Anyone develop Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR or Silent Reflux) after Gastric Bypass?

[yesno789 2]

I have finally been diagnosed with Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)/Silent Reflux with my ENT Specialist about 3 weeks ago after suffering from a lump in my throat and tightness in throat which results in somewhat difficulty breathing. I have been having these symptoms for at least the past 4 months.

I had visited at least 6-7 medical professionals (none of whom knew why I was suffering from these issues) before finally being diagnosed with Silent Reflux (difficult to diagnose). It is different to GERD (normal reflux) in that I do not have the classical reflux symptoms of heart burn, indigestion etc. I even had a gastroscopy (camera down my esophagus) to confirm it is not GERD.

Has anyone ever developed Silent Reflux (LPR) or had any symptoms of a lump in your throat or somewhat difficulty breathing? It is best diagnosed by an ENT wherein they place a camera through your sinuses and it goes right to where your voice box is. I had the gastric bypass in 2019 (I initially had the gastric sleeve in 2013, but it was converted to Gastric Bypass in 2019).

I am now on Somac (PPIs) twice daily for a minimum of 4 months in order to stop any stomach acid entering my throat and airways. It is a lengthy process to treat silent reflux.

I would appreciate if anyone whom has had similar symptons and/or being diagnosed with silent reflux could let me know.

Thanks everyone.

[ClareLynn 153]

I have had silent heartburn since before the surgery. it took 10 years for a diagnosis. I don’t get heartburn symptoms or anything.

But I do have constant trouble swallowing due to a lump and tightness in my throat. I also have had vocal troubles that required months of vocal therapy so that I could speak with less pain. It still hurts to talk though.

I take 40mg omeprazole twice a day, sleep in an adjustable bed so I can be on an incline, do PT every day to relieve the throat tension, and avoid: dairy, acidic foods like tomatoes, chocolate, fatty foods, spicy foods, and bread/pasta to avoid making it worse.

I was supposed to have a hiatal hernia fixed during my WLS which they thought would help but that … didn’t happen. So I still have it post op.

[yesno789 2]

2 minutes ago, ClareLynn said:

I have had silent heartburn since before the surgery. it took 10 years for a diagnosis. I don’t get heartburn symptoms or anything.

But I do have constant trouble swallowing due to a lump and tightness in my throat. I also have had vocal troubles that required months of vocal therapy so that I could speak with less pain. It still hurts to talk though.

I take 40mg omeprazole twice a day, sleep in an adjustable bed so I can be on an incline, do PT every day to relieve the throat tension, and avoid: dairy, acidic foods like tomatoes, chocolate, fatty foods, spicy foods, and bread/pasta to avoid making it worse.

I was supposed to have a hiatal hernia fixed during my WLS which they thought would help but that … didn’t happen. So I still have it post op.

Thank you for your reply.

How long has it been since you had the gastric bypass and you were diagnosed with Silent Reflux? My ENT said it takes about 3 to 4 months for symptoms to be treated. Do you have somewhat difficulty breathing at times?

[Dave In Houston 199]

I'm an amateur singer, and I have a voice doc for when I have problems. He had been prescribing proton pump meds for reflux for 20 years or so. When I mentioned I'd like to get off the meds, he asked if I had ever considered weight loss surgery. I had never considered it, since I wasn't as big as many weight loss surgery patients.

I had the surgery 6 months or so ago, and I'm off the meds now. I'm experiencing only very minor reflux symptoms. I plan to go in soon to get him to take a look at the vocal folds, because it's about time for a procedure I need every ten years or so. It will be interesting to see whether he can see a reduction in the inflammation caused by reflux.

[ClareLynn 153]

On 12/30/2021 at 19:54, yesno789 said:

Thank you for your reply.

How long has it been since you had the gastric bypass and you were diagnosed with Silent Reflux? My ENT said it takes about 3 to 4 months for symptoms to be treated. Do you have somewhat difficulty breathing at times?

I had this diagnosis pre-surgery, it wasn’t a complication from my duodenal switch (SADI). I do not have trouble breathing really, except when I drink and then bend over or lie down. Then the contents of my stomach often come up and go down into my lungs. When that happens I can hear a crackling noise when I breathe and have trouble taking deep breaths.

I avoid this by cutting off drinking about 30 minutes before bedtime and sleeping on an incline.

I have read here often that gastric bypass should help with reflux. I’m sorry that you developed it even with the “right” surgery.

[SleeverSk 617]

I had this before surgery, I had a sleeve done. while I am still on medication (Nexium) it is under control for the most part. I get a burning in the top of my throat if I haven't eaten for awhile. but its not unbearable I am hoping it gets better as my surgeon said it would when I expressed my concerns before surgery.( the weight loss would reduce the pressure and there fore resolve the problem) however I haven't been game to test this yet and not take the Nexium. same advise try not to eat or drink an hour or so before bed my surgeon said 3 hours but that just isn't practical with my shift work.

[yesno789 2]

Just wondering if anyone else has this condition. My Condition still persists despite being on Somac (PPI) x 2 daily for many months now and trying all the tips such as skipping acidic drinks and foods, no food 2 hours before bed, keeping bed raised.

Any one that has LPR or Silent Reflux post gastric bypass, I would love to hear from you!

[shriner37 249]

I haven't been diagnosed with LPR but my primary says many of my ongoing symptoms suggest it. I've had eustachian tube dysfunction for a number of months. After ruling out the other causes he thinks it may be GERD or LPR causing them to be constantly irritated. I also had a hiatal hernia which might have made things worse.

I just completed a reversion from sleeve to bypass. Both my surgeon and my primary think this will help once things have a chance to heal up.

[Shanobrn 0]

Did it help?

[Jay19 76]

I am 25 weeks pregnant and was recently diagnosed with silent reflux. The ENT doc put me on Pepcid but it has not helped much. It only started when I became pregnant. I was sleeved in 2019. I had the exact lump in my throat even called 911 several times for feeling like I couldn’t breath until it was finally diagnosed. I feel for you. I hope things get better.

[KD in CT 7]

I am pre-op and they have put my process on hold until my situation has a clear diagnosis. I have had GERD for 10 years and am now on 2 PPI daily and Famotidine at night and still have symptoms. I have recently developed GERD asthma (who knew that was a thing!) and now I have Muscle Tensioning Dysphonia (trouble speaking because of acid in larynx causing damage to vocal cords). I have to see a voice specialist for voice therapy. I have to see a gastro to determine if LPR in addition to GERD, and how large the hiatal hernia is. I also, have to see a neuro-gastroenterologist to see if sphincter valve at top of esophagus is completely not working and if there are motility issues with swallowing and processing through intestines and to rule out neurogenic cough in addition to asthma. How crazy is this! I suppose I'm grateful to be able to get to the bottom of all this, but so very disappointed that GP is being put on hold for now. I was originally told that GP would help relieve the GERD problems, now they have to be sure what causing all of this before I can go on. What a vicious cycle I'm in, the asthma meds making the GERD issues worse, the GERD is making the asthma/voice worse. My ENT did say this is complicated and unusual (so don't fret about yourself) it's probably very different than my situation. I just wanted you to know that I hear you, I understand and can empathized and hang in there, they will figure it out.