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Is Airway Involvement w/o burning in throat common. Opinions would be appreciated.

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 6/20/2012 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

Well, I had my appt with the pulminory doctor today.  My GI referred me to him.  After my endoscopy on 5/24/12, my GI doc, said no signs of reflux.  I have been feeling what I think is chest pain when breathing and I think it's caused by acid reflux.  Although, my acid reflux is not really responding to treatment and I don't get that burning in the throat feeling.

So is all so very confusing.  So, I saw the pulminory doctor today and I had some chest xrays done (don't know results yet) and then I am having a complte pulmonary test done soon (waiting for them to call me back for an appt).  Anyway, I'm wondering how common it is to have airway involvement with reflux?  I have a feeling I'm going to hear "very common" but I just want to ask.

Also, I had been take carafate suspension liquid before my endoscopy but stopped about 4-5 days prior. Would just have scewed my scope results.  I mentioned this to my GI just before my procedure and then I was out because of the meds they had given to me.


I've been googling symptoms of lung issues/chest pain and there is just so much stuff...

Very confusing.

I think it's reflux but then why would like Prilosec or those type drugs work for me if I have high acid.  The only thing they do is making me miserably bloated and cause a huge lump in my throat...

 

Posted 6/20/2012 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Carrie,

As far as I know it's the less common version of reflux known as LPR (the other one being GERD). From my own experience I can tell you it's very likely to be misdiagnosed. LPR is caused by both lower and upper sphincter not closing properly. Thus the stomach acid reaches the throat and even lungs causing upper airway symptoms like sinus infection, throat and ear pain, post nasal drip and in my case, chronic cough. From what I learned we don't have heartburn since the acid doesn't stay in our esophagus long enough to cause inflammation.

I've been suffering from this for 5 years now, I constantly needed to clear my throat and felt like something is stuck there, then persistent cough started and it wouldn't go away. It has really destroyed my life and I spent 5 years visiting pulmonary doctor who first treated me with asthma inhalers (didn't help) then decided it might be chronic bronchitis or COPD, finally did bronchoscopy suspecting lung cancer. I am 23 and never smoked a cigarette in my life. You can imagine how I felt at the time.

Just two weeks ago my family doctor decided to try something new and gave me PPI's and told me to go on a diet. The cough didn't go away completely but after few days I already felt the difference. She said though that it's unlikely to go away completely since LPR doesn't respond to meds well and I might need to search for further help. I have an appointment with gastrologist in a week to confirm but I finally have hope! You also don't lose hope, the key is to be diagnosed well!

I wish you all the best

hope this helped and I am sorry for my limited english.

Post Edited (Incognito) : 6/20/2012 3:32:05 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/20/2012 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carrie,

I responded to your questioning thread, but you never indicated that you saw my response. Here is the link to my post:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2441303

I definitely had lots of lung involvement and breathing problems due to my reflux.

If you have any additional questions, just let me know.

Good luck!

Denise

Posted 6/24/2012 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
I also have LPR for two years now. It has created asthma like symptoms. I have had a hard time dealing with this too. Since going of the PPI's for 5 weeks now, i have developed sinus and nasal problems.

I am so depressed by all this. It has changed my life.

Does anyone know why the LPR happens? What causes it to happen all of a sudden?
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