Nissen Recovery and asthma is better!

Hello everyone,

I posted here several months ago.. and Denise, Joy, etc were all so helpful that i wanted to give you an update on my husband. He had experienced a chronic cough and shortness of breath for three years... we finally went to National Jewish Hospital in Denver and he was diagnosed with atypical GERD.  After lots of tests, he had a Nissen in April. It was a bit rough going at first, in terms of the liquid diet and a lot of discomfort/hiccuping when he did try even soft foods. And he has lost 30 pounds ! But the amazing thing is, as you all shared, is that his asthma is getting better ! I can not believe it. It feels like a miracle. He hadn't been able to run a mile in January and the other day he ran six !  If I can help anyone in a similar situation, please contact me. Like many of you, our doctors minimized the asthma/reflux connection.. but clearly, there is one ! Hope you are all doing well. Thanks again, KBR

How long did it take for him to start getting relief? I have the same thing and am 2 weeks post op and I hope I can get back to my old self.

Hi kbr,
Welcome back! I'm so happy to hear that your husband's lungs have responded to the Nissen surgery! Thanks so very much for returning to share his good results. Yes, the recovery has its challenges, but it is well worth it.

Hi Scrappy5,
I had my Nissen in February 2009, and it took until mid May for my lungs to recover. I had been on high quantities of steroids and using my nebulizer treatment daily for probably a year. The past 4 years had been a real challenge for my lungs.

I know it is hard to trust and wait for the improvement, but give yourself time. I'm sure it took longer than a few weeks to get your lungs as bad as they were, and it will take longer than a few weeks to heal them. Try to be patient.

Hi Katgriff,
Hopefully kbr will be by to share her husband's experience. I will tell you that because I had asthma, I was especially careful, and continued my PPI's for several months after my surgery. I also have a very reactive stomach, which makes things more complicated. In the early weeks the wrap is swollen and can be misshapen. Because of that some acid can escape. I knew my lungs were very sensitive to any amount of acid, so decided to be conservative. I know others who go right off meds immediately.

I do take my PPI dose before dinner still...I do that proactively. I have an extremely reactive stomach, and it can get going pretty quickly. I discussed it with my PCP and he was in favor of continuing. I do not experience any heartburn, and would not be taking anything if I didn't have asthma. I suffered too long to take any chances. It might not be necessary, but I don't want to take that chance.

Good luck and best wishes to one and all!
Denise

Hi Scrappy,
If you had reflux that was bad enough to affect your teeth, I can say with certainty that it was enough to affect your lungs. My allergist/asthma doc said that GI docs have no idea how a tiny amount of acid can create a very big problem in the lungs.

When I had my surgery, my surgeon told me that if the reflux was causing my asthma to be worse, then the surgery would cure it. That it did.

From my experience, many docs are unfamiliar with the connection between breathing problems and reflux.

I'm glad you've had the surgery and are on your way toward recovery.
Best wishes! Wow a Navy pilot! I'm impressed.

Good luck! Stick around the forum. If you have any questions, ask away. We'll all be here to support you through your recovery. Welcome to our Wrapped Club!

Take care,
Denise

That is so promising to hear about the "asthma" relief. That is what the process started with me wanting the surgery. My allergist said since my asthma was adult onset then he felt sure the GERD is causing it. So YAY!

Ok I am 20 days post op and the shortness of breath is getting worse. I have been a little bit ahead with my diet got some stuff stuck and I am having caffeine (was told not until after 9 weeks). Am I possibly pissing my wrap off by being to aggressive and that is causing this?