<p>Hi everyone. So about a year ago, I noticed that I had started developing acid reflux (although it took awhile for me to figure it out since at first they symptoms were only felt in the throat and not the stomach). My voice teacher told me to take prilosec or prevacid, and this seemed to help for the time being. But my reflux keeps coming back. And now, it's worse than ever. Sometimes I feel like I'm gagging because of it, and I often feel shortness of breath (probably due to this). I'm kind of scared that if this goes untreated, then my throat will be scarred, and then bad things will happen to me. I plan on visiting an ENT sometime in the near future for this issue. I've tried to home treat it by taking over the counter drugs, eating lots of yogurt and apples (I've heard they were good for this), and drinking lots of water. I have not really been following the diet restrictions that I probably should for this situation (I mean, come on. I wouldn't be able to eat tomato based products, citrus fruit, chocolate, really fatty foods, etc. What am I supposed to eat if I have to be that limited?). My voice is really important to me, so if I absolutely had to follow these diet restrictions, then I guess I would. I was just wondering how urgent this issue really is. Should I be treating it more seriously than just hoping it will go away? Could it cause an injury to my voice? What can I do to help my situation now (I already try to elevate my head when I'm sleeping, but I think I'll have to purchase special blocks for that)? Thank you so much!</p>
<p>You need to see a gastroenterologist and perhaps have an endoscopy. Acid reflux can cause damage to your esophagus. I didn’t realize I had it until I was rushed to the hospital thinking I was having a heart attack because of the shortness of breath and pain in my chest. I have been taking prescription meds since and the problem has greatly abated. I don’t know if it can damage your voice because I don’t sing but it can be very painful.</p>
<p>Please take care of it asap. OTC meds may only mask the symptoms.</p>
<p>Stress and poor eating really plays a big part in Acid Reflux. My daughter developed it over the summer and it has since abated totally by eating better (not as restrictive as you say) but one of the key moves on her part was switching to low acid orange juice.</p>
<p>Definitely time for a doctor to look at it though.</p>
<p>Here is a link to a past thread on this topic:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/453003-acid-reflux.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/453003-acid-reflux.html</a></p>
<p>You mentioned yogurt but have you tried probiotic yogurt like Activa or Kifir?</p>
<p>My D dealt with this issue a little over a year ago. Some things that she has done that have helped: Not eating late, elevated head of bed, easy on the spicy foods and drinking lots of water. She has a prescription for something like Prilosec, but only takes it when she’s in a show (or auditioning) as I don’t think it’s good to constantly be on meds to suppress all stomach acids. A friend recommended a natural alternative that my D takes in between shows/auditions as opposed to the prescription and it has been very effective. Best wishes to you! [Amazon.com:</a> DGL Ultra German Chocolate 90 Tablets: Health & Personal Care](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00014E1GY/ref=oh_o04_s00_i00_details]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00014E1GY/ref=oh_o04_s00_i00_details)</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your suggestions. My mom plans to call a doctor on Monday for me. Should I see my regular pediatrician, or an ENT (or gastroenterologist as suggested above)? I have a feeling the pediatrician will just refer me elsewhere, so I kind of don’t want to do that.</p>
<p>You should see a gastroenterologist as this is my H’s specialty and he does treat acid reflux. Follow the doctor’s directions with diet and other habits. Don’t try and self treat your symptoms.</p>
<p>If you still continue to have shortness of breath and/or voice issues after you establish a good reflux control routine with the GI doctor, you should also see a laryngologist (an ENT who specializes in voice). You may need some voice or breathing therapy in addition to good medical/behavioral management of the reflux if the reflux has affected your larynx in a way that needs to be further mediated. Voice therapists who work in conjunction with laryngologists deal with this all the time, so they’ll know how to help you!</p>
<p>Mom should call the Pediatrician, and they will direct her from there. Depending on your insurance, you may have to go through them. In the mean time, some of the things you can do:
- Watch your diet
- Elevate the head of your bed
- Eat multiple small meals a day, do not over eat (don’t get too full)
- Don’t eat on the run, or hurried (HA- saying this to a college student even sounds dumb on my part! )
- Decrease caffeine, carbonated beverages, and tea and coffee (even decaf) as much as possible. Caffeine can increase symptoms, and the acids in Tea/Coffee can too.
- Decrease fried/fatty foods, spicy, and acitic foods. </p>
<p>Try drinking peppermint herbal tea (not too hot) and see if that helps sooth your symptoms too. I have found it helpful for me at times, especially while I am waiting for the meds to kick in. At night, I drink the sleepytime tea, that also has camomile in it, and it helps to relax and sleep. Sleep loss and stress increase symptoms too. As far as over the counter medications go, there are many that you can try (Zantac, Prevacid, prilosec, pepcid… )See what works best for you. One may help more than another one does.</p>
<p>Acid reflux can cause scaring to the esophagus, it can also cause asthma and lung damage and can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear down leading to terrible dental problems. So taking care of this is a good idea.</p>