Question for acid reflux sufferers

[outdoorsgurl]

I'm so sorry. So even though he wasn't having any symptoms while taking the meds he still developed cancer? That's very scary!

[Biciclista]

that's exactly right he hasn't had hardly any acid reflux symptoms in years. When he finally DID have symptoms, it was already advanced cancer. We're hoping he can win this battle. I am glad to hear about people like you, getting checked right away, good luck!

[outdoorsgurl]

I pray he wins it too! Thank you so much for sharing this information! It definitely has caused me to take it VERY seriously!

[Norse]

Mimi, I am very sorry to hear about your husband's cancer and am sending all positive thoughts to you and your family.

Recently, an ENT doc diagnosed me with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease or LPR. Unlike the more common gastro reflux with it's classic heartburn symptoms, LPR sufferers usually have no heartburn or other such symptoms because the acid is actually going up and sitting in the throat/voice box area rather than the esophagus. It is frequently misdiagnosed (as was mine) because the symptoms include: excess/thick mucous (feeling like you have chronic post-nasal drip), hoarseness, chronic cough/throat-clearing, feeling like something is stuck in the throat, difficulty swallowing.

In my case, I developed this awful excess mucous that I was constantly coughing up, and this went on for two years! Doc after doc I complained to thought it was my allergies and threw allergy meds at me and sent me on my way (this is typical for LPR sufferers). Finally, my primary doc sent me for a CT scan (she was still thinking allergies or a nose problem) and also set me up with an ENT. The CT showed a severly deviated septum and some problem with my left sinuses, but nothing that would cause the amount of mucous I was experiencing. The ENT stuck a scope through my nose and down my throat and pronounced his LPR diagnosis. He also said I was likely the first of at least 5 patients he would see that day with the same problem, all misdiagnosed.

If you, or anyone you know, is suffering from these symptoms, please get checked. Left untreated, cancer of the esophagus is one of worst-case outcomes and with LPR, it is too often left untreated for too long. I am now taking Prilosec daily and tryings some dietary modifications but of course, I am supposed to cut out, or at least moderate, most things I like: spicy food, dairy (I adore cheese), alchohol (I love wine), caffeine (trying to go from 2 cups to 1/day), chocolate, onions, garlic (DP and I love garlic so much, we grow our own)... We'll see.

[Biciclista]

good grief, norse goddess, what a story. good luck trying to find out what foods are better for you.
as i sit here typing, i am in a hospital waiting room and my DH is in the last stages of his surgery to remove his esophagus. how about that.

[shootingstar]

Keep us posted Norsegoddess. Wonder how much your diet will change permanently.

Wishing Don lots of luck, Mimi.

[jyyanks]

Have had reflux for years. Had an an endoscopy last year which thankfully came our clear.
The doctor tried to wean me off the meds and I was medicine free for about 5 months. In September, the reflux came roaring back. I am currently on nexium (in the AM) plus zantac (in the pm). I went to an ENT today and he did notice a post nasal drip and he did see signs of reflux in the throat. However, he said it's relatively mild. I don't want to be on meds forever (as it is I have been on them for at least 7 years), but I don't want to get esophogial cancer either. I'm trying to figure out how I was able to wean myself off the medicine this summer as I would love to do that again but so far, no lcuk.

[ladyicon]

Geez Biciclista, very sorry to hear about your husband. I wish him all the best and good thoughts being sent to you.