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16 month post op still throat phlegm and hoarseness. LPR? What next?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 6/30/2014 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Had the wrap 16 month ago. Never had heartburn, but always had sore throat and hoarseness, and phlegm. All tests prior to surgery showed I indeed had reflux. So in Feb 13 I had the wrap. I had a normal recovery and most of the throat stuff stopped, until Jun of 13. Then it all came back. I went back to my surgeon and had the Barium swallow xray and another PH test. The Barium swallow showed no reflux and the Dimester score from the ph test was less then 1 percent. In other words, no reflux. So why the LPR symptoms? I wonder if this is some sort of Larynx or vocal chord problem. I always have phlegm and the more I speak the more I have to clear my throat, which never really clears. Therefore, my throat is always sore. Are there throat doctors that specialize in these parts of the throat, or is the EENT my only hope?
Posted 6/30/2014 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Renegade,

Sorry to hear you're struggling with those symptoms. I remember five and a half years ago when I had my surgery. My main problem was asthma, which my PCP and asthma docs thought was made much worse from reflux. I had the surgery, knowing full well that it might not solve my problem, but had to rule out the reflux via surgery.

There are many things that can create esophageal/mucous symptoms/discomfort, not just reflux. This is why my GI doc dragged his feet and didn't want to recommend surgery. Those of us with atypical GERD symptoms/LPR issues are much more difficult to treat. My GI doc did not think the surgery would help me. He was not alone in that. My first GI doc never recommended anything but medication, and was very negative on my chances to find relief via surgery.

We atypical patients have a hard time finding someone who knows how to treat us. Have you considered allergy? Pollen has been off the charts, and people who "don't have allergies" are getting symptoms. Have you considered seeing an allergist for a workup?

If you can find a top allergist, you would find someone who understands the types of symptoms you're describing. That allergist would know if you should see an ENT. I had an allergist refer me to a top ENT because of his suspicion that reflux was making my asthma worse.

Good luck with your search for answers!
Best wishes,
Denise
Posted 6/30/2014 6:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Renegade,

You may not be having acid reflux but you may be having non acid reflux which causes the same symptoms.

LPR commonly shows a normal DeMeester score, but usually an impedance ph study will show if you are refluxing in either a liquid or gas form and how high up the reflux is reaching.

I have my acid suppressed but am still getting 91 reflux events a day of non acid contents, so it might be worth having an impedance study done.

Pink
Posted 7/2/2014 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
OK thanks for the input. I'll add a follow up soon.
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