LPR (Laryngeal Pharyngeal Reflux) - Anyone have it?

Sounds like a-hole reflux. When your arse backs up all the way into your mouth.

Try Apple cider vinegar.

Who diagnosed you? GI doctor or ENT?

I have it. I've probably had a perpetually sore throat for at least a year, post-nasal drip, and chronic sinus issues.

Part of the reason I'm so outdone with doctors is their inability to effectively treat this condition. It's a condition that starts in the GI tract and ends up in the respiratory system. The way we practice medicine in the west, specializing in certain parts of the body isn't equipped to deal with this disease.

I'm on 40mg of Omeprazole and after $3,000 worth of reflux tests, I was only advised to supplement my existing perscription with a nightly OTC Zantac.

The good news is that I'd rather deal with what I have than severe heartburn after eating a meal. For the most part, I don't get that and eat relatively what I want. I do usually have a sour taste in my mouth (feels like morning breathe all day) and especially if I go too long without eating, my mouth and chest start to burn.

Plenty of people have reflux surgery for LPR. It's not as effective for LPR patients as it is for classic heartburn, but it does have about a 75 to 80% success rate and should at least improve reflux symptoms even if it's no outright cure.

There's also the LINX device which is a ring of magnetic beads placed around your esophagus. It hasn't been around as long as the Nissen but it is reversible. You just can't have an MRI above a certain straight with the device implanted.

Lastly there's the Stretta procedure. It's not surgery. It's a procedure they can perform during an endoscopy. Over time, the result of the stretta procedure swells the LES essentially making it tighter. It's probably not something your insurance will cover, but it's probably as much or cheaper then what you will pay out of pocket for surgery.

There are other reflux surgery alternatives out there such as the TIF procedure and the Endostim, but I don't know as much about those.

I have it. Stress and cold weather makes it flare up. It sucks.

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Will give you serious conditions like fibromyalgia if taken long term--doesn't help for LPR anyway

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I haven't heard this. I do know that theoretically it can cause vitamin deficiencies and there's correlation with kidney disease, but I haven't heard that PPIs cause fibromyalgia.

As for whether or not they benefit LPR patients, I'd say it depends on the individual. The root cause of LPR is still the root cause of GERD -- a defective LES. Les acid in your stomach means less acid to reflux into your esophagus. The symptoms of LPR;however, can be caused by a very small amount of acid. It's really acid vapors activating the pepsin that was excreted into your respiratory system. While the respiratory symptoms do always go away with a PPI, your symptoms should improve if you do have some classical GERD symptoms in addition to your LPR.

If all I had was chronic throat irritation, I probably wouldn't consider surgery either, but it may get worse over time. It's nice to know there are options out there if you do decide on surgery. Know that the Nissen is designed to give you a stronger LES than a normal person whereas something like the Linx is designed to restore normal functionality to the LES.

The scary bit about the Nissen is the dumping syndrome reported by a small percentage of patients. They basically take the top part of your stomach (the fundus) and wrap it around your esophagus. After my gallbladder surgery, I'm done with having my digestive system altered if I can help it.