[Consider]

I was checked out by my ENT today who said I have LPR which is acid backup coming into the throat from reflux. He referred me to a gastro surgeon where I will be getting checked out for a hernia and possibly surgery. LPR is causing me to have allergy and asthma like symptoms, according to him. Nose burning is common with this condition and so is ear pressure/popping plus "sinus headache". I always seem to have mucus and post nasal drip in the back of my throat even before the injury, and just started having nausea again. My Occipital Neuralgia has gone away since I have treated the allergy and asthma symptoms. I am now on a PPI called Nexium. My doctor has ordered my psych to do away with the Paxil and up the Remeron to keep the headaches down and nausea. I just want to cry I guess cause I am happy but sad cause the nightmare isn't over yet. It's 3-4 months to heal while staying on a liquid diet. Which means more time off school. My heart is breaking now. I was just getting better and now this comes along.

[Concussion]

Sadly, LPR, and GERD, can all be problems evolving from use of our antidepressants. Gastritis and other GI problems can be infrequent side effects from these medications.

They can also be caused by smoking, overeating, overweight, inactivity, and overindulgence of alcohol.

Best wishes on the follow-up with the Gastroenterologist, and the withdrawal from Cymbalta. I hope all goes well, with your Psych follow-up in finding a new balance also.

[Mokey]

I was diagnosed with GERD two years ago and after two years of Nexium, saw no difference. I weaned off it (over a month) because it is not good for you long term and can prevent your body from absorbing lots of things you need for brain injury recovery, such as magnesium and other minerals. There is lots of info on line about alternatives....i stopped eating after supper to ensure i had less esophagal burning at night, etc. having said that, these conditions need to be taken seriously, so if it works for you, good to take it. Just be aware that you may need to figure out some other supplements. It also can precipitate oseoporosis, etc. as if we need that on top of dealing with a brain injury!!! Good luck!

[whatsnew2day]

I was recently diagnosed with LPR, too. What a shock! I mourned for two days over having to give up many of the foods I loved. Now I have been on Prilosec PPI for six months and am doing great. I thought I had celiac disease for over 30 years but come to find out, the pain was from IBS. Good to be able to be able to eat bread again! So there's the tradeoff. No more chili peppers BUT bread instead.

[ginnie]

Good idea to get to that gastro doctor. Treated now can save trouble down the line. I failed to do that and have barretts esophagus. It is different than your condition, but along the same line, with acid that came back up into the throat. Hope you have a great doctor and a speedy recovery. ginnie

[Mark in Idaho]

I have never heard the term LPR. I was diagnosed with it by my ENT. He actually scoped my sinuses and throat and saw the irritation. After trying acid-reducers and other GERD treatments, I notice I have these acid refux events after drinking milk. I changed to lactose free milk and solved the problem. Now, I drink whole milk, lactose included but I only drink NON-homogenized milk. My system hands the lactose better when it has not been homogenized. Homogenization breaks the fat globules into very small particles that are not processed properly by the digestive tract.

I also know I need to take care of a recurring hiatal hernia. FYI, A hiatal hernia is when the top of the stomach gets pushed up through the opening in the diaphragm wall where the esophagus goes through. I get it from strenuous effort working or sometimes strenuous effort on the toilet. There is a heal drop technique that will help correct a mild hiatal hernia. You rise up on your tip toes then drop to your heals with knees locked. The vertical jolt can cause the herniated part of the stomach to drop back below the diaphragm wall. I can feel the knot in my chest reduce after this.

I have an upper back and lower neck injury that can cause my large intestine to slow down. This causes a clogging that can lead to straining that leads to the hiatal hernia. A head and neck injury can impact many other body systems. Understanding how our bodies work can be a big help to helping ourselves.

[ninelives]

Hi Consider, sorry to hear about your problem. At least they can sort it out for you and once it is healed you will be fine. Just bad timing eh ?

Ginni, I had an endoscopy this week as had bad indigestion a while back.
Don't normally suffer with this . They say I may have Barrett esophogus, but I will have to wait for the test results . I was quite surprised as I don't normally suffer with reflux, also am not on any antidepressant either. So was wondering what may be the cause.
Did you have symptoms in particular ?
How long have you had it ?
Since my injury, one year ago my tummy has been in knots, you k ow that horrible gut feeling that you get, anxiety I guess, could this contribute to it I wonder.

Hope you Ll having a good day

Carole x

[ginnie]

Boy I wish we all had nine lives! My gastro doc. said my barretts esophagus was because I didn't treat for Gerds, and suffered from it a long time. I had no insurance, also had gang green in my gallbladder because I failed to go into the hospital and doctor. People who arn't allowed insurance don't always take care of themselves.( I had pre existing conditions) The barretts means that there are DNA changes in the throat. I also have a hernia. I actually thought this was all due to me having spinal fusions through the throat area( anterior) I have now been in treatment for three years. Hernia is gone, can swallow pills again, and food. For awhile swallowing was a real issue. Barretts shows up with like an extra flap of skin in the throat, and is usually quite visable after endoscopy. I take a good proton pump inhibitor called delaxant. Was on heavy doses for about a year. Now I only take it occassionally. I have had endoscopy every six months. This is about all they can do for it. I was pretty upset over it to begin with, but now that I am better and in regular checkups, OK. I hope you do not present with this, Gerds is bad enough. I had swallowing issues, and the heartburn sensations when I presented. I sure wish you all the best. Just get the care you need. ginnie

[Concussion]

Barrett's Esophagus

I wish you well.

Sad, our needed medications and predicaments place us in these situations.

Gastroenterologists have been able to help many with this problem.

Best Wishes................

[ninelives]

Thank you both for your replys.
Gosh Ginnie you have had a real. BAd time of it.but sounds like they have you monitored well, which is a good thing.
My symptoms are nothing like yours at all, which is why I was surprised about it.
Just an occastional indigestion .
They said the cells at the bottom of my esophogus are slightly changed, they are just guessing Barrett esophogus . Have to wait for results.
In England I guess we are lucky to have the NHS .

Will let you know how it goes.
Thank you and best wishes to you.
And to you Concussion xx