"silent reflux" in an adult

[Anonymous]

I have been getting treated for "silent reflux" for the past few years by an ENT. (Laryngopharyngeal reflux is the actual name.) I'm not too impressed by his management of the problem, and despite various medication combinations, it's not getting better. (Chronic sore throat is my only symptom.) I'm debating whether to try another ENT (who is highly recommended by a friend who also has this diagnosis) or a gastroenterologist. Does anyone have experience with this problem and a recommendation for which type of doctor makes more sense? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Has your doctor performed an EGD with Bravo to determine how much acid you have that is realizing? The EGD will also determine what kind of damage it is causing. If your doctor has not done that, then make it is time for another doctor.

[Anonymous]

You need an endoscopy to see if there's anything else going on in the GI system so you should see a gastroenterologist for that.

[Anonymous]

Well, I saw an ENT for recurring sinusitis, and because of the fact that I apparently have bacteria in my nasal passages associated with reflux (despite not having symptoms) he sent me to a gastro for the reflux.

[Anonymous]

1) have you seen a gastro doctor?

2) how has your ENT been treating the reflux?

3) have you had a Upper Endoscopy so that the docs can get a clear look at what is going on?

4) have you altered your diet at all(avoiding spicy foods, soda, caffeine?)

5) are you under a lot of stress (sometimes you don't realize it -- but anxiety, stress, worry can aggravate your reflux)

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks, all, for your replies.
14:00:
1) no, haven't seeen a gastro yet, but thinking that is the next step. Have only seen my primary care doc and an ENT
2) ENT has put me on various meds-- initially OTC Prilosec, then prescription Prilosec, then Nexium, and finally upped the Nexium to twice daily. I have episodes of the sore throat/reflux a few times a year and in the past, the Nexium has done the trick, but this past time it isn't really helping and it's been more than two months.
3) I think what I had was an upper endoscopy but am not sure. Scope through my nose into the back of my throat.
4) yes, have altered diet, though I'm far from perfect. No more caffeine, little to no alcohol, avoiding citrus and tomatoes and fatty foods, not eating within three hours of dinner. The dietary changes really stink.
5) not a lot of stress, no more than normal for me and a lot less than many moms

Thanks! Got the name of a good gastro today and will make an appointment to see what he thinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks, all, for your replies.
14:00:
1) no, haven't seeen a gastro yet, but thinking that is the next step. Have only seen my primary care doc and an ENT
2) ENT has put me on various meds-- initially OTC Prilosec, then prescription Prilosec, then Nexium, and finally upped the Nexium to twice daily. I have episodes of the sore throat/reflux a few times a year and in the past, the Nexium has done the trick, but this past time it isn't really helping and it's been more than two months.
3) I think what I had was an upper endoscopy but am not sure. Scope through my nose into the back of my throat.
4) yes, have altered diet, though I'm far from perfect. No more caffeine, little to no alcohol, avoiding citrus and tomatoes and fatty foods, not eating within three hours of dinner. The dietary changes really stink.
5) not a lot of stress, no more than normal for me and a lot less than many moms

Thanks! Got the name of a good gastro today and will make an appointment to see what he thinks.

14:00 here -- good luck
I don't think you had an upper endoscopy.Upper endoscopy is through the throught and requires anesthesia (I got propofyl - sp?)
That is really where you need to start.
By the way, when I had a serious continuous 3 month bout -- my gastro doctor put me on prescrption prilosec 2 x a day. Was on it for about 2-3 months -- time it took to sked my endoscopy. By the time i had the endoscopy, i was feeling a lot better. If it really is reflux and you have a big acid build up, it really takes time to get the acid significantly reduced. Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks, all, for your replies.
14:00:
1) no, haven't seeen a gastro yet, but thinking that is the next step. Have only seen my primary care doc and an ENT
2) ENT has put me on various meds-- initially OTC Prilosec, then prescription Prilosec, then Nexium, and finally upped the Nexium to twice daily. I have episodes of the sore throat/reflux a few times a year and in the past, the Nexium has done the trick, but this past time it isn't really helping and it's been more than two months.
3) I think what I had was an upper endoscopy but am not sure. Scope through my nose into the back of my throat.
4) yes, have altered diet, though I'm far from perfect. No more caffeine, little to no alcohol, avoiding citrus and tomatoes and fatty foods, not eating within three hours of dinner. The dietary changes really stink.
5) not a lot of stress, no more than normal for me and a lot less than many moms

Thanks! Got the name of a good gastro today and will make an appointment to see what he thinks.

14:00 here -- good luck
I don't think you had an upper endoscopy.Upper endoscopy is through the throught and requires anesthesia (I got propofyl - sp?)
That is really where you need to start.
By the way, when I had a serious continuous 3 month bout -- my gastro doctor put me on prescrption prilosec 2 x a day. Was on it for about 2-3 months -- time it took to sked my endoscopy. By the time i had the endoscopy, i was feeling a lot better. If it really is reflux and you have a big acid build up, it really takes time to get the acid significantly reduced. Best of luck!

OOPS -- mean to say upper endoscopy is down your THROAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks, all, for your replies.
14:00:
1) no, haven't seeen a gastro yet, but thinking that is the next step. Have only seen my primary care doc and an ENT
2) ENT has put me on various meds-- initially OTC Prilosec, then prescription Prilosec, then Nexium, and finally upped the Nexium to twice daily. I have episodes of the sore throat/reflux a few times a year and in the past, the Nexium has done the trick, but this past time it isn't really helping and it's been more than two months.
3) I think what I had was an upper endoscopy but am not sure. Scope through my nose into the back of my throat.
4) yes, have altered diet, though I'm far from perfect. No more caffeine, little to no alcohol, avoiding citrus and tomatoes and fatty foods, not eating within three hours of dinner. The dietary changes really stink.
5) not a lot of stress, no more than normal for me and a lot less than many moms

Thanks! Got the name of a good gastro today and will make an appointment to see what he thinks.

That was just a look at your throat. I agree that you should see a GI doctor to get at the underlying cause, possibly by upper endoscopy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks, all, for your replies.
14:00:
1) no, haven't seeen a gastro yet, but thinking that is the next step. Have only seen my primary care doc and an ENT
2) ENT has put me on various meds-- initially OTC Prilosec, then prescription Prilosec, then Nexium, and finally upped the Nexium to twice daily. I have episodes of the sore throat/reflux a few times a year and in the past, the Nexium has done the trick, but this past time it isn't really helping and it's been more than two months.
3) I think what I had was an upper endoscopy but am not sure. Scope through my nose into the back of my throat.
4) yes, have altered diet, though I'm far from perfect. No more caffeine, little to no alcohol, avoiding citrus and tomatoes and fatty foods, not eating within three hours of dinner. The dietary changes really stink.
5) not a lot of stress, no more than normal for me and a lot less than many moms

Thanks! Got the name of a good gastro today and will make an appointment to see what he thinks.

Try to get a referral to a gastroenterologist for an EGD w/ Bravo. The EGD (scope) will be able to tell what kind of damage you have as a result of reflux. The Bravo will be able to detect any acids over a 48 hour period. I have a chronic cough that I had attributed to "silent" reflux (I coughed uncontrollably any time I reclined.) I recently had the EGD w/ Bravo and learned that I do NOT have any high occurrences of reflux. While I'm disappointed that I don't have an answer for my cough, I'm happy it's not reflux - bad reflux can damage your esophagus and lead to a higher incidence of esophageal cancer. I am now back to square one with my cough, which is probably a combination of allergies and sinus drainage. Good luck to you!