pictures of my larynx (LPR)

anyone's larynx look like this?VIEW IMAGE ppi's wont diminish it

is not the redness i's the swelling at the posterior part bhind the vocal folds, nothing seems to stop it

Hi Neptunian,

What is your ENT's opinion? I recently went to an ENT/surgeon to check my vocal chords and did get some pics taken via the scope that goes in through the mouth. (It looks like that's what you did as well.)

In my case the inflammation was nothing very impressive to the ENT, nor could he determine the cause. He leaned toward allergic coughing. In fact, inhaled asthma medications can also cause hoarseness. My asthma doc was looking for a diagnosis of reflux (I had the surgery, and he was sure that the wrap had come undone--thus causing what appeared to be allergy related lung/hoarseness issues. Turns out my wrap was just fine, so my allergist is back on the hot seat.)

I'm still hoarse, but as I said, there was nothing all that impressive in the pics. It was obvious that there was some inflammation, but nothing horrible. My hoarseness has gone on so long I don't know how it will resolve. I'm not about to stop talking! My allergies are so bad that I'm still coughing, and unless the allergist can find a resolution, my guess that I won't be singing soon.

I wish you luck in finding the answers. Have you had all the tests to determine if you've got reflux? If so, I'd look there first.

Take care,
Denise

Hi Neptunian,
Because I have asthma and my new allergy asthma doc was convinced that my wrap had slipped and my problems were more due to that than allergy, I went to "the surgeon who does all the Nissens" to go through a battery of tests to determine whether or not my wrap was still functional.

All my tests were normal (changes due to the existence of the wrap), and the surgeon determined that my wrap was in great shape and I was not in need of a redo.

So although I am hoarse, it is apparently not because of a damaged wrap. What's causing it? Who knows. I'll let you know if I find any more out. I see my allergy/asthma doc on Thursday for a routine visit.

Good luck figuring things out.
Denise

Post Edited (dencha) : 5/14/2011 6:15:44 PM (GMT-6)

I looked for them...I thought I scanned them and sent them to my PCP, but I can't find them...sorry.

Hi Neptunian,
I scoured the house and couldn't find the study. You've got me thinking now...I'm definitely going to try to get my hands on it again, so I have it.

My allergist/asthma doc was the one who really wanted me to get the study. He was convinced that my wrap had failed and that I was getting reflux. The ENT apparently walks on water, because everyone around here thinks he is infallible. My asthma doc seemed to think he would be able to look at my larnyx and tell on the spot whether it was reflux or allergy.

No such luck. He found it very inconclusive. There was swelling and redness, (I believe it's the swelling that causes the hoarseness) but it didn't look like it had been assaulted with acid. He said it could be from allergies (and I do cough a lot, and have on and off for a long time) but since I was being treated by a capable allergist, said it wouldn't hurt to get checked by a Nissen surgeon to see if I needed a redo.

I did go, and was told that my Nissen was intact and looked great, and the surgeon would not consider doing anything to it.

So here I am, still hoarse, cleared of reflux, and dealing with lots of spring allergies.

Unfortunately when you have allergies and (presumed)reflux, it is very difficult to figure out which one is causing the problem.

I'm going to my allergist on Thursday, so it will be interesting to see what he has to say. I haven't seen him since I had all these studies.

I'm planning on contacting the ENT's office to have them send me the study again. When I get it (if you're still hanging around the forum) I'll let you know what it says specifically.

Sorry I can't be more help now!
Denise

Hi Neptunian,
Actually, I'm sure I don't have that. The ENT I went to did not see any signs of reflux at all. There was obviously some swelling and mild inflammation, but he did not pinpoint it as reflux.

He tended to think it was more from coughing and postnasal drip. (I have found since then that the inhalers I take can also create the conditions for hoarseness) I'm going to try to get my hands on the study so you can compare my pictures to yours. Hopefully it won't be too hard!

On my way to the allergist on Thursday, so that'll be an interesting visit. He was certain the ENT would find reflux.
Take care,
Denise

Hi Neptunian,
I have severe allergies, and although I'm being treated with shots and meds, I'm very sensitive. At the moment I'm suffering from a bad sinus inflammation due to tree pollens, which causes lots of drip. Also, when you have asthma, sinus inflammation triggering mucous in the sinuses simultaneously triggers it to be made in the lungs. Bad planning, I think!
Because I'm a mucous machine, it just keeps coming.


Last winter when I was free from pollens, I guess without me realizing it the residual mucous from the allergy reaction got a low grade infection. The mucous remained in my left lung until finally I got a bad infection in it. I ended up discovering the existence of infection because of a high fever. Once I was on antibiotics I was able to cough it out, and didn't have any more until these lovely trees started popping pollen.
Can't win!

And no, I can't get off those meds. I have reduced them a LOT since the surgery, but still not enough--mainly because of the darn allergies. I have an appointment with allergy/asthma doc tomorrow. We'll see what he has to say.
I hope you're doing well today.
Denise

Post Edited (dencha) : 5/18/2011 11:18:26 AM (GMT-6)