LPR - Burning throat, mouth, tongue, dental problems....cancer?

Ok, guys.....I'm getting really paranoid now. I know many of you heard my story many times already but I don't know where else to turn....

Before LPR (I'm calling this because I have no other name for it), I do recall have some early signs of dental erosion maybe 10 years ago when this started but I had no LPR or GERD symptoms. My dentist actually pointed it out and I thought nothing of it.

Fast forward 9 years, LPR symtoms began with chest tighting, to throat tightning, to a burning chest, then throat, then mouth/tongue regardless of what I ate. I could actually see redness in my throat and on the edges of my tongue. My lips would also get sensitive even a little chapped sometimes. I could not figure out what was going on. Finally I decided to go with Nissen Fundoplication as the last resort to see if it would help. Three weeks later my throat and mouth still hurts and the redness is still there. I'm debating if I should make an appointment with my ENT to evaluate it. I seen him numerous times before and he said it was red but nothing to worry about.....for someone reason I don't think they take it seriously.

Do you think 3 weeks is early still to see signs of improvement. I've heard of maybe two people on these forums who had similar symptoms and are still struggling despite Nissen. Are there any success stories out there?

I'm getting worried it might even lead to cancer one day..... :(

Thanks.

Silas,

I think Maximus and I can tell the difference between allergies and LPR. There is a big difference between the two. Maximus are you taking any PPI's. I think it may alleviate some of your symptoms. I'm having a burning mouth also and it is freaking me out. My surgeon prescribed me PPI's on a temporary basis and I find some relief.

JAM

You have no idea what allergies can do, believe me. My allergies and sinus problems are so bad, that in 2009, I was having migrane headaches, dizziness, sore throat, and vocal problems 24 hours a day for 6 months. My sinus passages were swollen and my eyes bloodshot around the clock.

I thought for sure I had a severe sinus infection, so I went in for a CT Scan: turns out it was "only" allergies.

Allergies are an immunological issue, and can be debilitating.

Hi JAM,

Actually allergies and LPR have many, many similar issues.  In fact it's very difficult to differentiate the cause of many LPR type symptom.  It's muddy water, indeed.  That's the struggle I have, because I have severe allergies, and many of my symptoms mimic LPR, so my allergist is always searching for the cause, and never rules out reflux. 

Of course burned tissue and tooth erosion aren't the symptoms that are difficult to differentiate.

Other symptoms such as sinus issues, PND, lung problems/asthma, cough, hoarseness, etc...can be caused by allergy or LPR/reflux.

Max,

You know what I'm going to say before I say it...wait, wait, wait.  It is FAR too early to decide whether or not your symptoms are residual problems that haven't had time to heal yet.  Plus, as you know, reflux is still a possibility at your stage of recovery.

Hang in there!

Denise

Hi Max,

Take control of the direction your mind takes.  You can do it.  When it starts taking you in the wrong direction, steer it back into the positive realm.  Spending your days worrying about "what if" is doing nothing to speed up your healing.  All this worry just makes your recovery more difficult.

Surrender to the process of healing, and let you body do its work.  Help it along by being careful with what you eat and how you move.  I know it's hard to wait for this healing to occur, but don't really have a choice.  Healing will happen when its good and ready.

Just go along for the ride, and make the best of a tough recovery.  We all had to go through it.  Just put one foot in front of the other, and take it one day at a time.

You can do this!

Denise

jam,

What are your symptoms now?

How many days post op are you?

Thanks.

My symptoms pre op were a burning/uncomfortable feeling in my stomach (main problem), then a burn in my throat, tongue, and mouth. It wasn't extremely painful but it was there.

After surgery, the stomach pains and discomfort went way down. The throat, mouth, tongue is sore but its not unbearable sore. I just hope it doesn't get worse honestly. If live with this pain if I knew it wouldn't cause anymore damage.

But I'm still hopeful. I do feel it less today for some reason.....I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Hey JAM,

I know my taste buds are still in tact thankfully. We're not even a month out yet but I know the feeling of doubt we are going through. Did you feel any change at all since surgery?

Although I feel the pains in my mouth....it's a different feeling than before which makes me somewhat hopeful.......

What does the ulcers look like? Are your lips affected as well? Do you get any dental problems? Is your tongue only white? Is it red also?

Also did you have any follow up with your doctor? What did they say about your symptoms?

JAM,

So you think it will take two months to notice some difference?

It just feels that the mouth is going in the opposite direction instead of healing?

I don't want to over think this but sometimes I think how can it heal if I still feel the burn an if my tongue parts of my mouth is still red or getting redder....

maximus,

i had the same symptoms and had nissen 2010.  it took 6 to 8 weeks and i got better, but my throat never healed and the throat clearing and pain were still there.  the nissen for me helped 50%.  then i started eating more fat and chocolate.  had a job which had me eating later.  now i eat bread soup such a bland diet.  I hear you give it 2 months.  i had post op 24 hour probe..have had 2.  Not to scare you but i have had 2 scopes since my surgery and they say i have bile reflux.  the gi doc believes the nissen caused the  bile reflux.  24 hr impedance shows over 50 episodes of non acid reflux.  i would say start the ppis if you stopped, get a 24 hour probe.  its early so things still may calm down.  if not get those tests.  I am considering a redo but the dr. says my reflux is normal..which it is for standard gerd and not lpr.  I had people question whether it were allergy related too and it isnt.  seen 3 ents all cleared up the allergy question.  it sounds to me like lpr..but im no dr. and am on here for help too.

preop  sour taste in mouth in middle of night if i ate past 6, throat clearing-significant and a very sore throat, and a feeling that something was caught in back of my throat..mucuous..that was bad.  post op everything remained, but 8 weeks post op my throat hurt at times, but not always then the mucous thing completely disappeared.  some throat clearing after meals stayed too  overall i got some relief then last april the sour taste returned the constant mucous is back last month or two and my throat has hurt bad for a month.  if i could just manage getting rid of the pain.  I can take my tongue and the back of my throat on the left side feels like there is a big lesion.  i can actually feel it and its thicker than the left side of my throat.  my throat has been red in the same area for 4 years about, but the right side has a deeper burn.  the problem is a dr. gave me a drug called sodium oxybate in 2008 which caused gatsritis and a burned larynx.  it never healed and has only gotten worse and i cannot suppress the reflux enough for it to heal.  and now i have bile reflux after the surgery and i dont know what to do.  if i stop the ppis there will be acid.  but even controlling the acid does not help as im fefluxing over 50 times non acid stuff.  the pain is unbearable