managing LPR/GERD symptoms in athletes

Hi Everyone, after extensive research online I've "self diagnosed" with having LPR (chronic cough, lump in throat, no heartburn, etc). I'm on a PPI but symptoms persist, especially when exercising. I'm a triathlete and have to replenish carbs, electrolytes and sodium when training, especially on long days and during the summer. All the sports drinks/foods have citric acid in them and they seem to be making my symptoms worse. Any suggestions from the forum? Would love a way to replenish my nutritional needs during training with something that doesn't make me cough all the time. My endoscopy showed extreme scarring on my esophagus....I'm worried I'm headed towards Barrett's Esophagus :(

Anne- I'm 29, and I run about 20-25 miles a week, along with weights and spinning. I have been diagnosed with IBS and LPR. I have an ongoing issue with major ear pain (and hearing loss) and coughing after I eat and during my runs.

I have been using ElectroMix as an electrolyte supplement. I highly recommend it! It has no sugar but the right kinds of minerals to keep you hydrated. It's a little tart, but worth every dime, in my opinion.

I am with you in the misery though. I can only imagine how much worse off I would be if I didn't exercise. Kudos to you for staying active!

Hi Anne,
Stumbled upon your post as I continue to search for relief from my own symptoms of what I believe to be GERD, LPR. Just wondered if you ever found any relief? I have found that Perpetuem by Hammer Nutrition works great for me on longer events. It has a smooth, slightly chalky texture that slides down easily and is calorie-dense with a balance of carbs and a bit of protein necessary for events or training beyond two hours. I am a nationally ranked Masters time trialist, now 62, who has suffered with ever worsening symptoms for over a decade. I was repeatedly misdiagnosed as "Just an old guy with asthma" (said the chief pulmonologist at Duke U) for years until I learned about LPR and then read a book about GERD by Dr. Kurt Barrett entitled, Are You Sick of Being Sick?. Doctor Barrett, now retired, spent half his career treating people with GERD who had been constantly misdiagnosed like me. I had suffered with asthma-like symptoms exacerbated by training and racing that suddenly got markedly worse almost overnight in early 2017, the biggest being MASSIVE phlegm production in my lungs and airway that seems to intensify the harder I work, and an inability to get deep, deep breaths from down in my diaphragm. Well, a recent endoscopy revealed that I have a moderately sized hiatal hernia. Further research, and Dr. Barrett, revealed a link between HHs and GERD/LPR. The question remains, however, which causes which. After trying a variety drug therapies with PPIs and antacids, I have not gotten much relief, at least during exercise. The next option is whether to surgically repair the HH and then hope it ameliorates the LPR, but after reading (on this forum) some really horrible post-op experiences from people who had the more common fungolation or the newer LINX procedure, I am unwilling to take that risk. The added effort and perceived exertion I now experience when training hard and racing is wearing me down mentally. The additional energy I expend just trying to breath and clear my airway leads to massive additional energy consumption and less power into the pedals. I hoped to keep competing to my grave, but doing so now just might expedite that event. Just curious to know what has been your experience. Regards, Jim