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How dangerous is vomiting or dry heaves 2 years post-Nissen fundoplication?

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Posted 8/21/2012 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I had my Nissen in Jan 2010. I have not had any GERD symptoms since, but have been terrified when I get nauseous. I avoid trying to vomit, but was in hospital 2 days ago with severe nausea, felt like had food poisoning. Had dry heaves, which terrified me. Then they tried to get me to drink some contrast material for a CT scan, and I did actually vomit it back up. That was the first time ever in 2 1/2 yrs of vomiting. It felt awful, hurt like heck, and absolutely terrified me.

I know nothing about the statistics on what happens when people who've had these procedures vomit, or have the dry heaves. Logically, it seems like a really bad idea to vomit after having had this surgery. Would seem to me to have lots of potential for all kinds of damaging things to occur. Anecdotal stories? Statistics?

I'm grateful to have found this forum.
Posted 8/21/2012 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
I've heard of many, many people who have vomited after the Nissen and were totally fine.
Posted 8/22/2012 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Dave, for responding so quickly. I'm still thinking it's a pretty bad idea to vomit after having fundoplication. Sutures can pull through, huger hernias develop. I had a huge hiatal hernia that needed repair at the time of the Nissen. Vomiting isn't too good on hernia repairs either. I do everything I can think of to avoid the dry heaves and vomiting. But Sat. nite, it just wasn't in the cards.

But you're saying people regularly vomit after Nissens w/o any adverse side effects? I searched on the web, and could find very little on the subject that wasn't on this forum. Would seem to me that there should be someone who's studied this, considering for how long fundos have been being done. I would think the surgeons and GI docs would be happy to do research on it....

but then along with the little I could find, in the way of studies, was that people who've had this procedure don't want to go through more manometry tests, etc. etc. I sure don't. I couldn't get thru manometry even once...they tried x2 diff. occasions. I have extraordinarily high gag reflex.

But anyhow, I sure would like it if folks who haven't already weighed in on this would do so.


Thanks!
Posted 8/22/2012 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
I caught gastroenteritis 9 months after my surgery. Threw up every 20 minutes for 12 hours (lots of hard dry heaving). Since then I've thrown up at least 5 times hard in the last 2 1/2 years.

My wrap is still intact.
Posted 8/22/2012 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
omg - and you're still here to write about it! Am so sorry you went through that, don't know how you did. Thanks so much for writing, this is helping allay my fears. Because I'm still pretty sick, and dry heaves are a heartbeat away, have been for over a week now.
Posted 8/22/2012 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi scared,

I'm three and a half years post op.  At the one year and two year marks I got stomach bugs and found out I could vomit.  Fortunately, I was prepared with anti-nausea meds and after vomiting was able to get the nausea under control.  My bugs were very bad, though, and it was tough staying on top of it.  I found Compazine suppositories to be by far the most effective.  Once my stomach was sick it was useless to take an oral med.  Like Joy, my wrap is just fine.

I assume you're taking an anti-nausea drug to stop the heaving/vomiting, is that right?  You're over two and a half years post-op.  The big problem with dry heaves and vomiting is right after the surgery when things haven't healed and strengthed.  I really don't think you need to worry about a thing!

That said, post-op we should still always have nausea meds handy.  I actually carry it wherever I go, just in case.  Each time I got sick it was very sudden with no opportunity to pre-medicate.  From what I have learned from experienced members and what I've read, whenever we think we have food poisoning it's a good idea to get to the hospital to have our stomach pumped.  I'm not sure if that's true, but it's what I remember reading.

I hope your nausea subsides and you get feeling better very soon! 

Best wishes,

Denise

Posted 8/22/2012 10:33 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, NOW I have anti-nausea meds, which I will make sure I keep with me. My surgeon gave me just a few nausea meds to keep on hand right after the surgery, and which I did use then, but when I asked him if he could write a rx when I saw him for the last visit post-op , he wouldn't do it. No idea why. But after the misery I've gone through with the nausea in the past 2 1/2 weeks, I'm carrying them with me like my glasses and wallet.

Thanks everyone for responding.
Posted 8/22/2012 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi scared,

Don't be surprised if you have some symptoms after your bout with dry heaves.  Although your wrap is solid at this point, it has been through a lot, and will take time to heal. You might experience tenderness, and even some of this residual nausea could be related.  Since your wrap is made from your stomach, when it gets irritated it can create stomach discomfort.

Hope you feel better soon!

Best wishes,

Denise turn

Posted 8/22/2012 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Denise, I appreciate the info. I'm still feeling really really rough. I tried to graduate from white rice to egg white this a.m., and I've been running to the bathroom again, soooo nauseated. Guess I better stick with the rice for a few more days.
Posted 8/22/2012 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
What kind of anti-nausea drugs are you on?  Are you having diarrhea or still retching?
Posted 8/22/2012 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'm taking ondansetron dissolvable (zofran 4mg). It doesn't work if I'm having the dry heaves, or actually retching. If I'm mod. nauseated, it takes the edge off for maybe 1/2 hr, or hr, then I'm feeling really sick again. It did nothing after I slowly ate the egg white from the boiled egg this a.m. I didn't actually retch, but did have dry heaves again. I haven't had diarrhea since I took immodium 3 days ago. I'm feeling pretty wretched still right now.
Posted 8/22/2012 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
I'd go to a doctor ASAP. You sound like you need more medical attention than you have right now.
Posted 8/22/2012 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
ty - just called my doc - she's w/Pt - w/c me back as soon as fin.
Posted 8/22/2012 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Am going in tomorrow a.m. to see GI doc, esophageal speciality. They told me to just drink ginger ale til then, nothing solid. Like I would try that again today. I'm a real baby when it comes to nausea. I'd rather deal with pain; nausea, vomiting and dry heaves I just can't stomach, pun intended. Thanks for everyone's help.
Posted 8/22/2012 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi scared,

Glad you're seeing your doctor. Hopefully he/she will give you some Compazine suppository, which, in my experience does a much better job than Zofran.  I've tried both.

