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Heartburn Sensations after Nissen Surgery Part 1 of 2

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Posted 3/12/2009 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, so I'm actually afraid to ask this. Is there a possibility that I had what feels like a heartburn episode and still be heading towards a successful wrap? I just experienced it today. It is the first time I've actually had that heartburn feeling since the surgery. I've had an irritated feeling in the stomach and wrap, but not to the extent I just experienced.
I'm worried. I want this to work.
I'd appreciate any responses you might have.

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 5/4/2009 8:54:58 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/12/2009 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Denise

I have actually had some sensations aswell - it's hard to say if it is related to the healing of the wrap? But it is a type of pressure in the chest area - kind of like how I had heartburn before....I think I have read on here before that it is common to have mild heartburn for up to 6 months after this surgery? I will keep my eyes posted to see what other people have to say.

Sarah
Posted 3/12/2009 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Sarah. This is a tough surgery to just relax through, since the results are so varied. It doesn't do any good to worry, but it's hard not to be insecure when you get a sensation like that.

I also believe someone posted that the esophagus is a "dumb organ" and identifies any irritation as a "heartburn" sensation.

The swallowing is definitely an up and down thing. Today I'm getting more spasms. It's probably after overdoing when eating is going well.

Sometimes when I drink water, it just sits on top of the wrap for a while. Do you experience that at all?

Thanks for your response. I'm working on remaining relaxed and positive, and surrendering to the recovery process. It's just scary when you get a feeling like heartburn, because of course the mind automatically starts thinking about unsuccessful outcomes and redos. nono Gotta stop that train of thought. Doesn't do one bit of good, does it!

Thanks again, Sarah.
Denise
Posted 3/12/2009 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Denise

I know what you mean about drinking water - sometimes I almost feel like it is gurgling down!

I agree it is best to just surrender to the process, and try to relax. The swallowing is still up and down for me too...I actually am feeling a bit more swelling today than usual.

I am back at work now full time and I am very tired, that is great you are just starting back part-time.

Sarah
Posted 3/12/2009 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear it's not just me. It's like a clogged drain...just sits on top of the wrap and glub glub glubs its way in. Strange thing. I do think that I may have overdone the eating issue yesterday...nothing sticking, but just probably ate some things that are little too difficult to handle at this point. Then my wrap and espohagus respond by being more resistant and more spasms.

Oh well...this too will pass. Now my principal and TA are telling me to rethink coming back Monday, because there are so many sick kids in the room. I'm still on prednosone for my lungs...have tapered down to 10mg rather than 20, but am not off yet. (Actually even when I'm off, I'll still be more suseptible for a while). I want to go back! We shall see. I'll have to decide by tomorrow.

Thanks for sharing your experience. it helps to have support from someone who knows what it's all about.
Feel well!
Denise
Posted 3/13/2009 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
I had my wrap done in Oct. 2000 and still have problems swallowing. I have found that sucking on hard candy which forces you to swallow more helps to push it through. I was also left with a problem that where my esophagus doesn't push the food down the way it should any more. I have learned to deal with it though. I just drink alot of water when I eat and if the stuff isn't going down suck on candy. Barb

P.S. I would really think hard about going back to work as the first time I got sick after surgery it was the most awful thing because you can't throw up. You have dry heaves until it works it's way through your system to the other end. Not a fun thing to go through.

