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Part 5 of POST OP LAP NISSEN...Please continue to post!!!

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 7/28/2008 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning to All,

This is Kitt :-)

Part 4 of this topic is getting long, so lets move it to part 5.  I am enclosing links to parts 1 and 2 and 3 and 4  as well, in case anyone needs to look back.  All the information will be right here.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=952817  Part ONE

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=969744  Part TWO

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=1013068  Part THREE

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?r=e&f=45&m=1121602

Part Four 

Please continue to post.  I see this as a very imortant topic and one that members really need the support of each other.   I will keep bumping this Part 5 to the top as needed.

Glad everyone is supporting each other, you are the best.......keep it up.

Respectfully

Kitt

Posted 7/28/2008 2:02 PM (GMT 0)

Posted by Percelain doll

  Posted Yesterday 2:34 PM (GMT -6)    VIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGE

Oldpoopie:  I too came down with a bad case of gastritis.  I had lots of the burning stomach and nausea.  I did go back on acid suppression but on the lowest dose possible.  I started with 20 mg of Prilosec for about 4 weeks and then weaned down to the 10 mg of Prilosec for about 3 weeks and so far I have been ok.  I think that in my case I was eating too much red chili and acidic fruits (grapefruits).  I am glad the problem is resolved.  Also, try some of the DGL licorice or slippery elm if you want a natural alternative but going natural takes a long time compared to the good old PPI. 

Bopeep and Alycarr00:  I can't believe how much weight you are lifting.  Sometimes, I wonder if I am just being a crybaby but then again I know that if I lift anything really heavy I feel discomfort and feel the tug and pull on my chest.  Maybe it may be scar tissue as someone mentioned on an earlier post.  Yeah, I still have the chest pain and I just try to ignore it and don't know if it will ever resolve.  I already had the endoscopy, chest xray and they tell me it looks good and my surgeon thinks it is something else, not related to the surgery.  I have my doubts because it hurts where my hernia was repaired, maybe the mesh who knows, so I don't know about this one.  Bopeep, I was wondering if you had aspirated some acid in your lungs prior to the nissen surgery.  I never in my life ever had asthma problems but when my gerd was at its worst, I had aspirated the acid into my lungs and it gave me gerd induced asthma and it was pretty bad.  I think that now my lungs are very sensitive because I have had some bad post nasal drip and it has affected my lungs that my doctor had me on flovent and singulair.  They helped a little but what I am taking right now is Mucinex and it is helping better, as least I think.  Could this be your problem?  This gerd sure wreaks havoc on ones life, doesn't it? 

Update on the gas problem!!!! I think I have improved somewhat on this royal pain in the butt because I have been taking whole psyllium fiber and forcing myself to drink lots more water.  The key here is to keep your bowels moving and keeping hydrated, this is also helping with the bloating.  It is very hard to drink lots of water post op but I really try to during the day.  I guess this is it for now and wishing everyone out there a speedy nissen recovery.  It will be 10 months for me but it has been a slooooooooooow recovery for me, Barbara...... 

Posted by Bo Peep

 Posted Today 5:32 AM (GMT -6)    VIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGE
porcelain doll - yes I aspirated into my lungs before the op (was very ill) and it caused me to have asthma problems (like you I had never suffered with it before). I feel like I have a lot of post nasal drip too. Also have chest pain now. Thanks for the suggestion of Mucinex, I will try and and get my doctor to prescribe me some or similar. :-)

Elaine

Posted by Bo Peep

 Posted Today 5:53 AM (GMT -6)    VIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGEVIEW IMAGE
porcelain doll - Which Mucinex is it? The one for chests or the one for nasal/sinus congestion?