Good luck.  Let us know how it turns out!

Denise

Posted 8/22/2012 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much! I very much appreciate your kindness. And I will definitely ask for the compazine suppository.
Posted 8/23/2012 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, back from the GI doc. He didn't scope me today, did very thorough external exam including for vertigo and orthostasis. He believes primary is vertigo from either cipro or more likely, I have labyrinthitis again. Had it about 7 yrs ago, sick as a dog for 3 1/2 mos. Couldn't drive, couldn't work. It can go away in weeks, months. Totally unpredictable. No cure for it. Just taking rx for nausea and vertigo symptoms.

He said I do need to be scoped, should've had follow up scoping after my surgery which I was never told. So I'll get that sometime in the next couple of weeks unless I have other symptoms pop up requiring it be completed sooner. He didn't want to do it today since I have gastritis, severe nausea, etc. Will let you know how things go, thanks for all your help.
Posted 8/24/2012 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
Good Luck! turn
Posted 8/27/2012 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
I still feel lousy, and am waiting for GI doc to call me back re: setting up scoping appt. He wanted to review my records first. I expect a call back later this afternoon. My vertigo has decreased, but is not gone. I went for vestibular eval today, and it was much less than fun. I was told that ideally I should be treated x3/wk for 6 wks. whoa! I'm broke. Haven't worked for 8 mos. I'll go to for several more appts., because I am very limited with driving and doing any kind of everyday activity.

Anyhow, am still super bloated, and feeling perfectly rotten. Still can't eat more than 2 T of e.g. rice, noodles without immediate onset of nausea. Then can't eat more for another hr. I'm not looking forward to trying to get down any of the cleansing soln. I don't see how that's going to happen. The upper GI they'll be able to do, that's not a problem. But I don't know how I'll be able to get lower GI done.
Posted 8/28/2012 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi scared,

I can identify with your fear of putting things in your stomach when you're having the kinds of difficilties you're experiencing.  When you talk to your GI doc try to get his/her insights into what might happen and how to reduce the chance of exacerbating your symptoms.

Hang in there!

Denise

Posted 8/28/2012 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Been there!! Not pleasant! lol I'm nearly 3 years post op and have thrown up 3 times. I can't really get anything up. Just a tad bit if at all. Even after I just had a full dinner! It's violent and painful. Feels like my throat is swollen after. But it seems to be fine though, just not the most delightful thing in the world to experience.
Posted 8/28/2012 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Dencha, Stormienite-I'm continuing to improve, don't feel as bloated as yesterday, thank God! My endoscopy is scheduled for Thursday around noon. I'm going to be more adventuresome this afternoon and try oatmeal I think. Maybe.
Posted 8/29/2012 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
I'm five months post op and I dry heaved a week or so ago about ten times. A migraine got me. I have been experiencing them more since the surgery. The heaving part wasn't as bad as I had imagined. Honestly, I'm okay. No problems at all from the experience.

about that vertigo of yours...I also had it before my surgery and now after. Pressure on your Vagus nerve is causing it if I had to guess. I had a large hernia like you and it screwed up all sorts of things.
Posted 9/1/2012 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

The endoscopy went fine. The Nissen was intact, and no tears. So that is ok, I'm relieved to know. The gastritis has abated too, tho is not entirely gone. The bloating is almost gone.

My primary problem at this point doesn't really go on this forum, will just say it's from inflammation of inner ear on both sides, called labyrinthitis. It's caused by a virus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, and vertigo. Can also cause hearing loss, temporary or permanent. I'm still awfully sick with it, continue to lose weight, down #12. But I was able to eat a very small amt of plain chicken cut up into minuscule pieces yesterday. It was touch and go, but they stayed down. That's first protein I've gotten in 3 wks.

I'm just so happy that nothing's wrong w/the Nissen. I couldn't have borne it if that had gone haywire too. But my stomach has tremendously shrunk w/not eating and drinking limited fluids, so it is just like after the surgery, can only eat/drink a little bit/time.

Thank you all for all your suggestions and support.
Posted 9/1/2012 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Scaredtogetsick, I'm glad to hear that you have some relief! Anything is better than nothing.

I hate to write this but whomever told you that viral induced vertigo is almost certainly wrong. It is your Vagus Nerve giving you problems. Either your wrap is really tight and is pinching the nerve, it was damaged during surgery, or was pinched when your stomach was herniating into your esophagus. If you have vertigo, numb left two fingers and toes, pressure in your head, headache behind your left eye, pounding heart with or without not much change change in heart beat speed as you breath in/out, deep pain in your left hip and leg, etc. you have a vagus nerve situation. Most doctors don't won't even make the correlation but be forewarned that stopping signals in that nerve can stop your stomach from working altogether in the future. It has also been linked to heart problems. I don't mean to alarm you but the vertigo is a clear indicator of Vagus Nerve problems.
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