Posted 3/13/2009 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the thoughts about going back to work. I'm going to have to do some soul searching. I do NOT want to get sick. How long before the wrap is considered strong enough to handle that type of challenge? Ever?
Thanks again.
Posted 3/13/2009 6:24 AM (GMT 0)
I had my surgery Feb 3rd and I still get some slight burning in my chest which is fine if I take my nexium. I noticed though when things get stuck it gets much worse.  I worry all the time about having a failed surgery. When I last saw my surgeon he thought everything was fine and wanted to try and get me off the nexium, but after a couple days on pepcid it seemed my burning was out of control. So I'm taking the nexium again. I see him next week and I hope it's just part of th healing process.
Posted 3/13/2009 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
I know just what you mean. I have heard that it can be a part of the healing. I'm still on prednosone, and that rips up my stomach. My stomach is very sensitive. Actually this recovery is NOTHING compared to some acid burn/GERD related/antibiotic/med induced stomach issues that I've had for MONTHS. I am also on Protonix 40mg twice a day. My family doctor tried moving me back to once a day, but my stomach isn't ready yet. I think that things are so irritated that it'll take some time. I'm praying that's all it is.

I still have enough resistance to swallowing, and my stomach still fills up really fast, so I think the wrap is working, but it scared me to get that heartburn feeling again. I may have overdone some eating, (pretty sure I did) and who knows what's stuck or irritated the wrap.

I am going to call my surgeon today to report what's going on. I'll let you know what I hear there.
Thanks for your responses.
Denise
Posted 3/14/2009 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Okay...I'm thinking the heartburn was caused by my not eating carefully enough. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that I tried eating pad tai (not at all spicy, but the rice noodles weren't soft enough, and challenged my wrap). I've switched back to soup and softer, easier things, and the heartburn sensation haven't returned yet. My wrap is feeling better, too. I've been trying to drink more water, too. I think there may have been something stuck.

Hopefully slowing down will make a big difference. It's easy to get too "frisky" when you start trying new things.
Denise
Posted 3/14/2009 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
When I take prednizone for any period of time I end up with an ulcer. I had to take it alot when my Ulcertive colitis was really bad. Now I only take it for 5 days at a time for my asthma. Be really careful how much you eat and drink. Your stomach is smaller now and if you eat even one bite 2 much you will pay for it with heartburn and pain. I couldn't even eat an entire meal with meat, starch and veggie for over a year after my wrap was done. As soon as I felt full I would have to stop eating. Barb

Posted 3/14/2009 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Barb. I very much appreciate your warnings. After enjoying food too much for a lifetime, it's a challenge to do the right thing--especially as recovery makes my stomach feel better.

I learned my lesson this weekend. It was VERY scary to get heartburn again. I was panicked at the possibility that it was all for nothing--that I was back to pre-surgery issues.

I contacted my doctor via email and just received a response. He wants me to taper from 10 down to 5mg of prednosone, and get off all other oral meds. He also ordered carafate to coat my stomach. He thinks the antibiotic and prednosone together have irritated my stomach and wrap. I'm sure that's true.

As I said...the eating that I did also contributed, I'm sure. I already feel better after moving back to an earlier eating routine. I'll stay there a while. Hello soups...goodbye experimentation!

Thanks again.
Denise
Posted 3/15/2009 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Carafate does a good job of coating and soothing the stomach. It works well for me. Just remember how bad you felt when you over ate and that should help you to avoid over doing it again. That's what helped me any way. Barb
Posted 3/15/2009 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Barb. When your stomach starts feeling better, the swallowing improves, it's easy to get too frisky.

When you take the carafate, do you dissolve the pill in a little water then drink it, or chew it whole? I took it four years ago when I was hospitalized for out of control GERD and asthma. They dissolved it in a little water, and I downed it like Maalox.
How do you take it?

Also, I find that in the early morning--about 3-6 AM I'm likely to wake up with some discomfort in the wrap area...burning/discomfort--not heartburn, but irritation. It's almost as if it bothers me more with an empty stomach, but that doesn't make sense. I've been taking Maalox for it, which coats and soothes it. I'll keep carafate next to my bed and take that tonight. See how it works...

