Raspy voice and sore throat from talking and silent reflux anyone?

Are you on a PPI? If your issues are due to reflux, that is what is most likely to help.

LPR/silent reflux is still thought to be caused by acid, so a PPI is the primary treatment, and is sometimes used to confirm the diagnosis. PPI definitely helped my LPR symptoms about 70-80%, so it confirmed that acid was the culprit.

I didn't have any luck with supplements to help my throat beyond what a PPI did. I tried so many things. I did seem to notice that it felt better on blander foods. What I don't know is if that's a result of the acidity/irritation from the food itself in contact with the throat, or that food affecting the stomach so that more reflux was occurring.

i too was diagnosed in 2007. my voice got worse and worse. dr's didn't have a clue for a year what it was as i had no symptoms of reflux. finally, after months of tests they took a look and i had reflux! went on nexium for 5 years. voice only got worse. last april i had a  nissen [360 wrap] and was finally off the nexium. sadly, my voice never improved. talking hurts and is such a strain. i avoid people now and don't use the phone. please don't wait so long like i did to have the surgery if you need it. the dr said a few people that had voice problems as bad as i did can sometimes improve after surgery. it's been 11 months for me and i have had no improvement. having such a weak and raspy voice isolates a person. in a crowd, no one can hear me. i can't even order for myself at a restaurant. the waitress can't hear me. drive thrus? forget it. i work with horses and have had to train them to respond to hand signals for certain things. having little voice changes a persons life. the word that comes to mind is "lonely". for me it is easier to stay home than to attend functions and come home exausted because i strained so to try and make people hear me. if you don't talk, they think you are rude. it's a no win situation. if your voice does not improve soon, consider the surgery. it's not that bad and getting off ppi's is a good thing.

Post Edited (horsecrazylady) : 3/5/2013 9:27:00 PM (GMT-7)

no they were not inflamed. they actually looked normal. while they had me making sounds they watched them and said everything looked ok. all they could tell me was the constant bath of acid over the years must have done the damage. the first ent sent me to the vocal coach like yours did. this was torture for me. very painful but i stuck it out for 3 months. didn't help at all so they sent me back to the ent and they ran tests for cancer, heart disease, etc. months and months of tests. finally did a scope and there it was. i had no symptoms at all. none, except the raspy voice. by then the damage was already done. 5 years on nexium was no help at all.

i had every test done before i got the wrap. don't be scared. some get their voice back and some don't. so far, i am one that didn't but i still have hope. i am still happy that i got the wrap. i am off ppi's and feel sooooo much better. they also fixed a hernia so i am no longer short of breath. and yes, i had the post opp tests. no reflux! you know, the reason that i wanted the surgery so bad was not only for my voice, but because nexium when taken over a long period of time can cause weakening of the bones. i am 59 and work with horses so i don't need any bone issues. since the surgery i feel like a million bucks! don't be afraid. this surgery was not bad at all. i was mad at myself for being such a chicken and waiting 5 years to have it done.

It started 3 months back..

......I had this breathing problem. I went to many doctors who suggested i do an ECG, the results were good. No it had nothing to do with my heart. It was suggested i take some medicine for Allergy, I did. Nothing helped me. Running into the 2nd month, someone suggested I go and do a LUNG FUNCTION TEST...I did...healthy lungs and no problem..I did 2 xrays of the lungs. Normal..

....Next I was on Antibiotics, just in case. Everytime I took the anitbiotics I felt it getting worse and worse the breathing. It was like a fire was in my throat burning me. I could just sit down and cry.

Next I went to my homeopatic doctor he tried some medicines it didnt help me at alll...The same burning in my throat and a few steps would make me breathless.

I used to see steps and never climb them afraid that I would faint.

Once it rained and then I felt good the breathing was better. Again I went back to the dr who changed my medicine and gave me some inhaler to inhale..Sorry it didnt help after a day I was back to breathless burning throat. I used a Nebulizer to help my breathing, No it never helped me at all. Just the burning and breathlessness persisted.

Two ENT SPECIALIST checked my throat and my wind pipe and gave an all clear..nothing wrong with your windpipe and throat too.

Both suggested I take an ANTACID.. Antacids are a type of medication that can control the acid levels in your stomach. Some of the antacids also coat the surface of the oesophagus with a protective barrier against stomach acid or produce a gel on the stomach’s surface which helps stop acid leaking into the oesophagus (gullet). There are many Antacids over the counter whic u can get..But I found that DIGENE was the most effective in this case. Whenever I would take a teaspoon I would find some relief.

Your throat, unlike your stomach, was never designed to handle this acid. When the valve between your stomach and oesophagus opens prematurely, some acid enters your throat and you get that burning feeling known as heartburn. While you have heartburn you may experience a burning pain in your chest or behind your sternum – just below where your neck ends. Thats exactly how I felt all the time..

I just want to say here, that after many many antibiotics...allergy medicine, steroids, inhalers, visits to doctors and various tests during these three months.. Now the doctors tell me its Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (Silent Reflux) its such a long word...and took the light otta me...I am told At either end of your esophagus is a ring of muscle (sphincter). Normally, these sphincters keep the contents of your stomach where they belong -- in your stomach. But with laryngopharyngeal reflux, the sphincters don't work right. I am told....Stomach acid backs up into the back of your throat (pharynx) or voice box (larynx), or even into the back of your nasal airway. It can cause inflammation in areas that are not protected against gastric acid exposure. I used to feel a swelling all the time this way.

I am told to avoid, coffee, tea, mostly, and to elevate my head so that the buildup of acid does not occur.I am told that food should be eaten on a timely basis. Avoid Milk. Go for a walk after your food, and yes. Eat healthy.
have a nice day. happy to be here.
maval

Post Edited (maval) : 3/10/2013 9:18:15 AM (GMT-6)

I am wondering if I have some kind of reflux.
I had a flu in the beginning of december and it seems that I never recovered. During mid december I had a bit of a heartburn and I took a pair of pills to calm it, and it has not bothered me again.
I lost my voice and it's not coming back. I don't see any improvements with time.
It's an effort to talk.
Tomorrow I have an appointment with the doctor. Any suggestions to tell over there? Exams or things like that?