Finally got up the courage to see an Otolaryngologist

Hey gals and guys I just thought to report what the ENT said during my appointment with him yesterday-(I finally broke down and got scoped)! It's called LPR or Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: "This occurs when reflux material extends above the upper sphincter into the throat. The structures and tissues of the larynx, (voice box), throat, trachea, bronchi, and lungs are more sensitive to stomach acid and digestive enzymes than the esophagus. Most patients with LPR never experience any chest pain or other typical heartburn symptoms." Any or several of the following may be seen: Thickening of the posterior commissure, (back part of the larynx). sometimes called "pachydermia" or "cobble-stoning", Redness of the arytenoids (cartilages that move the vocal cords), Edema (swelling) of the vocal cords, Small ulcers in the posterior part of the larynx, Granulomas, (scar tissue) of the posterior part of the larynx..

Any of those symptoms indicate acid reflux and can manifest itself through an over production of mucus which collects in a part of the throat up through the esophagus...exactly as I have described. There are other tests that may be requested such as Barium espphagram, or an x-ray taken while swallowing barium, 24-hour pH monitoring w/placement of pH sensitive probes. For now he told me that I must stay on the PPI and that Aciphex is an excellent drug BUT it only lasts 17 hours and so I can take an OTC Prilosec, or any other OTC, like Pepcid ac before bed. I do also have some other stuff going on like typical seasonal allergies and probably my cat's dander doesn't help but I intuitively felt that since my surgery this non-stop mucus thing in my throat just like a lump or glob was related to my stomach...and it apparently was/is! A form of acid reflux called Laryngopharyngeal Reflux! He wants to see me again in 6 weeks...Yay Well at least I know now what's going on.