Elaine

Posted 7/28/2008 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
bump

Posted 7/28/2008 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Its interesting that you have problems lifting things. I can lift as much or more now than before surgery. I'm in much better shape now in general. I just wish I was completely resolved. :(
Posted 7/29/2008 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for asking about me!! Last Tuesday I posted that I was seeing a second opinion surgeon, and he said I definitely needed the redo lap nissen, mine was tied too tight, would never get better on it's own and needed loosening. So Wednesday morning the original surgeon went in, loosened all the old sutures, and rewrapped it to the 270 degree. But in doing so, he said there was lots of scar tissue and "nicked" my stomach wall twice! Major damage!! Required a 5 day stay in the hospital on IV antibiotics and minimum clear liquid diet to give my stomach a chance to heal. By Monday morning after the 4th upper GI and a CT scan it was determined the holes had healed, no leakage, and I was sent home on anitbiotics and a full liquid diet. I am doing fine, and so glad all of this is over!! I never want surgery again!!
Posted 7/29/2008 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Lightnin....this just makes me cringe...thank God you are alright. Is "nick" the right word. Sounds like he put two holes in your stomach. Did he say how it happened? You were brave to let the same surgeon who made it too tight go back in...I don't know if I would have. Anyway, you are OK and I hope this is the last surgery for you also. Keep us posted and speedy recovery for you, kiddo.
Posted 7/30/2008 1:32 AM (GMT 0)

Lightnin - you certainly have been through an ordeal.  Kudos to you for handling this so well!

I hope you never have to have surgery again either!

Many wishes to you for good and speedy healing.

Cheers!

John

Posted 7/30/2008 9:13 AM (GMT 0)
Great to see you back Lightnin! Bet you are glad to be home! :-)
Posted 7/30/2008 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
Old Poopie,
When you say you wish things were completely resolved...what do you mean? ARe you still having reflux or heartburn????

Please be careful lifting and stick with the limits the doctor told you to do. Even if it feels like you can lift, the wrap can be disrupted with too much pressure put on it. It's happened many times. A friend of mine had hers disrupted after 3 years when she helped a friend move and she lifted some heavy boxes and she felt a POP and she started refluxing again and she had to have the surgery again.

TAke care and hope things improve for you.
Posted 7/31/2008 11:45 AM (GMT 0)

Bo Peep said...
Hi all! Just a quick update. I am 14 weeks post op and am just starting to eat soft noodles, stage 2 baby food and mashed veg etc.! It feels great! Still having problems with my chest though. It feels like asthma all the time. Will be asking my surgeon about that when I go back to see him. I know porcelain doll was complaining about chest pain but not sure it is the same thing. confused   Anyone else have either of these symptoms?

Well unfortunately I think the chest pain is GERD! I went back on my 20mg Rabeprazole yesterday and it seems to have helped slightly so will keep taking it and see what happens. sad I see my surgeon next Thursday so we will see what he says. I will keep you updated.
Posted 7/31/2008 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, "nick" was the exact word the surgeon used!! The radiologist pointed it out to both my husband and me during the upper GI. It showed a horizontal dark line shooting out from the stomach just below the esophagus. Difinite hole! Of course, the surgeons (the 2 on call for the weekend) all said it could be contained in the wrap! Oh yea! Mighty funny the radiologist never suggested that, and he looks at those things every day!! Doctors??

I am still resting and healing, and doing really good. I have a follow-up appt next week, and was wondering what questions I should be asking the surgeon. What's all this chatting about "lifting heavy objects"? My doc has never gave me any restrictions. In fact, after the first surgery he just said after a 3 to 4 day of liquids I was good to go!! That didn't happen, so now I want to take good care of this wrap, and NOT have reflux either!
Posted 8/1/2008 6:46 AM (GMT 0)

sillylilly said...
Old Poopie,
When you say you wish things were completely resolved...what do you mean? ARe you still having reflux or heartburn????

Please be careful lifting and stick with the limits the doctor told you to do. Even if it feels like you can lift, the wrap can be disrupted with too much pressure put on it. It's happened many times. A friend of mine had hers disrupted after 3 years when she helped a friend move and she lifted some heavy boxes and she felt a POP and she started refluxing again and she had to have the surgery again.

TAke care and hope things improve for you.

