Posted 12/24/2010 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
I am a 50 year old male that has had chronic sinusitis/rhinitis since I was 27. Rhinitis is basically a runny nose, congestion and post nasal drip. about 6 years ago I was diagnosed with heartburn based GERD and put on Nexium 40mg a day. This solved the GERD within a week and I have never had another bout with it in those 6 years even though I am now down to 20mg Prilosec OTC.
When I look at the symptoms of LPR the only one I have is post nasal drip which of course is a symptom of my rhinitis as well. I do NOT have hoarseness, chronic throat clearing, chronic cough, feeling of something in my throat, sore throat or any other symptom of LPR - just the post nasal drip.
The only thing that concerns me is that sometimes when I eat I get some post nasal drip in my throat, runny nose and congestion. It doesn't happen all the time - mainly when I eat something spicy or hot temperature wise. I can eat room temperature items or something cold and I have no problems - even if it is a large meal.
The doctor said it sounds like I have vasomotor rhinitis or glusatory rhinitis where you have increased congestion, runny nose and post nasal drip during and for about 30 minutes after you eat. This is exactly what is happening to me, I have noticed if I take Benadryl on a regular basis it greatly reduces the PND.
So I guess what I am asking is if this were to be LPR and not rhinitis wouldn't the symptoms be after every meal OR wouldn't I have symptoms during the days as well. From what I have read about LPR, most folks suffer all day long with the throat problems, As I said, I have no other symptoms of LPR but wonder if one symptom (and that symptom is not constant) by itself is sufficient? If I didn't have the other two symptoms of rhinitis I would be more concerned that this could be LPR but since PND is a sign of both I am not sure.
Thoughts?