I wonder if someone here has some insights or opinions.
I will make it short and concise: about 16 months I woke up coughing and choking. I went to an ENT doctor. Because I had so many problems breathing, we thought it could come from my deviated septum. So I had the deviated septum surgery performed. And I could breathe. But I was still having phlegm and mucous going down my throat. At the same time, I had no heartburn.
After a few months my ENT doctor recommended me to an allergist. She did all the tests but could not find anything. She then diagnosed me with gerd. I was then sent to a GI doctor.
The GI doctor ran the barium swallow, which came back negative to great amounts of reflux. He did the motility test and also the 48 ph Bravo. The 48 Bravo came back quite positive for GERD. I was then put on the usual: nexium, prevacid, tagamant, etc. Nothing seemed to work. I also went to see another ENT doctor who diagnosed me with GERD. Through this the entire time I kept clearing my throat 5000 times an hour, but without any heartburn or chest pain.
Finally, it was decided that I should go for a Nissen. Iwas sent to Mt. Sinai and a date was set up for the surgery. The night before surgery the surgeon called me and said he would not go through with the surgery because a 24 hour probe was not performed. Although the official diagnosis was LPR, he could not see anything for this on the test results. The surgery was canceled and I went for the 24 hour probe which came back negative. The surgeon canceled the surgery a second time and I was sent to yet another ENT doctor.
The new ENT doctor performed a thorough examination and said he could not see any acid in my esophagus. He then prescribed neurotin, which I have been on for five days. I am still clearing my throat constantly and have phlegm and mucous.
Has anyone else had an experience like this. Has neurontin helped. If so, how long did it take to kick in? If so, could you let me know how you proceeded with your life.
I've never had the tests you've described; I was diagnosed mainly on symptoms and also had a scope performed a few years ago to verify.
Is phlegm and mucus, along with having to clear your throat, your major symptoms? I'm curious why your doctor prescribed Neurontin. It's mainly used to control pain (shingles) and seizures.
I'm sorry I can't be more help, as I've never taken that medicine. Please let us know how you're doing, and I hope you feel better soon!
I recently have had similar symptoms. Mine started out with a lump in my throat sensation all the time and continuously got worse last year in August. I was referred to an ENT specialist and he put me on numerous PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) to no avail. Nothing helped, Prevacid, Protonix, Nexium, even doubled them up. He said I scored a 6 out of an 8 on the scale of my throat and arytenoids being severely irritated. I was on this medication for 6 months. During this time, I went to a surgeon to try to figure something else out thinking there maybe further problems. He did numerous tests, scopes, mannometry tests (NEVER DO THIS TEST - I had a newbie perform which did not help!!!) It was absolutely awful!! I did the Bravo pH placement test, this was positive. I had 3 scopes with biopsies. I had a barium swallow which showed I had a horrible hiatal hernia. (hence why I had the lump in my throat). So, he recommended the Nissen fundoplication surgery. I also had chronic symptoms of constant throat clearing, sinus drainage and NO chest pain or heartburn EVER! I have since had the operation and it has seemed to have helped to a certain point, I have yet to cough or clear my throat, my sinus drainage is virtually gone! I am waiting for my throat irritation to go away but I think that may take some time because the damage was pretty severe from the acid reflux. My lump is gone! For that I am truly grateful! I had a full wrap done and I am little scared about never being able to vomit again. That has me a little worked up. I hope you can find some relief somewhere but I would certainly look into the surgery because it sounds like you may need it?!? It has certainly helped me. Good luck to you!!
Am glad to hear you say NO to the mannometry test. My doc recommended it and when I asked the nurse what it was she said she didn't know. (Sure!). So I called the outpatient place and they described it to me. I knew I could never do it. ( I suffer from panic and anxiety.) Anyhow, I didn't have it done and so far have lived without it. I switched docs. I hate it when docs won't listen.
To the original poster:
I hope you find some answers and relief. Many hugs to you.:)
Yes, if you suffer from panic ad anxiety HEAVEN FORBID you having that test done!! You would have been grief stricken forever!!! I hope you find relief in whatever your problem is also!!
