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From: David Cloyd, MD
Date: 05/14/00
Time: 02:22:35
Sarah - even after a successful repair we continue to see a few episodes per day of reflux, but they shouldn't be too prolonged, or too severe (ie too low a pH). The quantitative analysis of the pH study takes all these factors into account when deriving a score, not just the raw number of reflux episodes. Hopefully your overall score post op is in fact lower, and the reflux is in fact quantitatively less.
As a singer I think you should be considering a laryngoscopy by an ENT doctor at this point. The difference between this and an 'endoscopy' is that the focus of attention in a laryngoscopy is on the upper airway, including the larynx and cords. I would be particularly interested to know if they are effected.
The candida is certainly a potential explanation for your sore throat. Although it is often present on routine cultures, it is NOT routine when it moves on to an invasive infection. Candida esophagitis can be severe and persistant. The most common precipitating factor is exposure to antibiotics. Anything that reduced your overall immune system would also be a predisposing factor.
Have you been re-scoped since your surgery? Was the candida proven by culture, or just suspected? Have you had much exposure to antibiotics recently (for other reasons?) What method of treatment for the candida was used?