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Help! Anyone with LPR have similar symptoms?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 7/26/2014 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
I am feeling very weak and feel progressively worse each day.

I am 32 years, 5'10" and weigh about 135 lbs. In May 2014, when symptoms began I weighed about 165 lbs.

I have a positive diagnosis of LPR from Jamie Koufman, MD in NYC. Manometry, 24 hr esophageal ph probe and laryngeal nerve EMG tests were performed. Oral pepsin enzyme assays performed.

Manometry indicated upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction, lower esophageal sphincter function "normal" during testing. Esophageal ph test indicated at least 20 reflux events over 8 hours (I removed ph probe prematurely due to discomfort). Laryngeal nerve EMG demonstrated positive bilateral layrngeal nerve neuropathy. Oral pepsin assay tested positive for pepsin in the oral cavity.

Other symptoms:

Lung: shortness of breath, chest congestion with mucous, wheezing
Skin: eczema on back of hands, behind right knee
Bowel: constipation
Stomach: sensitive to fried foods, fatty foods
Food sensitivities: becoming worse and more numerous, causing throat swelling and difficulty breathing
Neurological: dizziness, intermittent tingling and in extremities, cold hands, tiredness

Dr. Koufman prescribed:

1. H2 antihistamines 1 hour prior to dinner, before bed
2. Pentaprazole ER 30 min prior to breakfast
3. Gabapentin 100 mg prior to bed

I have not taken Pentaprazole or Gabapentin due to fear of side effects.

I have tried fometidine (10 mg) and ranitidine (75 mg, 150 mg) OTC but had the following side effects the whole next day in the AM:
-worse eczema on hands, shortness of breath, chest mucous, dizziness, dry mouth and heart palpitations (worse with ranitidine).

I have been trying to follow BOTH Jamie Koufman's diet, Dropping Acid and Elaine Gottschall's Specific Carbohydrate Diet - "Breaking the Vicious Cycle."

Even though I am eating no carbs aside from those allowed in Specific Carbohydrate diet- mostly greens and watermelon, (NO GRAINS, POTATO, RICE, CORN, etc) and lean chicken and turkey, I am still feeling WORSE!!!

I am hoping that someone offer some assistance to me.
Posted 7/27/2014 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
I cant give you any advice, but I can relate to your problems, first time I'v seen someone else with eczema, I got it around my navel, and on the back, 3 spots following my spine. My doctor has told me it looks like something related to some sort of inflammation in my intestines. Because it varies in, often come and goes with how I feel, if it's a bad period it will be much more active, and fade slowly away if everything is good, but never completely gone.

I'm to having several of your symptoms, constipation on and off, dizziness, tingling and cold hands.

I'm also currently experiencing breathing problems, chest tightness and coughing and a sore throat (like its a lump in the throat).

I'v also been trough the 24h Ph-test with similar results. I'm currently on no medication, I may have to go back on one, but I prefer not too, and have started the "Fast Tract Diet", but it's to early to give you any results.

Not much help in me, but I felt our symptoms was very much alike, best wishes to you. :-)
Posted 7/28/2014 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you iNizzane for sharing your story. I am comforted by knowing there are others here who share the burden of being ill. I wish you God's Grace and speedy recovery, and to us all :).
Posted 7/29/2014 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
i've had LPR since childhood, I'm 26 now and have had it for 13 years. once i go horizontal to sleep or relax, i get pins and needles in my extremities. i wake up with dizziness and a headache from lack of oxygen through the night, and of course, shortness of breath. when i'm feeling really bad i have some ventolin because it does reduce the amount of diaphram spasms caused from acids hitting the diaphram. also, if i'm very bad i will have a bowl of porridge, it is easy to digest and soothes the throat. also, if you relax your brain, the rest of your body will follow suit, resulting in less reflux overall.
Posted 7/29/2014 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
DuncanDOA thanks for your response. I'm sorry to hear that you have been suffering for so many years. I have been taking a B complex vitamin dissolved in water daily- seems to help the nerves in my throat recover. Also, I'm 2 days into taking the traditional Ayurvedic herbal formula Triphala/ Triphala churna. Seems to be making some significant changes to my bowels, hopefully for the positive. Godspeed.
Posted 7/29/2014 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
That sure does sound like LPR. I have some of those symptoms, including the occasional dizziness, shortness of breath, and my sinuses swelling up when i start to eat and sometimes just randomly when the reflux is acting up. It can be scary at times, but you have to remember that sometimes just taking a walk will help with a lot of that (for me at least). I know that the throat feels as if it's swelling up, but it's most likely just the sensation of the irritation due to the reflux without any actual swelling. I've had a few ENTs look down there while I felt there was something in there or that it was swollen, but in reality it's not. The only thing that swells up are my sensitive sinuses, and that usually passes within minute. As for the throat swelling sensation, that doesn't happen when I don't have LPR symptoms, which to me would indicate that the sensation itself is a direct result of the reflux. What helps me often is chewing on chewing gum that has baking soda in it (I chew the Orbits Bubblemint) when my symptoms are bad, and it does help keep the PH in the throat somewhat normal). Also, if the current meds aren't working, try new ones. I tried a few until I figured out that only Nexium worked for me. Maybe some of my tips might help you. Either way Good luck!
Posted 7/30/2014 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi gtothep82. Thank you for your response and your suggestions. I will try the Orbitz gum like you have suggested. My throat feels swollen now with acid reflux. I experienced sinsus congestion for the first time too today as a result of reflux.

So far I tried Triphala herbs 1 tsp. in warm water after rising for the past 2 days. Seems that my energy is up, but I seem to be having increased reflux symptoms with the herbs.

I will try a different version of Triphala tomorrow - hopefully it does not irritate my throat as much.
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