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Posted 1/7/2007 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
I am new to the site.  I have had GERD since my gallbladder removal in 1996, took Nexium for years until changed insurance and too expensive, started taking Prilosec OTC, no symptoms so started taking less frequently.  For the past six weeks, I have lost my voice.  ENT said was from acid reflux, put on reflux precautions, Prevacid twice daily, and Maalox liquid four times daily.  Still cannot talk.  I am very frustrated!  Wondering if this has happened to anyone else and wanting to know when I get my voice back.  ENT said he will see me in four weeks (two weeks from now) if voice no better and will get vocal cord testing. 
Posted 1/7/2007 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi tam41,

Acid reflux can affect the esophagus (GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease-GERD) or the larynx (LaryngoPharyngeal Reflux-LPR). Some folks have just one, and some have both.

I had LPR, and in doing the research for it, most docs recommended a PPI such as prilosec, 20 mg twice daily. I, too, had lost my voice, had coughing and gagging, and a constant feeling of a lump in my throat. I actually got my voice back within a week, the coughing, gagging, and lump took longer.

If you want to know more, Google LPR rather than GERD. You'll find lots of info. A while ago there was a post entitled something like "the difference between GERD and LPR" with a link to a good article.

Gool luck,
WDC
Posted 1/8/2007 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your information.  I am just so frustrated.  It has been six LONG weeks.  I will definitely take your advice.  Thanks again!

Posted 1/8/2007 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Tam41....I'm sorry about your condition and hope you get some relief. I have GERD, not LPR, but I'm curious when you said you took Nexium for years. Did it completely take away your symptoms? And then when you went on the Prevacid,did it take away your symptoms completely. I guess I'm curious because it seems you still had damage happening even though you were on the meds.

Thanks for info.
Posted 1/8/2007 2:41 AM (GMT 0)

sillylilly -

I had a few times on Nexium where it felt like heartburn.  When I changed to Prilosec, I felt like I didn't have any symptoms so I just slowly stopped taking it every day.  I wish now that I would have kept taking "something".  The ENT doc said that 50% of patients don't have any heartburn, sore taste, etc.  I just started Prevacid because my mother takes it.  I'm not sure which is better, Nexium or Prevacid.  What do you think?

Posted 1/8/2007 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
I think you should take whatever works for you. I think they are all the same...it's just what works better for you. I've tried Prilosec, Aciphex and Prevacid and none of them work very well for me...I seem to have alot of burning even when taking them. Right now, I have quit Prevacid for the last 5 days and I feel so much better mentally and physically. I know I'm having a little heartburn but nothing as bad as when I take the meds...isn't that interesting.
If 50% don't feel anything, then maybe some of these people who say they have cured themselves of this condition aren't really cured at all.
Posted 1/9/2007 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, this feels a lot like being "between a rock and a hard place": to take meds that don't work - to counter a progressive disease that has no symptoms (actually I do have burning in my throat, but eat carefully enough that I don't get full-blown heartburn much anymore). I mean, it's Kafkaesque - you know what I mean?

All the people who've cured themselves of GERD - how long did you have this condition? Maybe they could cure themselves because it wasn't of very long duration.
Posted 1/12/2007 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
I've had GERD since about the time I had my gallbladder removed, which was 10 years ago.  I'm off to the ENT tomorrow morning.  Hopefully he will do something to get my voice back.  The last visit he said he was waiting three to four weeks and would do a vocal cord testing on me.  We'll see what happens.  It's been six and a half weeks now.  Try not talking for that long!  It is very hard for me.

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