Potential LPR

[amphib]

A year ago I was diagnosed with LPR by an ENT after being viewed with a laryngoscope.  Even since then I have been on 80mg of nexium daily along with 300mg of zantac for the apparent reflux.  I have also made all the recommended dietary and lifestyle changes.  I am otherwise very healthy and was always active in sports.  For the past year I have been dealing with extreme tightness in the throat (almost like someone is choking me).  It was like this before the nexium, but a year later it still exists.  I also have large amounts of phlegm that randomly pool in the back of my throat that I often have a hard time getting up just because its so sticky (this happens almost every hour or more).  In the past year I have not been sick (ie: cold, flu) and have not had any nasal symptoms.  Its mainly the choking feeling and the phlegm that is hard to cough up.  Is it really possible that this is acid reflux when I am on such high dosages of PPIs and H2 blockers?  A single probe ph study I did showed normal esophageal ph levels.  I dont get much heartburn (once a week maybe).

thank you!

[bsmsl]

Bile reflux is treated with Carafate (in the US).  The tablets come in a generic, but there is a liquid suspension that only comes in brand name.  It used to be generic, but I guess people didn't like it and were taking the tablets.  The liquid is no longer available as a gerneric.

I have recently started taking it, and I am having a hard time fitting it into my schedule, but it was already complicated.  Take this with food, that within an hour of food, that at least one hour after food, and hten the Carafate two hours after food... on top of three hour breathing treatments, and my other normal medications.  I have been on prednisone and have the munchies from that so... there never really is a time that I go a full 2 hours without eating.  I will be stopping the prednisone soon and some of the other meds are temporary as well.  Hopefully, I will get a routine going soon.  Not coping well at the moment.  

Take care.

[amphib]

thanks for your post bsmsl.....do you know what the standard treatment of bile reflux would be?  I will look into the probiotics.  thanks!

[bsmsl]

Hi,
Request an impedance study.  That is a dual probe Ph test.  It monitors both acid and non-acidic (bile) relfux.  Another option woulld be to ask your doctor to experiment with treating bile reflux to see if it helps any.

I would also recommend that you add a probiotic and digestive enzyme to your supplements.  They go a long way to reduce reflux.  Make sure that you get the probiotic for a reputable health food store.  The good ones need to be refrigerated.

Take care and feel better.