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Diagnosed GERD, but no heartburn, need info

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 4/1/2011 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all, I am new to this forum. about a year ago I was diagnosed, but this is weird. I do not have heartburn, but I have the hoarse throat, I get the phlem coming up all the time, sometimes I can't seem to get it to release from my throat. The more I talk, the worse my throat hurts. I am constantly clearing my throat, or attempting to. When I am quiet, I don't have the hoarseness. I watch my diet, I no longer drink soda,(I used to drink Caffeine free soda, but have stopped that. My coffee, when I do drink it, is caffeine free. I read decaf coffee is also bad. Do my best to leave the chocolate alone. Very little fried food. As for meds, I was put on 40mg of Nexium twice per day; once when I awake, and once 30 min. before supper. Also, I take Zantac at bedtime. I recently cut back to one Nexium, in the morning. My tests show no Barretts Es. no cancer, but this is rough. Doc says the only thing left is surgery, but I don't want it. I also read about people using Apple Cider Vinager for Gerd. Anyone try it? Results? Any ideas as for other things that might work? Any other type of meds? Anyone else have this type of GERD? I am thankful that I don't have the heartburn and such, but I teach for a living, and this is difficult sometimes, especially lecturing. Looking for ideas. Hopefully one of you can throw me a bone. Thanks....
Posted 4/1/2011 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like LPR. With LPR you rarely have pains, but you do have throat and lung issues.
The acid is running up your esophagus and spilling over into your windpipe. I had surgery for it (partial wrap) and my symptoms are long gone.
You need some testing done: Barium swallow, EGD, Manometry (motility study), pH testing. These will tell if you really need the surgery or if medication is the way to go for you.
Posted 4/3/2011 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  Great advice by Joy.

I tried the ACV without luck as I could not drink it but call me a sissy as many members use it and do feel it is helpful.

Here is a link to another thread that you may be interested in.  Just click on the link :0

 https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=1942512

Posted 4/3/2011 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Before settling on surgery you might want to see if you can reduce the reflux by finding out if you have specific food triggers. Follow all your doctor's directions, like not eating within 3 hours of going to bed, but start keeping a notebook/journal of all your foods, the times you ate, your reactions an hour and 2 hours after eating (if you can tell that you have any symptoms at all).

Apple cider, for me, is a reflux trigger. It does tell the stomach not to produce acid because it is acid itself. Some people swear by it, just not me. (My trigger is sulfite, and cider vinegar has sulfite.)

It'll take maybe even a couple of months to see if you come up with a list of food triggers, and then you will want to break down the meals into ingredients. For me it's not the hamburger, but the condiments and sometimes the bread. I have little trouble with a waffle, but can't take the syrup. .... Then run your list of foods by Google with the words "food intolerances" or "food sensitivities." That's how I found my whole list!

I was able to stop my stomach from refluxing by avoiding my food triggers. Unfortunately I was then in an accident that pushed my stomach into my chest and had to have it anyway. I still avoid the food intolerances and feel lots better. For me, they also trigger my heart and lower gut.

This is not a solution to everyone's reflux problems! It's not a cure for a leaking lower esophageal sphincter! I still had to take Nexium once a day because I had a bad LES! But I got a few years without esophagus irritation before the accident.
Posted 4/4/2011 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Don't feel bad, I didn't have the classic heartburn either. Just nausea, lack of appetite and the occasional upper back pain. The odd thing for me was the sinus/ear issues that my doctor said was from GERD. Symptoms vary greatly for everyone. OTC zegerid works the best for me and I have tried everything. Good Luck!
Posted 4/6/2011 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the replies. I am starting to get an idea of some of my triggers. Had a piece of carrot cake and about 30 min. later noticed the gunk in my throat, which is my main complaint. So I put that in the log. When I went from 80mg to 40mg of nexium, I did get some rebounding, which the doc did tell me would happen. I think I am getting past this now. It has been 4 weeks since I cut back. Also found that the licorice really helps. Also the honey. Thanks
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