Thanks for the support and advice!
Denise
Posted 3/16/2009 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
I just took mine with a glass of water in pill form. I wish I had some left. I thought it really helped but after I had my bravo done a few weeks ago and the results showed that there was only a little acid coming up my doctor took me off all my meds. I tried argueing with him but it did no good. My stomach was not at it's worse when he did the test. I knew I should have canceled the test. He gave me some pill that you take subligualy for cramping. Well that's not the problem I have. When reflux is at it's worse it goes all the way up into my sinus and makes them burn and bleed and it affects my asthma. I had 2 ph tests done before I had my surgery and one was positive and one was negative and it depended on how I ate. I guess I screwed my self this last time by being careful what i ate and having taken all of those stomach meds. I am trying some natural things that haven't helped yet and I have stomach pain most of the time especially at night. I think maybe the ulcer I used to have is back or the gastritis is acting up from not having the meds any more. I have to try to keep things under control until after I have my surgery (hysterectomy) after that if it gets bad I don't know what I'll do because any doctor is going to refer to his test and notes. I'll probably have to be coughing up blood before they will do any thing with me or give me any thing again. Oh well I'll just have to live with it for now I guess. I hope things work out for you. Barb
Posted 3/16/2009 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Barb,
I'm trying to remember your story. Did you have something happen to your wrap that caused it to fail? Did it ever work? I'm having doubts about mine, which I know is non-productive, but I guess it's natural.

Does your doctor consider your wrap successful? It sounds like you're really struggling. As I've said, I've had about 4 episodes that really felt like reflux. I just pray to God that it's just sensations/healing process, and doesn't mean that this was all for nothing.

My asthma has improved, but I still have a wheeze and some mucous at what I perceive to be the center of my chest. I've read that it takes weeks or months to see GERD related pulmonary symptoms.

If you're not getting satisfaction from your doctor, would you consider getting a second opinion? I changed GI docs, when my first one was totally resistant to my symptoms/experiences--always denying that what I was telling him was possible. I found someone who will listen to me with respect, and consider what I am saying with seriousness and compassion. We shall see how he takes me through this recovery. I will see him after I'm dismissed from my surgeon.

I'm going to continue to take the carafate the way the hospital dispensed it...I put it in a little medicine cup and add a bit of water. It dissolves immediately, then I stir and drink. Last night I took it at about 3 AM and it seemed to help a lot.

I'm also going to cut back on my portion sizes--I think I was pushing it...feeling full after eating. Not a good thing right now. Better to eat more often.
Thanks again, and best wishes in your own struggles.
We'll get through this!
Denise
Posted 3/17/2009 3:23 AM (GMT 0)

Yes they do consider mine a success. They just keep telling me it's in place and working right. But the doctors aren't the ones that have to live with the burning, pain, bleeding & burning sinus's when it goes up that high. The swollen and scratchy fried throat. Waking up choking on the crap coming up and when it's really bad and my throat is swollen from it I wake up gasping for air if I try to lay back at all. I can't even sleep in my bed when it's like that. I'm just really disgusted with doctors in general right now. I will try talking to my general when I am off after my surgery. I might have him refer me to a homeopathic doctor. I need to get my records from my other doctor who is not in the same net work. That will show them that I've had ulcers in the past. My stomach was hurting all day after I quit taking the nexium so I gave in this am and took it. My stomach felt much better today, but I don't know what I'll do when I run out of the pills that I have. I have quite a few left. Oh well I'll figure something out. Hope things start going better for you too.

Barb

Posted 3/17/2009 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Barb, if you're experiencing burning/stomach pain, etc. I don't understand your doctor's reluctance to prescribe PPI's for you. What are they trying to do? You know your body. In my case, I'm continuing on PPI's...I have an EXTREMELY sensitive stomach that reacts wildly to antibiotics/prednosone...any assault that most people wouldn't even notice. I can imagine that I may be on PPI's periodically even if my wrap is a stunning success. Gastritis is something that is very easy to set off in my situation...and I'd guess in yours as well.

