My biggest symptom of LPR is shortness of breath, which is vocal chord dysfunction. It really showed up first and my other LPR symptoms have showed up after and been mild if they have been there at all.
The shortness of breath is enough of a symptom. I hate it more than I can express and it's given me massive anxiety.
Anyone else? I've been to a speech therapist. I've been to the ENT, had the camera down the nose and confirm acid damage. I've changed my diet and feeling mostly better when I'm strict on it and I'm taking supplements but it's very restrictive (I have a lot of trigger foods) and I can't live like this. I really can't. I've only had this for 2 months.
Is this life long or can this be fixed?
Who told you it's vocal chord dysfunction? I have this concern but my ENT after checking it witht he camera said I have no problem, not even LPR. But I believe is related.
Hello Emily,
I have the same thing, I am breathless all the time, can hardly do anything, especially when i bend down.
I am struggling for breath most of the time, and fell that I cant do much at all now, so very depressing, and loss of quality of life, have no energy.
However I have had Gerd so bad, sometimes i lose my voice, and my throat vets so sore, but now am not eating past 6pm, and taking Cider Vinegar, Aloe Vera, and Chloropyl all seperately throughout the day and night, I think it is helping a little, although I have also been diagnosed with Emphysema, but I do feel better with the natural therapies I am now taking, you should try them too Emily.
Good Luck.
My asthma and allergy doctor (I don't have asthma. But at first that's what they thought). He suspected it so sent me to a speech therapist.
The only way you can be officially diagnosed with it is if they have the camera down your throat when you are having the breathing difficulty. Which I have not. My ENT did say he saw acid damage though.
Whatever the official diagnosis I know shortness of breath and lpr are related. If you have lpr, breathing exercises to treat the vcd won't really work 100% if the lpr is what is really causing it.
One thing that did help me when I'm having shortness of breath is gaviscon, have you tried that?
That sounds horrible. I am on some supplements that have helped, D-limenone, and 5 mg melatonin and tryptophan before bed. You can google those for more info.
Have you thought about having surgery?
Hi Emily,
Dont think they can do anything for the Emphysema, but I am improving with the 3 different natural remedies that is helping my Gerd, which is Aloe Vera, Chlorophyll, and honestly and Cider Vinegar, and not eating late at night and also taking Probiotic each day.
Thanks! Yes, in my case they said it was COPD, Asthma, reflux, gastritis and anxiety. After 3 years they said it was not related to any of the previous conditions and besides mild reflux plus now mild barrets I have no other problem . Before it was sometimes, now is all the time with chest pain. Not acid related pain, is more like I pull a chest muscle and it always hurt. Just got some blood test done which shows no inflammation, but does show high cortisol which could be high stress. I take anxiety medication (but I'm almost out, tapped down and I'm on my last 2-3 weeks) ;-) So anxiety medication did not help with symptoms (maybe 10%), but it did help me relax. In my case ENT did see irritation the first time, last 2 times nothing. So basically they disregarded LRP and vocal disfunction. I do have gluten sensitivity but grain free diet has not helped at all. I believe it might be another sensitivity with food, so I'm going all the way eliminating for 60 days all nuts, fruits, eggs, tomatoes, white potatoes and peppers. Thanks God, he always pick me up when I'm down.
Yes, I took gaviscon advance and did not help. I still have some just in case. Much better than taking PPI's. ;-) I do take sucrafate 2-3 times daily which is similar and good for barrets.
Hello Papote53,
I have just had another exray and they said Emphysema is showing up.
However I am so much better since I have been obtating from eating after 6pm at night, and taking Cider Vinegar with hone alternating with Chlorophyll, also Aloe Vera juice 4 times per day.
Hope you try this,.
Kind Regards,
Carmwoman
I was diagnosed with mild hyperinfladed lungs 3 years ago but after doing 2 COPD test and 4 anthma test they said I did not have COPD or asthma. I actually took medication for COPD (30 fays) and did not help. Now, I also have this chest pain all day long and for the last few months similar to inflammation pain. So if I do any exercise, even with 10 pounds next day my chest muscles will hurt more and rib-cage will hurt as well. Blood test shows no inflammation and xray showed again hyperinflated lungs with no obstructions so agai they disregarded any lung problem. My breathing problem increases when I talk, walk or even stand to long. I had this for like a year and the pain started 3 years ago. I did have anxiety but that is pretty much under control. I gues after 3 yarsof living like this your mind relaxes by itself. Now, stress is still a factor because my cortisol levels are high, which means stress is high. Going to see my urologist this Friday, hopefully he will give me some feedback on this. I have taken ACV and aloverajuice before, no side effects but did not help. I have not taken Chloropyl, so maybe I'll order some. How does Chloropyl help?
Forgot to mention, xray are not good for a COPD diagnosed. Actually, every time you do an xray for this purpose they ask you to breathe inn all you can and hold, that itself will reflect as hyperinflated lungs. That is why I had to see a Pulmo and they have done 2 COPD test with negative results. Allergist and primary did 4 more asthma test with same results. Have you seen a Pulmo? Not sure what would show on an xrayif you have Emphysema, but I guess it will show hyperinflatted lungs as well or would it show something else?
Hi Papote53,
Thankyou for that information, but it does say Moderate generalised centrilobular emphysema, is again demonstrated, most marked at the apices. There is a stable, 31 mm bullous centrally within the right lower lobe, on the ex ray report.
However since I have been refraining from eating after 6pm at night, taking Aloe Vera 4 times per day alternating with Chlorophyll, and also Apple cider Vinegar with a dash of magnesium and honey, my heartburn is so much better, think my breathing is also a little better.
I hope you will try my natural receipies too.
I would love the Ex Rays to be wrong about the Emphysema.
