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5 Months post-Nissen problems...

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Posted 1/26/2008 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I am a 25 year old male in NC, and I had the Nissen Fundoplication surgery on August 23rd, 2007. I had had many years pre-Nissen with severe reflux, heartburn, and more..

I felt pretty good (heartburn/reflux wise) after the surgery for the first month or two.. Then last few months, I have had the "feeling" of reflux/heartburn, and my surgeon said it may not be heartburn at all..

My wrap was tied loose to allow burping, which I think was the problem, because I figure if air can get up in my esophagus maybe acid can too?

I've had severe chest pains on and off, and a ton of abdominal pain that's random and horrible.. I've had numerous CT scans, Barium, etc and all comes out ok..

I am on Coumadin for blood clots from my surgery. Yes I had blood clots in my lungs, collapsed lung, and pneumonia 2 times since the surgery. I just don't know what to do, I am so stressed, anyone else have this surgery and have similar problems, current or past would be greatly helpful in knowing what you did..
Posted 1/26/2008 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have not had any surgery, but my sympathies go out to you. It sounds like you have been through the wringer and at a very young age. I certainly hope you find some answers and some relief.

Many hugs--
Posted 1/26/2008 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Ask your GI to check out your gallbladder if that has not already been done. Sometimes gallbladder issues don't get attention while the doctor is concentrating on the reflux issues - not surprising because so many of the symptoms are similar.
Posted 1/27/2008 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
marthamae, thanks, yeah I've been through a lot, but I'm been trying to keep a positive outlook on things (although hard) and my wife and family have been great to keep my spirits up, as well as thorough prayer...:-)

HappilyWrapped, the surgeon checked my gallbladder when he was in there, and said it was normal and healthy.. about 2 months back when I started having pain in that area, they did an ultrasound as well and that was good too.. :-)
Posted 1/27/2008 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
I went through the surgery two years ago, also in my twenties.  I still have some of the same problems I had before surgery.  I have even been to Mayo for help,  it eventually gets easier, but some things they just are not able to figure out.  I just keep hoping that someday a test they order will figure it out.  Don't give up.
Posted 1/27/2008 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
jdrdbr111 -

Do a Google search on "sphincter of oddi". You'll get some interesting information. Also for other tests in addition to the ultrasound. Just because stones didn't show up on the ultrasound doesn't mean there's not something wrong in there.

You'll find that problems with SOD can give the same symptoms as gallbladder. It's possible to have the gallbladder tested (ultrasound, HIDA scan, ejection fraction, endoscopy where they collect a bile sample looking for crystals) and have it come out as perfectly healthy and normal but still have a problem with the sphincter. There's a procedure to determine if the sphincter functions properly called an ERCP which measures the pressure in the bile duct - similar in concept to the manometry test for the esophagus. Makes perfect sense to me that if the bile duct is backed up due the the sphincter not opening and closing properly it would produce the same pain and symptoms as if a stone were plugging up the valve.

It's worth a shot to at least totally rule out the gallbladder and ducts connected to it with all tests possible.
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