LPR or allergies?

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blanfier

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Has anybody been diagnosed with LPR only to find out it was allergy symptoms? An ENT Dr. mentioned getting an allergy workup done because it could be allergies that are causing the mucus in my throat and not really LPR. Just wondered if anybody has had this same deal and if so, once they treated the allergy if the problems went away?
 
Great question. I had a full allergy workout because my symptoms initially included nasal congestion, PND, and ear pain so I wasn't sure whether I had LPR and allergies or whether one was causing the other. I spend hundreRAB of hundreRAB of dollars seeing ENT's and allergists but nothing, I'd guess about 2k-3k over the past two years. I had allergy testing and I found I was allergic (minor things) to a few things but only in large dosages of intradermal injections. I had allergy shots for about 2 months, I took nasal sterioRAB, antihistamines you name it, then I realized that allergies and sinus issues weren't the problem at all. I experience regurgitation of food daily-I am unsure why (that's the last piece of the puzzle for me) but when I have it it causes nasal congestion, ear pain and chest pain and excessive mucus, the same symptoms I thought was certainly allergy/sinus related.

Now I am on a liquid diet, I've been on it two weeks and I feel great-no sinus issues at all. I plan to stay on it until I get the results from all the tests my doctors has planned over the next few weeks. Otherwise, if you feel you really may have allergies, millions of Americans do, get the tests done its couldn't hurt. There is nothing better than piece of mind.

But also check the site for all references to LPR, most people complain of sinus issues. I really didn't pay attention to my body and my symptoms when I first got sick but now I watch and write things down daily in a journal and the thing I found was when I eat large meals usually an hour or so after I experience the symptoms above but within an hour or two after I am fine. I apologize if I rarabled but I hope something helped.
 
I have no sinus problems at all. No runny nose, no ear pain, etc.. But I also don't have any of the reguritation. Just the mucus in the throat. But as you said-it can't hurt to have the allergy workup. What does that entail? Do I want to know???
 
Its not that bad. I wen to this allergy clinic where they were pretty intense about testing. I had two or three days of tests. The first day they tested my breathing for any asthma related issues (Ihad difficulty breathing after meals) then the first day was trees. They injected both arms with small amount and I had to sit for 15 min to see if there was a reaction. The pricks were sort of like acupunture, not too bad. You begin to itch if there is a reaction. The next day, Saturday I was tested for mold, mildew, pollen the ususals. The final day was animal dander and dust mites. After the tests he talked with me about the injections, I got them three times a week for a month then twice a week for 6 months. I stopped after two months because my symptoms were allergy related at all it was related to my stomach issues so it was a waste of money.

It's pretty simple and if your not having the typical acid reflux related sinus issues, I'd do it. It can'y hurt and if it doesn't work at least you've ruled it out.
 
Would you suggest someone go through all that though with no obvious signs of breathing problems, no runny nose or sinus troubles? That seems like a lot to go through.
 
Yes. It was alot and very expensive and if I had read the LPR posts here I would've realized the symptoms I had were normal and related to the stomach troubles I was having, I would've saved alot of time, energy, money and been able to place my attention on the true problem this regurgitation/acid reflux craziness. But, you seemed certain that your symptoms were not related to the LPR or didn't sound like the posts you've read here right? If that the case go for it. But please read all posts here on the site, search for everything LPR and you'll see many people complain of excessive mucus and congestion and ear pain and sore throats. Also, many of them sought sinus/ent care without relief-unfortunatley I haven't been able to explain why but I wanted to let you know you are not alone in this relationship of the two.
 
I also went through the full 9 yarRAB of tests for allergies, asthma, which I was diagnosed with at first. Although, one of the first ENT spec I saw suggested that I drink Mylanta after every meal. During this time, I was "very" sick. I lost my voice for months at a time and couldn't breath but what's strange is that I didn't really have issues with my sinus? Didn't feel like PND but I did have a sore throat. I took shots for 2 yrs, stopped when I got so sick I missed too many but resumed them after moving. I never had heartburn but lots of stomach issues but I was so sick that I didn't know what was what. I was going to a Dr. in Dallas for ADD and he asked at one appt was I sick again since I couldn't talk. I told him that I had never gotten well! He said right then and there, it's LPR, which I hadn't even heard of. He put me on Previcid, Reglan and Carafate and said to have my Dr. to order test for scope. I did all this and I did get better after taking the meRAB he prescribed for awhile but continued to have problems with my voice. This was 10 yrs ago and started my journey from Spec to Spec and test to test. My voice was bad for the whole time even though I might not be quite as hoarse at times. I would suggest you do the allergy testing also if you have good insurance because at least that would rule some things out.

CharBerry
 
I would definitely get an allergy work up just in case. As long as you are aware that LPR is a possibility, then you are on the right track. Many docs push the allergy part and never go to a second possibility, and that's when you get stuck on the wrong track. Allergies can come in so many forms with different symptoms. If the tests come back negative, or very low for allergies, go back to the other option.

Also, do you drink a lot of milk? I had the worst time when I was younger with mucus in my throat and it didn't hit me that the milk was causing it until I went to college and rarely drank it there. Then when I did drink it I noticed the mucus coming back. It's not an allergy, just that dairy causes mucus production for some more than others. Just a thought, good luck!
 
I very rarely drink milk. The only time I do is with cereal on rare ocassions. Could dairy be doing the same?
 
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