemint]

kevieb,

I went to an ENT because I had two days of unusually severe laryngitis.
I'd seen him three years ago for an unrelated throat infection,
and apparently my voicebox was swollen back then -- although he didn't
mention it at the time.

I've given up chocolate completely since the diagnosis -- and the symptoms
haven't changed a bit (I know it probably takes a long time).

I think I will see a gastroenterologist if I want to pursue this at all.
I appreciate your response!

[kevieb]

personally, I would see a GI for a problem like that---since you said your symptoms are completely tolerable, what prompted you to see an ENT?

If your symptoms are easily tolerable, but still bothering you a little, you may be able to take a PPI and not have to worry about the rest of the stuff.

I have severe reflux, my bed is raised about 3 inches--but I still have to sleep in the recliner sometimes.

Besides reflux, I also have a condition called eosinophilic esophagitis, which is often mistaken for reflux.

[Rosemint]

Thank you, Selma!

[selmaS]

  I do not eat nething 3 to 4 hrs b4 I lay down...I know  from my own experience how it affects me and I am sure that is y it is included in the instructions on lifestyle tips.

If u find eating things u would like , and even eating them on on occasion u get a flare, ask ur Dr about an OTC med that may help relieve those issues....I take pepcid and it helps me.

[Rosemint]

Thanks Selma and Flycaster.

No meds, and my symptoms are very easy to live with.
Because of my schedule, the most time I can allow between eating and
bedtime is one hour...
do any of you have snacks an hour before bedtime?

[Flycaster305]

I  agree with Selma, especially regarding raising the head of your bed about six inches.  Don't use those wedge pillows, you will defeat the effect during sleep.  I had to have a surgery called a Nissen Fundoplication that worked very well, but I totally avoid foods like sodas and pizza.  

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

Well all of the above and a few more to be precise.There is a list of tips of foods to avoid and lifestyle tips in the Health Pages.....http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=236

U will want to avoid alcohol, carbonated bevs, spicy, greasy and acidic foods...chocolate is something that adds to reflux , but once under control I do eat pizza and have a soda, but I take a OTC med b4 I eat to help control the excess acid from the food....

Are u on ne meds?