Atypical LPR, if that's what it is, going on for months now.
I'm writing on behalf of my wife who's had a problem for almost a year now, but most intensely in the past 3 months or so. My wife has lost 45 pounds since this all started and has regular problems eating most foods. She was drinking heavily for about four months because of an unrelated pain issue and started spitting as she ate. She could eat most foods then but as soon as she quit drinking, the conditions quickly worsened so that most foods triggered immediate accumulation of phlegm - ice cream, yogurt and tapioca being exceptions for the most part. Her symptoms get worse as the day goes on but she has no problem once she lies down, slightly elevated, and sleeps all night. She doesn't get any heartburn.
She's had an endoscopy and barium swallow test, neither of which showed any problems. She's had medications for nasal issues, nervous issues and for reflux. Gaviscon works off and on but sort of pointless because you can't take it before eating. She's trying to get into seeing an ENT but that isn't easy here in London, Ontario. Could be months away.
A very frustrating part in all of this is that no doctor she's seen so far has a clue. All we got from our gastroenterologist was the suggestion to double her PPIs. the family doctor has tried various things including nasal sprays and antihistamines, but no effect.
It seems like the drinking may have been the cause for her problems so it may be that she just has to wait until any throat damage done by drinking heals. She also had trouble accepting a hearing aid in one ear, the right side which may be rubbing on the vagus nerve which also is often cited as a related issue for lpr also since this nerve passes by the throat.
Any suggestions for what to do next?