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I was diagnosed in the Spring with LPRD after I had a feeling of a ball in the back of my throat. While I have always had a bit of reflux I believe the Gerd turned to LPRD after I ate way too many 3 hr mints on a long car drive causing the throat sphinchters lose the ability to do their job properly. Ent recommended Nexium but I really didn't like what i read about the effects of ppi's, and I am breastfeeding so my PCP suggested Pepcid AC. Even of the pepcid AC I was having side effects that were making me miserable so I went off of the pepcid and shortly after the side effects and the globular feeling in throat subsided. A few months later the burning deep in my throat, post nasal drip and asthma symptoms started up. I suspected a food allergy in the mix, so I went to an allergist and was able to rule out food allergies. The allergist suggested Prevacid for three weeks to see if it helps because he really thinks its the LPRD that is aggravating my throat. So here I am back at square 1 being told to take a PPI. I am so scared that if I go this route I am going to end up having the acid rebound when i go off of it and have to be on the PPi for life. I have had suggestions such as Probiotics, Digestive Enzymes, Licorice etc...just wondering if any of this has worked for anyone??? I would hope to take all natural routes before resorting to the ppi. Thanks for any feedback! (background: I also have kidney stones)
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Hi Lucy,
August 8, 2011 - 4:48pmUnfortunately, cerebral palsy increases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux. I believe the medication that you are referring to is Nexium. Nexium belongs to the class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. It works by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach. It is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and possible injury of the esophagus (the tube between the throat and stomach. I spoke with my husband and asked him what he would advise if you were his patient. He recommends trying a proton pump inhibitor. I do hope that we have been of some help.
Maryann
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Hi Lucy,
August 4, 2011 - 5:31pmMy husband is a gastroenterologist and with his aid I will explain these 2 test to you.
pH capsule monitoring study: A small device about 3/4 inch long is attached to the wall of the esophagus. It is inserted under endoscopic guidance. You will be sedated and the endoscope will be inserted in your mouth and guided into the esophagus. The capsule will send electronic messages to a recording device worn in a belt. You will wear this belt for 24 hours. The next day the readings from the recording device will be read by your gastroenterologist. The capsule device will detach from the esophagus wall, pass through your digestive tract and be eliminated in your stool.
Esophageal manometry: A small tube about the width of a strain of thick spaghetti is inserted through your nose and passed into the stomach. There is no sedation for this study. The tube measures the pressure in different portions of the esophagus. It can measure the muscle function within the esophagus. The tube is slowly withdrawn and as it is removed you will be asked to take small amounts of water. This test takes about 20 minutes.
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Hi Maryann,
my thanks to you and your husband. I was actually offered these tests but as I gag over food the idea of someone putting a tube down my throat, being in hospital in general, unless I really have to fills me with horror! That's why I was looking for natural remedies/tablets that may just work before I put myself through the ordeal of the above. Like I said I'm a wimp, hate hospitals. Would you mind asking your husband if he has any ideas of things I could try/request? I read a post about something called nexim which apparently helped someone who gagged over everything, even water. My doctor didn't have a clue what I was on about and the speech therapist turned her nose up. I do wonder what people would be willing to let me try if CP wasn't a factor.
Thanks again for taking the time to try and help.
Lucy
August 6, 2011 - 5:50amThis Comment
Hi Lucy,
July 13, 2011 - 6:02pmYou might want to ask if a pH capsule monitoring study can be done. This test will determine if your symptoms are actually the result of reflux. If the cause is not reflux, esophageal manometry can be done to determine if there is a muscle problem in the upper esophageal sphincter. I hope that this information is helpful. Call your doctor and ask about these tests.
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Hi Maryann,
Thanks for your reply, are you a doctor? If so can you explain what these tests involve, bit of a wimp and I want to know what I'm requesting.
Best wishes,
Lucy
August 4, 2011 - 4:52amThis Comment
Hi rrupp76,
Let's see if we can help! Here are a few suggestions when you think about using alternative medicine:
1. Most important: lifestyle changes for prevention. There will not be any prescription or other "natural" remedy that works if you are consuming foods that are triggers for you (chocolate, mints, caffeine, alcohol), if you are overweight, not exercising, smoking, drinking alcohol. If you want to avoid PPIs, you would need to make sure your other behavior choices are at their best so that any other treatment option works at its best. (I know....this list is no fun!!) Here are some tips:
- NY Medical Center: reflux
- UT Health System: reflux
2. Alternative Medicine options: http://www.livestrong.com/article/21637-acid-reflux-alternative-medicine-treatments/. Please know these are suggestions, and you must talk with your doctor about these treatments before taking them, as they could exacerbate other conditions you may have. Remember: just because it is "natural" does not mean it is "good" for you. Anything strong enough to help you is also strong enough to potentially cause harm. Please know none of these have been proven effective in clinical trials for the treatment of reflux. Talking with a Pharmacist would also help make sure you have no unsafe drug interactions if you choose to try some herbal remedies.
3. Prescription medicines: You may choose this route on a temporary basis, along with lifestyle changes, and you can gradually be weened off of this medication. Talk with your doctor about the possibility of a PPI for 6 months to see if that would work to help reduce inflammation and promote healing. "Most patients will require a prescription medication, at least temporarily. Typically, you will be treated with medication for a period of 6 months. If you recover at that point, you will be taken off medications. However, some patients suffer a relapse, and may need long-term therapy."
September 16, 2010 - 1:57pmThis Comment
hi, hoping someone will read this as I know it was posted awhile ago. I too have the ball in the throat thing which is especially bad first thing in the morning and means I gag a lot. It also affects how I eat and means that I gag at least once during a meal. I went to my doctor who tried me on a ppi but when that didn't work she said there wasn't any point trying others. I have Cerebral Palsy but having been to an ent I know that while my CP makes my throat worse it is not the course.
I would be grateful to get opinions on what may help and if it's worth nagging my doctor yet again to try other PPI's. I live in the UK.
Thanks.
Lucy
July 13, 2011 - 12:51pmThis Comment