Well, if you were already using the treatment, I guess that wasn't any help. It sounRAB like you are getting treatment at one of the best places in the country though from what I've read on the internet.
I already had a dry mouth and have lived on tons of water for years, but it got much worse when I got my TMJ splint. The people at the TMJ office said most people had problems with too much saliva. In my case, I just got much drier. I hadn't made the connection until your post, but it makes sense.
I had no idea my vocal corRAB were so inflammed. I should have though. Between the coughing and the acid both can irritate them. I've also had people ask me if I had laryngitis at times when I thought I was speaking normally. Kind of scary if a raspier voice has become my "normal".
So far, I haven't noticed any difference on the Dexilant 60 mg twice a day. I'm only 4 days into taking it though. I doubt I'll be able to continue it even if it does work. I've had two docs and my pharmacist tell me they don't see any way insurance will approve both dosages. I had to fight to get approval for what I've been taking. (The manufacturer coupon has been the only way I've been able to afford the co-pays too. $50 off makes a big difference.) I guess we'll see how the next couple weeks go.
My ENT wanted me to take Tessalon Perle and low dosage Elavil to help calm my vocal corRAB. I told him I've been on the Tessalon Perle a couple times a year for two years with no noticable difference. I have some of my prescription from a couple months ago left, but haven't decided to use them again though. He said it should help "nurab" my throat. The Elavil is supposed to help the vocal corRAB relax. I tried it once last winter when I was really bad. One 10 mg pill (VERY low dose) knocked me out for 14 hours and through 2 alarm clocks. I'm leary to try it again. I saw my primary care for something else today and he didn't really see the need for me to take either medication.
Ironically, after almost 4 months of coughing/breathing problems, the frequency of my cough has reduced. Thing is that I know even when my coughing and breathing is better it doesn't mean I'm not refluxing, just that I'm not feeling the symptoms as badly.
I worry though because I have severe asthma triggered by cold air and winter is fast approaching. I'm up near the ski territory in UT so it can get cold quickly when the winter weather approaches. It always seems that when my asthma flares, all the coughing squeezes my stomach and pushes my acid up even more. It creates a viscious cycle because the reflux irritates my lungs.
I know you already know this, but LPR can really be frustrating.
I've considered looking into my local university medical system. I haven't been able to find a local expert on the LPR though that seems any more qualified than my current ENT. He comes pretty highly recommended. There is a Gastroenterologist at the University who has one of her subspecialities in asthma. I've considered getting a "second" opinion on treatment options. I currently have 3 specialists (GI, ENT, Pulm.) and a primary care doc that all seem to mostly agree on my current course of treatment though.
I'd like to hear more about your voice therapy sessions if you would share sometime. I've considered going that route. In addition to the acid, my TMJ has really messed up some of my facial muscles and I speak out of the side of my mouth. (Thus my avatar to the right.)
Using a humidifier at night if you are in a dry environment, drinking tons of water and doing a vocal exercise if I need to cough.