First Day Member

My name is Denise, and I'm a 57 year old teacher living in New York State. My GERD has gotten progressively worse over the past four years or so. I found your forum when I was searching out information regarding Nissen Fundoplication. My big problem (other than GERD symptoms that aren't totally controled by 40mg Protonix twice a day--I'm always taking Maalox and Tums) is that I have developed chronic asthma that does not respond to treatment.

I have been on so much inhaled steroids for so long that I'm getting some adrenal insufficiency, and my doctors are concerned. They are confident that I'll be helped by Fundoplication. After much research, and trying to avoid having the surgery because of all the horror stories I've read, I've finally decided to take a leap of faith and go through with the surgery. I'm scheduled for this coming Friday (2/27/09).

I really appreciate the sharing I've read in this forum, and hope that I'll have a chance to contribute by sharing my own experiences after surgery. I just hope my asthma will allow me to have it. I came down with bronchitis on Monday, and am on an antibiotic and oral steroid at the moment. I've got to go back at the beginning of next week to get checked out. At this point I want to go forward in hopes that my pulmonary function will begin to improve. I'm so tired of coughing continually! I haven't been healthy in a long time.

Thanks to everyone who provides support on this forum! Wish me luck!

Thanks, Karen. I appreciate your kind welcome and good wishes. This is a great forum--a real family atmosphere! It's wonderful to find a place where people are so willing to share their experience, strength and hope! I'll let you know how things go. I'm ready to take the plunge and hope that it works well for me. Thanks again!

Dencha.Good luck! I'll be praying for you. Carol

Wow, I am so glad I found this site.

I also have Barret's Esophagus, GERD and have a small hernia. I have seen so many good posts here. I just don't know if I should go to a Nutritional Therapist or what. I took Protonix for three years and then all of a sudden, it didn't work. Next, I tried Zantac, Prevacid, Nexium, Aciphex, Protonix. None of them seem to work. I am ready to give up on all of these pills!!!

My Gastro Dr. says if the pills don't work, I could have surgery. I am thinking of it, but I would love to be able to stop this throat burning without that.

I am worried so much about having Barret's Esophagus. Since my throat is burning so much, I keep thinking the acid is just ruining my esophagus more and more and that I will end up with cancer. I need help!!

I have raised my bed with bricks, but a lot of nights I sleep upright for a few hours before I finally go to bed.