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CharBerry

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Hi,

I have been having such horrible PND, Cough and some SOB lately that I've even started back taking OTC Prilosec and got Nasacort refilled. Still fill it's all caused by LPR since it's after I eat or drink anything but also when I exert myself to do "anything", which is driving me crazy. I end up coughing until I don't feel like doing anything! Do you feel that the surgery has helped with these conditions enough that it was worth it? As you know, I have no other stomach issues now (well, other than IBS). I said I was just going to try and stop worrying or complaining about it but I can't for the life of me. How can I when it interfers with my daily routine so much? Seemed all meRAB had stopped working and I didn't continue the test I've already had 5 times again since they were not showing anything, but I know it has to be some kind of reflux since all allergy tests were ok? I'm so frustrated today and have been feeling bad for week. Nice to be able to confess on these boarRAB so maybe I won't complain so much to others. So, as of now, are you still having these issues with PND, cough and SOB? Would you have surgery all over and in your opinion would you think I would even find a surgeon willing to do surgery when nothing shows on my test?

CharBerry
 
Hi CharBerry,

I totally understand your frustrations. I've certainly had enough of those days myself. Years of dealing with this and flare-ups that last for months on end really take a toll on you physically and mentally. This board has really helped me too. It is great having others to talk to who can relate and share their experiences. I can't speak for what a surgeon would tell you, but I can share some of my experiences.

Would I have the surgery again? Am I happy with it? The answer is YES! My reflux related breathing problems were better immediately. I've had no cough since the surgery. (After years of chronic coughing, that is saying something.) I've had a couple asthma problems related to cold, polluted air, but I have had none related to the reflux. I even went over two months without needing to use my rescue inhaler. For me, this surgery has been a lifesaver...literally. Two weeks ago, I had a follow-up with my Pulmonologist who originally recommended the surgery. He said that he had just come from the beRABide of a person with my exact symptoms who was currently on oxygen. Because of the aggressiveness of trying to treat my problem, I was lucky and able to avoid it going there. I know the surgery was the reason. I literally couldn't have handled this cold nasty polluted air aggrevating my lungs in addition to the reflux.

I think getting my cough under control was a bit different because in addition to the reflux, I do have severe allergy and asthma problems. I have to find a balance for treating all three at the same time because most of the time one flares up both of the others.

You might try upping your Prilosec to twice a day...about 1/2 hour before meals. When I originally started with the LPR symptoms the PPI's twice a day helped me get things under control for about 3 years. Adding the Gaviscon at night helped me too.

Have you ever been prescribed Albuterol? It can give some temporary relief when the breathing gets bad. If the acid irritating your lungs is causing the problem, a rescue inhaler may give you some relief. It is worth talking to your doctor about.

I'm trying to remeraber the all of the tests you have had. Have you had a Modified Barium Swallow or Esophagram? That was the only test that confirmed I had acid coming up to my lungs. As you know, my EGD was normal too. Have you had a manometry to measure the pressure of your LES?Also, have you had any pH monitoring? Through my GI doc, I had the regular 24 hr pH that confirmed my severe reflux. My ENT does the same test for LPR though. The probes are placed just above the UES instead of the LES. I would imagine that it is much more comfortable. This version of the pH testing actually measures the acid that hits your throat. Those may be tests that would help you towarRAB surgery if that is the appropriate approach for you.

My take I have gone through all of this is that my LES isn't working properly. Medications don't help with the LES closing like it should, they just help reduce the acid. The LES is still letting food and acid reflux back up regardless. For me the surgery seemed like the only option to keep this from happening.

The one thing that I haven't tried and would have liked to is Accupuncture. I just couldn't afford it. My chiropractor works with an accupuncturist who specializes in digestive and asthma treatments. If things are so bad and you can afford it, it might be worth looking into. I don't imagine it could do any harm.

By the way, I'm still on the PPI's twice a day and following the anti-reflux diet. My surgeon told me I wouldn't have to worry about things after the surgery, but my GI doc wants me to stay on the treatment because I still have extra high level of acid in my stomach and he doesn't want there to be damage or for things to irritate the IBS more. I'm still having some occassional nausea, but Zofran has become my friend and takes care of it immediately.

Let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you. If anyone else can benefit from what I have learned, it makes me feel much better.

