HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Throat Scope

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/7/2008 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
I am on Prilosec 2/day for 4 weeks to treat throat irritation due to acid reflux. Prilosec work pretty well. I will see my ENT in 2 weeks and he will do a throat scope to make sure everything is fine.

What he will do is numbing one side of my nose and putting a scope through my nose down to my throat to look.

Anybody had throat scope before? How do you feel? Any comments are welcome. Thanks a bunch!

mip

Posted 7/7/2008 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. Yes, I had it done by my allergy/asthma Dr. It wasn't bad, he numbs up the inside of my nose and up goes the scope and down into the throat area...not down your throat. He is the one who first saw evidence of reflux that high; he had a long name for it, and frankly I don't remember what it is; but that is when they increased my Protonix to twice a day.

The scope was no big deal, no gagging etc., just breathe slowly and gently and relax, you'll be fine!
Posted 7/9/2008 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Mip,

I had the same easy experience as LdyJane. There may be a little pressure or discomfort as the tube of the scope bends at the back of your nose to go downward, but it's not bad.

My first ENT numbed my nostril by packing it with anesthetic gauze; my followups involved having the nostril sprayed. I preferred the gauze: the spray dripped down onto my larynx and made it a little hard to swallow for a few minutes. It felt awkward, but passed quickly (before they even came back in to run the scope).

You will be able to breathe easily through your mouth or nose the whole time. In fact, your ENT will likely ask you to do a variety of things with your airway and voice so that s/he can see your larynx in motion. It's kind of interesting if you can watch the camera display while it's happening, too.

For me also, the treatment for LPR (laryngopharyngeal reflux) is two meds a day. I've had no symptoms since starting that regimen - unless I eat trigger foods or forget to take one of my pills.

Good luck. I'm sure the procedure will go very smoothly for you.

percycat
Posted 7/9/2008 1:35 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you LdyJane and Percycat! I am symtom free on Prilosec as long as I am behaved!!. 

Now, I want to be off Prilosec after the 4-8 week treatment. Percycat, have you tried to get off the meds? The thought of long-term use of Prilosec bothers me a little. Thanks!

Posted 7/9/2008 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Mip,

I can't stop my meds yet, but my ENT indicated that after a while, folks with LPR can be symptom free without meds. We're going to reevaluate at my next followup. I was surprised by her news, since it's different from "regular" GERD, where posters here have indicated that they can't get by without their meds.

I did notice a major difference in the color of my larynx between this latest throat scope and the one I had in March. Seemed a healthy, normal pink this time, rather than the inflamed red that I remember from March. Also appeared not so "puffy."

I hope you'll have good success!

percycat
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply