Just a quick LPR note :-)

[Aerta]

Just wanted to post a quick note, being that I have suffered LPRD and GERD in combo for years. I had a fundoplication on Monday, and everyone that knows me is rather amazed - the quality of my voice has already improved considerably!

I didn't think it really had, but I ran into a couple of people today who hadn't seen me in a couple of months, and they couldn't believe the difference - it must have been very apparent.

Considering my surgeon didn't think it would help, I love saying he may have been wrong.. may be too soon to tell, but after today I sure am hopeful!!

Aerta

[Aerta]

An update post; it's been nearly two weeks now, and people barely recognize my voice anymore! *L* It was so bad for so long - now, everyone that talks to me is amazed, and it improves more every day. I am also beginning to be able to sing again - carefully, as I can't really get a full breath yet without my diaphram getting sore. And I'm hitting notes I haven't hit in 15 years.

A fundo may not help everyone with LPRD, but it's sure helped me!

Aerta

[sergio]

hi,

was wondering what your voice sounded like ? I have silent reflux now for five years almost, but it has taken me about three before any direction to LPR was given, and then not even by a doctor . Needless to say how reckognized I felt after reading the post here on this site !
I have had several endescopies and excessive speech therapie but I think the only real little improvement has been due to dietry changes. PPI's did help a bit but gave me nasty mental side effects. So yes, surgery is getting more and more a serious option although I try to postpone until I have tried all other alternative therapies.

My question is if you could describe what your symptoms were, regarding the LPR, as I don't know anymore what is caused by the reflux or is due to structual straining of the voice box.
My voice is hoarse but most of all, I have the feeling I have not enough air coming up to the box to vibrate, which makes it shakey, raspy and very soft to hear.
I have a very thight feeling at the bottom of my trachea ( the neck ) which, I think , cause the constraction of the air flow. Besides I have a lump sensation in throat, but no heartburn.
I have to use my voice a lot and have already done so much concessions regarding my career that I am getting scared of losing all I have worked for. I simply cannot rely on my voice , plus the perception from others of me has changed a lot as the voice is a important 'tuner' between new individuals. I am seen for a introvert, shy , insecure person while I am so much au contraire!!
Plus the fact that one can be so clever avoiding big concversations that it has made me a boring person. The least of my problem but still.
But now comes the big question for anyone who knows ;
why, if I consume excessive amounts of alcahol, speaking gets easy again, as if there is no strain anymore.
This has almost lead to alcaholism here but I was clever enough to understand that that would not be a solution. But it has put me on a side track, as I , and doctors etc, started to think it all was physcological, between the ears so to speak.
It was not after a senior speech therapist gave up on me as she understood something else was causing the symptoms, that I came across the term LPR.
But still untill today, despite all the GERD info etc, don't understand really how it can effect the voice and all those muscles in that area.
I suppose I should have posted this on a new post as opposed to a reply, but will do that another time.
Any tips, etc are very very welcome.
PS good to hear your operation was a succes !!!
A desperate Dutchman

[The Pard]

Hi Sergio,

Your vocal chords get burned by acid...
Your body responds by secreting mucous.. (phlegm).
Your voice gets strained and gravelly.
You try clearing your throat in desperation.
You fail and the throat even gets more sore.
Alcohol washes away the phlegm
The acid burns your vocal cords again and you feel
even worse the next day.

Sound familiar?

The Pard