Is there anyone out there who can tell me of a success story with the Nissen surgery?? Please, I'm desperate to make a decision. I've been to ENT, GI, surgeon.....all 3 say that I have LPR and if I don't have the surgery I will get cancer of the vocal cords and esophagus. (I'm already a cancer survivor and don't want to fight it again!!!) Went to MUSC in Charleston and the ENT and GI doctors say that upon reading my tests from home, they can't say that I have LPR and therefore, the surgery wouldn't help me. I, like all of you, have severe hoarseness, burning throat, lump in throat, clearing throat constantly, severely inflammed vocal cords and esophagus. The ENT inCharleston wants to do his own tests to see what they say. Then he can determine if I really have LPR. My cancer doctor says I can't be in limbo and have to move on this fast!!! The doctors tell me I have a disagreement among doctors and that there is no good solution for my condition. I will welcome any and all comments. I just don't know what to do now. I've heard so many bad things about that surgery and how it alters your life forever. I need to talk to someone who had it and is doing well from having it. Thanks a million!!!
I too have LPR because of all the symptoms. I finally went to the GI doc and I have to make an appt for an Endo.....I have anxiety so I am kindda worried. I've never had anything done to me before. Anyway, she said she'll decide if surgery is needed, and said MOST of the time, people don't need surgery. She just wants to check if the acid has done any damage to my throat. I'm on Prilosec.
Though, ,I haven't ever choked like you or woke up in the middle of the night like that. My upper throat, near the passage to my nose seems like its enflamed but then it goes away eventually. I don't know if that's a symptom or it's allergy from my new cat or from my Sinus problem.
Bo Peep, I read for hours the thread you sent me the link to. It sounds as if most of you are having more problems after having the surgery. What did you personally do? Did you go ahead with the surgery (I had to get off the computer since it ties up the phone, before I finished reading). If you had the surgery, what are your thoughts now and how are you doing?? I've had aprox. 26 sugeries and don't want another one.....especially one like this that alters your life forever. But, then again, I definitely don't want to just do nothing and get cancer again. Anybody have any advice for me??? Three doctors say if I don't have the surgery, I'll get cancer. Two doctors say I don't have LPR and the surgery won't help me. I continue to be hoarse for the 5th year. I'm a singer in a show chorus and my voice is getting worse and shaky. I fear I may have to quit singing altogether. Singing is my passion. Thanks for the link. I think I found the right place to come for suggestions and help. I think it's amazing how willing everyone is to help one another. Thanks for any advice from anyone!!!! Lee
Hi NLimbo! Well don't get too discouraged. Most of the people who posted in the beginning don't come on here much now so I am taking that as a sign that they are well and too busy living life to the full to keep checking back! I am 5 weeks post op and taking a while to recover but the last couple of days have been better! Things are going down more easily and I am pleased. I am seeing my surgeon on Thursday and he may do a barium swallow which will show if there are any hold ups on the way down into my stomach. But as it is easing I am feeling more positive about it! I think maybe it is just a lot of swelling and my throat was so affected that it will take some time to heal. Having this surgery maskes you appreciate your food more and in the long term I think most people get back to a more or less normal diet (maybe not such large portions).
I was top soprano in a choir a few years back and just before the surgery I started to lose my voice so much I couldn't sing properly. It was horrid and embarrassing when it first started happening! Now it is gradually getting better. I love to sing!
If you don't mind me asking, were the previous surgeries unrelated then?
Bo Beep. Hi. I'm on my way to the Nissen procedure because of throat problems and acid all the time. I understand about singing; I can't carry a tune right now and have a range of about two notes. I hate not being able to sing. I used to be a nice dark deep contralto now I'm a one note nobody.
For that I am truly grateful! I had a full wrap done and I am little scared about never being able to vomit again. That has me a little worked up. I hope you can find some relief somewhere but I would certainly look into the surgery because it sounds like you may need it?!? It has certainly helped me. Good luck to you!! 