Reflux/LPR

[asm44]

Hi Mark,

I know this is not a medical form, but I've seen you weigh in on reflux a few times over the years and wanted to get your opinion. I have laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) -- i.e. acid and pepsin is chronically irritating my throat but I don't have standard reflux symptoms like heartburn or indigestion. This has been going on for years. I've had an endoscopy and have been prescribed PPIs in the past, but I don't take them because they don't seem to provide any relief and because of the side effects. I've done some reading, and have read that it can take 6 weeks for LPR to show any signs of improvements taking high doses of PPIs. I have also read your advice regarding reflux and vitamin C. I would much prefer to try taking the vitamin C long term, before the PPIs. Do you have any thoughts/suggestions? My plan is 2000mg Vit C before bed each night.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I have no experience with this version of the problem. Are you taking Cialis or Viagra?

[asm44]

Are you taking Cialis or Viagra?

Nope.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Get checked for Barrett's esophagitis. That's already been suggested, I'm sure. But the acid is not being produced in your esophagus, so it's still GERD. Vitamin C may not work. Why have you not already tried it?

[asm44]

Get checked for Barrett's esophagitis. That's already been suggested, I'm sure. But the acid is not being produced in your esophagus, so it's still GERD. Vitamin C may not work. Why have you not already tried it?

Yeah, an endoscopy a few years ago revealed minor Barret's. I'll do another endoscopy sometime soon. I did try the Vitamin C for a week or two, but I you wrote that you experienced immediate relief, so I thought it wasn't working. I'll try it longer this time.

Any other suggestion given the Barret's diagnosis? I'm only 29 and this has been going on for 8 years.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Do another endoscopy immediately.

[Magnus Gustafsson]

Yeah, an endoscopy a few years ago revealed minor Barret's. I'll do another endoscopy sometime soon. I did try the Vitamin C for a week or two, but I you wrote that you experienced immediate relief, so I thought it wasn't working. I'll try it longer this time.

Any other suggestion given the Barret's diagnosis? I'm only 29 and this has been going on for 8 years.

My LINX device (installed in 2018) has provided damn near 100% relief from my GERD, but I am not sure if your doctor would recommend it if you are already into the Barret's domain. I seem to recall they hesitated a bit in my case because of pre-Barret's.