Re: acid from food in esophagus

[Guest guest]

Jan, acid reflux " causing " laryngitis was a discussion at TCC's

conference. There seemed to be conflicting theories on it: the GI's

seemed to think that ENT's use reflux as a " cop out " when they don't see

an apparent cause for hoarseness, and the ENT's seemed to think that it's

a true valid cause. ENT's have also noticed that PPI meds will often

clear up a hoarse voice... but they had no " proof " in the form of

double-blind clinical trials.

I found it interesting that the GI's discussed chronic cough and asthma

and acid reflux (and seemed to agree about / believe in this theory), yet

seemed to poo-poo the laryngitis theory. In the case of coughing, it was

discussed that tiny bits of acid (from simple evaporation) were being

breathed into the lungs, causing irritation or even triggering an asthma

attack. They gave case studies of people w/ multiple hospitalizations

each year for asthma attacks going on PPI meds and having their asthma

attacks cut by 90%! So I didn't really " get " why they didn't think that

same aspirated acid could also be causing ENT problems.....

Definitely discuss it w/ Dr. Vaezi -- add that to your list of

documentation! It might also be helpful to create a " timeline " of all

your symptoms, treatments, surgeries, etc., in addition to just writing it

all down. Sometimes seeing things " big picture " like that, in simple

timeline form, shows patterns that aren't as readily recognizable in

paragraph form.

Debbi

> Hi,

> In reading some of today's posts about acid buildup in the esophagus,

> it made me think about something that's been happening to me lately.

> A year ago, I had a revision of a Nissen fundoplication, after

> suffering from years of acid reflux, I had the surgery because not

> only was I having lots of " heartburn " and chest pain, but a

> videostroboscope by a voice specialist ENT, showed acid was scarring

> my vocal cords, causing drastic changes in my speaking and singing

> voice.

> After having the fundo last May, I started having continued dysphagia

> and chest pains, but I felt no acid reflux, and my singing voice was

> better than ever.

>

> Fast forward to December2003. My swallowing problems increased

> dramatically,and barium swallow was showing motility problems.

> Also, my singing voice started and still sounds absolutely horrible.

> Again I've lost my high notes, my voice cracks and just stops at time.

> The posts today talked about the breakdown of accumulated food in the

> esophagus into acid. Do you think it's possible that that acid could

> reach up to the larynix and be damaging my vocal cords?

> Just wondering if food stuck in the esophagus could be causing a

> repeat of my voice problems, this time from a different source?

> Thanks,

> Jan in Northern KY

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/27/2004 2:55:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jpearse@... writes:

Jan - YEYH!! Glad you have an appointment - it is only 6 weeks away and you will need that to get all the documentation that Debbi has listed.

About the acid story ---- yes I think it could be the acid from fermentation that Pete has described that is irritating your vocal chords. I have had voice changes too at times - but it has not been permanent. When I burp the acid is sometimes propelled upward with the bubble! Then my throat burns and I croak for a bit until I have something to drink and it settles.

Joan

Joan,

Thanks for the encouragement.

I know I have lots of paperwork and documentation and history to try to piece together to make decent sense of what I've been through.

When I first started this saga, my gastroenterologist saw me talked to me about setting me up for a EGD scope, a 24hr PH test, told me about fundo surgery, and said," I'll see you back here when the results come in."

So after I had all these things done and called his office to have them set me up with the doc for a follow up to talk more about whether or not I should have surgery,

His nurse said "the doctor does not need to see you again. Either decide to have the surgery or not, it's up to you."

Still, today I get so angry when I think about this doctor.

I hope DR Vaezi is better than that.

Jan in Northern KY

[Guest guest]

Jan - YEYH!! Glad you have an appointment - it is only 6 weeks away and you will need that to get all the documentation that Debbi has listed.

About the acid story ---- yes I think it could be the acid from fermentation that Pete has described that is irritating your vocal chords. I have had voice changes too at times - but it has not been permanent. When I burp the acid is sometimes propelled upward with the bubble! Then my throat burns and I croak for a bit until I have something to drink and it settles.

Joan

Johannesburg South Africajpearse@...

acid from food in esophagus

Hi,In reading some of today's posts about acid buildup in the esophagus, it made me think about something that's been happening to me lately.A year ago, I had a revision of a Nissen fundoplication, after suffering from years of acid reflux, I had the surgery because not only was I having lots of "heartburn" and chest pain, but a videostroboscope by a voice specialist ENT, showed acid was scarring my vocal cords, causing drastic changes in my speaking and singing voice.After having the fundo last May, I started having continued dysphagia and chest pains, but I felt no acid reflux, and my singing voice was better than ever.Fast forward to December2003. My swallowing problems increased dramatically,and barium swallow was showing motility problems.Also, my singing voice started and still sounds absolutely horrible. Again I've lost my high notes, my voice cracks and just stops at time.The posts today talked about the breakdown of accumulated food in the esophagus into acid. Do you think it's possible that that acid could reach up to the larynix and be damaging my vocal cords?Just wondering if food stuck in the esophagus could be causing a repeat of my voice problems, this time from a different source?Thanks,Jan in Northern KY

[Guest guest]

His nurse said "the doctor does not need to see you again. Either decide to have the surgery or not, it's up to you."

Still, today I get so angry when I think about this doctor.

I hope DR Vaezi is better than that.

Jan, I GUARANTEE that Dr. Vaezi is better than that!

Deb