Heartburn 4 1/2 weeks post Esophyx TIF. Thoughts on Reglan?

Hi Sophie,
Welcome to Healing Well!

While I didn't have the TIF, I had a Nissen Fundoplication, so I can speak from that perspective. After surgery, almost anything can happen...Things are swollen and it takes time for them to fall into place. Laproscopic surgery is deceiving. (is the TIF placed through an endoscopy? If so, it's even more deceiving, as you have no external evidence of what has gone on inside.)

You've had a revision to your upper GI tract, and it often takes time for things to work the way they're meant to.

Try to be patient. Follow your doctor's directions, and give yourself time to heal.

As far as Reglan goes, there are quite a few here who have or are taking it. I took it for many years--prescribed by my family doc. My GI docs weren't fond of it because of the side effect risks and probably their own risk of lawsuits.

I never had a problem taking it, but I never noticed that it helped me. I haven't taken it in several years. My doc put me on it again a few years back, and it didn't help...when I told him I was getting thumb twitching, he took me off of it.

It'll be your call. Pretty much all meds have long lists of horrible side effects. If it is a short term thing you might want to follow his advice and take it to see if it helps. When it comes down to it, you are the one to make the decision.

Take care and good luck,
Denise

Sophie1016

Welcome to HealingWell.  I am so sorry to read of your issues.  You may want to talk with your GI Physician re using Aciphex in place of Reglan.  The side effects from Reglan appear to be the reason MD's do not prescribe the medication as much as they used to.

Take care and hope you solve your issues.

Kindly,

Kitt

Hello all I am a new member so I hope I am doing this right. I am reaching out to people wo have had the TIF procedure. I a 57yr. old female in pretty good shape. My Doctor did a check and found that I have Microsopic, it is pre-cancerous and Barrett's mucosa must be considered, That's what is on my path report. I saw a different Doctor that does this kind of procedure. He told me that the TIF was right for me. But as we all know some Doctors are just out for the $ and I am not sure just what I am going to decide. I really could use some feedback from anyone. Thanks

Thanks for the info on the Reglan. Glad to hear that it didn't really affect you. I have been taking it for a few days and have had no side effects, so that's good.

Peacedove,
I was also told that I am a perfect candidate for the TIF. I am 39, lead a healthy lifestyle, and not overweight. My hiatal hernia is small and that is the only reason for 15 years of heartburn troubles (no other complications). My surgeon was very honest with me. He has done about 1000 Nissen procedures in the last 10 years, but the TIF only about 10 times. He is highly regarded in the area (D.C. metro) and regularly often travels abroad to teach others surgical techniques.

He explained that the Nissen is more likely to be "permanent" due to scarring that occurs - (although I am noticing on this forum there are several people who have had it more than once).
The two surgeries are equally involved, but the TIF can be adjusted or redone with scarring being less of an issue. Plus recovery is easier since there are no incisions. If for some reason the TIF doesn't work, a Nissen can be done, no problem.

So, I took my chances. I am now 5 weeks post-op. I felt NO pain after surgery and stayed in the hospital one night. I walked right out of there a little more than 24 hours later. My first week, I had trouble swallowing much, and my esophagus would often occasionally spasm for about 30 seconds (ouch!!). I was also just a bit tired from the surgery. But all that passed in less than a week's time and I really felt normal in less than 7 days. I still continue to carefully watch my diet. HOWEVER, I started having heartburn about 3-4 days after the procedure, and it has gotten progressively worse since then. Hence, the Reglan, which definitely helps, albeit temporarily. I don't have an explanation for it, so I am seeing the surgeon next Thursday to talk about my barium test results. Hopefully he knows what's going on!

Hope that helps you. I am happy to follow up with another report in the near future. I know how nerve-wracking all of this is.

Hi,

i had Tif done 1 week back and i am regretting doing it, i am suffering more post TIF, my life is more miserable than it was before surgery. i was suffering only from mild LPR and now heartburn, sore throat has worsen and voice worse, if try to talk it pains a lot. i would advise anyone please think a million of time before going for TIF. now i am planning for LNF. i am on 2x40mg Nexium plus 3malox plus.

Hi, Marsha

i am sorry i have LPR so voice too bad, i just can say this, i am not discouraging you to have tif, if you have funds its OK if it fails you still have LNF to do, it cost a lot for TIF, Now i have to wait for some 3-4 month has need to arrange for about 15,000 usd, all my life saving is over and i am indebted in two years, since am ill i have already spend more than 70,000usd. the thing is as i said before post tif my symptoms are worse, i eat very little even before OP, i was 90kg today i am 65kg. we can chat msn, skype, or any im or through this forum

Hi Sophie,

The thing is i know am having reflux as my mouth is in fire after sometime i finish eating, so that's what worrying me most and i know after 2 month TIF can be redone. its good to hear you are getting better. its only 1 week now post TIF. and i am on reglan too.

Hi Spohie,

My doc, is more than 10 thousand miles from me, i emailed him, he is saying we have to wait for 6 weeks, that's means 4 weeks more and now itself am suffering, i am more dosage of PP I's and meds allowed already. nowadays almost no doc have moral conscience its just business.

Just an update - I saw the doctor about my barium test results. He said that it all looked very good and that it showed no reflux at all. I continue to have a LOT of burning in my esophagus, though. So my next step is to have the 24-hour ph test this coming Thursday. I cannot take any medicine to help the heartburn symptoms until after the test is done - and I am very uncomfortable. It will be a long few days!

I can't imagine what is causing this awful feeling if it is not reflux!

Hi Sophie,

I had TIF surgery 7 months ago by a well thought of surgeon who had done over 40 TIF procedures. The spasms and fatigue went away quickly, but it took weeks of Carafate before the burning stopped. Now I feel the same as I did before the surgery. I'm still taking Nexium and I still can't eat trigger foods. The doctor told me BEFORE surgery that the surgery was about 70% successful. Interestingly, AFTER the surgery he told me of a new study where it was only 30% successful. My surgery is intact, but my ph readings haven't improved. If I had it to do over, I would do the nissen. At least though, I'm not any worse off. As far as a redo, it is more complicated than it sounds. Also there are surgeons who have done a Nissen after a Nissen, but it is hard to find a qualified surgeon who has done a Nissen or another TIF after a TIF. According to my surgeon there is scar tissue after a TIF. I hope Sophie, that with time, your situation improves. It is early yet. Good luck.

Hi Shaeyne,
Sorry your condition is worse. My surgeon told me before the surgery that if I had problems swallowing after the surgery there was a procedure they could do to loosen the valve. Since I didn't have that problem I never looked into it. Have you heard of this before? Maybe it would help. I am so disappointed that the surgery didn't work. I thought I'd be eating chocolate by now!

I am 3 months post FIT. I am still experiencing pain. I am resorting to TUMS. The pain is improved over the pre-FIT, but still not normal. Do not take reglan. It caused me to have facial tics that have no cure.