I'm not having reflux like I had before, but now I'm having some strange symptoms. Nausea intermittently, sore throat without the sensation of reflux.  Feelings like a lump is stuck in my throat, and just a feeling of tightness in my diaphragm sometimes. With the exception of the Gastritis and esophagitis, All of the symptoms are intermittent, and completely different than what I was experiencing before surgery.

Posted 8/4/2008 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
oldpoopie

This surgical procedure is not a walk in the park but once things heal hopefully you will feel like a million bucks. I have been reading how brave and determined the members who have had this surgery have been.  Kudos to everyone

Be sure to call your Doctor if you have a persitent fever over 100 degrees or chills

Increased abdominal swelling or pain

Persistent nausea or vomiting

Persistant cough or shortness of breath

Drainage from any incision

or for any reason that is causing you concern.

Bless you and keep posting.

Kitt

Posted 8/5/2008 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
HI everyone, I'm new to this site and very glad to have found it. I had a Lap Nissen on May 23 and still unable to eat any solid food. I'm starving! tired of soups and baby food. I had a barrem swallow on June 26 and my GI sd my esphoagus was the size of the inside of an ink pen. I am still on pain medication, off and on. I had another B swallow on July 31st and it is stiil too tight, I see my GI tommorrow morning. I am afraid of another surgery and my GI is not sure if he can preform a ballon dilation without breaking the band, I guess we'll discuss options tommorrow. Anybody out there had experience with it being to tight? I see Lightnen has had a bad experience.
Posted 8/5/2008 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Smileforme! Love your member name!! Yep, my first lap nissen (4/24/08) was too tight, and the surgeon went back in on 7/23 to loosen it. So glad he did, even though he nicked my stomach wall twice, I am over that and healing really really good.  I am free of constant pain I was experiencing before the redo, and when I eat now (moslty liquids and soft foods) there is no pain in my esophagus. My surgeon kept telling me give it time, my GIs kept saying it is too tight and needs loosening. I had several barium swallows and 2 stretches. You need to consider the redo. Also, for right now try Boost or making your own smoothies. And Geritol, that worked for me, helped lots with my energy level.

Posted 8/5/2008 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lightnin. I do drink smoothies and Boost but never thought of Geritol, I'll get some right away. I'll let you know tommorrow what the doctor suggests.
Posted 8/5/2008 5:35 AM (GMT 0)

smileforme

Welcome to HealingWell and the GERD and Heartburn forum.  I am Kitt.  I am sorry you may have to have a redo but it sounds like it has been successful for Lightnin.

Please keep posting an know that the members of this forum are kind and caring as well as very supportive.

Again a warm welcome,
Kitt

Posted 8/5/2008 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I had a bad night with pain and burning because I tried to eat a noodle dish yesterday that wouldn't go down. I went to see my GI today and got the result of the 2nd barrium swallow, the results were not much different, its too tight to let food through so we discussed options and he called the surgen and they want me to have a dilation on Friday 8/8 to try to open it. I still experience some pain in my left shoulder and forgot that after the surgery is was so intense, everyone writing about it made me remember. So it looks like liquids are still on the menu for me. I sometimes feel very discouraged. My GI has never had to go in for a Nissen that was too tight before, but I trust him. The surgen has done well over 500 of these procedures and says this is very rare. Of course it had to be me. I have had medical issuses even had two colon surgerys and he said there was a lot of scar tissue inside my body and that it had actually attached itself to my stomach and was pulling it down towards the colon. I wonder what will happen to the scar tissue because he did not remove it. Oh well I try not to think negative thoughts, and take it a day at a time. Thanks for all the input on this forum. Oh and I bought some Geritol!
Posted 8/5/2008 9:43 PM (GMT 0)

smileforme

Hello, this is Kitt.  I am so sorry that your headed for a dilation on Friday but if it helps you then it will be a good thing. 

