Living with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Hi Kathy,

I'm sorry you are having a rough time right now. I have had reflux for about 6 years, and still when my flares up, I get very anxious. The anxiety really does make things worse, but thats its hard to make yourself relax. I am actually having a flareup right now. I will tell you that it takes a long time to get things under control. WIth my first episode, it was probably 3 months before my medicine starting working, and probably 6 months before I could sing in church without it hurting. I followed a GERD diet for a long time, and then gradually started eating normal again. Its hard to figure out what will bother you, and what will not. For a while, eat small bland meals, don't exercise...especially with bending for a while after you eat, cut out your vitamins for a while, and most importantly, try to relax. Believe me, I know that is hard to do, but the more anxious you are, the more acid your stomach produces. If needed, you can ask your Dr. to prescribe you a very mild anti anxiety med. Good luck. Hand in there....

Amy

Kathy

I will have to defer the question about soy milk. I have never tried it. Right now, I am eating oatmeal, green beans, rice, a little boiled chicken, mashed potatoes, dry crackers, and thats about it. As far as dining out, its hard. I am staying away from all spicy, and fried foods, as well as red meat right now. I have gastritis as well, so my stomach hurts when my reflux is really acting up. Denise, a very knowledgable poster on this site recommends egg custard. I haven't tried it yet, but I plan to. I hope this is some help....I know it seems like you aren't getting any better, but it does take a while. I'm sorry you are having to go through it.

Kathyinthekitchen

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  I have plain old GERD and I have certain foods that will kick it in.  Unlike Denise, custard is a huge no no for me, especially frozen custard.  I know if I eat frozen custard I will regurge this for sure.  I have learned this the hard way by waking up choking and coughing and making a mad dash for the bathroom. 

I guess each person is different in what they tolerate.  Also buffets are not a good choice for me as there are to many temptations and if I am feeling good I will try a combo of things that don't mix well and back to the regurge.

I use Prilosec for the heartburn and of course I am addicted to Diet Coke and have some days where I will kick into heartburn and  if I did not know better would fear I am having a heart attack.  The bruning will go up into my jaw, into my back and both arms as well as chest pain.  That is when I take Mylanta, ugh.

The BRATY diet may help you when you are feeling really ill,  Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast and Yogurt.

Here is a link to a site that you may find helpful:

http://beatacidreflux.com/acid-reflux-foods/?source=ez

Again a warm welcome.

Kitt

Iamamy has not been on here since 2009. This might help answer some of your questions. This is a good starting place-->>

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=1483795

Hi Kathy, I have been diagnosed with LPR recently as well. Actually I think I've had episodes for years but this one had too many new symptoms to ignore. You'll see a few posts where I ask about lifestyle issues like sleeping elevated with your husband next to you (very sexy;0), diet, and exercise. I too get anxious. I do fear something worse is going on (knock wood) and I'm working on that.

The hardest thing for me was giving up a glass of wine or beer. I thought i would miss the chocolate but I don't that much! From what I've learned first and second hand, you can't really cheat with your trigger foods. At all. It's just not worth it. And it may take a bit of trial and error before you can pinpoint what your triggers are.

I figured I'd give you a rundown of how i eat (not everything just a typical day), I definitely crave a little flavor where i can get it safely, maybe it will give you some ideas:

Breakfast - Feta Cheese/Yellow Bell Pepper Omelette (combo of 3 egg whites and one yolk) Sea salt on top (key here is small portions, and salt is fine)

Snack - A banana or a couple of low fat graham crackers which I love to dip in tea

Lunch - Half turkey breast sandwich in Pita bread with lettuce and either a tablespoon of vinaigrette or lowfat Mayo.

Snack - Carrots dipped in humus

Dinner - Grilled Salmon with a half cup of Gluten Free Whole Wheat pasta which I toss in a little vinaigrette or olive oil and salt. Maybe some roasted Kale.

I also love to make smoothies in my vitamix. And Low Fat Fig Newtons has been a lifesaver for me in terms of my sweet tooth. Thank goodness for the feta, the salt and the little bit of vinaigrette because for me other than the portions, the blandness is pretty depressing as I am a foodie who cooks and loves all the things that are no go.

Feel free to email me if you want to trade recipes and ideas. There may be things I eat that aren't right for you but this kind of day works well for me. I also chew DGL a half hour before my meal and dip a small piece of bread in Manuka Honey to soothe and prepare my body for the meal. Take a very good enzyme with meals and sit very still for a while afterwards AND finally I drink very alkaline water, up to 11.5. I also gargle with it, use it in my neti pot AND put it in my humidifier when I sleep. That's it and if it seems like it's a full time job managing food, i have found it is. But it's new for me. I hope at some point soon I can focus on things other than my next meal.

Good luck!

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