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slippery elm and loss of voice due to GERD

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 7/7/2012 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

 I am new here and have been suffering now for nearly  years with losing my voice. My ENT said the vocal cords were swollen and it was due to the meds I was taking (Diovan and Xanex), my cardiologist denies that Diovan can do this and the Psych denies that Xanex would cause losing of voice. So, some friends suggested that I go to a Gastrologist. He ran tests which proved I have a Hiatel hernia and acid reflux so he puts me on protonix and pepcid which I have taken now for the past three years. The losing of the voice is still occuring and he says it is caused from GERD. So he told me to lift the head of my bed and not to eat anything at least 3 hours before bedtime.

I am so sick and tired of doing everything they have suggested and still I have hoarseness and no vocal range to sing a simple song with my grandchildren. I strain my throat to speak at times and then have to rest my voice for several hours and sometimes an entire weekend just to be able to speak a full day on Monday at work.

I have spoken with  a consultant at a Health Food Store and she suggested Slippery Elm lozenges. I am just a little concerned if they will have any negative reactions with any of the prescription medications I take. Can anyone share their use of Slippery Elm with me,please?

Thank you in advance for reading and responding to me.

   

Posted 7/7/2012 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Miawaka,
Welcome to the forum!I'm rather new here, too..Obviously your medicine isn't working,which isn't surprising if you have a hiatal hernia..i also had a hiatal hernia,or did have ,i just had it repaired 10 days ago..it caused me to have severe GERD,asthma, nausea,fatigue & weight loss..i did everything,raised bed ,LOTS of meds for gerd & asthma, and got so tired of planning every meal around a pill!!My throat stayed raw & burned even when drinking water..my voice still sounds raspy but dr says that takes awhile to heal..i had hernia repair w/partial wrap(hill repair) & you wouldn't believe how good i feel just a wk 1/2 later..no meds ,no asthma & no reflux!!I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE SO EXCITED AFTER SURGERY!Just shows you how sick i was prior to..i've said it before & i'll say it again,drs must get a kick back for pushing the drugs even when they see their not working for you..a simple out patient procedure can really change alot of peoples lives on this very forum..do your research & find a credible experienced dr & get another opinion..hope this can in some way help:)

Sheila
Posted 7/8/2012 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
Miawaka, Sorry to hear your story.
I guess, it wouldn't hurt to try Slippery Elm lozenges. Vitamin Shoppe has it for $10.
Slippery Elm, DGL, GoldenSeal all acutally work on mucus glands and have soothing effect on tissues when they come to contact with.
It didn't help me for my esophagitis, gatritis and HH but haven't given me side-effects.
Posted 7/8/2012 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
I have used slippery elm as tea. I did not find it made a huge change.. my symptoms at that time were sore/tight throat and voice issues, but not as bad as yours. If your voice is that bad, it's worth a shot, it's a very mild flavor anyway.

DGL seemed to make my throat feel worse.
Posted 7/8/2012 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sheila for the information about the surgery. I have a cardiologist who suggested it some time ago but I did not want to go that route. But it is looking like that maybe my only option. what is a wrap? How long was it before you could return to your regular activities?
Posted 7/8/2012 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
guddan,

 thank you for your feedback. I am going tomorrow after work to pick up some. I just hope I get some relief and can regain more of my ability to speak for longer periods of time. I was really glad to hear you have not experienced any side effects...of course everyone is different so I will just have to try it and see. Thanks again for your comments.

 

Posted 7/8/2012 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
drtinsac,

Thank you for your feedback. I may try the tea as well. Did your voice issues get better? What helped you the most?

Posted 7/8/2012 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Besides PPIs or ranitidine, I think Gaviscon advance has helped me the most. It has to be ordered from overseas unfortunately. The tea was harmless but I didn't really notice any effect. Maybe slight improvement, but I guess the key point is that I don't find it worth using anymore.

In my case I think my reflux is affected by my body position - sitting (what I do most of the day) seems to be worse than standing or laying down.
Posted 7/8/2012 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Miawaka,
I had a partial wrap(hill repair) & they go in laproscopically ,3 small holes on belly & naval, & stitch the hernia up to diaphragm & take the top of your stomach(the fundus) & wrap it 180% around the end of esophagus to strengthen your LES opening so acid bon't creep back up..w/ a very experienced surgeon it's pretty routine.I was home same day,liquids only 1st wk now i'm @ day11 & i'm eating sft food already :)Best thing I've ever done for my health..it basically has given me my life back..i'm going back to work mon (hairstylist) & i can't believe how good i feel..just can't lift anything over 5lbs for now..i actually walked for 30 min 2 days in a row;)

Post Edited (She 1) : 7/8/2012 3:13:05 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/9/2012 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Great to hear Sheila. That may be my next move if I don't see much help from the Slippery Elm. Thank you.
Posted 7/9/2012 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
drtinsac,

Thank you for responding. I know mine also has become more noticeable since I gained a few pounds...but at 59 it is a bit difficult just to drop the weight. At my job I do alot of sitting also and that does not help but I continue to watch my diet and exercise at least 3 times per week. Hopefully I can drop ten pounds and that will help...will continue the journey to find some relief...
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