It sounds like you definitely need a change in doctors. Shop carefully. Get your general doc and explain exactly what you're looking for. Communication is the key for me. Whatever is your specific need to get satisfaction from your doctor needs to be communicated strongly. You need more than a referral. You need a GREAT referral. You need someone who takes your issues seriously. Can you push your doc to give you a PPI script? I'd try that as well. Carafate is pretty benign. Why can't they give you that? I've notice a huge difference since I started using it.

I wish the best for you in your recovery. When is your surgery scheduled? That's another reason to try to get your stomach straightened around...wouldn't it make sense to have your stomach feeling better BEFORE your surgery? I just don't get it.
Good luck, and as always, thanks for your support and advice.
Denise
Posted 3/18/2009 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Wow your stomach sounds exactly like mine. I have to be really careful what i eat, drink or take. There are so many drugs I can't take because of my stomach. They have them listed on my records as alergies because I got so sick. The last really bad reaction I had was to Crestor that I took for a week and ended up with months of stomach and asthma problems because of it. I finally told the heart doc that I would rather die of a heart attack than ever take another statin. And I meant it. That's no way to live. I don't know what was wrong with my stomach last night but I had horrible pain, gas and bloating. I suspect it was my gastritis acting up. I am just going to keep taking the nexium and pepcid until I have my surgery and can go in and talk to my general doctor about it. I don't know if I can talk him into helping me out with this situation. I think it would really help to

have my records from my other doc to back me up. I'll work on that when I am off after my surgery. I'm not going to Madison or Mayo clinic to see a doctor for this problem. That is just ridiculous when we have the doctors where I live. At this point I don't even have a car worthy of a trip like that any way. I still think If I just took carafate before bed it would make a huge difference because it really helped when my stomach was so bad in January. I have my surgery March 26th. I have to be there at 6am. I don't like the idea that the hospital is 30 minutes away, but that's the only one my doc does surgery at. Oh well my daughter is going to drive us down there. My husband is in a wheel chair. I'll let you know how things go. Thanks for all your help. Barb

Posted 3/18/2009 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Barb,
I do think we do have similar stomach situations. I have been hospitalized for asthma caused gastritis/GERD--brought on by Augmentin. I ended up in the hospital for a week, and I was still bad when I was finally released. Once I get gastritis (which always makes my asthma terrible) it takes months to be able to eat again. This whole past year I was struggling with a six month gastritis/asthma problem which was a result of taking an antibiotic and pain meds after foot surgery. When I get gastritis, it takes months to be able to get back to normal eating again. And my asthma always gets bad as a result.

I'm still having a lung infection (I can only take amoxicillin without setting off my stomach), and it must be resistant. So...my family doc is now giving me an intramuscular antibiotic. I got a shot today, and will go every day this week for another shot. He is very good with my stomach. He is very careful...I've been with him for 30 years...he knows me like a book. He's the one who intervenes, and takes my stomach issues very seriously. He knows that I'll need PPI's sometimes even with the wrap...because of my gastritis issues.

So...hopefully you'll find someone who can help you out in a similar way. I wish you lots of luck with your surgery. It'll be good to get that behind you.
I'm hoping that this antibiotic will clear my lungs once and for all. That would be a huge relief.
Feel better!
Denise
Posted 3/18/2009 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
My general I only have had for 6 months because the one I did have retired and the one before her I had for 12 years. I know he would have been no help because he had given up on my stomach problems and would just tell me that nothing else could be done since I had the surgery and that should have fixed all my problems. Plus he is friends with my  current GI doc so I'm glad I don't have him any more for a doc. Now I just have to get my records from him. I'm going to try to get my records from Iowa that I brought with me 14 years ago because they are extensive and I think would be helpful also. I guess I will have to pray that the right doctor comes my way. You are so lucky to have such an understanding doctor. I haven't ended up in the hospital because of my asthma but I did have some trips to the ER when it was really bad from my stomach and that was after my wrap was done and I had taken Crestor. When ever I was in the hospital because of my uc my stomach would act up too. It was always like  achain reaction with my digestive system. I sure hope your wrap works for you. Well I am off to bed now. Barb
Posted 3/18/2009 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
I wish you the best in finding a doctor who will work with you. I know how important that is. Whenever I have a medication reaction in my stomach, I also get diarrhea. In the past, it has also burned my esophagus, and triggered bad asthma reactions. Any time my stomach gets irritated it takes forever for it to improve. Thank God there is an intramuscular antibiotic I can take for this lung infection. My stomach couldn't take another thing.

