Acid Reflux? Never Heard Of Her

As of January 1, 2024, I am no longer taking medication to control my acid reflux. This doesn’t sound like a big deal to most, but it is to me. About twenty years ago when I randomly lost my voice in high school, I was diagnosed with vocal paresis and acid reflux by a laryngologist (full recap of my vocal journey here). Because I was in high school and it was an urgent matter, there was never any discussion of a second opinion, or visiting an endocrinologist to get a true diagnosis. At the time, I was drinking a glass of orange juice every morning and eating pizza – because… high school. Instead of changing my diet, or going elsewhere I started to take three pills a day (30 minutes before breakfast and dinner, and one before bedtime) and avoided any acid-inducing foods (citrus and tomato-sauces).

Years later I decided to start my journey to not take three pills a day. With that same laryngologist, I started to taper back, but she advised against it and I was back on my full regimen.

Last Spring, I finally met with an endocrine specialist, had an endoscopy, and it turns out I don’t have acid reflux! Since then I have been tapering which brings us to today. My body does have some slight symptoms after every taper for a few weeks, but that is only because it has been so long.

Acid reflux in singers definitely can be an issue due to our deep-breathing, etc.– but I would recommend changing your lifestyle,or getting a second opinion before adding any type of prescription if you can. (Now if I could just quit drinking coffee I would be in great shape).