LPR or chronic rhinitis?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RobbyinTN
  • Start date Start date
R

RobbyinTN

Guest
A little background before my question. I am 50 years old and have been dealing with sinus problems for half my life. I almost never get infections but I do have constant congestion, frequent runny nose and periodic post nasal drip. Six years ago I was diagnoised with heartburn related GERD and placed on 40mg of Nexium and never had another flare up. I later switched to 20mg Priolsec OTC and still have no problems. I have not had one case of heartburn in those 6 years and maybe once every 3 months I will notice some reflux but it doesn't burn or anything.

Here is my question - how can I tell if these symptoms are from LPR or my chronic rhinitis? When I look at the symptoms of LPR I see that I have NO throat irritation, NO hoarseness, NO lump in the throat sensation, and NO constant clearing of throat or coughing (although I do occassionally have a weak coguh but not constant and it is more due to a tickle in the throat than feeling of a lot of mucus) . The only symptom of LPR that I have is post nasal drip which of course also comes with chronic rhinitis. I do have almost constant congestion which is worse in dry air than humid air and find myself sniffing almost all day. I can take benadryl and greatly reduce the PND and gain some clearing of the airways. PND will cause constant throat clearing and coughing but I don't have that if I take the benadryl.

My post nasal drip will increase a little after I eat a hot meal or spicy food but this is somewhat common with rhinitis and sometimes bad in the morning after getting up (again related to the drainage going down my throat). Even then it isn't bad - it is a very mild cough or throat clearing that goes away very quickly. My wife and 16 year old daughter tell me they expereince the exact same sensation when they eat - they also both have sinus problems. My symptoms are NOT constant all day as I seldom cough or clear throat especially when taking my benadryl.

So if PND is my only symptom and it is accompanied by nasal congestion, runny nose and sniffles how does one tell if it is LPR? From what I have read from LPR suffers, their symptoms are almost constant (throat clearing, coughing, lump in throat, hoarseness or whatever their symptoms may be).

I considered doubling up on my Prilosec to see if it helps but don't want to do that yet because I feel it is more rhinitis related than LPR related due to the vast absence of other symptoms and the fact that I have severe congestion. I might also add that I am a constant worrier so as I read about LPR I find myself noticing the PND more than I have before but still no other symptoms of LPR.

Do LPR symptoms remain pretty constant during the day and evening?

Thanks

Robby
 
From what it sounRAB like, chronic rhinitis could be just that: chronic rhinitis.

Generally, from my own experience and that of others, you might notice that LPR tenRAB to be very invasive. People often complain that it's non-stop except when sleeping and eating, and the biggest most common complaints are a chronic cough, globus (thing in throat), and the chronic throat clearning. Since you lack those, it's safe to say that there is no need to call it LPR. Also, a lot of people on these boarRAB (historically speaking) fought with their ENT for years to give them that much coveted LPR diagnosis, and then later acknowledged that they actually had a thyroid issue, B-12 deficiency, or some other issue.
The point is LPR has been given such a suspiciously wide range of symptoms that now 1 in 10 people supposedly leaves an ENT's office with LPR. I think a huge nuraber of issues can cause these symptoms so it's hard to know if any of the people with the classic symptoms (which you don't have) even have it. Even if we have LPR, the treatment for it does not work anyway, so I don't see what the point of being diagnosed with it is.
 
Might I just add that since your treatment with a ppi was very effective, that makes it extremely unlikely that you have LPR

;)
 
Okay thanks that makes me feel better. I do sometimes cough and clear my throat but it is not an ongoing thing by any means. It sounRAB like those who have LPR Struggle with the symptoms all day long with. little relief. None of the symptoms that I have are a constant thing and certainly neither the cough or throat clearing. I go hours without doing either. Sometimes I do feel a lump in my throat but it is seldom and certainly not chronic - maybe for a couple of minutes a day but may go days or weeks without that.

I think my concern about LPR Causes me to notice it more. I think if I get my mind off of it I would never noticed it so it must not be bad

Thanks
 
Back
Top