Take care,
Mountain Reader
 
Thanks for your information (again). Maybe I'm just wanting to hear from someone that has had some luck with this stuff! Did you find that your cough was caused by reflux or allergies? Did you have PND that made you cough? I used to have that kind of presure building up to my esphogus kind of cough and SOB but now it seems to go all the way up into my sinus. I think I'm so afraid that having the surgery won't make any difference for me or that the reason I'm having all these symptoms isn't even acid reflux. My barrium swallow was good this last time. I cancelled the 24 hr PH and scope but have had them so many times before that I thought if my barrium showed negative then the others would too. My last scope was good. Then, I go back to thinking maybe this knot or tissue I have in my throat has something to do with my symptoms and that it's not reflux related. I have been taking 2 OTC Prilosec twice a day since yesterday but I (or my husband) can't tell a bit of difference. I flat have not been able to do much of anything the whole weekend due to the feeling of PND in my throat causing me to cough so much I get SOB. Makes me have a very nervous/anxious feeling to the point I just sit down. I've even been taking all kinRAB of sinus meRAB to dry up the mucus feeling but nothing does it. Like right now while on the computer my sinus is clear as can be and I don't feel a thing, but once I get up, go put clothes in washer, go outside to cut the water off, I'll be sniffling and coughing, I'm sure. Just from picking up things, bending and lifting. I wouldn't mind taking the meRAB after surgery as long as they worked! I know that any tiny amt of acid that comes up can cause all these problems and it may not be enough to show on the test during that time, but without those I know I can't do anything. All of this coughing has got to be hard on my lungs without any asthma flares. I did have "some kind" of bad spell about a week ago, but think it was like an esphogus spasm or something. Felt like my throat was closing up and my neck was so tight it felt like someone was trying to choke me. Awful feeling!

Thanks for your input and for all your advice you give others. Maybe, like I said, I just want to hear from someone that can give some hope. LOL.

CharBerry
 
CharBerry,
I had a cough on and off for since the early 90's. I've averaged 4-6 sinus infections per year since then. Up until several years ago, I always attributed everything to my really bad allergies. My docs never suggested reflux. I'm not really sure how many years the cough could have been attributed to reflux. I know for the last 6 years.

I do have allergies that have influenced the chronic PND. Again, not sure how much was allergies and how much was reflux. I've been on Allergra, Singulair, Flonase and Astelin for about 6 years. (The Astelin since it came on Market.) I'm also 1 1/2 years into my second round of immunotherapy. I'm feeling some relief from this latest immunotherapy so my allergies currently aren't as bad as they have been in the past. I do constantly have some level of congestion though.

You might have some success with the pH test with the probe at the UES. I've read that often with LPR the regular probe can come back OK while the upper probe shows the reflux. Not sure how that works since I would think the acid hits the lower first, but then I'm not the scientist.

Give the PPI's longer to work. For me, it usually takes a minimum of 1-2 weeks to tell if something is going to help. Prilosec never worked for me. As I've said before the Prevacid in Solutab form helped me best.

How long has your latest coughing spell been? A couple years ago, I had a horrible coughing spell as I was coming down off a sinus infection. They tried different reflux and asthma meRAB with no result. Turned out I had picked up Pertussis as well.

Might be worth talking to your doc about trying some Albuterol, even without the asthma. The Albuterol helps open up the airways. With the reflux, it is irritating the lungs and the lungs are reacting simularly to having an asthma attack through the cough.

I wish I could give you some magic answer, but I never actually found one of those. Just a series of things for trial and error.

My thoughts are with you.

Mountain Reader
 
MR,

If I do have another PH I will be sure and ask for the upper probe as it probably makes a difference. Seems LPR has come a long way in the last few years and before they may have only done the lower probe.

I did use inhalers at one time but think some of them made me hoarse so haven't used in awhile. May try again? I know there's so many different ones. My pulmo said no to asthma but asthma/allergy spec said yes. I don't feel that I have the normal asthma attacks as some do but difently get SOB and feel like I'm going to choke. I did show some allergy to molRAB and sure there's plenty in the area where I live. I just can't tell any big difference at any times of the year? Seems I can get sick no matter what season? I've always been told that Prilosec OTC wouldn't help LPR but since I have been off all PPI's for awhile thought I might try it. I've been taking 2 OTC Prilosec in the morn and before dinner, swig Mylanta when needed (It will stop a coughing fit so must be reflux, right?) Taking Allegra, Nasacort, Astelin and even threw in a sudafed this morn. Hasn't been too bad of a day so far but of course, I'm at work and sitting still. Even with all this med today, I still am sniffling and feel the PND.

Thanks for all your help and please feel free to let me know of anything else you may suggest. My husband has been wanting me to make an appt with Baylor Medical Hospital in Dallas to see ENT Spec but I'm sure I would have to go thru all the rounRAB to get to the bottom of this and I'm flat tired of going to the Dr. period. Yet, I keep looking for answers and sure he's tired of listening to me cough my head off every weekend. He's not the only one!

CharBerry
 
Please address your questions to the HealtrabroadoarRAB merabership at large. We want to encourage all merabers to share their knowledge and experiences with each other.
 
Excuse me. Believe me, if anyone wants to pop in with suggestions they are more than welcome! I assumed we all were aware of that no matter who we were in discussion with that they were welcomed to comment. But, I guess some would not feel comfortable to address the question to a particular person. I apologize.

CharBerry
 
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