LPR and ear drainage

A little bit over a year ago, I was experiencing heartburn during landscaping/gardening work. It wasn't uncommon for me to feel heartburn during this intense physical activity (one that involves a lot of bending over), but I was acutely aware of it because it had been the first day of the season, and the first time in a long time that I felt it. Until then, heartburn was a mere nuisance, albeit mysterious, for which I had not sought medical help, as it would always go away.

As the next few days progressed I felt almost as though I had contracted a cold. A light, dry cough worsened, a sore throat became constricted, and swallowing became very painful. I felt as though it was taking my saliva forever to reach my stomach after swallowing etc etc.

After some searching on forums like this one, I was convinced it wasn't just a cold, and things started coming together. I learned the correlation between acid reflux and the sticky mucous feeling (globus), something that, in retrospect, I had often felt in the past. It was rather shocking and I felt ignorant, and irresponsible, but it all made sense. I also learned that I should probably seek medical attention asap, so I did.

In brief, after a short time on PPIs, all of my "acidic" symptoms went away ( I am still taking them to this day).

So, no more sore throat or heartburn, but I still have the reflux part. It was very difficult for the doc to understand this. There I was in his office, healthy and fit and otherwise happy, trying to describe how debilitating my situation was. Perhaps that didn't help. In any case, he got me a barium swallow next. The results came back fine. He told me they even said I had no reflux. I was shocked. Even while writing this, it feels like I am pushing stuff back down every time I swallow, and if I don't do something about it, I can get hoarse and it feels like it might come all the way up.

It gets worse though; it makes its way into my ears when I sleep. Yup. My bed is propped up, I wait at least 3 hrs after a meal before going to bed, and even if I'm at a 45* angle, it can happen. As you can imagine, a small amount of liquid slowly seeping through your inner ear gets very, very itchy. My now former doctor prescribed me sprays and drops which provided temporary relief, but never solved the problem, obviously. And of course, scratching makes it worse. There was a time when I've almost constantly had scabs from scratching. I also think I've developed an aural pylop in one ear canal, and I wouldn't doubt that it has worsened my tinnitus.

One thing for which I am thankful is Gaviscon. I take it before bed. It actually works, but like all drugs, I try to limit my intake. I don't want to be taking it for the rest of my life, that's for sure. I'm only 36.

Anyway this is getting too long. I could prob write pages and pages more.

Needless to say, I have a new doc now who has sent a referral to an ENT as per my request. I will try to remember to update anyone who may be interested in hearing about how things pan out.

Zefffff said...
A little bit over a year ago, I was experiencing heartburn during landscaping/gardening work. It wasn't uncommon for me to feel heartburn during this intense physical activity (one that involves a lot of bending over), but I was acutely aware of it because it had been the first day of the season, and the first time in a long time that I felt it. Until then, heartburn was a mere nuisance, albeit mysterious, for which I had not sought medical help, as it would always go away.

As the next few days progressed I felt almost as though I had contracted a cold. A light, dry cough worsened, a sore throat became constricted, and swallowing became very painful. I felt as though it was taking my saliva forever to reach my stomach after swallowing etc etc.

After some searching on forums like this one, I was convinced it wasn't just a cold, and things started coming together. I learned the correlation between acid reflux and the sticky mucous feeling (globus), something that, in retrospect, I had often felt in the past. It was rather shocking and I felt ignorant, and irresponsible, but it all made sense. I also learned that I should probably seek medical attention asap, so I did.

In brief, after a short time on PPIs, all of my "acidic" symptoms went away ( I am still taking them to this day).

So, no more sore throat or heartburn, but I still have the reflux part. It was very difficult for the doc to understand this. There I was in his office, healthy and fit and otherwise happy, trying to describe how debilitating my situation was. Perhaps that didn't help. In any case, he got me a barium swallow next. The results came back fine. He told me they even said I had no reflux. I was shocked. Even while writing this, it feels like I am pushing stuff back down every time I swallow, and if I don't do something about it, I can get hoarse and it feels like it might come all the way up.

It gets worse though; it makes its way into my ears when I sleep. Yup. My bed is propped up, I wait at least 3 hrs after a meal before going to bed, and even if I'm at a 45* angle, it can happen. As you can imagine, a small amount of liquid slowly seeping through your inner ear gets very, very itchy. My now former doctor prescribed me sprays and drops which provided temporary relief, but never solved the problem, obviously. And of course, scratching makes it worse. There was a time when I've almost constantly had scabs from scratching. I also think I've developed an aural pylop in one ear canal, and I wouldn't doubt that it has worsened my tinnitus.

One thing for which I am thankful is Gaviscon. I take it before bed. It actually works, but like all drugs, I try to limit my intake. I don't want to be taking it for the rest of my life, that's for sure. I'm only 36.

Anyway this is getting too long. I could prob write pages and pages more.

Needless to say, I have a new doc now who has sent a referral to an ENT as per my request. I will try to remember to update anyone who may be interested in hearing about how things pan out.

How'd it go? did you get a nissen or something for your mucous or LPR?

joao9000 said...



How'd it go? did you get a nissen or something for your mucous or LPR?

Sorry, I forgot that I posted this! Thanks for asking.

I went to the ENT and he did a scope down my nose, told me what I already knew about lazy sphincters etc, and more or less said there wasn't much I could do. He seemed more concerned about a polyp I had in my ear canal (which I believe was related to acid/pepsin aspiration), so when I went back to see him, he quickly removed it and sent me on my way with blood pouring out of my ear. Seriously, I had to go back and get him to fix it up. That was it though. He tossed me a couple months of Tecta samples and then I moved abroad, so I haven't seen him since. He was a decent fellow, but didn't seem too concerned about me. I tend to get that a lot with doctors though. I suspect it may have something to do with the fact that I look healthy and younger than I am.

My ears are still suffering almost as much. I have stopped using hard/sharp objects to scratch the uncontrollable itch, and replaced them with q-tips that act more as a tool to dry up the fluid, hence reducing itch. My reflux may be getting ever so slightly better. I am taking one 40mg of pantoprazole at night along with what I consider my real saving grace- "gaviscon advance". The chewable tablets are great, though they stick to my teeth. I believe this version of the product is only available in Europe. I have moved to Ireland, where it is on most pharmacy shelves.
Before I left, I ordered some online. It came from the UK and I paid almost $50CAD for it. It is €7something here, $11CAD. I can't see how postage would amount to that much, but if anyone is interested, I can look into sending you a container for under $50.