Also nothing to do with gardening!
Nanny Beach
Posts: 8,719
Anyone out there suffered (or suffering) from "silent reflux". Did the low acid diet, with no booze, caffine, had PPIs, which didnt help this time, normally they kick in after a week or so.Following Johnathon Aviv,s basically PH of around5 diet, but very fed up. Not overwieght, never smoked, no alcohol. Saw help on the British Voice councils site.All the things am doing already, plus, dont whisper,sing or shout. Bicarbonate toothpaste (already use it)bircarbonate chewing gum, trawled the net, only found whitening gum which contains bicarb BUT also mint which is a big no-no, or cinamon gum, which folk with out SR said burnt their mouths and throat, so not trying that. Before anyone akss yes, been back to GP, had loads of bloods tests, (all normal) waiting for her to seek further help.
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Sounds very uncomfortable - only thing that springs to mind is possibly an ulcer as the underlying cause.
Wish you better
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Gaviscon Advance, with a high level of alginate, taken last thing before bed, will create a physical barrier in your stomach, a raft, to keep the acid in. That is what the ENT/hospital trust who specialises in acid reflux recommends. I don't know if you can get it from your GP. What I see in the supermarkets/chemists is Gaviscon Double Action, which works but doesn't have as high a level of alginate in it. The liquid stuff, which is apparently pretty icky, will also leave a protective barrier on your throat tissues until you drink something. http://www.dbh.nhs.uk/Library/Patient_Information_Leaflets/WPR26112%20Silent%20Reflux%20update.pdf
I once went to a conference put on by the people who have the above leaflet (Doncaster and Bassetlaw) and they have a dedicated team. .
Of course you will need to check with pharmacists to see if this is safe with any of your other medications. (I am not a doctor so PLEASE don't take anything without checking with a doctor or pharmacist, even if it's non-prescription)
You probably already know about elevating your mattress....be certain you aren't just propping up your head. You need to elevate from the waist up about 30 degrees. You can put something under the feet of your bed or buy special cushions or put something under your mattress. If you just prop up your head/shoulders, it won't work and may make it worse.
Lots of GPs don't know a lot about this and don't take it very seriously. You may need to keep pushing. It's worth it.
.Also.. PPIs can take 2-4 weeks to work and sometimes doctors need to consider higher doses or giving twice daily--but these have risks as well, as I'm sure you know.
Thanks Watery,I have had this type of reflux, but "silent reflux" isnt stomach acid coming up, its pepsin(digestive enzyme) comes up and stays in your throat, therefore, anything you eat with a PH of less than 5 actives it, and you get "throat burn" problems with throat,sinuses and even ears.Babies get it but outgrow it pretty quickly. When I had the "normal" reflux, bought special V pillow, it still didnt work ended up sitting bolt upright on the sofa all night. Cant raise the head of the bed, its a lightweight divan with drawers underneath.Pete8 its agony like having the worst sore throat ever! You get loads of other symptoms as well. It was my previous GP who said it was "silent reflux" after I went along with a sore throat and cough of 3 weeks standing. Up till now have had one episode a year, and always been fine afterwards.
Hello pansyface, unfortunately it is quite common, causes sore throat, loss of voice,post nasal drip, cough, feeling of lump in throat, throat clearing, but lots of people go through Drs, ENT consultants, allergy consultants,not sure what the problem is. I originally went to a previous GP with really sore throat,cough, and he said it was silent reflux. Course people tend to think (when I tell them I can only eat and drink certain things) its not serious, but stomach acid and enzymes are only meant to be in your gut, your oesophagus will eventually cope by producing extra cells, and you get Barratts which is pre-cancerous change, then 5-10% will go on to get cancer of the oesophagus, cancers of the throat,mouth. Some people have symptoms for 10-20 years, before seeking help and then it is usually too late.Note for Watery, looked up the site, got Gaviscon Advance,attemped to sleep with my V pillow,and things not so bad this mornal, started chewing fruit chewing gum. You know when someone has got it (if you have it yourself) they keep clearing their throat, because of the mucus It killed my late Father, BUT he was a chain smoker.
Tried the site pansyface, plenty about acid reflux, but nothing about "silent", did the join up thing then it said I had to have a certificate from my GP surgery?? If you have a relative with it, you are more likely.