I had a scare this morning. My leg felt like it had a year ago when I had a blood clot after foot surgery. It was in the same leg. I went to the doc for my antibiotic shot, so he checked me, and though he felt the odds were against a clot (I've been up and around--walking a lot) he sent me for a doppler. Thank goodness I don't have one. It was a false alarm. I still have the same pain, it doesn't mean clot, which is a load off my mind.

So far my asthma is much improved already after the surgery. I had been on a nebulizer twice a day for a year. I was constantly coughing. I do have the lung infection (which seems to be responding to the treatment now), but my coughing is nothing like it has been. A hopeful sign.

Actually, I expected to feel like I did with GERD/Gastritis after the surgery. As it turns out, the surgery recovery has been much better than the burned esophagus/stomach of my other stomach problems. Even with the stomach irritation I've experienced, it's still much better than drug-induced gastritis.

I hope you get to the bottom of your problems soon. I also hope you will find a doctor who will treat you in a way that allows your symptoms to be treated while they try to figure out what's going on. You know how you feel. They need to respect you enough to trust you're telling them the truth!
Good luck, Barb. I hope your surgery goes really well.
Denise
Posted 3/19/2009 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
My stomach felt so much better last night no pain and bloating after taking my nexium yesterday am and then pepcid last night.I didn't even have a sore throat this am.

I talked to my chiropractor today about it and he said there is no way I should be going with out medication when I told him what was going on and asked his advice. He said gastritis is a nasty thing to deal with and nothing to let go. I was surprised to hear that from a chiropractor. I will go talk to my general in a couple of weeks and see what he has to say. If that doesn't work I will have to start shoping for a new doc I guess. I don't want any more tests done though. I've had it with that for now. I think my wrap works when I don't have problems with the gastritis. I hope you continue to improve. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to sleep and not have stuff coming up.

I've had blood clots in my leg 2x. It was just the ones in the superficial veins so nothing to worry about. They just went away on their own. Barb 

Posted 3/20/2009 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Barb,
I used to get superficial phlebitis when I was on hormone replacement therapy. I felt stupid jumping the gun, when it wasn't a clot, but I really couldn't just ignore it, since I knew it was a risk. It's less painful today, so yay.

I think you have a good plan. Gastritis is a totally different issue from the GERD. Sure gastritis can make GERD worse, but wrap or not, your stomach needs protection and help when it's irritated. Common sense.

Hopefully you can communciate with your doctor and will get satisfaction. I wish you lots of luck. Glad to hear that your stomach is feeling better!
Denise
Posted 3/20/2009 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
I know how bad even the superficial ones can hurt. I'm glad that's not what yours is. It's nice to be able to talk to some one with the same stomach issues I have. It really helps when you know what causes to avoid. I want to try to get my stomach in the best possible shape before my surgery next week, so I'll continue to take my meds as it is helping at this point. I'll have enough pain to deal with with out the stomach issues too. I am getting really anxious about the surgery. I hate hospitals. I can't ever sleep when I'm in a hospital. The beds are really hard on my back and I don't know how my broken tail bone is going to handle that. I go tomorrow to spend the afternoon at the hospital and doctors office for preop visits, tests and pre-registration. Yahoo I'd rather be at work. Tonight I'm filling out all the paper work. I'm finaly doing a power of attorney for health care form. I should have had that down 3 heart caths and 2 surgeries ago. There's a lot of stuff to make decisions about. Oh well better get back to the paper work. Barb

  

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