I understand your feeling upset and frustrated, it is the "why me" syndrome.  You made it through the surgery and now why can't everything go smoothly.  I feel  you have the right to feel upset and discouraged but try to turn your thoughts into positives.  Don't let the anxiety get ahold of you. Stay strong and keep posting here where everyone supports you.  :-)

Stick with us and take care.

Kitt

Posted 8/6/2008 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Doghouse, I had the Nassen Wrap last August that sugury went fine but i had other complication with the scar i have had 1 hernia and had it repaired Last Febuary, went back 5 days later to see the Doctor and was reamitted for MRSA and was inthe hospital for 6 week and on a woulnd V.A.C. for another 5 weeks then i had a graft in may 2008 now it is Aug 08 and am going back on 8/12/2008 to get a 26cm diameter Hernia correct they will cut me al the way up the middle and on both sides. The new Doc. said it will take 2 surgeons 2.5 hrs to repair they will be using cadavor tissue since it is less apt to infections i will be in the hospital 1 week and off for a few after that this will be the 17th sugury on my abdomine since 1993 and i am only 38 yrs old.



Bill Bo B
Posted 8/6/2008 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
and P.S.
all no more relux but can not 'BURRP' had it not bee for the 1st infection after the "WRAP" . It would have been a great success!!!!!!!
Bill Bo B
Posted 8/6/2008 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
also have not had a pill for GERD since released from first hospital stay
Posted 8/6/2008 7:46 AM (GMT 0)
hi all,
i was reading your posts for quite a while and it`s bin verry helpfull.
first i might tell something about my own gerd history,12 years ago i was experiencing my first stomach pain and flair upps.
after i had my first scope a few years later i was putt on losec (omeprazol) and did well untill 2005.
it seemd that losec had stopped working for me and i tried many different ppi`s after that,none of them gave my any relieve.
so i started changing my diet to see if it would gave my any relieve,also took natural medicine,nothing workt for me.
i saw a GI specialist and done many testings,ph test,manometrie,barrium swallowing etc.
the test all came back possitive,i had severe reflux exposure and my LES was not working well,also i had a small hiatial hernia.
i was send to a university hospital where they offert me the new esophyx procerure,so i went for it because i needed help right away.
i was in a very poor condition from mailnutrition and weight loss,also i suffer from chronic fatigeu syndrom and was very weak at the time.
i had my procedure done in november 2007,unfortunaly the procedure failed and i was even getting more sick,also my gallbladder became chronic inflamed.
i needed help again right away so i did the testings again,the impedance test was positive again and my reflux episodes where even longer than before the esophyx procedure.
this time i needed a surgeon who knows about the esophyx and is verry skilled with the nissen fundo,gladly i found a surgeon in a foreign country who is very experienced with both the procedures.
so now i`m 7 weeks post op nissen,my gallbladder was also removed at the same time and i`m doing well so farr.
the only thing that is bothering my is that i still have chest pain,i hate that feeling!!
butt i don`t think it`s from acid exposure,i`m still of meds and think my symptomps should be much worse without the meds if it`s coused by reflux.
so i`m a little puzzeled by that,i saw that more people having the same problem after the nissen so i wonderd how,old poopie,bo peep and porcelain doll are doing?? can you also please tell me how long that your post op??
any reply would be welkom and i hope your all doing well.
Posted 8/6/2008 8:45 AM (GMT 0)

Hi and welcome bruta and Billbo!

I am 17 weeks post op. So I am back on a PPI and the middle of my chest is feeling better, lump in throat is slightly better and breathlessness aslo slightly better. I still have the pain in the right side of my chest which I had before I went on PPIs originally but that took a while to get better last time so I guess the same will apply this time. I am presuming that now the swelling has gone down it is letting the acid back up again. Pretty depressing really. sad

What I can't understand is I still can't manage solid food yet I seem to have reflux? confused

I will let you know what the surgeon says tomorrow.

Posted 8/6/2008 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Bo Peep, Smileforme, Bruta, and Billbo70,

I just want to cry for all of you. You are all troopers and I pray that each of you will find healing soon. We are here for you. God bless.
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