Take care and Good luck, I have been in misery gasping for breath for 4 years. but have a little bit of relief now, as i did have unbearable Gerd with it.
Good luck,
Hellow Emily I have had this burning throat now for years but what is worse is the breathlessness that is now destroying my life I can't do much or walk
far without having to sit down.
I hope someone can offer some help for us.
Hello Emily,
I have been to 4 Doctors, and had something down my throat twice, yet they can't find what is causeng my burning throat and chronic breathlessness, I get so depressed and feel very miserable, because I have trouble blowing much air through the Peak Flow, because I have got this painful mucus throat, and smoked many years the doctors think it's Emphysema, however I believe it is
LPR Reflux. I am the same as you Emily, and I have been like this for 4 years.
Hi Papote 53 -
I've been trying to catch up with you. I am about your age (just turned 50). I also live in Florida. Like you, I was always a very active person (biking, push, pull, chin-ups), until recently. My life was basically reduced to half of what I used to be able to do some months ago. A little background: I do have asthma, but has been well controlled until recently. I did smoke, but quit 20 years ago. I also recently gave up drinking and tobacco chewing. I have been in hospital several times in past 2 months for both breathing and gastro problems. Have had numerous tests done, including heart cath that apparently showed i have the heart of a 30 year old. GI tests showed mild chronic gastritis and duodentitis. Upon x-ray, lungs were found to be mildly hyperinflated. CT scan showed mildly diffuse bronchial thickening. I'm on asthma meds, acid reflux meds and have changed diet drastically - all to no avail. What is going on with us?
Hi Keith,
I replied to you on another forum but basically it was the same.
It's funny how I read your post and how many things we have in common;
1. In The 50th's
2. X-ray Hyperinflated lungs (3 times) but clear on CT. (3 times)
3. Active before this all started
4. Live in Florida
5. Chronic Mild Gastritis
6. Stopped smoking 20 years ago
Recently added mild Barretts, not taking PPI's because I have low acid results from Heidelberg reflux test. I believe bile is part of the problem because I got Barretts and moderate gastritis after gallbladder removal.
I believe I have 2 problems. Reflux creating the breathing problem including nasal area (silent reflux), chest pain, sometimes rib-cage pain reflux or nerve issue. GI believe is nerve issue so he suggested anti-depressant for chest pain. Not taking any medication at the present, but 3 years ago I was taking 9 pills for 7 conditions but they did nothing to alleviate chest pain and lack of air so by eating healthy I took care of that. Yes, All Doc's said that was impossible until they saw it. Sure, look int my file and you will not read eating healthy took care of 9 pills. ;-))))
Took care of the 9 pills. not the chest pain or breathing problems. ;-((((
Hello again -
So, have you found any improvement from dietary changes? I have not yet. Also, have you read the post by the guy who suggests drinking carbonated water and holding burp in for 5 minutes, doing this 4 times a day, eventually working to 20 minutes, all to hopefully strengthen LES (lower esophageal sphincter). Never tried it. Have you? Also, I still think you might be on to something with low stomach acid treatment. Lets keep on this and in touch. We need to figure this out. If it wasnt for this condition, sounds like we both still have a lot of life left in us! Like I said, I am so very tired of steroids, inhalers and acid reducing drugs. Because they are doing nothing!
No, never read about that but will like to check it out. I did take care of the symptoms I had from other conditions like HBP, Cholesterol, Anxiety, nerve damage and sinus but the chest and lack of air is not getting better.
I did eliminate Diazepam 4 1/2 months ago which I took for 2 1/2 years and they say it will keep the sphincter open. I also plan to ask my primary to give me Baclofen which is a muscle relaxer but helps close the valve.
Yes, I have 4 kids and 1 of them is just 8 and I feel like I'm failing him because I was all into sports and now I'm all into this, completely inactive. ;-(
We will find an answer, we just need to stick together and take the chance to find an answer. ;-)
Like like Baseball Keith?
I know its hard with kids. I feel even worse for you with little ones. My son is 18 and graduating high school this year. I had to miss 2 of his travel basketball tournaments because of this. Im not a big proponent of pills, but I could see why someone in our condition would be on anxiety meds as I would lik e to be now. I was really hoping my condition would get better with dietary/lifestyle changes, but youre living proof thats not necessarily the case. I would still be interested in the low acid thing though. How do you think you wound up with gastritis? I did have H. pylori back about 4 years ago, but it was eradicated with antibiotics. Ofcourse, I should have at the time stopped my daily beer drinking and tobacco chewing, but did not. Hence, probably have had a mild form of it ever since. I dont know, maybe some more time away from those evils will heal my gut. I do know that gastritis in and of itself causes many people breathing problems. And yes, I love baseball....big Rays fan. Tried to get my son to play, but he took up basketball instead.....the one sport I never played....lol. I cant believe its up to people like us that suffer like this to figure out our own answers
Yes, big fan of baseball and basketball, not to much into football. But, Yankee fan all the way. Do like the rays and I have been to some games, Love the park!
I did have mild inactive gastritis for many years, after they removed the gallbladder about 1 year after I did my 5th endoscope and there it was; moderate gastritis and Barretts. I'm a member of a Barretts facebook group and just about everyone without a gallbladder had this problem and bile appear to be the problem. I did come out positive twice to SIBO, but not to H. pylori. In my case SIBO ould be the reason for reflux, which my GI never took care of it because he did not believe I had SIBO even with the 2 positive test results. He did give me antibiotics for 10 days and it did not help.
The funny thing is that I retired from the military after serving 21 years and I get no disability benefits. All my friends retired and got 100% disability and they send me pics having a great time all around the world and here I am with no benefits and stock here. ;-( You gotta love the system! ;-) Going back to VA tomorrow, but this time with my no friend Lawyer face. jejeje