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Do I have GERD, Anxiety, LPR

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 9/3/2015 9:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,
I am 60 and have had a lump in my throat, shortness of breath(can't get a yawn), nasal congestion for almost 2 years now. This all started after shoulder replacement surgery. My doctors told me that I am difficult to intubate. (insertion of the breathing tube during surgery) My breathing problems started about a month after shoulder surgery in February of 2014. I went to the ER because I was having difficulty breathing and they found nothing wrong. I was told that I had anxiety and those pills did not help. I went to an ENT who said I had GERD or LPR (Laryngeal Pharyngeal Reflux). I went to a lung specialist who said my lungs were fine. My heart is also fine. My throat was scoped and they found nothing wrong. My symptoms are getting worse.
I'm wondering if the intubation caused GERD or LPR. I have all of the symptoms of both. I have found nothing that helps me thus far, but hope you can help.
Thank You
Posted 9/3/2015 10:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi blueman

It certainly seems they have ruled out the other major causes of these symptoms so you are almost by process of elimination left with LPR and GERD. Anxiety can contribute and make GERD worse, and also affect our perception of symptoms such as shortness of breath making them feel worse, but it is too often given as a diagnosis for what is actually just a reaction to the real underlying illness, GERD.

Have you tried any dietary modifications to control it? There are plenty of websites and advice on the web about GERD diets and this makes probably the biggest impact on how we feel. If that doesn't work then you can try medications such as Zantac or PPIs to reduce stomach acid which will hopefully also help symptoms.

Controlling anxiety can also help both with the symptoms and well being. I find progressive muscle relaxation tapes very helpful when Im stressed or bothered by symptoms, that are lots of good guided tapes on Youtube that you can follow.
Posted 9/3/2015 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your response,
I was put on 40mg omeprazole for a while and that helped a bit. I'm having a little trouble modifying my diet but I know this is what I have to do. My only symptoms are the lump in my throat which feels like mucus, and the stuffy nose. I never have burning heartburn or belching.
Thanks again for your response Andy1986
Posted 9/3/2015 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
I know it's hard, but you should modify your diet and keep a food journal. Another option would be to see a gastro specialist.

Sharon
Posted 9/3/2015 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
It's good that you dont have any symptoms such as burning. I had the lump in throat for many months when I first started having GERD, and it the progressed to the heartburn etc but eventually the lump in the throat just went away, either that or I just stopped noticing it as it became my new 'normal'. Cutting out triggers like mint made a big impact on that sensation for me, so hopefully with a few tweaks you can start feeling better without needing a super restrictive diet.
Posted 9/3/2015 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
My next step will be to go to see a gastro specialist. I was never diagnosed with anything. Can anyone really be diagnosed with having GERD? I had the short scope and the long scope and nothing was found. That being said, I am very happy that all of my tests came out good.
Posted 9/4/2015 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Blue man, Go and have a look at the thread "shortness of breath due to silent reflux". Some of the information from other's you will find very interesting about this feeling of SOB.
Posted 9/5/2015 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
Gerd can't really be diagnosed by scope unless there is damage to the esophagus. The usual test to diagnose is the pH monitor but diagnosing from the symptoms is also a legitimate way as there aren't really many other things that this type and location of pain can be.
Posted 9/5/2015 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thank You, I will do more research viewing previous threads.
Posted 9/6/2015 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Definately look in to having a ph test, as well as confirming what type of reflux you are having, it can detect how far up its going and what the worst time of day is for your reflux. I started out with similar symptoms to you, always felt very mucousy and had a lump in my throat, but it has now progressed to having a near constant cough and shortness of breath as well as what my GI calls "effortless regurgitation of liquids", sounds so much more delightful than it is.

I had a whole host of things done before the ph and manometry tests, and they only showed the presence of a small hernia, which comes and goes, and some minor inflammation of the esophagus. My lungs sounded fine and pulse-ox readings were always at 100 even when I had shortness of breath. It was the ph test that uncovered how bad my reflux actually was, and once that was confirmed we were able to tick off a whole lot of symptoms which were being caused by the reflux, so if you are trying to rule out GERD, and especially LPR, its a must.
Posted 9/7/2015 11:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks jenagade, I have heard of this test and will ask my doctor to schedule it. My symptoms become worse at night. I have raised the bed and propped the pillows.
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