My LINX journal

NDL,

Do you have a Facebook account? I created a Group for LINX, but only one person in it had it done. I was wondering if you would join.

Thanks!

RGR

Awesome!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/201278776669716/

Hi NDL,

Awaiting your progress report.

Best,

Gastricman

JANUARY 21, 2013 - MONDAY - DAY 7

Today was not a fun day overall. Since I was having issues going to the bathroom because of the anesthesia and pain meds I decided to take a laxative like the doctor suggested. I figured I'd buy the name brand Dulcolax overnight gental whatever. Anyways, I took it at about 2am and around 10am I woke up with horrible stomach pains, sharp pains. I couldn't even double over in pain since my incisions are still sore, and I couldn't rub my stomach to calm it down because of the same reason. Nicely put I was near the bathroom from 10am to 3pm. It was AWFUL. I will never ever take one of those again! I'd rather have issues of not going!!

So past that fun part. My day was spend dehydrated and exhausted. I was feeling better and better each day until yesterday. This was the whole day. So that's all I have to report :(

foods
coffee
oatmeal
tuna salad with pita crackers
chicken pad thai (spicy level 5 of 1-10, so it was medium)
starbucks ice cream (whichever flavor is coffee and dark chocolate chips)
4 pieces of toast

The pad thai was spicy and I had no heartburn. I have noticed that I've been feeling like I over eat a lot. But I do think it's because I AM over eating. I've just been so happy I can finally eat that I over do it lol

Post Edited (NoDoubtLove) : 1/22/2013 7:53:56 PM (GMT-7)

Thanks for joining the Group! :) I'm sure others will be glad to hear your experience! As I am, by reading your Journal. :)

I'm glad you are doing well! Yay for no heartburn! That must be awesome. I hope that can be me some time soon!

I'm so sorry about the bad cramps and going to the bathroom. :(((

When I had my gallbladder out, that was my first surgery. No one told me that pain meds can cause severe constipation. Well I never paid attention that I went a week without going #2. I was in SO much pain from not going! I thought I was going to have to go the ER. This is gross, but I had to give myself an enema. Not a fun experience.

The next surgery I had, I was sure I took a stool softener each time I took a pain pill. It definitely helped.

I hope your bathroom issue is resolved today! And I hope you are doing well too!

Hey Nodoubtlove. nice to chat of the FB page. I guess I am the other person on the site that has had the Linx. I am day 36 and all healed up around the incisions and can run at the gym again. I went 6 days without heartburn but then had a few reminders. On a scale of 10 to the previous pain it was only a 1 but my Surgeon warned me that this may happen until the body has accpeted a foriegn object. I share in your Glee at being able to enjoy eating again, it truly is a lifechanging operation. Keep getting better.

Hi NDL and charlieboy,

Now that the two of you have had the LINX implanted, how much better do you both feel overall?

For example, has the reflux stopped 100%? Do you feel any food stuck in your throats?

Just trying to compare the before and after at this stage of recovery.

gerd_hater,

I recommend Colace (generic is Docusate Sodium) - please check with your MD first to see if OK.

"Stool softeners moisten the stool and prevent dehydration. These laxatives are often recommended after childbirth or surgery. Brand names include Colace and Surfak. These products are suggested for people who should avoid straining in order to pass a bowel movement. The prolonged use of this class of drugs may result in an electrolyte imbalance."

Best,

Gastricman

NDL



I have just seen all your previous posts on here and have compared them to my notes.
We shared the same first week. The ecstasy of eating real food again is the defining moment of feeling it’s been successful. However, the trapped wind that is there from the surgery is as painful as the 5 wounds and as you say, you now know how much you use the scar area. My pain was more in the shoulders than the back but it was completely gone in 9 days. I was given Lactulose to help things move but I went 6 days without any movements. Sorry to be so graphic but it’s because of the incisions and not being able to strain. But after 8 days all was well in that department as well. The food backing up was scary at first but thanks to others explanation on this site; I was prepared and followed their suggestions and can manage my food well now. The trouble is after a few meals you get so excited about enjoying your food again, you forget to chew and take too bigger bites and have to go through the regurgitating process, wait, and drink and start again. Good tip for you if you are in a restaurant. Order soup to start with. It seems to tell the Linx that it needs to open and prepare for more solid foods after. It really works.
The Steri Strips were taken off by my Surgeon afetr the 10 day check up. Some had come off in the shower the day before but as long as they are clean it not a problem. The 2 middle Incisions soon formed blood scabs and after 2 weeks had fallen off. The first week is the hardest and then you will find a massive improvement.

Gastricman.

I am at 36 days and can honestly say I am 90% better than last year. I, like so many other posters was so depressed and had to give up all of my hobbies like Golf, Skiing and traveling. I had no confidence in going out to dinner in case I got an acid attack that I just stayed at home and can’t remember much of the last 6 months. Since the operation, I am back to the Gym, tonight off to a Soccer match in London and I am leaving for Kenya on Saturday for a month. I have booked a Skiing holiday for the end of March in the French Alps. I have been out to dinner 3 times in the last 10 days and can order anything. So to answer your question, this operation has given me my life back and I feel so lucky to have had this second chance.

I'm so glad to read of both of your successes! It gives me hope!

NDL - I had a bad day yesterday and then I scheduled the tests on a wim for next week, but I didn't even plan everything else, so my husband got mad at me. He can't go with me because he can't take time off until the end of March! I said no way, I'll go out there by myself to do it. I'm going to schedule the manometry and PH tests probably for 2 weeks out. The only problem is that the doc said he'll so another endoscopy on me, but I can't leave afterwards since I need someone to be with me after the anesthesia wears off! So I need to wait to do that. Oh well, If I do the other two soon, then I will get some answers and be a step closer to possible surgery!

Thanks!! I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel. So sick of feeling this way:( Actually the closest person to me is my husband:( I have friends, but don't stay in contact with them that much. I don't really feel like driving so I will fly out there for two days. I'm doing the PH impendence test because he wants to test for nonacid relux too while on PPIs.

LOL, yea I remember the last endoscopy I had, I was pretty loopy. I may have to wait to do that one. I also want the delayed emptying test because sometimes I burp and can taste the food hours, or even the next morning after eating something the night before. It usually happens when I ate something really fatty, but I'm still worried I have gastroparesis. I'm just letting my worries spin out of control:(

gerd_hater,

Colace works well.

Sorry I haven't updated! Not much has changed, so I figured I didn't have much to say LOL

I did have a pill get "stuck" and that was uncomfortable. I didn't swallow sips of water beforehand. This seems to be my issue a lot.

Rate it? Hmm... 10 being best, 8.5 of 10. I'm still EXTREMELY happy with it and how much it's changed my life. The food getting stuck stuff is the downfall, but this is partially my fault and should go away in 3-12 months. And I'd love to let out a massive burp... I know that's so immature but seriously would relieve the bloat! Still, no heartburn since I've had LINX!!!

I feel bloated more often, but I am also eating foods that do bloat me. Also, the painkillers kinda stop things up. I only take 1/2 or 1 a day and only because I will clean and then the incisions get sore.