Had GERD Nissen Fundoplication Done Recently

Welcome to Healing Well!  I had a Nissen done three years ago mainly for atypical symptoms--actually GERD induced asthma.  My lungs were in terrible shape for several years, but it took that long to convince my GI doc to refer me for surgery.

When people with atypical symptoms present themselves to a GI doc or surgeon, most are very hesitant to recommend surgery, as they don't feel confident that their symptoms respond. 

The Nissen can't eliminate all reflux, because if it was that tight you wouldn't be able to swallow food.  Therefore, since those of us with LPR symptoms are very reactive to small amounts of reflux, they're fearful that they can do the surgery and we'll still have our symptoms afterward.

My PCP and asthma doc were certain that my asthma was caused by reflux, and they were very frustrated that they couldn't get cooperation from my GI doc.  After my PCP sent me directly to a surgeon, I went back to my GI doc with the testing that surgeon did, and I guess that made him realize that my PCP meant business.

After that, my GI doc did more testing, and FINALLY decided that I "could either continue to treat my reflux with medication, or he could refer me to a surgeon to pursue that possibility."

It took 2 and a half months to see improvement in my lungs after surgery, but yes, it did help.  After 5 years of high steroid usage and very unhealthy lungs, I finally had relief.

Have you had any testing yet?  Any surgeon worth his salt will do a battery of tests including barium swallow, manometry, 24hr PH monitor,  endoscopy, and possibly a stomach emptying test. 

While LPR symptoms are a little trickier to fix with a Nissen, there are many here who have found relief.  At the very least it will HELP, and improve your overall symptoms.

Good luck with your appointment!  Stick around--I'm sure others will be by to share their own experiences.  I suggest that you start your own thread to share your experiences and ask questions.

Here's a link to the main page:  GERD - Heartburn

Best wishes,

Denise

I actually had a lung infection before, during, and after my surgery.  They couldn't wait for my lungs to improve, because I needed the surgery to do that.  So they went ahead and did the surgery with my sad lung condition. 

I coughed terribly during my recovery.  It was especially painful to my left rib incision...I guess that's the one that the manipulate the tools from.  Ice really helped. 

I was very worried that I would damage the hernia/wrap repair and cause my surgery to be a failure.  My internal tissue was extremely fragile because of the steroid use, so my surgeon put in a few extra stitches to give it more strength.

My coughing was incessent and extremely strong.  My husband did lung PT on me...hitting my back to help me raise mucous.  And with all that, my wrap held and I'm doing fine.

My situation is muddied up with another issue, though.  I have severe allergies, so on top of the LPR symptoms I've got allergy-induced asthma as well.  That creates a situation where it's hard to tell which is creating problems. 

Because of my allergies, I still have plenty of coughing.  I don't think it can be as bad as yours, as it doesn't keep me awake at all.  Still, because of the reflux/bad lung-induced coughing prior to the surgery, and allergy cough that has continued, my vocal chords have never really had a chance to get back to normal.  If I could get my allergies into better control and make it a few months without coughing, maybe I'd have a chance.  My allergist is working on it.  He increased the strength of my shots and added some more things into them, so hopefully it will help.

I don't lose my voice completely...but it is hoarse, and my singing days are over.  Hopefully one day I'll get it back...

I was also on a PPI (Protonix) 40mg morning and night, and my doc put me on Zantac 300mg at bedtime on top of those.

I assume you've got the head of your bed elevated.  If you don't that is something that might help you right away. 

Like you, I've had a lifetime of postnasal drip.  My mom told me that she took me to doctors for it, and they told her that I'd need medication constantly to stop it...they never did anything for me.  Fortunately, once I was on the right allergy shots my sinuses have done well.  Also, I do nasal washings daily which really make a big difference. 

Anyway, due to my allergy issues, I still get way too much postnasal drip.  Sometimes it's worse than others. 

I think if you can get most of your problems solved by the surgery it is well worth doing.  If you can get more sleep, and get your voice better (if it's caused by reflux, it should respond pretty quickly--my allergy issues have interfered with mine), then you will have succeeded. 

I'm a retired teacher (second grade) so I know how important your voice is.  Before my surgery, it would actually hurt to read a story to my class.  I'd have to ask my TA to take over reading at times. 

I can't wait to hear how your appointment with the specialist goes.  That's a perfect situation...ENTs are the best with atypical symptoms--straight GI docs don't seem very concerned with them.  They're more comfortable with referring people with large volume reflux. 

Good luck!

If you click on the link I gave you, then go to the top of the page and click the button, "Post New Topic", just give your post a name, copy and paste what you wrote here to introduce yourself, and you're in business!

If you have any more questions, just ask away!

Best wishes,

Denise

Post Edited (dencha) : 2/24/2012 9:03:24 PM (GMT-7)